how to make it in manitoba

Samples of the Saturday 'Amateur Hour' photo shoot.

Model - Jaime
Stylist - Jen
Manager - Amanda
Photographer - Jill

The last photo is for all of us to look back on when we're all famous* (HA!) to remember the low budget in which we started and proof that we knew each other. Never forget your roots ya'll.

*Will it ever happen!?

for the kids

Friday night at the SK8 store at The Forks was the big 1 of 1 Project bash that Amanda's brother Chris organized to raise money for the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba. Earls on Main, SK8, and Antenna Magazine from NYC were a few sponsors involved in promoting the event to sell North American artist decorated canvas Vans shoes. Check out what Camren put together to document the night:

The 1 of 1 Project. from Nice Productions on Vimeo.

It was so much fun and it was definitely something that Winnipeg needs to do more of in terms of promoting the art scene in Winnipeg in a fun way. I got to be in charge of selling raffle tickets, which was awesome to be involved in even a small way!

Post on Saturday's photo shoot will be up shortly (once I've forwarded the edited pics to the model); then you will get a sneak at what happened...

today i bought a scarf...in summer

Well- looks like we can add 'bartender' and 'photographer' to my resume... Actually, that's kind of a joke (with a pinch of seriousness).

My bartender status really only requires me to serve beer and wine at the tennis courts, but serving drinks is the main duty of that position. Let's just say that being transferred out to the courts makes my job a whole lot more enjoyable (and it means my boss likes me). It doesn't get busy until the members are done on the courts, so I ultimately get paid to watch tennis!

New summer project: get good at tennis. Who's in?!

And in terms of photographer, that's a far fetch. However, I AM doing a photo shoot on Saturday. Thanks to my girl Amanda Watchorn, she nominated me to help bump up the portfolio of a friend of hers (pro bono) for a modelling gig she's getting (aka- a company is actually going to be seeing my pictures...WEIRD). It's going to be a fun little adventure because lady Jennie is going to be the stylist for this little affair. Amateur night with Jen and Jill! I'm sure you'll be hearing about this once it goes down...

Since we're on the topic of pictures, here are some unreleased photos from BLACK Magazine archives...I guess this was a practice run for Saturday(?)

fathah

Yesterday was Father's Day and I didn't get the chance to see my papa at all, but tonight I head out to see him and celebrate him being the best!

Thanks for being the greatest dad ever, for teaching me how to properly throw a baseball, and for always supporting me in everything I do (even if it means bearing all the female conversations that happen in a house of all girls). You're a trooper :)

Love you always & forever, Squirrely!

xoxo

a job for horatio cane...or a guidance counsellor

Saturday morning I went in to work to find a chisel on the counter in my restaurant. I figured there must have been some maintenance going on that I was unaware of, only to turn around and see our beer fridge door completely mutilated clearly depicting a break-in. The lock was in tact, but the window front was pried from it's frame and the door was completely off its hinges (with some beer missing).

Kitchen Guy (we'll call him KG) came in and told me he noticed it as well. Three us staff workers ended up writing out a statement of what we saw/noticed. I almost laughed in Chef's face when he gave me the "Noooo!" look after I told him that I had touched the chisel to move it; as IF they're going to dust for prints on a minor beer theft (he quickly realized the chances of that happening and moved on...although I kind of jokingly offered to use my Chemistry skills of print dusting from high school).

Today at work was when I realized that I like the way I handle conflict much better than some people. Maintenance Guy (aka MG...whom I legitimately believe is an ex-convict) began accusing KG of committing the break-in. In my little pass-way where I was doing all my waitressing things, they called up Chef who was off duty and kept trading the phone off to bitch about either other right in front of the other. I actually was trying not to laugh every time I walked past them (partially in respect to the whole eavesdropping thing & partially 'cuz I didn't want convict MG to kill me...). It was hilarious to see these two burly guys verbally go at it while trying to be on the DL because of customers.

Here's why I like my resolution skills better: I take a deep breath before I say anything in order to avoid eating my words later. I felt like I was back on the elementary school yard listening to two grade 2ers quarrel! Children in adult bodies. It was hilariously wrong! Needless to say, nothing's been resolved yet.

