You’ll have to forgive, but growing up a Leafs fan, this isn’t the first time I’ve had the Stanley Cup Playoffs at home.  I know how a Playoff for the Great Canadian Game should be celebrated and I have been watching on for that true Canadian spirit that really screams Canucks to the country as a whole and not just to this freaky temperate zone of Canada that’s never truly experienced a real Canadian winter, when you flood the backyard and strap on a pair of skates.

I’ve watched the green men and seen more than I particularly cared to see …

Photographed by Colby Vickers

My heart lept at the mention of fan parody songs on youtube, but this my friends is not the True White North, where one heads home from school to shovel the pond for a game of pick up … (I question whether these men have ever even played) …

So in my unapologetic Great White North Hockey snobbery, a glimmer Canadianna hope shone from of all places, one of my best friends, the Hockey Nut in Canada, otherwise known as Mark Leiren-Young.  Just please overlook his ill spent youth cheering for the Boston Bruins over the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was young and stupid, clearly some wisdom has come with age.

… and with this, there is hope … no, there is promise … that the Canucks will show the Bruins what it means to be Canadian and a true Canuck.  We showed you what we were made of in the War of 1812 and we will do so again this playoff season! GO CANUCKS GO!

That said, clearly her musical tastes cannot be left in her uncle’s hands.  Mark – she’s coming to the Burnaby Blues & Roots Festival with Rob and I this summer. Justin Beiber!?!  Really that’s what you’re exposing her to?  Clearly it’s time Rob Jones and I start her music education on the indie scene.

At least I can scoff at the fact that she doesn’t know that Santa is actually a black woman or that she clearly plays with both Malibu Barbie and G.I. Joe.  Those are so passe. They weren’t even cool when I was her age. Return of the Jedi baby!  At least that was all the rage when I was 10 (and clearly I’m a trend setter).  Blame it on the genes and the uncle, she is a Leiren-Young after all.  Poor kid!

Curious to see if she can pull it off, as even if Santa and the elves pitch in, there is still a week ahead of us in which the masses (including myself in the past) hit the malls in search of over-packaged and under-needed presents, get into wrapping frenzies (or competitions, in some cases), and chopped down living oxygen expellers for temporary greenery in their homes.  Personally not a fan of seeing kids cry and I rather like this one, so am chilling out with an artsy tree made of metal (it’s actually pretty cool) and am skipping the presents, in favour of quality time with those I love.  Who’s joining me?  Stephen Harper?  Thinking you are probably overdue for a green do gooder deed to worm your way back on to Santa’s good list and earn a bit of respect back for Canada, especially after this Christmas light show.  Who’s footing the energy bill for that anyhow? Oh, that’s right ….. Merry Christmas Canada.

Not only are these two men sexy, but they’re smart too.  No, not because they create witty lyrics and amusing videos, but because they knew they couldn’t create a Canadian music video without ME appearing somewhere in it.  I mean, come on, why other Canadian artists haven’t seen the error in their ways yet by leaving me out, I’ll never fathom. Clearly they are not as smart as these two men.  So here you have it, my first music video (oh yeah, and Mark and Kevin’s too), Oh Christmas Tree Oh 21st Century:

Yep, you guessed it!!!   That incredibly sexy shoulder that passed the camera in the street corner Santa scene was me!  And if you note, Mark’s wandering gaze, moments after, that’s him being a dirty old Santa and checking out my ass.  True story!  And yes, I will happily sign (kiss) you an autograph, but you’d better get in line fast, as with my new music video fame, I may have to start charging for them soon.

So aside from my obvious prowess in front of the camera, the kid (Emma Jordan Leiren Young) was pretty darn talent too.  I filmed a few exclusive interviews with her, you know on Pet Beauty Tips and the likes, that I promise to share over the next few weeks.

In the mean time, you can check out a few of the stills.  Sadly, I’m only in a few of them, as I was too busy being the genius behind the camera.

