hey there hot stuff...

The latest and greatest from my friend's at BMW land is the bathroom teaser. Now it would seem that you're not just buying a car, you are investing in a relationship, a personal relationship. Better yet, they are stepping up their game and encouraging a younger age bracket to invest by conducting a 'drive-to-web' component to their campaign [huge fan of drive-to-web p.s]. So what are they doing? Well...I am so happy you asked, please allow me to explain; the bathroom teaser campaign is running in fine establishments in downtown Toronto and Vancouver. When young men walk by the mirror there is a flirtatious message written in 'lipstick' which changes into a phone number which prompts the potential BMW consumer to send a text for photos. Once the text is sent, a link goes back to the consumer which leads them to a website with the headline "We were made for each other," and downloadable beauty shots of the new 3 series Coupé.

I guess first things first, this seems like a sleazy attempt to get new consumers, but at the same time you have to admit it is clever, and well BMW did conduct a trial earlier this year...and it works! I am a huge fan of out-of-the-box advertising and I mean if you really analysis it, this campaign makes sense. BMW consumers are investing in a relationship with a lifestyle, not just a car, and the relationship is staring in a social setting over a flirtatious text [as oh so many do]. This campaign is just another reason why I am a fan of the BMW brand. Feel free to click on the title to go directly to the article.

t to the dot

I love Toronto. I have been quoted as saying I would be happy to move out of this city, and although that is true if the right opportunity arose, I can't deny that I am in a loving relationship with Toronto. First things first, the people here are not mean. Ya, it is definitely true that there are mean people, but for the most part if you smile, or say hello to someone in this city they will pay you the same courtesy back. The reason I think Torontonians get the bad rep is because they are self-involved {not necessarily a bad thing p.s], not because they're rude. The pace of life here is faster and people don't always take the time to breathe, but that doesn't make them rude.

Reason numero deux why I love this place is that everyone is super cool in their own way. I mean, I could rock almost anything I wanted to, walking downtown, and I bet not a lot of people would even notice. People in Toronto are individuals and they're not afraid to be, I like that; Toronto has done great things for my confidence levels no doubt.

Why else do I like T to the dot, well because there are so many different cultures. Why is this cool you ask? Well, for one [and this is merely a selfish component] there are so many different types of food and they are all oh so delicious. I appreciate that I can get delicious ethnic food, that is legit. However, the non selfish component of this, is that culture in a city is an amazing thing that creates appeal for not only people to visit but also for people to live. Canada is a mosaic dammit, and Toronto is helping lay the pieces.

The number one [best thing] about this city is that it keeps you guessing. No matter where you go in this concrete jungle, there is always something new happening and for me, that is a wonderful thing.

bum no more

Today is my second day of working full-time, once again, and I am oh so very excited. Consequently this was the first job offer that I received and I couldn't be happier that I took the opportunity. I guess it is hard to judge a company based on one day, but I have a pretty good feeling thus far and usually my 'gut feeling' doesn't lie. In my interview I was very honest about the work environment that I wanted and I think they have delivered. I find it refreshing to meet people who care about their business [and obviously making a profit] but also those that care about their work and their employees. Obviously I have a lot to learn about this company and the people that I am working with, but I would like to report that so far, so good.

memory lane

Tonight I am going out for dinner with my grandfather, my parents and my aunt and uncle; this is an annual April tradition, one that I rarely miss if I can avoid it. My Grandpa insists on doing dinner every April because ten years ago this month, my Grandma Cook passed away, and this dinner is important to him. I haven't thought about my Grandma in awhile, but today it hit me that it doesn't seem like ten years at all, it really seems like maybe two and I do miss her. The fact is, this time of year is a sensitive one in the Grandparent department because my Grandpa Dale also passed 5 years ago around this time, and I miss him too. I can remember both of my Grandparents deaths like it was yesterday, whereas sometimes I can't remember what I ate for breakfast. I can remember exactly where I was when I found out that my Grandma was admitted to the hospital; I was eating dinner...pasta. I remember visiting her in the ICU and unfortunately watching the doctor take her off of life support; the funeral seemed like a breeze compared. My Grandfather's death is just as present in my memories. I remember visiting him in the hospital and giving him a stuffed Giraffe, telling my younger cousins jokes to keep them from worrying and the morning he died I had been awake all night because I just knew. Obviously these memories aren't the easiest to retrieve. They are reminders of just how painful death can be, but it also makes me grateful to have had such wonderful Grandparents. The good thing about thinking about both of them is that even though the memories of their deaths are very present in my mind, so are the memories of them when they were alive and I wouldn't trade those for anything. This time of year also makes me realize just how grateful I am to have two wonderful Grandparents that are very much alive, and that I can build many more memories with them. Like I said, even though this time of year is a little bit painful, it is also a wonderful time of year because even though life gets busy sometimes it makes me stop and remember the memories I have shared, and will share with my Grandparents.

