Keira-anne.com

Not joining: it’s what I’m famous for. I’ve always been more content to strut to my own beat rather than go with the flow. I often resist change and will purposely avoid jumping bandwagons simply out of principle.

The same could not be more true of my relationship with social media. I was one of those straggling converts from MySpace to Facebook years ago. For the longest time I held my ground over Twitter, unable to see the point in “micro blogging”. However, as this blog gains the structure and focused content it’s been featuring lately, I find myself with less opportunities to share personal thoughts in more than 140 characters. Isn’t that always the chagrin of Twitter?

Last night I started a Tumblr account-slash-blog in an effort to bring back a personal aspect to my online interactions. From what I can tell so far, I think Tumblr may just suit my needs quite creatively because it’s essentially an online scrapbook. You don’t need to be on Tumblr to check me out – my new postings will automatically be posted to my Twitter account. So simple.

Honest to a fault and too kind to be cruel, Tony Pierce is a rare gem. As the sole author of the long-running busblog and chief blog editor for the LA Times, never a dull word is uttered from his mouth. That is, of course, if you manage to catch him long enough for a conversation.

Photo: miss604 on Flickr

Throughout our friendship, Tony has interviewed yours truly on two occasions and has even orchestrated an interview between myself and Taylor Hanson (yup, the “Mmmbop…” guy). Never once has he sat down to be interrogated by me – until last night.

Keira-Anne: Good evening. Let’s start by getting your name out of the way.

Tony Pierce: My name is Andy Warhol and I’m here to sell you soup. Actually, paintings of soup cans.

KA: Are you selling anything else, Andy Warhol?

TP: Nope, just soup. I also go by a more common name of Tony Pierce

KA: Did your mama name you Anthony?

TP: She did! Anthony Hugh Pierce III.

KA: That’s a rather distinguished name. Why did you drop the a, n, h and y?

TP: There was a tax on consonants where I grew up. So repressive!

KA: That’s rather unfortunate. I hope it didn’t break your mama’s heart. Moving on… Did you have a favourite pair of pajamas when you were a little boy? Maybe some flannels with a bunch of Cs for the Cubs all over them?

TP: Hmmmm that was so very long ago. I’m sure I did, I just cant recall that far back.

KA: Were the Cubs even in existence in the ’50s?

TP: Yes, they were just figuring out how to successfully lose for a living. Their last world series win was in 1908, so by the ’50s they were almost in stride.

KA: That’s appalling. Let’s talk about sports later on. When did you make the move from Chicago to Los Angeles?

TP: I moved here the day after my high school graduation. I was 17.

KA: I like that you’re not getting any more specific than that. You were so young, so fresh and so impressionable. Were you frightened on your first day in LA?

TP: Indeed. I had gone from kindergarten all the way to graduating high school in Illinois. I knew everyone, so moving here not knowing one soul was weird, but I was up for it. I mean, I knew what family I had out here, but no one my own age.

KA: Can you tell me what your first great memory of LA was? You know… that pinnacle moment where you realized you made the right decision.

TP: There’s this free weekly newspaper out here called the LA Weekly and they list all the bands that are gonna play and where all the movies are. Even though I didn’t like to dance, I figured I should go to a dance club to meet girls.

KA: That’s never a bad idea.

TP: So the Weekly said I should try this one club because it was a mix between the bar in Star Wars and the wildest orgies in ancient Rome. LITTLE DID I KNOW that meant it was a gay and lesbian club.

KA: They didn’t specify that in the small print?

TP: NOT AT ALL. So I stood stunned as I saw two super hot girls make out and I was all “I’m in HEAV-“ and this dude tapped me on the shoulder.

KA: Did your stomach drop at that moment?

TP: Looks like probably exactly like how your dad looks and said “wanna dance?”

KA: I guess strapping, young black men from the mid-west were his thing. Did you oblige him?

TP: No, I ran out of the club and sped out of the garage as fast as I could with a huge WELCOME TO LA feeling in my heart.

KA: Have you been back to the Star Wars Orgy since?

