O HAI THERE.
Guess what guys?
Last night I competed in a stand-up comedy competition, AND I WON!!!
Meep.
Which means not only did I win $100 (COLD HARD CASH DOLLARS!) but I also get entered into the next round of the tournament, which may just end with me winning $500.
FIVE HUNDRED BONES!
(Or clams, or whatever the cool kids are calling it these days.)
You might not be able to see it, but I am doing a bit of a dance.
So join in!
DANCE!
Once upon a time I was scared of food.
Not all food, but most kinds.
Anything that I did eat had to be rationalized and picked apart, and most often times, thrown up.
Food was stressful.
Food was guilt.
Food was not fun.
These days, food is (for the most part) none of these things.
Food is a friend, not a foe. It is a tool that helps me lead a healthy, happy life – one that allows me to run like the wind, and tell funny jokes, and make mad-cap films with my map-cap husband.
And not those kind of films, you dirty jerks.
But the busier my life gets, the harder it can be to keep a level head (let alone any semblance of a regular eating schedule) so it’s imperative that I remain extra vigilant, lest I find myself (inadvertently) slipping into oh-so destructive, and oh-so familiar eating habits.
Of late I have had to really catch myself, and take a step back (or ten) just to make sure that I take better care of my health.
So this is why, I present to you the following photos, which I will title – FOOD I HAVE EATEN – as a reminder of why I need to continue to focus on this part of my life, and the brilliance and joy it has, and will continue to bring me.
Veggie burger.
I made this last Wednesday evening. I had just arrived home from work, rain-soaked, and wind-swept, shivering, and starving.
Everything in my being was telling me to flop down on the couch with a box of wheat thins and a giant mug of hot chocolate and just call it an evening.
Instead, I took a long, hot shower (the kind that sufficiently fogs up the entire top floor of our place), and crawled into my pajamas, before setting up shop in the kitchen.
With my favourite radio program playing in the background (As it Happens), I chopped onions, and fried mushrooms, sliced cheese, and grilled a patty.
I even roasted some yam fries.
M was working late so I turned on the fireplace, curled up on the couch with little miss Nymeria, and watched some Portlandia, while chomping down on this delicious piece of soy heaven.
I posted this photo, because in the past, I would never have taken the time to make myself something, let alone a meal that was both nutritious and delicious. Plus, sometimes putting something together – even as simple as a burger, makes me feel like a four Michelin star chef.
Or Ratatouille.
Brunch it.
My brilliant and beautiful friend Emily of the fabulous Well Fed, Flat Broke, invited me over to her house last Saturday for a “reunion” brunch of sorts.
Myself and all her guests went through UBC’s undergraduate Creative Writing program (nearly five years ago!!!) and it was so lovely to have the chance to catch-up and find out what has been going on in everybody’s lives since our last seminar together.
As we chatted, we munched on all the mouthwatering dishes Emily had prepared (truth be told, there was less chatting the more we munched) including a caramelized onion torte, tandoori cauliflower (my two favourites), roasted squash, and potato salad. Not to mention homemade kiwi sorbet.
In truth, it was a perfectly decadent and divine way to start a weekend (and laid back, thank goodness, as I had been out until 1:30am after my stand-up gig the night before.)
I posted this photo because for many years eating in front of others gave me tremendous anxiety. Everything was calculated, down to the very smallest bite. I wanted to cultivate an image of myself as “a skinny girl” who still “ate a lot”. Now, I can interact with all the smart, sweet people in my life, and still enjoy their exquisite food. I am able to let what I am eating take a back seat to what’s really important – spending time with these wonderful friends.
Birthday cupcake.
My sister in-law’s fiancée’s daughter recently turned six. Being the utterly incredible soon-to-be step mum that she is, V took it upon herself to not only make pretty much the most amazing birthday cake I have ever seen, but also a batch of outrageously delicious cupcakes.
Hanging out with them last weekend, I was lucky enough to sample some of these wares.
Believe me when I say it was a dessert experience and a half.
(Seriously, V should think about moonlighting as a baker. I WOULD BE HER #1 PATRON.)
I posted this photo because just eating a cupcake and not letting it tear me apart is not yet something I take for granted. I used to drive myself crazy rationalizing desserts (all food really, but sweets were the worst.)
Did I exercise that day? How much else had I eaten? Could I throw it up if needed?
The fact that I can eat a cupcake and be at peace with this fact, may sound silly, but it means more to me than I can really say.
…
So that’s it. Food I have eaten.
A series I hope will continue to run, for much time yet.
Hey you fab cats!
So here it is – our audition video for the Amazing Race Canada:
What an incredibly flattering still, hey?
We spent Sunday afternoon putting this bad boy together and when I say that it was a lot of fun, THIS IS NO JOKE.
There was so much laughing to be had, and we had it all.
