I’m going to this party at Nu. Advice on who to dress up as will be taken.

Remarkably, it seemed as if most folks at the Douglas Coupland/Chuck Palahniuk reading last night were swooning over Palahniuk whereas I could listen to Coupland babble on forever.

The presence of Palahniuk did make the ‘reading’ a literary event unlike any I have been to before, although very similar to the Irvine Welsh/Coupland act a few years back which means I will always attend Coupland readings when he buddies up with other writers. He is a warm and quirky host.

Coupland read from his soon to be released novel JPod (damn - it comes out after my birthday, but in time for summer reading), which is set in a “faraway land called Burnaby” (more…)

Remember how I was sad there was no run on Friday? Yeah, well they fixed my wagon. Half an hour run today. After upper body exercises. Did pretty well in my spiffy new Saucony runners made to fit my silly wide feet.

Please let me stay awake through Douglas and Chuck tonight.

I really need to get back into the discipline of writing. Usually I take a workshop to get back on track, but none fit my schedule or needs until July, which will be great, but I need something in between to get back up and running. And my friends all focus on my grammar too much (no offense friends).

Anyone know of any cool writer’s groups that need a new member? I might just need to start one in the ‘hood if not.

This is it, chiquitas. I have been talking about going to Surf Sister for an all-inclusive weekend for years, but this is the year we go. The Yoga camp looks fun - camping, learning to surf, yoga classes…

The dates are:

May 26-28th ; June 23-25th ; July 7-9th; July 21-23rd ; Aug 11-13th ; Sept 8-10th

Consider this your warning to start your spring cleaning. Some time in the next few weeks, we need to have a Naked Lady Party.

We had a blast with girls night yesterday, but maybe a brunch event is next? I am happy to host except I am always open to someone else with enough space offering up their place so those with kitty cat allergies can participate with no tears.

Stay tuned!

This morning on the Gilmore Girls, Kirk made reference to a web site called Celebrities who share your disease - where he found out that he shared tinnitis with William Shatner.

This actually got me out of bed where I had been nursing my hangover from hosting girl’s night. But, alas, no such web site exists.

The healing potential for ordinary mortals being able to identify with the ailments of the stars is limitless. Knowing that when under stress, Katie Holmes also suffers from the ugly cold sores I have had since childhood really helped me feel less alone.

Think of what this could do for the world!

Am back to being workout goddess again. Made it out of bed (before 6 am even as I was so paranoid about sleeping in again) and off to boot camp I went. Circuit training today. Strangely enough, I was kind of disappointed when it became clear there was no run. Am becoming strangely twisted fitness oriented person. Yay for a weekend of social activities to put the breaks on that crazy talk. Funny enough, five other people missed yesterday so I wasn’t alone in my shame.

It was minus 2 at 7 am, but false creek in the morning sun is a wonderful way to start the day. Even if you only see the sun as you come up for a crunch.

I still feel worse today after not getting up at 6 am to go to boot camp than I did on the three days I managed to haul my ass out of bed. Like way worse. Never again!

This morning I realized I totally missed the Olympics. I’m not usually an avid watcher, but it’s rare for me to miss the figure skating as I tear up with pride and envy. The closest I came to Olympics coverage was listening to Vicki Gabereau’s reports on Larry and Willy every morning on the way to work. Which just reinforces how I completely missed the games as she didn’t actually report on much about the actual Olympics. She did, however, provide us with much entertaining information about things such as the big, ugly fur coats Pavel Bure wore around Torino which was valuable in its own way.

I think I showed more interest in the Kristy Swanson (the original Buffy now being dubbed ‘Buffy the marriage slayer’ by some) and Lloyd Eisler affair than the actual games! Not that I have tuned into Skating with Celebrities either.

Oh well, in 2010 I will likely be living in the heart of the action.

Apparently Don Taylor made some brilliantly stupid comments about how he wished we could trade the four gold medals won by Canadian women for one gold medal for the Canadian men’s hockey team. Jerk.

Need a mechanic? Best one in town is Amir Sidi at Minit-Tune on Canada Way. He’s fast, trustworthy and has managed to find what is ailing Sadie (the civic) for years when other mechanics couldn’t. And he takes my car through Air Care for me (like he will today). We all go to Amir so he comes highly recommended.