TP: When I told my friends about it, they were all, “a gay and lesbian dance club? Hell, we woulda’ burned down such a place in IL“. And interestingly enough this place, The Odyssey, was burned down a few months after I went there.

KA: There’s some culture shock for you… There’s a gay club in Vancouver called the Odyssey as well.

TP: See, maybe that’s a thing that we straights don’t know.

KA: Perhaps it’s a chain. What’s the one thing about LA you wouldn’t trade for anything else?

TP: People talk about the pretty girls, but you’re proof that there are gorgeouser women in Canada.

KA: Is it all talk?

TP: No, there are definitely pretty girls here.

KA: You make me blush and I’m not even the one being interviewed.

TP: Ha! Some say they like bumping into celebrities in LA, but we are now letting Canada steal our movie and TV biz.

KA: It’s true. BC is kind of a Mecca for that stuff now.

TP: So I would say it’s the weather. There’s nothing better than wearing shorts in January.

KA: How about not wearing shorts in January?

TP: Bottomlessness is frowned upon in the lower 48, but I’m glad that Canada is setting trends.

KA: What about Hawaii and Alaska?

TP: Palinville and Punanyland? They don’t really count.

KA: Fair enough. So tell me… what is so special about Los Angeles that they deserve not one but two NBA teams?

TP: LA deserves two teams of all great sports. The fact that we have zero football teams is just LA being funny.

KA: If that’s your logic, then the same should be said about Vancouver. What happened to the Raiders?

TP: The Raiders were here for 15-16 years, something like that. And Uncle Al… all he wanted was a kickass stadium – one with luxury boxes. LA promised they’d hook him up.

KA: Hold on… Uncle Al?

TP: Al Davis. The one and only owner of the Raiders.

KA: Okay. Keep going.

TP: N.W.A even has a line about him: “And quit giving juice to the Raiders / Cuz Al Davis / Never paid us“.

KA: Sounds hostile.

TP: The Raiders are silver and black because Al is color blind and he wanted the fans to see things like he does. He’s the original gangsta, which is why N.W.A loved him.

KA: Tony, you teach me something new every time I talk to you.

TP: Hahaha – menial trivia I’m sure.

KA: Someone somewhere will be interested in that fact. I, for one, am. That said, Lakers or Clippers?

TP: I am not a Kobe fan. But it’s hard not to be a Phil Jackson fan. I really wish the Clip Show was more competitive, because I would go to more of their games if they were.

KA: Nice lead-in. Kobe Bryant replaced Jerry West as the Lakers’ all-time leading scorer in tonight’s game. Does that do anything for you?

TP: Not really. Kobe began playing for the Lakers right outta high school. He’s almost always had great players around him. Jerry West spent four years in college.

KA: It’s okay. The Lakers lost to the Grizzlies tonight anyway. Point proven.

TP: See? Here’s another weird trivia bit that you may not be aware of but maybe you are.

KA: Do tell…

TP: The NBA logo is Jerry West.

KA: Reeeeeeally? Kobe’s credibility between you and I just keeps getting weaker and weaker.

TP: Yep.

KA: That is nothing short of rad.

TP: I know!

KA: I can’t go any further without complimenting you on your spelling and grammar. I’m a bit particular about it myself – obsessive almost. How important is spelling, grammar and sentence structure in blogging?

TP: it all depends on what kind of blogging you’re doing.

KA: Is it important to you?

TP: Very.

KA: Phewf.

TP: I’m trying to do something arty. When it’s at its best, which it hasn’t been in a while, it should look drunken and wasted and nutz.

KA: Blogging ebbs and flows.

TP: Life ebbs and flows and you can’t always be the artiste you wanna be.

KA: Do people still use a “z” to pluralize?

TP: It all depends on what I’m trying to evoke.

KA: I bet you say “zee”.

TP: I think the Lord has blessed us with a large pallet in which to paint from, so we should use everything – but in the right way.

