Keira-anne.com

Every Sunday I look forward to reading what’s new at PostSecret. The cards are sometimes amusing, sometimes sad and always interesting. A lot of the time, the cards lament on family ties that have been severed through hurt, abuse, neglect, dark secrets, disrespect, disconnect, insecurity or loss of love. It’s those secrets my heart goes out to most because I can’t begin to fathom what a life without an enduring family would be like.

My family is amazing.

I love my family so much.

Sometimes I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Today is what’s known as “Black Friday” across the United States, where sales and great deals are as abundant as turkey leftovers from Thanksgiving. Fervent bargain hunters at a Wal-Mart store on Long Island, New York trampled a 34-year-old worker to his death this morning at 5:00 a.m.

The Associated Press reports:

Witnesses told the Daily News that before the store was closed, eager shoppers streamed past emergency crews as they worked furiously to save the worker’s life.

“They were working on him, but you could see he was dead,” said Halcyon Alexander, 29. “People were still coming through.” [source]

I have to wonder what happens to decency and respect, but I suppose that notion becomes abundantly clear when you’ve got 50-inch Plasma TVs for less than $800. Priorities, right?

Date nights haven’t happened with their usual frequency between Becky and I, so when we do manage to have some girlie fun, it’s that much more enjoyable. This evening her and I ventured to Main Street’s recently refurbished District 319 theatre between Cordova and Hastings. The First Weekend Club [website] was hosting an exclusive showing of the Canadian film Young People F*cking [official website], a favourite at this year’s Toronto Film Festival.

The film follows four couples and one threesome as they push and explore their personal – and not so personal – sexual boundaries. Don’t let the title fool you – it’s not something designed to grab attention. The film really is essentially about sex and the different ways it manifests circumstantially. The end result is always entirely funny, and this smart film was wonderfully and honestly acted by a fistful of Canadian talent.

Disclaimer: this video trailer contains subject matter and language that some of my viewers may find offensive. Use your discretion; it’s NSFO.

And speaking of young people f*cking (excuse that as being my most vulgar segue ever), may I proudly present to you my future niece or nephew!

Trevor and Laura were finally able to bring home some ultrasound pictures from the Dawson Creek clinic today. She’s now 20 weeks (or 5 months) along in her pregnancy, and needless to say, I’m getting extremely excited! It’s amazing to see the baby’s spine, face and tiny little fingers. My brother was overwhelmed seeing his son or daughter’s heartbeat. Hopefully more pictures will be available as her pregnancy progresses, so you can be sure I’ll be posting them here.

1. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games

I walk by this clock each and every day of the work week. As the days tick down, the budget bloats. Numerous British Columbians are excited, anticipating and looking forward to the 2010 Olympic Games. Just yesterday, women from my office discussed the thousands of dollars they’re prepared to potentially spend in bidding for tickets – one even mentioned $30,000, no joke. This is in addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars that you are spending to host the Games.

Photo: keepitsurreal on Flickr

While in essence I can understand the pride our Province’s residents feel, it’s a very different reality for those living in the downtown core. Each morning when I walk to work, I step over shivering bodies attemping to get a moment of rest before spending yet another day scouring the streets and alleys. The provincial and municipal governments are no different than Rebecca Bloomwood, spending money they don’t have on things they don’t need. In truth, we should be ashamed of the 2010 Olympics. I’m embarrassed that BC chooses to “invite the world” while refusing to take care of its own first.

2. BC Ferries Is Cutting Us Some Slack

Yesterday, BC Ferries’ President and CEO, David Hahn, announced that the fuel surcharge that’s been gouging our pockets will be phased out within the next three weeks. As of December 5th, the surcharge will be lifted on all minor routes, as well as the route between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale. All other routes will follow suit by December 19th.

3. Vote Now On The Best of 604

My very lovely friend and fellow blogger, Rebecca Bollwitt of Miss604 fame, is celebrating five years of online presence with the Best of 604. Readers are encouraged to go to the Best of 604 website to vote in a number of Vancouver-specific categories (including Best Personal Blog, a category in which yours truly has been nominated).

Photo: miss604 on Flickr

Once the nominations are in and votes are cast during the second week of December, Rebecca will be hosting a private awards reception and recognition at the Cellar nightclub. I’ll keep you updated on the status of the Best of 604 nominations and let you know when you can head on over to vote for me (because you know you want to!)

When I was a child, attending church wasn’t part of my family’s weekly routine, nor was I raised with any kind of preconceived religious ideals. However, being that I experienced adolescence before our society impressed upon us all the notion that we must adhere to political correctness, I was well aware of the Christmas story and the Garden of Eden. That was the extent of my exposure.