Maybe we should go back to elementary school yard "compromises" (which never, ever worked anyway).

**MG doesn't really make me scared for my life, they're both nice to me. But I'll just detach myself from the drama to keep it that way...haha.**

royal treatment

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are coming to Winnipeg! I am so excited!

Only glitch?

My cousin's wedding is on the VERY day that she is here (July 3rd). Nooooo! I am going to figure something out in order to possibly see her. Seriously- how many chances do you think you get in a lifetime to see the queen in your own stomping grounds? Let alone in ENGLAND, her own stomping ground (seeing as she doesn't make a habit of parading around the streets of London on a regular basis...that would be curious...)!

One thing I can guarantee is that my high school history teacher will be there, guns blazing (almost literally- seeing as he's a sergeant and they do gun salutes) and his love for the Queen could potentially outweigh Ronaldo's love of hair product (<--see what I did there?...it's World Cup time, so I must mention soccer stuff).

So- here's hoping I can catch a glimpse of the REAL face from my serving tip money.

Fun Fact of the day: Queen E. will be the first person to land in the new terminal at the airport here in Winnipeg. She better appreciate that...

meddachschlope

Hot TAMALES I've been busy! This week has been nuts. I need a meddachschlop (otherwise referred to as a 'nap' in Low German...growing up, my house was always DEAD on Sunday afternoons due to meddachschlop). I think I've had something up every evening this past week!

I don't even really know what to blog to you guys about since it'd probably seem like the least of your concerns on how I spent my week (work, wings, Lakers game, work, bachlorette party, fair/birthday bash, work, etc.) so I'll spare you the details of it all...

I was at the Niverville fair last night with some people for a bit watching the Roadhammers (Lord help me, it's tough to listen to country music, but it was for Dal's birthday & people can have their way on birthdays) and it felt so bizarre being there NOT in radio uniform! My life last summer consisted of me going to fairs with my radio station and spending the entire weekend at it/multiple ones. It's weird how much more enjoyable country fairs are when you don't have the pressure of carni's hitting on you for free sunflower seeds and water (which were already free) or the pressure to make something so repetitive seem like the BEST thing in the WORLD every time you're live on air (Oh, and I think I semi know how famous people feel: "Oh hey Jill!" <--said by people who I don't know). Being surrounded by all the 'dad jeans'/Wranglers again hurt me a little on the inside, but in small doses it stays on the "funny" side of things rather than "cynical thoughts" side.

And if nothing else, it's WAY more fun to experience fairs with friends rather than by yourself.

And hey!- The weather's finally starting to return to normal! (...even though I was fine with the cooler temps, but for all you sunny people out there, I'm happy for ya'll).

Tonight I'm heading to a taize service with my folks (according to my sister, a style of church originating in France and Scotland from the monks).

Anyway- perhaps I'll get some friends coming to the lounge for a visit and *cough*free*cough* drinks?

Not a very exciting post.... My apologies.

and so it begins

As I lay here on my couch, I can't help but love the thunderstorm happening right now. I know everybody's sick of the rain and wishing it would finally be summer for a longer stretch than 1.5 days. I don't know, I'm just really embracing the storm. I think it's funny how it's so calming to me (which is also a funny statement because I'm absolutely petrified of tornados and the thought of them...always have been). Although, maybe it's the Northern European in me coming out that makes me happy I don't have to bare the deadly, scorching heat... But never the less, I'm embracing it and going to watch a buffered movie with the living room window wide open to have a side show of lightening.

(Side note: I swear something got hit by lightening. As soon as the storm started, sirens have been going past my place like MAD.)

Anyway, before I regardez mon film, I just thought I'd let you all know that the 2010 wedding countdown has commenced!!

Saturday was my good friend from elementary/high school Lisa's (& Josh's) wedding in Wink-town where I sang her down the aisle. It was a short and sweet ceremony with a pizza, fried chicken, and McCain's cake reception to follow. I'm not kidding. It had it's inside story behind it, but I definitely wasn't feeling like health-master-plus after that- ha! It was also a nice jaunt down memory lane to have 4 of us close girlfriends go up and share embarrassing moments about the poor bride.