KA: Speaking of, if you weren’t a hot shot with the LA Times and the sole author or the busblog, do you think you would have instead been a man of the cloth? You make this too easy for me. It’s like you’re reading my mind.

TP: If only I could read minds, I would use that power for the hottest evil.

KA: More about that in a moment…

TP: Which is probably why they wouldn’t allow me in any monastery.

KA: True. But you’re pretty tight with the G-man, no?

TP: I am a devout believer, yes.

KA: That makes two of us. I’m diggin’ Isaiah these days.

TP: I just finished first Kings, so I’m still thinking a lot about David. I will be on Isaiah soon!

KA: Good!

“I read The Bible once. You know God and Jesus and all them apostles? They were all fishermen, just like me. Yeah, straight to heaven for Mick Dundee. Yep, me and God, we’d be mates.”

Is it that simple?

TP: Let’s hope! They say you go by the Grace of God, so who knows.

KA: And probably by the sweat of your brow.

TP: If I get in, it will be after much deliberation. Unlike you, I wont get a unanimous vote.

KA: I don’t know – I think things are a bit more cut and dry than that… especially in real life. Which merit do you think would earn me that unanimous vote?

TP: A) You’re a virgin;
B) you’re Canadian;
C) your blog design is gorge;
D) you love animals;
E) you love nature;
F) when you touch yourself you think of angels and butterflies;
G) you are super sweet to even those you don’t have to be…

KA: I don’t think my ego can handle you getting all the way to zee, but that’s a good start.

TP: Hahaha.

KA: Remember when we hung out in Vancouver about 20 years ago?

TP: Best summer vacation I’ve ever had!

KA: What’s so repulsive about this city that’s kept you away since? Does Vancouver smell funny?

TP: Vancouver smells so good that even its worst aroma is Hells Angels selling weed.

KA: I don’t think they sell it. I think they have other people that sell it for them.

TP: Whatevs, that whole block smelled awesome.

KA: If you come back to Vancouver this summer, we’ll go to the arcade again. And I’ll even let you borrow Jordy to go for a walk and pick up chicks.

TP: The reason I have never come back goes along those lines… I really got a massive crush on Foxy.

KA: I know you did.

TP: And it would be hard for me to not stalk her if I returned. Which isn’t the way you wanna roll when in Canada.

KA: Would she be upset if you stalked her?

TP: It’s hard to tell because she plays it so cool. She hardly ever writes me back when I write her, so who knows if she just doesn’t wanna talk or if she hates me.

KA: And you definitely don’t want to be a needy chick to Foxy.

TP: I don’t wanna be needy to anyone. I don’t mind chasing, but I don’t wanna be annoying.

KA: That’s a good balance. But the offer stands. My dog is a total magnet. You’d have hot chicks flocking to you like bees to honey.

TP: I’ve always had great luck up there, so I wouldn’t doubt it!

KA: Multiple luck from what I’ve heard.

TP: I think the girls are just tired of naturally handsome locals.

KA: “Naturally handsome locals” isn’t really an accurate blanket statement. Do you still have this shirt?

TP: Indeed I do! I’m thinking about wearing it to this really cool Super Bowl party on Sunday. It’s the cheesiest shirt I own, so why not?

KA: Who’s playing in the Super Bowl this year? New Orleans and…

TP: Peyton Manning’s Indy Colts.

KA: Are you placing any bets?

TP: I’m not, but if I was, I’d bet on the Colts – they have the experience. But my heart is with the Saints.

KA: Is that just your hunch talking?

TP: No. I just feel for the city of New Orleans and I know how much more important this would be for them. Indy has… oh so much but New Orleans could use a break.

KA: You know, I was thinking the same thing tonight as I watched the Suns in NOLA. Plus they’re down their star point-guard. A win would’ve been great for the city’s morale.

TP: Trust me, I am in 7 NBA fantasy leagues and I drafted that point guard #1 in three of those leagues. I know all too well about that sitch.

KA: Does that mean you’re out money?