Shortly before turning 16, I decided to tag along with some friends to a local youth group, and from there made the quick trek down a slippery slope. Before long, I was involved with youth group, church and summer camp. While I feel that my time invested in church-based activities gave me a fantastic moral foundation through some crucial years of my life, I carry much regret also. Expectations of others exceeded the reality I was capable of, and I soon found myself compromising who I was for the sake of who others wanted me to be.

It’s been, quite literally, years since I’ve set foot in a church.

Photo: Joel Bedford on Flickr

That is not to say that I’ve lost my faith. Quite the opposite, actually. I still – and always have – believed in God, and that’s just what works for me. In my mind, however, “church” and “faith” are two completely separate entities. While I have no desire to ever again be part of an establishment such as a church, I find myself desiring to reconnect with my spritiuality more as I get older.

What I think about the Bible remains to be seen (Roman scholars, anyone?), and I don’t consider prayer as a means of asking for everything I want. In reconnecting with my spirituality – which I believe to be a crucial part of whole emotional health (whatever form that may take for you) – I find myself being more realistic. I don’t petition to God with a laundry list of things I’d like Him to “fix” for me, nor do I treat Him as a genie to grant my wishes. Instead, it’s as simple as finding a bit of understanding and asking for a measure of grace and sufficiency in all things I experience.

That gives me a greater sense of peace than I’ve discovered in a very long time.

It would seem I’ve been missing-in-action from the online world over the last two days. No blogging, no Twitter. Sometimes a break is nice, but it’s even nicer to get back to it. Here’s what you, me and we missed out on…

Just one day shy of a full two weeks until opening day, I’m starting to breathe a little easier. As of Thursday morning, the slopes on Mt. Washington Alpine Resort were brown and green without a single snowflake to be seen. Oh the difference a day makes…

Photo: Mount Washington Alpine Resort (Whiskey Jack Chair, November 22, 2008, 9:35 a.m.)

The lifts will start running high above the Comox Valley on the morning of Friday, December 5, 2008. Click Mt. Washington’s logo in the sidebar (or the link above) to find out more information about location, lift ticket prices, accommodation and so much more. Count on seeing me on those slopes very, very soon!

Amy and I have been having a lot of chats lately. Sometimes we discuss kittens, sometimes we talk about Christmas and sometimes we talk about our friendship. As women who have always primarily had male friends, we find ourselves at a time in our lives where, suddenly, we’re each surrounded by a handful of phenomenal women.

There is something generally about the nature of ladies that causes us to be competitive, catty and always on guard with each other. But in the instances in which those barriers are trampled down, relationships that are both fruitful and nurturing can be allowed to grow. It takes work, but it’s worth it.

Original Photo: jenniferlstoddart on Flickr (Used With Permission)

One key factor that someone like Amy has going for her is trust. I trust her, she trusts me. As a woman trying to navigate her way to the next milestone of 30, trust is a major component of my personal lifeblood. For as long as it’s taken me, I’m finally at a point in my life where I’ve realized the importance of self and also the ripple effect that my life has. What steers the current of those ripples is dependent on me.

It’s been slightly more than two months since I started seeing a counsellor. The point of my sessions is not only working through stressors that impact me directly, but also finding the little pockets of my past that have an even greater impact – for good or for bad. What I am discovering about myself in these twice-monthly appointments is that I have a hugely difficult time expressing my needs or feelings in the moment.

Who hasn’t thought of the perfect way to say something only moments after the fact?

Each time my counsellor and I meet, her and I weed away further at where this comes from. So much of the time, I want to say what’s on my mind but it’s as if the words literally become lodged in my throat and become stuck there. My question to myself is “what is it that suppressed me into thinking that I couldn’t say what I wanted to say?” And more importantly than that, “what can and will I do to break through that hindrance?”

It’s quite possible that I won’t get all my answers anytime soon – or ever, for that matter. One thing I do know is that I am willing to work on that which impresses upon me and develop who I am for the even better. As people, we try to eat right, exercise, brush our teeth and visit the doctor for check-ups each year, but who of us is willing to keep what’s upstairs healthy and in check? Yesterday I received an e-mail with regards to my openness in discussing my struggles with abandoholism, obtaining counselling and seeking to better my mental wellness.

The author of the e-mail invited both me and my best friend to join a panel of bloggers at Northern Voice 2009 in an effort to discuss blogging as a means of breaking through the stigmas surrounding mental health issues. My best friend was diagnosed as Type II bipolar in recent years and has chosen to be open about his affliction in order to shed some much-needed light on the subject. Many people don’t understand that mental illness is, in fact, an illness. It is nothing to be taken lightly, as those who are mentally ill more than often experience a great deal of suffering on a daily basis. It is heartbreaking.

