Keira-anne.com

There is never any shortage of rambling about BC Ferries on this blog. That said, here are some Friday Facts you might find interesting:

That said, I’m setting out to sail on one of these blood-sucking behemoths after work with the always luscious Amy for the Thanksgiving long weekend. I’m looking forward to a relaxing time of frosty sunshine, running, cuddle time with Charley, shopping with my Auntie (including a retro and vintage sale at the Comox Mall, sponsored by the Comox Valley Toastmasters club), cooking turkey dinner with my mom, family time, Quality Foods’ Szechuan beef, and a Sunday night party at Parksville’s Rod & Gun Club. Also, I promise that Sunday won’t be a repeat of my trip to Lucky Bar in Victoria last October. That was trouble.

And don’t forget…you can always keep up-to-date with me on my Twitter page!

Nearly nothing incenses me as much as animal abuse, and in particular, abuse to dogs. They don’t have a voice, and thus don’t have a choice. I saw something after work yesterday afternoon that made my blood boil.

As I waited outside a Blenz coffee shop to meet a friend, I noticed a man crossing the street with a black lab puppy who could have been no more than a couple months old. The puppy’s gait was clearly still unsteady, but the man had no patience and kept on commanding “come on!” while yanking roughly on the dog’s leash.

Photo: Gmonkey on Flickr

Once on the sidewalk, the man stopped to talk to someone he clearly knew. While I couldn’t hear the conversation entirely, what I did hear was how he had just been reprimanded by a complete stranger for mistreating his dog. He went on to tell his friend something to the effect of “I know how to handle my own f**king dog!” before continuing on his way.

However, he stopped near a doorway about half a block down on the other side of me, where I proceeded to watch out of the corner of my eye. The man wanted him to sit; the puppy would not sit. Instead, the little one kept going for the doorway and the man would jerk hard on the leash, lifting his puppy entirely off the ground while condescendingly yelling at him to “sit DOWN!” And being that the puppy was too young to be steady, his little legs collapsed on the ground under his body every single time. This repeated close to ten times before the puppy finally gave up and sat.

I immediately dialed my friend Angela, who is an Animal Protection Officer with the BC-SPCA, and reported what I saw. Even if it’s not enough to do anything other than warn the guy, assholes like him need to be put in their place.

Raising a dog takes a tremendous amount of love, patience, perseverance and compassion. If you aren’t willing to show those traits to your furry friends, you have no business owning one.

First and foremost, I wanted to let all of you know that despite the Province-wide goal of $850,000 for this year’s Paws For A Cause, over $1,000,000 was raised! A huge and humble thank you again to all who supported those walking for the SPCA…

Tonight I watched Run, Fatboy, Run and it was great and you should go rent slash buy it now, okay? It was funny, funny, funny! The website is here.

This was cute:

Priceless.

Goodnight.

You know those days that are so mellow, yet hold a great deal of anticipation? I know that I have many fun adventures ahead of me in the coming days, while today I am free to relax, do everything at a slower pace and daydream about what’s to come.

It’s been nearly a year - a year! - since my last shopping adventure in the U.S. with Susan, so we’re heading down at the break of dawn tomorrow. I don’t know if I’m more excited for Nordstrom and Victoria’s Secret or for Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and IHOP! And following that, I have the SPCA Paws For A Cause Walk and a visit from my mom to look forward to.

But today…today will be divine. Once I manage to make it through this work day, I’ll spend some time at the gym, followed by black bean and garlic prawns from Noodle Box for dinner, re-watching season 6 of SATC on my laptop in bed and closing my eyes for a divine sleep by 9pm. I find it incredibly odd, but I am not only enjoying going to the gym, but I also look forward to it. I have even started running en route.

Forget skinny; this chica is aspiring to Kate Bosworth à la Blue Crush. Bikini season 2009 won’t be able to handle me and my soon-to-be surfer-esque bod.

It’s not a secret that I’m no fan of working on the weekends (one of the perks of a M-F job), but even though I spent both Saturday and part of Sunday in the office, I didn’t mind. The remainder of my Sunday was spent at Crab Park with my favourite boys, followed by grocery shopping, a nap, South Park and Snatch. Sounds pretty decent if you ask me…

With a little over two weeks until the SPCA’s Paws For A Cause, excitement is certainly building! Our fundraising efforts have been met with an overwhelming response and I, for one, am incredibly grateful for the generosity and encouraging words of support. Being that so many of you have chosen to give to the animals, I would like to give something back.

Amongst those who have made contributions of more than $20, I will be raffling off a $50 gift card to the shop of the winner’s choice (Future Shop? Home Depot? Urban Outfitters?). In addition, MatthewGood.org’s very own accomplished photographer, Duane Storey, is giving away an 8″x10″ print of one of his phenomenal HDR photos snapped in and around Vancouver. A couple examples are seen below; more of his HDR work can be viewed here.