progress report

This is my progress report...if you can call it that.
I still weigh 15 pounds more than I did in October. I ONLY ate 7...count them 7, mini-eggs over the Easter holiday. My legs and/or entire body have been sore every single day for the last 2 weeks. And I have sworn off dessert completely (minus that piece of blueberry pie I ate last weekend...).
The upside...I have noticed some serious definition in my arms. I fit, and not just squeeze myself in like a sausage woo-hooo the button does up, but actually fit into my shorts [amongst other things]. It seems I have saved a lot of money by not stocking up on mini-eggs [small success but I take it where I can]. I guess if my body has been sore, that means I am doing something right...one would hope. And really, I don't like dessert all that much...only chocolate. So my friends, as it stands the progress report is a bit slow moving and although I am not back to my old weight, I am slowly but surely getting back to my old shape.

excuse my rant

I apologize in advance for my rant, but I do not apologize for my opinion. Today I witnessed something that, although not the end of the world, I found to be quite inconsiderate, and even perhaps rude. I guess to some my opinion on this matter is going to seem ridiculous and you might just think I am a little loco [perhaps you are correct] but this is my platform, so please excuse my rant. I find it rude when a visibly healthy person chooses to use the handicap stall [in a public bathroom] when there are numerous other stalls available. Perhaps I am being a bit harsh, but I don't think that I am necessarily in the wrong. We all know how great the extra space in that stall can be; I mean who doesn't want to sprawl out in a public bathroom and have a party (please note the sarcasm). No my friends, you enter the stall for one reason and one reason only: to do your business. The handicap stall is in place for those that need it; those that require a little extra space, the higher toilet seat and the hand railing to assist them in successfully completing their business. If you are the person I witnessed using the ever so sacred stall today, you do not 'need' these things to complete the task at hand and therefore are being over indulgent in the bathroom [okay, I am now over the top but you get my point]. The handicap stall is for those that need it, if you take up the stall just because you feel like it you are just as bad as the person that parks in a handicap parking space. Think about it.

big fat meanie

The other day it was brought to my attention that I was mean. The reason why? I made an honest observation which was meant to help a friend realize that, well…he just wasn’t that into her. I was told that my blunt statement, although accurate, was not appreciated and by default I was labeled mean. I will never apologize for being blunt, sorry but I just won’t. I have been told more than once [okay maybe I have been told more times than I can count] that I tell it like it is and that I don’t sugar coat to spare another’s feelings. Granted this makes me sounds a bit insensitive, but I am now defined as the friend you go to for advice because I will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear [and I am told this is appreciated (usually)]. Because I am a people pleaser I used to find this definition of myself a rather unflattering one; I wasn’t sure whether to be happy that people sought me out for my honest advice or if I should be upset because essentially I was being labeled a bitch [no matter how you slice it…]. I decided to shelf the latter and embrace the fact that I am blunt. I do not believe in lying to a friend merely to make them feel better. That being said, there are exceptions to every rule. I mean if you see your best friend’s ex-boyfriend dating a Victoria Secret model look-alike…you lie, and say she was ugly [that’s just the way it goes]. When it comes to those things we can change however, I am there for a reality check. If you ask me if you look fat in something, I will tell you. If you ask me whether I think he likes you [when he clearly doesn’t], I’m going to tell you to move on. If you complain about doing the same job for the same pay yadda yadda, I’m going to tell you to suck it up and make some changes. This blunt approach is not only evident in my words, but also in my facial expressions [which is why I am a great shopping buddy because if it’s ugly you’re going to know it]. Before you throw that horrible label [that literally means female dog] smack dab in the middle of my forehead, let me clear something up. I don’t go around spreading the blunt, unflattering truth to everyone. I know that there is a time and a place for my opinions. I have put my foot in my mouth more than I would like and now I know when to keep my mouth shut [and when not to]. I know that sometimes I need to tread lightly on particular topics, and with some friends there is always that ‘proceed with caution’ sign because they are a bit sensitive. Generally though, I think that honesty is always the best policy. What is my point of my lengthy [and at this point redundant] rant? Well, although I have learnt that being honest is a practice that not everyone appreciates, at the end of the day I will always be honest with my friends. If I’m not going to be, who is and vice versa. To that point, whether I have wanted to hear it or not, I have been put in my place quite a few times and once my bruised ego recovered I appreciated the frank nature in which I was dealt with. Whether or not you are a blunt person by nature [or by practice] you are not benefiting your friends by telling them what they want to hear. Your friends are your friends because you care for and respect them. Tell them the truth, even if you get called mean. I assure you that not only will they get over it, but they will also thank you later.

self-proclaimed loser

I have a problem, and I need help: I know that now. Please help me overcome my addiction without judgement while aiding me in the process of recovery.

I like Justin Beiber. There I said it.

I am over my denial and ready to take the first step in my recovery. At first I thought it was just a little problem. I had it under control, I could stop at anytime...until today when 'it' happened. The 'it' I refer to took place without a conscious effort and that is how I know it is out of my hands. That ever catchy tune came on the radio and before I knew what was happening the radio was cranked, my head was a bobbing and I was singing at the top of my lungs...
"And I was like
Baby, baby, baby ooh
Like Baby, baby, baby noo
Like Baby, baby, baby ohh
I thought you'd always be mine (mine)"
The worst part of the offence occured when I reached my destination, pulled into the parking lot, parked and waited until the song was over before I got out of the car...god help me.