A Local Anxiety Christmas

*A deep curtsy to a slow, single clap that grows to thunderous applause.*

*Kisses*  I love you all!

Emme xoxo

How you ask?  Well, Mark posted this pic as his facebook profile pic:

Mark's and my controversial pic

‘Supposedly’, Mark posted this pic to garner attention for the ‘Reading is Sexy’ campaign.  Well, it garnered attention all right, as complaints were raged and the pic was pulled from facebook, marked as ‘obscene’ (Only on Mark’s profile, however, as it seems to be perfectly acceptable on the Reading is Sexy Launch Event Wall).  Curious to know which of us was being obscene?  Personally I think it’s Rob playing with his ‘camera’ in the background.

Oh, and all this comes with rumours that the red head in the photo is Mark’s new lover.

In other words, a most special thank you to all of you that helped promote, were a part of or sent well wishes for the Reading is Sexy Launch Party and Literary Celebration at Gudrun this past Thursday evening.  What a delightful group of the sexiest of cats!  And such a perfect atmosphere in Gudrun!  An enormous thank you to Patrick and the gang at Gudrun – Alison, Josh and Upton.

And again, thank you! Thank you for helping to promote literacy and supporting The International Association of Dyslexia!

Here are some of my pics from the night:

And some much better shot pics of John Biehler’s:

Thanks John!

A few highlights from the night included:

• seeing the men of the calendar (Patrick, Raul and Mark) pucker up for literacy
• teaching an incredibly bashful Mark Leiren-Young to put on lipstick (you’d think a man that had written a book entitled, Never Shoot A Stampede Queen, would have already learned how)
• readings from Mark, Rayne and Raul
• Mooty winning for the funniest responses in our little contest (go read them, they had me chuckling)
• the auctioning off Rob’s Pics of Patrick
• and of course, a whole lot of calendar kissing

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

PS Stay tuned for a Calendar Kissing near you!  Next one is this Thursday Dec 10th at 5 pm (likely at a Gastown pub) as Monica and Monique pucker up for charity.

So to read between the lines, we are promoting literacy and raising funds for The International Dyslexia Association, and hosting a little party to celebrate that and the launch of 2010 Reading is Sexy Calendar.

Party Details

Cost: Free

Local: Gudrun Wine & Cheese Bistro (150-3500 Moncton Street, Steveston, BC)

Date: Thursday December 3, 2009

Time: 7 pm until late

Festivities:

• general revelry and enjoying of Gudrun Goodies (I will buy a few plates for the room, but bring some money with you to enjoy more Gudrun Goodies and some of the yummy wines and beers)
• readings from a few of our authors (Ian Ferguson, Mark Leiren-Young, Richard Yearwood, Lorraine Murphy, Rayne … to name a few … I may even read something from my yet to be finished novel)
• calendar signings by the ‘models’ on hand (really, just because I think this would be bloody hilarious…. I’m thinking of signing in lipstick)
• auctioning of some of Robert Shaer’s photos from the shoot for charity
• …and I plan on dancing ….even if nobody else joins me

Why Gudrun? Because Patrick is in the calendar, I adore him and it’s my secret writing hideaway.

One Added Perk: If you so choose (although certainly not required), you can do a bit of your Holiday Shopping at the event as we will have the 2010 Reading is Sexy Calenders (with $4 of sales from each calendar sold at the event going to The International Association of Dyslexia) and books and CDs of some of our authors on hand.

Hope to see you there!

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

PS So I can give Patrick an idea of numbers, can you please RSVP on facebook or in the comments below. Thank you, all you sexy things!

A Behind the Scenes iShot with Mark Leiren-Young

I’ve been a little nervous to talk too much about it until I knew everything was happily at the printers and we’d seen the proofs. Well, we did see them a couple of days ago and they look great and the finished calendars will be in Van City on November 30th. So we’ve just opened up pre-sale discounts for those of you that wish to buy a calendar or 2 or 3 or 5 before November 30th. Just check out our new store, Tantalizing Treats, for orders or submit them in person(with payment) with me or one of our salacious models.