I should really look at putting together a blooper reel.
(Stay tuned.)
In the meantime, I am off to bed. I need to sleep about fifteen hours straight, and because that isn’t likely going to happen, I really have to take what I can get.
So happy Monday! And –
FIREBIRTHED!
Hey duders.
It’s a chilly, misty evening out here on the west coast of Canada, and I am wrapped in a blanket, tap-tap-tapping away at my keyboard like some kind of tapping thing.
Thank goodness that it’s Friday.
Even though it has been a short week, I am feeling the strain of everything that has been going on of late, and I still don’t think that I’ve fully recovered from three days of zero sleep, thanks to the snoring dogs of death.
OF DEATH!!!
On the plus side, I have booked three more stand-up shows, and have signed up to compete in a comedy contest starting at the end of March.
I am also hosting the Storytelling Show this weekend on Vancouver Coop Radio, and will be interviewing two ladies who are members of the city’s burlesque community. It should be a really interesting, really great chat!
In the meantime, it’s business as usual here at the home front. I’m trying to make sure that I’m getting some longer runs under my belt in the lead up to the Sunshine Coast half marathon. It’s can be really hard to get out there (and stay out there!) when the weather is such rubbish, but last weekend I did manage to run twenty-two kilometers, so I’m hopeful that I will ramp up my distance, slowly but surely.
I shall keep you posted on my progress. Also, have any of you purchased running shoes over the internet? I am in need of some new shoes, and am thinking of ordering them online.
Do let me know. And in the interim, how’s about a fry-up?
Oh I think so.
It’s in the bag.
Look at what I bought!
I’ve had my eye on this leather doctor’s bag FOREVER. And I think these little flats are just the bee’s knees. So you can imagine how stoked I am to have them in my possession.
BUT – this purchase (which, on its own is darn fab) isn’t all that I have to report.
Oh no.
First of all, it should be noted that I nearly passed out from disbelief when I paid for these items.
This is because, (drum roll) the purse was originally $150.00 marked down to $10.00 (!!!) and the shoes, once priced at $29.00, I procured for $4.00.
HOW – !
WHAT – !
WHY – !
I PAID $16.71 FOR ALMOST TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS WORTH OF MERCHANDISE!!!
Now, bless my little frugal heart, I really still cannot believe it.
Sweet mother of pearl do I ever love me some Joe Fresh.
Now if you excuse me, I’ll be taking this bag and making my rounds.
Sweet cuppin’ cakes.
For Valentine’s Day, Mr. M and I woke at the crack of dawn (like every other work day) and exchanged the cards we had for each other (not quite the same as every other work day.)
He also bought us these awesome cupcakes to snack on post-dinner:
We ate these bad boys as we slurped down some amazing Earl Grey tea, and worked through last weekend’s New York Times Saturday crossword.
(Otherwise known as pure V-Day bliss.)
Sister dear.
I was at Starbucks last night with my little sister study buddy, when low and behold, who was to come on the radio?
That brilliant relic of the 90s – MORCHEEBA!
Holy smokes. Remember this song?
Anywho, listening to this rad tune got me thinking about my brilliant big sister. She was the one who introduced me to this band (as she did with so many other musical greats – seriously, I will never, ever forget listening to Weezer’s Blue album on repeat my entire grade seven year) and it just got me thinking about all the amazing times the two of us have had together, either adventuring about on late night quests, or just hanging around cackling over old Kids in the Hall episodes.
Kate is pretty much one of the coolest, craziest, smartest, most dedicated, brave, and fearless women you will ever get the chance to meet.
I may (slightly) tower over her, but goodness knows if she isn’t my consummate protector in life.
I also cannot tell you how many times this gal has talked me down from an all-consuming panic attack. I definitely would have not made it through my undergraduate days without her.
What a brilliant, brilliant lass.
…
So there you have it my sweets!
A very merry (belated) Valentine’s to you all.
I hope you all had a chance to celebrate the wonderful people who fill your days with light and love.
And maybe eat a cupcake (or two.)
Ten things I have learned in twenty-eight years:
1. Less really is more, especially in terms of make-up.
2. Although few things beat a truly brilliant red lipstick.
3. You can always run faster, it’s just a matter of realizing it won’t kill you.
4. Brussell sprouts are delicious.
5. There will just always be too many books.
6. In the land of Comfy, I am queen.
7. Cleaning house is always better when in your underwear, blasting really loud pop music.
8. The Big Lebowski, and A Fish Called Wanda will never stop being funny. In fact, like a fine wine, they just improve with age.
9. Push-ups are a tiny bit more bearable when you pretend you’re in a post-apocalyptic fight preparation montage.
10. Having a boy love you is pretty darn brilliant. Loving yourself is even better.
Now? Onwards, ho!
Rant and Roll 