TP: No I never play fantasy for $. People cheat enough as it is, but if it was for $ I’m afraid they’d totally cheat worse, and block me from making incredible trades. Today, for example, I pulled the trigger on a trade you may appreciate.

KA: Are you afraid of becoming addicted to gambling?

TP: The only thing I’m addicted to is blogging.

KA: That’s safe.

TP: Is it?

KA: You traded Amar’e Stoudemire, didn’t you?

TP: Close, Derrick Rose for the injured Carlos Boozer.

KA: That really doesn’t impact me either way.

TP: Me, I think it’s a brilliant trade.

KA: Plus, we got whipped by Utah last week.

TP: See, they’re really good. Some would say Boozer is their hidden reason.

KA: It’s possible, sure.

TP: But in fantasy he gives points, boards, blocks. Rose can only score and dole out a few assists.

KA: Fantasy sports, in my opinion, is really likened to WOW.

TP: Oh def – except with real people.

KA: Doesn’t it make you feel a little bit silly?

TP: No because it keeps me aware of EVERY team in the NBA, even the players on the bench.

KA: So there is some value to it.

TP: Tons. When I go to a game, I know every detail.

KA: Tony, we’ve been chatting for 53 minutes now. What kind of a feeling are you having about how we’re rolling?

TP: Chatting with you, Keira-Anne, is like dancing in the clouds with Gene Kelly.

KA: Would you be Gene Kelly?

TP: Wait, that’s a dude?!?! Aw crap.

KA: Yes.

TP: Ok, his girlfriend.

KA: You’d be his girlfriend?

TP: Chatting with you, Keira-Anne, is like being Spider-man upside-down kissing Kirsten Dunst in the rain while Sam Raimi directs.

KA: That was a hot kiss – very lippy. Have you ever kissed a girl like that?

TP: Not when it was raining.

KA: Were you wearing spandex?

TP: Just under my suit.

KA: So you were more like Superman…

TP: The only way I’m like Superman is that I work at a newspaper by day.

KA: And your name is cooler than “Clark”.

TP: Tony Pierce is a pretty good name, I must say.

KA: It’s a great name. May I compliment you for a moment?

TP: Hmmmm… fine.

KA: Woah, woah, woah… why the defense? (Do you like that I spelled it the American way just for you?)

TP: How are you supposed to spell it?

KA: In Canada we spell it as “defence”. Safari tells me that I just spelled it wrong.

TP: Ahhhh…

KA: For the record, I believe our French Canadian-influenced spelling looks odd. We also spell “center” as “centre”.

TP: Yes, I like that a lot.

KA: Anyway, enough deviation. I would just like to say that I enjoy speaking with you because you are one of those extremely rare people that expects authenticity from others while seemingly accepting them for who they are. And that, my friend, makes my heart happy.

TP: Awwww thank you! I don’t expect people to be authentic, but I’m very happy when they trust me enough to cut the act.

KA: Perhaps that’s a better way of articulating what I meant. You have a knack for encouraging people to cut the crap.

TP: I’m glad you feel comfortable with me. For sure!

KA: So as our time together draws to an end, is there anything that you want/need/wish the great people of Canada to know about you? Or do you simply want to bid us adieu and goodnight with a reminder of how warm it is in Cali right now?

TP: It’s not super warm here this minute.

KA: I bet it’s warmer than Vancouver.

TP: I have my little space heater on.

KA: I have my heater on in my little space.

TP: And no, I don’t want to try to convince Canada of anything about me. I trust that they will judge me accurately. I guess the only thing for me to say to the good people up there is “Thank You”. Mostly for visiting my site as much as they do and for always being welcoming and loving when I visit.

KA: Are the majority of your readers from Canada?

TP: At the bottom of my blog on the left rail it shows the countries. Right now it’s late, so almost everyone is from the West Coast of the USA. But during the day, when it matters, it’s about half Canada and half the USA.

KA: Well, whatever we may lack in numbers, we make up for in love and pixie dust for the busblog.

TP: Hooray!!! I do have one favor of you.

KA: Anything for you, Anthony Hugh Pierce III.

