In true Fighting Chance tradition, the cast of HAIR were fashionably unique. As a now fashionista, I was particularly fond of all the men with bare chests.

WOW!!!! What a well spent few hours of my life!  HAIR was incredible! It made me laugh, it made me cry, got me dancing and it TURNED ME ON.  Didn’t hurt either that one of the stars of the show, Burger (played by Sean Parsons) kissed me in his underwear.  Fighting Chance Productions seriously cranked things up a notch (or three) with their rendition of HAIR, which was beautifully directed (by Ryan Mooney), choreographed, sung and played (under the guidance of Vashti Fairburn) and acted by the players (including Michael Brock as Claude, Cesar Erba as Woof, Amy Jean Mcelwain as Crissy, Ranae Miller as Jeanie, Jenny Moase as Sheila, Sean Parsons as Berger, Hal Rogers as Hud, and Ariella Tuliao as Dionne). Well done!!!

Clad solely in his tightie whities, the man in the middle kissed me in the first Act!

So seriously, this is THE MAGICAL THIRD DATE to take someone on to seal the deal.  Hell, if Brie weren’t married, you may have caught me kissing her, it was so HOT!  It wasn’t 10 seconds into the first act before I whispered to Brie that the cast must be seriously chaised if they weren’t having some oh, so terribly HOT, HOT sex throughout the rehearsing and run of the show. Just be warned that this is not the show for the kids, and if you happen to be adverse to nudity, then its not the show for you, as I am happy to report that there is lots of it.  Which incidentally, brings me to a bit of constructive criticism.  Ryan – Brie and I think you need to linger LONGER on the nude scene at the end of the first act, we were still busy soaking in all the beauty, when you so rudely cut us off.  Speaking of which, Brie and I want to know what happens at intermission, after the entire cast goes backstage naked. Do you have robes waiting for every which one? That would be a lot of robes.

Have to admit, I can't look at this lot without my mind instantly turning to sex. I'd like to think I'm not alone in that though ... Brie?

If you aren’t aware of the story of HAIR, it is a beautiful one of belief, ideals, horrific decisions and growing up in the 60s. Couldn’t help but reflect on the youth of a very dear friend of mine from the 60s and how the horrors that he saw transformed the rest of his life.

So if you do nothing else between now and August 1st, be sure to go and see HAIR at the Waterfront Theatre.  Trust me, you and your date will be thanking me for it.

Here’s a little preview:

and they have more teasers here.

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

PS Now Ryan – if any cast get sick this week, Brie and I would be happy to fill in.

PPS To the Two Gentlemen at the Cat’s Meow after the Show: It doesn’t matter how titillated HAIR may make a gal, comparing her hair to that of a horses and then commenting on her fine set of chompers, as though she was a horse at an auction, is not at all likely to get you any action.

I think I shall do just that this weekend!!

So why a fashion week?  Aside from the clearly obvious, aka that I am just such a gorgeous glam puss that wouldn’t you all want to know what I am wearing. Well, it seems that I have joined the ranks of the fashionistas in the last week and am now on the guest list at a variety of fashion events.  Definitely not something that my Grandmother would have ever suspected of her tree climbing, bomber jacket wearing, running shoe clad granddaughter during the height of her career as a fashionista, when she owned a plush store of beautiful fabrics and tailor made women’s apparel.  But clearly since then I have learnt what the word ‘apparel’ means and I now wear dresses on my tree climbing excursions, making me uniquely qualified to discuss fashion.  Will that frock make me look absolutely fabulous and leave something to the imagination whilst I am climbing trees?  How washable is this garment when I inevitably spill red wine down my top? … All very important queries to a tomboy turned fashionable gal-about-town.

So what does the week have in store for you lot?  Well currently on the agenda (which tends to be ever changing), we have lined up:

• a post on the new Roots and Douglas Coupland Collection

RootsxDouglasCoupland Collection

• a guest post by the ever so gorgeous fashionista, Brie Mason, on lululemon’s new, “We Did It In Luon” Collection
• fashion photos from Fighting Chance Productions rendition of Hair, as they have a bit of a rep for daring fashion moves

Fashionably Fighting Chance

Now for my fashion muse:

In this picture, our model - @hummingbird604, is sporting sandle clad feet and sparkly toenails. This is all the rage for men this season.

Yes, gentleman, thats right.  It is fashionable this season to accessorize with sparkly nail polish.

So I hereby decree this Being Emme’s July Fashion Week (added the July in there, in order for sequels, which I know you are all just dying for).