Photo: Duane Storey on Flickr

Photo: Duane Storey on Flickr

If you would like to donate to the SPCA’s Paws For A Cause and support Benji, Casey, Pete and Bella as they march for their furry friends, visit the donation page here.

To learn how your dollars can make a difference, visit the SPCA’s Paws For A Cause website.

Thanks again!

Originally posted here.

It’s probably been at least a 67 years since I last posted a link fest, so here you go, Tuesday. Here’s a link feast…

Photo: John Bollwitt on Flickr

P.S. I love my MacBook Pro

My drive and desire behind participating in 2008’s SPCA Paws For A Cause has remained completely unchanged. My passion and love for four-legged friends - and dogs in particular - is what pushes me to speak for those who have no voices.

Being that one of my very best friends feels the same way and is a committed dog lover himself, I asked Matt to come on board. Paws For A Cause is really and truly about the animals, and only the animals, and so I re-vamped my participation profile to reflect that.

While I will still be holding the leashes, it is Benji, Casey, Pete, Bella and Jorja that will be walking on September 14 to speak for their furry friends. I know my girl Charley would participate too if she were in Vancouver. Between the donations I’d already raised and those we’ve raised by way of Matt’s blog, close to $3,200 over $3,300 is going to the BC SPCA - all thanks to you!

As Jen and I strolled down Robson Street this evening, I stopped in front of a boarded up construction site that had been plastered with random concert and record posters. One cluster of ads, however, caught my eye. On September 14, 2008, the SPCA is holding its annual “Paws For A Cause” at Vanier Park in Kitsilano.

Let’s hope for sunshine, as I’ll be heading out to Kitsilano in September to march and rally with a menagerie of four-legged friends (and some very compassionate animal/SPCA supporters). My goal is a lofty one, but I firmly believe that the animals undoubtedly deserve every penny.

If you’d like more information on this event, visit the “Paws For A Cause” website, and to sponsor me directly, head on over here and search for “Keira-Anne Mellis” to pledge.

Any and all support is humbly and graciously appreciated.

Please take a minute to watch the video below to see how much work the SPCA does to help animals - not just domestic pets - across our Province.

It’s winter and it’s cold. With the cold air comes the dry air and with the dry air comes dry hair. My hair has been very dry…not to mention over-processed. On a daily basis, I use no less than Gentle Shampoo, Alojoba Conditioner, Tonic, Brilliantine Cream and Does-It-All Hairspray, all from the Bumble & Bumble line. What can I say? I’m an addict.

Photo courtesy of Bumble & Bumble

This week is a no-blowdry/no-product week. Aside from shampoo, conditioner and my Tonic spray, my hair is going wild and free. It’s been two days and already it feels ridiculously softer. Just thought you needed to know that.

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On the weekend, I popped into my local SPCA shelter to support the Toy Drive for the Animals. I was, without a doubt, incredibly impressed by the outpouring of support from the community. There were toys, treats, blankets, beds, kennels and so much more, stacked as high as the ceiling. Touring the facility was encouraging in that there are a lot of people out there that care about lost, abandoned or hurt animals. It was, at the same time, heartbreaking because I just wanted to cuddle and hold each one I saw.

To those of you that were able to help out on Sunday’s Toy Drive, I extend to you a huge thank you! As I mentioned, there is a great need year-round, so if you’re in Vancouver, visit our shelter to find out ways in which you can help.

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And lastly, this Friday sees the beginning of my very-much-needed Christmas vacation. My work-related stress level is most certainly at its peak, and I need a few days to let that drop off. It will be two glorious weeks free of meetings, dress pants, agreements, orders, transcriptions and Chambers applications. It will be two glorious weeks full of baking, music, pajamas, Charley, my family, friends, Christmas tea, twinkling lights, falling snow and, undoubtedly, snowboarding at Mt. Washington with cute boys men.

HOT DAMN!

Photo courtesy of Mount Washington Alpine Resort

That photo was taken at 10:14 a.m. today. The mid-mountain base is already at 181 cm. I hopped into HMV yesterday to pick up some new music to ride to because my record collection has a serious case of complacency. I’m bored with it. I grabbed Jay-Z’s “American Gangster” and both “College Dropout” and “Late Registration” from Kanye West. I haven’t listened to either Kanye record yet, but gave Jay-Z’s a spin after work for a bit. Don’t get me wrong, there’s always room for Big Pimpin’, but he has most certainly evolved as both an artist and producer. The record is laced with rich beats and smart lyrics, so I’m already stoked to shred the slopes just listening to the record.