TP: I would like to ask you about your love life since we have been tracking it on the busblog. So table’s turned! Ms. Keira-Anne, tell us that you’re not still a single woman. Tell us that some smart man has swooped you up.

KA: Is the interviewee allowed to ask the interviewer questions?

TP: I believe you just said, “Anything for you, Anthony Hugh Pierce III“.

KA: This is true. I can’t deny what I said or eat my words.

TP: But since you are a gentlewoman I will allow you one no comment.

KA: I am still a single woman and no smart man has swooped me up.

TP: Now how again is this at all possible?? You walk to work?

KA: I do walk to work each day.

TP: And no guys smile as you pass by?

KA: Sometimes the construction workers. But more no than yes.

TP: When you go out with your friends to eat, or better, to drink, no guys send over a nice drink and wave?

KA: I had a guy buy me drinks on my birthday. Then I found out he was engaged. Who does that? Needless to say, I bolted.

TP: Dick! Do you have any single lady BFFs?

KA: Sure do. Well, single ladies. No BFFs for this girl.

TP: Am I to believe that you and your single ladies don’t go out 1-2 times a month to prowl the bars and/or bowling alleys searching for testosterone?

KA: You know that’s not how I roll.

TP: It’s just walking that catwalk. Letting the fools know what they lucked into.

KA: I do that every time I leave my apartment…

TP: Fair enough. You’ve answered more than one question, so thank you. One follow-up though, totally unrelated.

KA: Go for it.

TP: Power Windows… Sorry, Tinted Windows

KA: What about tinted power windows?

TP: Your boy leading that super group.

KA: Aww yeah Taylor Hanson. It didn’t really take off as much as it could have. But the thing is, he gels best with his brothers. Anything else he tries, in my opinion, will pale in comparison.

TP: Glad to hear it. I was afraid you’d drank the Kool-Aid.

KA: Never. Unless it’s lime.

TP: Awesome. Well thanks for the interview.

KA: No, no… thank you.

I’m as shocked at the notion as you probably are. My recent loving ode to the Phoenix Suns was picked up by the team’s webmaster and added to their Twitter stream. Within no time at all, I received an e-mail from the senior content editor at Fanster – a truly comprehensive sports website dedicated to covering all professional and college-level sports in Arizona. It seemed as though they were interested in some north-of-the-border perspective on the Suns and offered me the opportunity to become a regular blogger.

I humbly and excitedly accepted.

My first column installment was published this morning (found here) and is more or less an introduction to yours truly. I can’t muscle my way into a sports fans’ site and pretend I have a clue as to what I’m talking about without some credibility. As it stands now, I’ll be publishing my thoughts and ideas each Monday – and possibly more if I feel so inspired. Keep in the loop with my rants and raves by viewing my Fanster profile which will include a listing of all posts.

A few years ago, I was in my boss’s office when he asked me what the difference is between a website and a blog. After a brief description of each, he asked if I, in fact, had a blog. He then proceeded to pointedly ask me why anyone would be at all interested in what I have to say about anything. While he meant it mostly in jest, he also made a very good point. Why would anyone be interested in what I have to say? Half the time I’m not interested in what I have to say, so why would someone else?

Over the last eight months, my frequency of blog posting has dwindled faster than my bank account balance at the Clinique counter. While it isn’t that I don’t have anything to say, the narcissistic charm that blogging once held has been slowly fading away. Allowing perfect strangers a view to a thrill during bikini season has lost that loving feeling, while no one really needs (or should care) to know what I made for dinner, which movie I went to see or who I’ve been hanging out with these days.

My mother loves to take photos when we go for walks. This, however, normally translates to stopping every 400 metres to stage a shot. While her enthusiasm is sweet, and there’s always a time and a place for snapping photos, how can two people create memories together if they’re too busy trying to capture them on a digital memory card? I’d rather live and love my life rather than watch it pass me by because I’m too busy letting everyone else know.