Alas I learnt a few things from the slugs and plants, like interactivity is not always a good thing.  I am happy to state that no plants were harmed in any of the stunt roles they played.  I am mourning the loss of one slug, however (and I am still trying to remove all slug goo from between the toes).  I’d appreciate everyone taking a moment of silence in honour of the role the slug played.

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

And apparently I’m not the only one:

Now I just wish that it wasn’t Brie that sent me this, as I keep picturing her fellow saying, “Hello Ladies, Does your man look like me?  Does he smell like me?”

Ahhhhh!

You see, these two lovely creatures came up with the wonderful idea of hosting a Mental Health Camp last year to help erase to stigma associated with Mental Health.  And after a most successful and hugely upbeat and empowering day last summer, they are back at it again – this weekend in fact (I have been a little remiss in getting this up sooner, in favour of my own mental health and getting some sleep).

I am very proud of Raul and Isabella and their many volunteers, as I am of the personal believe that hiding mental health issues like a dirty little secret in the closet, only makes the person feel worse and continues the cycle of lack of understanding or empathy for mental health issues in society.  It is also my personal believe that we all suffer from depression at some point in our lives – whether from a more long term condition or after a miscarriage, birth of a child, death, loss of a job or change in our lives, like retirement.  I am no different.  A few years back I had a bout with depression, and let me tell you, it was damn scary.  The only thing that got me out of it was my Dad saying, “You’re depressed, aren’t you?” Finally admitting that both to myself and to him and talking about it with him is what pulled me out.  We figured out some of the causes (ie. not taking any time for me or even a day off), but mostly just having someone to talk to about it helped.  Especially someone that I loved and respected to talk to – that did not treat me as though I was an alien with a third eye on my head.  It was okay.  This happens to all of us at times.  His only concern was for helping to pull me out of it.  Reminded me again how lucky I am to have the family I have.

Remembering to Take Time for Me

This year’s Mental Health Camp is focused on ‘Using Social Media as a Vehicle for Dealing with Mental Health’.  I can’t say that this is actually always a good thing, as it depends on how it is done and on you, the person.  But I do know that this will be the perfect place to explore this.  Knowing Raul and Isabella and their past work, they will create a safe environmental with confidentiality for you to explore how much you want to share and in what way, and whether this is a positive environment for you.

This year’s Mental Health Camp is on Saturday July 10th from 8 am – 6 pm.  You can find out more details on their site and register at eventbrite.

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

Week One: The Beginning Shot to the New Year's Resolution

Some of you will remember my New Year’s Resolution to tone this up for my own well being, and will also remember that that DOESN’T mean dieting, but rather healthy living – good food, fresh air and exercise.  The good food part comes easily to me. Unlike concern over increased consumption of processed food on the CBC, I was brought up on home cooking and have taken that into my adult life. Where I’ve been struggling is that although I grew up outdoors, more and more I spend my days working in sedentary conditions at a computer, and whilst I started the year out with a healthy dose of fresh air and exercise, that went downhill with the month long Olympic Party, fueled with a healthy dose of hops and barley.  So as I revisited my Wheel of Life with my personal coach, Jennifer Priest, the other week, I noticed that I am still struggling to find a healthy balance in fun and recreation (which I consider to include exercise) and romance. And I think the two go hand in hand. I need to get OUT and be active way more than I am.

My Wheel of Life: January 2010

Some of you will recall that I’ve been experimenting with online dating for the past year or so, and whilst I was meeting some lovely men, it wasn’t really working for me.  Partially because I am a romantic and this was a rather contrived way to meet people, and partially because I spend my days working online and the last thing I want to do at night is to go back to the computer to create a personal life for myself.  It wasn’t working and I told Jennifer as much in our last session.  She had some great alternative suggestions.

A few ideas of Jennifer‘s to get me OUT and active and meeting people all at the same time are to:

• Go to the Driving Range after work and hit a few balls.
• Find a Hiking Group and join them for weekend hikes.
• Go for a walk on my own or borrow a friend’s dog to take for a walk and actually make eye contact, smile and say ‘hello’ to people when I am out and about (scary concept for the VanCity cats, I know).
• Join a Team Sport, with people I don’t know, like beach volleyball or dragon boating.

Not so outdoorsy, but goes well with the non-processed food, healthy eating part of my New Year’s Resolution, Jennifer also suggested singles cooking classes.  Definitely trying that one out.

Loving these ideas!  Especially as they get me outdoors and active and outside my comfort zone of my true blue friends (whom I love and adore, but am very quickly becoming the crazy spinster aunt to all their children).  Off to try my first one today (after the footie match that just started).  Found a hiking group and am going on my first hike with them.  Wish me luck!

Kisses,

Emme xoxo