If you’d like to find out more information about counselling services in British Columbia, mental health or even to find out how you can attend Northern Voice 2009, visit the links below.

BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
Canadian Mental Health Association
Northern Voice 2009

Photo: Stewart Shining on People

Yesterday People magazine released their annual list of Sexiest Men Alive and named Australia’s Hugh Jackman as the cream of the crop. Amy was quick to point out that the list should correctly be named the Sexiest Male Celebrities Alive, and she’s absolutely right. After perusing the list, I decided that there is less than a handful of 2008′s picks I can agree with.

1. Hugh Jackman
2. Daniel Craig (Ack! He’s blonde!)
3. Jon Hamm (Uhhh…who?)
4. Zac Efron
5. Robert Buckley
6. Blair Underwood (Well hello there, Dr. Leeds.)
7. Ed Westwick
8. Michael Phelps (Normally I’d disagree, but check out that photo!)
9. Blake Shelton
10. Lang Lang
11. Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Welcome back, Zack!)
12. Javier Bardem
13. Robert Pattinson
14. Joshua Jackson
15. David Beckham (The Mickey Mouse voice just kills it for me.)

My biggest beef with this annual rollcall is the way in which it’s seemingly chosen. Then men aren’t necessarily chosen for their “sexiness,” but rather their current presence in the entertainment scene. All of these men have had the spotlight shone brightly on their stars over the last 12 months, whether it be movies, television or even the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Photo: Anzuoni/Reuters/Landov
on People

While I understand everyone’s tastes are their own, I can’t for the life of me understand how virtual boys can make a list like that – I want to see men! Thank goodness for hairy-chested hotties like Javier Bardem. I don’t care for men who are half a decade my junior, considered sexy only because they’ve been prettied up by Hollywood. It wasn’t too long ago that I saw Zac Efron on an episode of CSI: Miami as a gap-toothed, bushy-eye browed kid. Considering him “sexy” seems almost downright wrong.

If I had my way, here would be my personal top five picks for who’s sexy in 2008:

1. Javier Bardem
2. Chris Meloni
3. Jenny Lewis
4. James Franco
5. Dean Winters

Your turn: Who are your top five sexy beasts of the year?

As is seemingly the norm in Vancouver’s West End, when you need a taxi, one can never be found; when you don’t need a taxi, they’re everywhere.

A few nights ago in an attempt to make my way to Gastown, I flagged down a yellow car, hopped in and gave the driver the address. “Oh you made my night – you are such a coyote!”

“Excuse me?” I replied.

“Oops, my bad. I mean cutie – I always get those mixed up. I’m just so happy to have a coyote in my cab…ah I mean cutie!”

He then asked me where I worked; I told him at a law firm. He asked if I was a lawyer and I responded in the negative. He informed me that I should “give a big tip” then because he is putting his son through law school. He asked if I would get his son a job as an articled student at my firm.

All highly inappropriate comments to make.

Photo: 09traveler on Flickr

As he inched his way down Davie to Burrard, he asked which street I’d like to take to Cordova. I told him it didn’t matter, as long as he took the fastest route. “No, ma’am, you’re the passenger so it’s your choice.”

“I really don’t care. Take Burrard then.” He ticked his finger no, pointed at the clock and informed me that it was 5:57 p.m. so it would be an illegal turn. But he did it anyways.

Traffic wasn’t bad, so for no apparent reason, he decided to resume the 27 km/hr speed he clocked on Davie Street. “Uh, can you go a little faster, please?” He refused, insisting that this was a safe speed. “Sure, but I’m the one paying for the cab ride and I’d like to go the speed limit.”

“Oh, no ma’am I can’t do that. But I will get you to Gastown.”

“Fine, but I only have $13 in my wallet so don’t say I didn’t warn you if the metre runs over.”

“Oh $13? I’ll turn the metre off and you just give me that money now and I’ll get you there.” Turning the metre off is illegal, by the way.

“Absolutely not! It may not take that much money to get there so I’ll pay what the metre says I owe. Keep the metre running please.” I was starting to feel quite angry.

In an attempt to keep the peace and put a lid on the conversation, I flipped open my phone and called my mom. As we chatted away, the cab driver piped up in a loud voice, informing me that he still refused to go any faster. I had to firmly inform him that I was on the phone.

Over the remainder of the journey, I stayed on the phone, pausing only to remind him to pick up the pace a little bit. As the cab arrived at my destination, the driver actually began to lecture me on safe driving rules. I managed to zone out as I gathered my belongings from the seat and politely informed him that someone driving well below the speed limit is nearly just as hazardous as one who drives over it.

Does anybody else have any horrific taxi stories to share with the class?