Maybe Twitter has led to the demise of it all. I’ve realized that I can share my wit and wisdom in 140 characters or less, rather than dragging each of you through a large volume of mostly superfluous paragraphs just so I can hear myself speak, so to speak. (Though speaking of, doesn’t “superfluous” strike you as a bit ironic because it is, in itself, a superfluous word?)

However, that said, some people still have an insatiable need to know, some people still love to lurk and I still love to mold the English language, bending it to my will. Let me break down these days for you:

Photo: Comox Valley SPCA
Bobbi Sue 4 is available for adoption.

I started this blog in June of 2006 September of 2005 with no rhyme or reason. My posts were as scattered as my thoughts, but my primary purpose was to keep family and a few friends updated on my goings-on. Since that time, this blog has undergone name changes, address changes, personality changes, different directions, switched focuses, transformed sentiments and has varied itself between a journalism blog and a diary blog (and all the places in between).

The truth is, more often than not, I resent the internet. Several days ago, I was discussing with a friend how much more burdensome it can be rather than helpful. While I appreciate that being online is a great tool for connection, both she and I agreed that sometimes it’s crucial to take a step back, breathe and re-group yourself. It’s difficult to avoid becoming too dependent on this as our personal portal to the so-called outside world.

I love to write. I love forming sentences, playing with words and transforming thoughts from ideas in my head into coherent expressions through the language I use. I love hearing from readers that something I’ve shared has impacted them in a personal way. I love taking just one incredible photo and imparting it with others. I don’t want to stop.

From here out, I promise to you, o my readers, to write only when something reflects the attitude I shared above. No fluff, no filler, no blog posts out of daily obligation. Most of you can tell when I’ve written something without any heart, something that is even more apparent to me than to anyone else. If you want my fluff thoughts, check my Twitter. If you want to read about the things or experiences that rock me to my core in one way or another, you may be required to endure delays of several days at times, but stay tuned…

Raymi did this and tagged me. And since I’m on holidays, I clearly have nothing better to do. Also, because there’s no Island Profile this week (remember? I’m on holidays), I’ve thrown in a few pictures from this weekend’s Filberg Festival (and other stuff) just for fun.

1. What time did you get up this morning?

8:30 a.m. – it’s the latest Jordy’s let me sleep in on our holidays so far.

2. How do you like your steak?

Alive and not on any plate, thank you.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?

The Hangover. I may have seen it three times. Can you blame me?

4. What are your favorite TV shows?

OZ, Deadwood, Law & Order: SVU, Sex and the City, Alias

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

I’m gonna be super cliché and say either New York City or some small town in Southern California. I like the sound of Toluca Lake.

6. What did you have for breakfast?

I haven’t eaten breakfast yet today. I’m getting through my second cup of coffee with International Delight fat-free hazelnut cream. Sacrilege, I know.

7. What is your favorite cuisine?

Mexican

8. What foods do you dislike?

Meat, Thai, meat, Vietnamese, meat.

9. Favorite Place to Eat?

I probably couldn’t be less inventive but I’m in love with Milestones right now because of their California summer salad and crushed raspberry mojitos. But I also really love Boneta, Atlas Cafe and Avenue.

10. Favorite dressing?

Usually just some olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Simple, so good.

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive?

I don’t.

12. What are your favorite clothes?

My wool DvF dress, jeans and a cardigan and my super short cut-offs.

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?

If you read my blog, you know.

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?

1/2 full.

15. Where would you want to retire?

Comox Valley

16. Favorite time of day?

Wine time, bath time, park time with Jordy, Gossip Hour with Auntie Raymi and pretty much any time I get to eat.

17. Where were you born?

Here.

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?

I hate watching sports.

19. Who do you think will not tag you back?

21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this?

22. Bird watcher?

Uh, nah.

23. Are you a morning person or a night person?

Both.

24. Do you have any pets?

I’m kind of obsessed with my pet.

25. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share?

I’m not fond of sharing.

26. What did you want to be when you were little?

A figure skater or a cheerleader. I had a lot of ambition, I know.