I'll try and post a picture of me and the wedded-friend on each wedding update; I'm still waiting on pictures from my friends camera... Hmpf. So sit tight!

Fun Fact of the day: At the country club where I work, there's a curling arena attached with the lounge over looking it. The movie Men with Brooms was filmed there. Apparently that's our claim to fame...

Song choice of the day: Cold Water - Damien Rice (to suit the rainy ambiance).

want it? get it!

$^&*%!

That's how I feel right now after my first shift on the job at a (bit of a dive) country club as a server/bartender/whatever-else-they-can-think-of. I was thrown into 9 hours of mayhem without a break (what the huck? <-- new word) with no training. Good thing I wasn't afraid to ask questions! While the experienced girls went out for a smoke break (x 1,000,000), THIS girl had to make a couple of drinks-- remember...NO training (PROBABLY no one went home sick).

Oh well, at least I am finally making money.

Perks: free use of golf course, tennis courts, badminton courts, indoor pool/hot tub, and fitness centre (+ free eats).

I always said I'd NEVER work in the food industry again after a summer at Boston Pizza. I still stick to my reasonings, but right now I just need some income. Since I'm looking for a more long-term job, this one will probably end up being temporary.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a quitter- but I'm not a "settler" either. NOT bashing server jobs- but it's just not 'me' and I don't like to settle for anything that's not 'me'. It's a fact of life that you're going to have to work your way up the ladder to get what you want in life; you gotta work the crappy jobs before you get the good jobs (unless by some lucky stroke you're Heidi Montag...no experience/skill/brains required, just a camera following you around wherever you go to snag a sweet gig). I know what I'd really love to do, and I know it's going to take hard work (and $$$$ & connections), but I think I'm entitled to be a little picky on what I do while I get there. I just see so many people settling and underestimating themselves and it makes me NOT want to do that (because I know it's so easy to do- heck, I'm guilty of it!). And for crying out loud- I have a college degree! Doesn't that count for anything?!

Anyway, this post got a lot more emotionally involved than I thought it would...(I could go on)! Well- since it did, might as well give you parting words to live by:

"What are you gonna do with your life?"

"I'm gonna get what I want." (tosses hair)

(Thank you for those wise words, Kelly)

For now, the evening only calls for me putting my (sore) feet up and re-cooperating ("Chef"- as he likes us to call him- is CRAZY..seriously).

Shalom.

two two's

Well- it was my birthday on Sunday and I had a good time celebrating (birthday's are a weird thing...explaining that thought is worth a post itself, so no explanation today).

Friday, I went to a wedding social with a couple of friends. Actually, it was called a "Show"-cial: rather than your typical dancing social, the engaged couple (who I didn't know) had a few bands/solo artists put on a show at the West End Cultural Centre. Neat idea! I have to say, my favourite band was the old aunts and uncles who looked like they'd be hick, but ended up playing some Low German and French songs that sounded quite European to be honest! Nice! (At one point I told the people around me that it would be RIDICULOUSLY awesome if they pulled out an accordion......and yes, yes they did!)

Saturday- I shopped around with my cousin and then eventually went out for dinner to Bistro 7 1/4 with my family! OH my goodness. I recommend this place to EVERYone with an appetite for some amazing new flavoured dishes. I had the asparagus strudel on arugula with a complimentary dessert of pure chocolate truffle in a tiny little teacup (that tiny teacup was quite enough- SO sweet). Driving to cheaps after that (The Ghost Writer), came to the Jubilee underpass on Pembina and it was literally a lake from the rain! There was a car that got stalled up in it, so I knew that the chances of my little beater car making it through the waves was "ish".

She made it!

Although now my engine light keeps going on....hm...

Sunday (my actual birthday) was quite relaxing. Slept in, watched a movie online (Ondine...I really like watching movies), & just basically relaxed. Went out for supper to Joey's with a few friends then headed to Kingshead after that for some more hanging out with more friends!

Thanks to you who came (and for the bday wishes from everyone who didn't)!

Until next time (my Michael Jordan birthday)....

Cheers!

____________

Fun Fact of the day: It's June.