My Work Peeps

As I was saying in my last post...I work with some fabulous people! I recently found this video and thought I'd share. It was part of a bigger project we put together for our Christmas party back in 2000. I think the sentiment is the same. :)

My Work Family

This weekend I attended the birthday party of one of my friends and coworkers. It was a lot of fun and I got to catch up with some of my former coworkers.

I know each office/workplace is unique and has it's own perks and challenges, but I feel I have met some of the best people in my life at my job. Our work environment is unique - the way we need to work together and the creative atmosphere that we do it in.

Of course there are always the people that get under your skin, we all have those. This place is no exception. But overall, the ratio is pretty good. From the very talented and intelligent to the hilarious, the original Cutie Pitootie (Jim Van Horne...taken over by Gerry Dewan when he left) to the "you can count on me" all around good guy. We have them all.

TIFF 2009

(These photos are of waiting last year...doesn't quite give the full idea. But, we don't usually take photos of the waiting! ha ha.)

One weekend a year, I suspend reality and enter the world of the Toronto International Film Festival. No, not to watch acclaimed films from around the world...but to wait at the red carpet to catch a glimpse of some A-list celebrities and possibly even an autograph!

It all started in August of 2000. My friend Lisa had returned from her trip to LA during the Oscars where she stood outside Elton John's party and collected a multitude of autographs! She had momentum and wanted me to join her at Toronto International Film Festival (henceforth known as TIFF) I thought she was crazy. Why would I want to go and see Canadian celebrities? Then she filled me in that it is the second biggest film festival after Cannes! What was I thinking?? Ha ha ha. It was start of an annual trek to Toronto.



Over the years we have seen A LOT of top celebrities and it's been a lot of fun. This year was no different. We started off by seeing GEORGE CLOONEY! Wow, that was a good start to the weekend. A few of the others included Ewan McGregor, Michael Douglas, Matt Damon, Drew Barrymore, Ellen Page, Jennifer Garner...oh the list grows!

The TIFF weekend is exhausting! There is A LOT of waiting. Waiting on the sidewalk, sitting, standing, breathing in a lot of unidentified fowl smelling odours, and talking to many crazy people. Oh, the people! Some have normal lives like us and treat this as a once a year event. Others are a little more intense and chase celebrities year round! It's kind of funny...Lisa & I have nick names for the "usual crowd". We thought we were really clever, but after a couple of years, realized they are really just descriptors; the sisters, old man, the Americans. Ha ha ha.

And so concludes another TIFF weekend. Until next year...

Daily Photo Project (August)

The most recent addition to the Daily Photo Project. I'm actually impressed that I've continued this long. I have missed days here and there but for the most part, I'm keeping up nicely. I'm trying to figure out something really cool to do with them at the end of the year. Post a comment and let me know your thoughts!

Muuurrrr!

This week I said good bye to one of my favourite co-workers.

I met Murray for the first time when I was doing my internship in Creative Services. We were shooting PR in ER at Registan Rugs with Suzy Burge and it was my first “field trip” out of the building. After we wrapped up, we went to Eastside Mario’s for lunch. We were fast friends as we discovered we both grew up on a farm and had similar experiences in our early years.

Since then, Murray has been one of my closest friends here at work. He’s been my sounding board and advice-giver. He’s also helped me move, pretty much every time I’ve changed addresses(comes with driving a truck) and given me a boost when I had a dead battery. He’s installed a hammock for me and is always good for ways to get rid of pesky rodents.

One of my favourite stories about Murray was the day I bought my VW Beetle. I was so excited to go and pick it up…I just had one problem. I bought a standard shift and I had no idea how to drive it!! So, my ever-patient friend went with me, drove it off the parking lot (I was afraid of hitting a brand new car) and spent the afternoon teaching me how to drive it!

I will definitely miss all the chats we would have in the hall, lounge, parking lot or control room discussing religion, relationships, family and everything in between. But, we will hopefully meet up for the occasional breakfast at Riverdale or Archies.

Abby's Big Day

It's hard to believe but my niece Abby turned 10 this July. Double digits! I remember waiting for her arrival...she was my first niece. In anticipation, I got my aunt Peggy to teach me how to quilt and made my very first (and only) quilt. (I was pretty proud of it)

Last weekend Abby came over to celebrate her birthday. It was raining and the perfect day to spend indoors. So, we headed to Clay Cafe in Stratford. It is a cute little spot that you can paint your own pottery. After browsing the selection, Abby picked a turtle trinket box. The shell lifted off to reveal a little box to keep small treasures in. I decided to do a couple of small plates.



I have to say I was surprised by how involved Abby was in painting the turtle! She took great care to pick just the right colours, outlining different spots and giving multiple coats. Before we knew it, the afternoon had disappeared and we were getting hungry. We were able to leave our projects on the table and come back to them later.



We wandered off to find some dinner. We decided on the Elizabethan Restaurant where we shared a chocolate shake, and each got a grilled cheese with fries. Then we headed back to finish off our projects. As I watched Abigail carefully painting her turtle (red toe nails and all) I realized how grown up she has become. I also see a lot of myself in Abby and I like that. John has told me before that he has often mixed up and called her Janice as she reminds him of me. Cute.

After a sleep over, we spent the afternoon with Auntie Jo-Anne, Uncle Nick and Jesse & Liam. We did the hokey pokey, chicken dance and just about every other "action song" I have in my repertoire. On the way home we stopped to take Grammie a coffee at work and finally home to Mom & Kaelyn. (the boys were on their fishing trip)

I always enjoy time spent with my nieces & nephews. Each and every one is so adorable in their own unique way.