27. What is your best childhood memory?

Going on wilderness walks with my Opa in the forest behind his house. We’d try to spot deer or bunnies or birds and then we’d sit in an “eagle’s nest” and he’d tell me stories. He was so rad.

28. Are you a cat or dog person?

Dog, dog, dog, dog, dog!

29. Are you married?

Barf.

30. Always wear your seat belt?

Oui.

31. Been in a car accident?

Nope.

32. Any pet peeves?

People who drive while talking on their cell phones, people who can’t spell or use bad grammar, people who pop their collars, people who talk through movies, people who are chronic liars, people who overdramatize everything, people who need constant reassurance, people who disrespect animals. Also, the motorcycles that rev up my street, hearing a little bit of bass through the wall from my neighbour (I tattle on him all the time), LOL and that tongue emoticon, Olympic brouhaha and when I paint my fingernails and chip a tip the next morning.

33. Favorite Pizza Toppings?

Mushrooms, lots of cheese, onion.

34. Favorite Flower?

White tulips.

35. Favorite ice cream?

Are you seriously asking me this? Obviously banana fudge, chocolate chip mint and Moose Tracks from Island Farms.

36. Favorite fast food restaurant?

Taco Time. Okay and I did eat a vegetarian sandwich from KFC the other day and it was soooo freaking good.

37. How many times did you fail your driver’s test?

I failed my Class 5 the first time but when I got my short bus license, I passed with flying colours the first time.

38. From whom did you get your last email?

Andrea.

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?

Neiman Marcus, Book Warehouse, Target. Except, for the record, I’d never choose to max out my credit card.

40. Do anything spontaneous lately?

I’m so routine and I love it.

41. Like your job?

Actually, yes, I do.

42. Broccoli?

Sometimes.

43. What was your favorite vacation?

I wish I’ve been on a vacation. Soon, very soon.

44. Last person you went out to dinner with?

With Andrea to Milestones. Surprising? No.

45. What are you listening to right now?

Nothing – it’s super quiet at my mom’s. The baby is sleeping, the dogs are sleeping.

46. What are your favorite colors?

Purple, green, blue, white, black, brown. Also yellow.

47. How many tattoos do you have?

None yet, but I’m cookin’ something up.

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz?

49. What time did you finish this quiz?

10:01 a.m.

50. Coffee Drinker?

See question six, please.

Photo: Matteo.Mazzoni on Flickr

I’m going to Tofino first-thing tomorrow morning, so this place is going to get a little bit cobwebby.

Remember that time, in February of 2008, when Rebecca and I boarded a ferry for the Island and hit the slopes of Mount Washington for the weekend?

One of the most fun parts of that trip was making each other laugh over reader questions during our first ever podcast. Since then, we’ve also had the pleasure of interviewing Hanson via podcast, and now we’re ready to do it again! With her husband out of town on a guys’ weekend, Rebecca is tagging along with me to the Comox Valley for some sunny days before we pick Jordy up at his foster home.

This can be a really fun way to get to know each of us in a bit of a different way. Politics? Love? Movies? Sex? Music? Embarrassing childhood moments?

It’s been a cold Winter.

I haven’t written a single word – either on here or in my private journal – in almost two weeks. That alone astounds me. I love to write.

E-mails, comments and words of encouragement have come in steadily, simply out of concern. While I don’t feel it’s appropriate or necessary to share my reasons for allowing myself to be swallowed up into obscurity, I can say with all honesty that I’ve enjoyed my time away from this realm.

Anyone who has read this blog for a reasonable period of time would be well aware of what I personally struggle with in regards to the internet. Putting myself out there and blogging about who I am, what I go through and that which I experience finds me walking the tightrope between being real with myself and being vulnerable to others.

I haven’t missed this.

In the past, I’ve contemplated giving up blogging altogether more times than I can count, but in the end, I know that’s not realistic. Writing has always been my catharsis, escape and means to untangle circumstances in hopes of clarity. That said, surely one can understand my surprise at my lack of motivation and inspiration to put pen to paper – or fingertips to laptop – as of late.