Those smart devils at the Irish Heather have brought us yet another Gastown venue having taken over the Brickyard and opening up the new Limerick Junction earlier this month. I haven’t been by yet, but the concept is sports (the rugby and cricket kind), dance floor, patio, and cigar room bar type thing.

Even closer to home (so crawling distance away from the LKC) in Blood Alley, those crazy Heather folks are opening a restaurant just for me. Well, not really, but as it’s a wine bar and tasting room that will serve cured meats and cheeses, they might as well call me Norm. Hello new home away from home. Alley 45 (tentative name) is expected to open this spring.

Day 3 and I’m feeling pretty good. I totally admit that getting up at 6 am today was harder than it was on Monday and Tuesday. Bed was soft and warm. Kitten was purring next to me. But, I did it and I feel good. It’s very cool to be working outside next to False Creek at sunrise. Today was glutes day (I know, the title gave it away). (more…)

I must have some because something in my belly hurts. A lot. Who knew there were so many types of sit-ups? And shoulder exercises. Ouch.

We’re going snow tubing this Sunday at Cypress. I love snow tubing. Everyone should come!

I thought working out was supposed to give you more energy. Am feeling pretty tired right now. Am sure body is just getting used to moving. Getting hard to lift arms to type. Must be something brainless I can do at work that requires no movement.

I hope I can stay awake for Roller girls tonight.

I must say that the show is getting better with age, which is good because it was renewed for a 4th season earlier this month.

I look forward to Sunday night’s new episodes. Last night we had Jenny finally getting closer to becoming a published author who is putting the integrity of her book and her life first. Makes me want to get going on my own novel. Not so happy with Moira/Max hooking up with Billy. Or Dayna kicking Laura out when she needs her most. Can’t wait for next week to see what these awesome women get up to.

Did I tell you about the time I helped Mia Kirshner pick out a pair of Merrill’s in Kits?

Boot camp started today. Yes, you doubters, I actually went - willingly and you could say with a bit of enthusiasm! I got up at 6 am to do a 7 am fitness test that included a run. Nine of us showed up in the dark (15 minutes before sunrise) with our yoga mats under our arms, all looking like we might bolt at any second and just a bit groggy when asked any question due to lack of morning caffeine. (more…)

I wanted to bungy jump years before I actually did it in 2001. I decided that if I was going to take the plunge, I needed to do so in New Zealand so a lot of my trip planning was based on getting to Lake Taupo where there are many adrenalin pumping adventures to pursue. I got in a jet boat ride, walked in a volcanic park and even tried for skydiving daily but the weather just wouldn’t hold.

I did manage to get my bungy jump in as you can act like an idiot in pretty much any weather. There was something reassuring about Taupo Bungy (picture) that attracted me. It was probably the fact that you jump ‘into’ a river. Nice soft landing if things go wrong.

(more…)

Revenge is a dish that should be served cold.
–Anonymous (English proverb)

I used to date all the wrong guys in university. You know the ones that everyone on your floor warns you about in advance because they did ’such and such’ to ’so and so’ last term. In your late teens and early twenties this imparting of information only serves to make a guy more appealing.

Girls “sharing” information with those that may come after them has taken on a whole new life. New web sites like Man Haters and Don’t do it girl have sprung up and are solely dedicated to outing the dogs in your life. You can actually rate your exes - (more…)

..but I think they are out to get me.

I am living with the cutest, yet totally evil, cats ever. They have formed some sort of sinister bond and now do everything together, including plot against me. I didn’t really believe cats do that until now, even when a friend was housesitting and he insisted that the cats broke my vase just to get him in trouble.

Case in point, last night while sleeping I woke up to the sound of loud purring. I figured that one of them was just getting comfy at the end of the bed, but when I opened my eyes, I found them sitting side by side staring down at me, purring over my head. Just purring and staring at me intently. Like they both plotted to join forces to make the loudest noise possible to get me up in the middle of night. You may think this is cute, but I am starting to wonder. I am sure my dog would’ve never hatched such a plan.