I want to both find and offer some sort of inspiration through words because words can be beautiful. Words can also be cutting. I want to write again. I’m going to share of my life, post photos, thoughts and exhortations. What my hiatus has shown me, however, is that I can do all of those things while also protecting myself, not getting in over my head and certainly not swimming with the sharks in the deep end.

I want to write, I will keep any of my followers updated on my new Twitter page (so feel free to follow me) and keep my Flickr account up-to-date. While these avenues will be active, it’s my goal and desire to be less interactive than I was before. Being absent from the web was refreshing and oddly freeing. As is the case in so many other areas of my life, I don’t want to be where I was before.

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That being said, my first venture back into the real world will be this Saturday. I’ve spent much of the past few weeks on Vancouver Island with my family, but have yet to visit my “home away from home” this season – Mount Washington.

Even though the snow decided to take its pretty little time falling this year, things have turned around drastically with close to two feet of fresh powder having fallen in the last 48 hours. Combine that with the glorious sunshine expected on the slopes this weekend, here’s hoping it’ll manage to put a smile on my face.

Photo: Mount Washington Alpine Resort

See you on the slopes, kids.

For those of you who have been reading my blog for a few months or longer, you will recall the SPCA Paws For A Cause fundraising campaign that I participated in with friends back in September, 2008. Being that we are both diehard “dog people,” Matt and I teamed up to expand the efforts and, through the very generous and supportive readers of both our blogs, raised over $7,500. Astonishing! I am definitely looking forward to 2009′s campaign on September 13.

If you’d like to help or donate to the SPCA, visit their website for more information.

This afternoon, the Ottawa girl over at The Quack Attack posted answers to five questions posed to her in an effort to let us all get to know her better. Agreeing that it would be a neat-o idea, I zipped an e-mail off to her and received five original questions asked of me.

These are my answers.

1. When you were a little girl, what did you want to be when you grow up?

I had so many career ideas as a little girl (including pursuing a law degree – yikes!), but the earliest two memories I can recall were either a figure skater or a cheerleader. Oddly enough, I never learned to do either.

Photo: Duane Storey on Flickr

2. What is the one task you procrastinate on more than any other?

The older I get, the less I find I tend to procrastinate. I’m more of the “do it now and get it over and done with” type. This even includes laundry and cleaning toilets. The same could not be said of my homework in grade school.

3. Name one thing you love about living in Vancouver and why.

I know I have a tendency to rag on this city more often than not, but one thing I know for sure that I absolutely love is the little ways in which Vancouver constantly surprises me. Though I’m a diehard homebody, there’s also a spontaneous streak somewhere inside. Meeting friends for beer and cheap wings at the last minute, sunset trips to the beach to watch the waves roll in or random bowl-a-thons are always some of my most treasured memories of this place.

Photo: Duane Storey on Flickr

4. If you could go back in time and change one decision you made, what would it be?

This is an answer I tend to search for quite a bit for my own reasons, but as cliché as it may be to say so, I don’t think there’s anything I regret so much that I’d change, given the chance. I’ve made a lot of bad decisions, inexperienced choices and the like in my lifetime, but there’s nothing I’ve experienced that I haven’t ultimately learned something from. I could try to put a certain value on those lessons, but the truth is that it isn’t possible.

5. Totally for fun: if you found yourself in the same place as Javier Bardem, would you be brave enough to approach him? Got an opening line?

Five years ago I probably wouldn’t have had the courage to approach him, but knowing what I know of myself now, I don’t think that it would be a problem for me. I have the confidence to do so, though I don’t know for sure what I would say in that instant. But, um, let’s be honest… would I really need a stellar opening line?

I jest.

(Sorta)

Want to get in on the fun? You can be a part of it by following a few simple steps…

Send me an e-mail with the subject line “Interview Me”

I’ll respond within 12-ish hours with 5 questions directed to you (I promise to try and be unique)

Answer the questions on your blog (or Facebook or MySpace) and link back to this original post

Invite others to participate by re-posting these steps