Rayne Being Goofy Behind the Scenes

So for more details on this sizzling little calendar. It is a wall calendar – 12” by 12”, 2 fold of course, and the gorgeous artwork between it’s pages have been brought to live by two terribly talented photographers, Robert Shaer (@robertshaer) and Tris Hussey (@trishussey). The cover is colour, but inside we’ve gone with classic, black and white shots. Stay tuned in the next few days for a few of their promo shots from the shoot. For now you’ll have to suffice with teases that I took during the shoots on my iphone.

Behind the Scenes of Lori Hamming it up for the Camera

Now what you’ve all been waiting for …. the models in this year’s calendar ….

• Monique Trottier – @somisguided
• Richard Yearwood
• Patrick Tubajon – @iheartgudrun
• Raul Pacheco-Vega – @hummingbird604
• Ian A Martin – @atomicfez
• Rayne
• Lorraine Murphy – @raincoaster
• Mark Leiren-Young – @greenpieces
• Monica Hamburg – @monicahamburg
• Ian Ferguson
• and me – @EmmeRogers

As for their actually poses?  Well, I could tell you, but then I wouldn’t be that much of a tease, then would I!?!

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

Two such friends are Mark Leiren Young and Ian Ferguson. Most recently these two gentlemen have decided to go down the rabbit hole together, in pursuit of Ian’s fabulously funny and talented gal, Kirsten Van Ritzen.  You see Kirsten has created and written an absolutely hilarious new romantic sitcom, Always A Bridesmaid.  And being as these cats love doing things in their own unique way, they’ve decided to film Always A Bridesmaid in front of a live studio audience.  This I might add is the first time this has been done in Vancouver with a sitcom.  Have been to two tapings now. It is a hoot and a great piece of fabulous theater for the even more fabulous price of $0.

Filming Tommy (Vincent Tong) in the Garden

Up until now, I’ve been keeping these HOT little tickets a secret from all, except hummingbird604 and clippernolan (I did after all need some arm candy), so I didn’t have to fight for tickets when I wanted them.  Starting to feel a little selfish though, hoarding all the laughs.  So here is the deal people.  To get your hot little hands on tickets to one of the upcoming episodes of  Always A Bridesmaid, email the show at bridesmaidaudience@gmail.com and give them the following information:

• Your Name
• Your Contact Email
• Your Contact Phone Number
• Preferred Dates
• Preferred Time

The episodes tape weekly on Saturdays at 3 pm and 6:30 pm between now and December 19th, 2009.  You need to be there 45 minutes in advance of tapings.

Raul Grooving to the Tunes at 'Always A Bridesmaid'

Aside from that, taping are happening at Global TV Studios, East Gate Entrance at 7850 Enterprise Way in Burnaby B.C. Oh and you must be at least 16, which I’m suspecting you are if you’re reading my site.

Upcoming Episodes Include:

Oct. 17 “My Gay Husband” featuring Brian Sutton, Kirsten Kilburn

Tommy is convinced that the flamboyant groom is gay – and sets out to prove it. Bob pretends to be Sam Spade. And Mariel is trolling an online dating service. (Will she ever notice that Nick still loves her??)

Oct. 24 “Pretty in Pink” featuring Stephanie Wolfe, Conan Graham, Ken Lawson, Ellie Harvey

An 80’s theme brings back memories for Mariel and Nick as they host a wedding for their old high school rivals, the perfect popular couple. Then the crazy German musicians arrive. Food fights, lederhosen, an explosion in the kitchen, and a whole bunch of lies . . . gesundheit.

Oct. 31 “Cougar Wedding” featuring Gwyneth Welsh, Andrew Francis, Matthew Smalley

An attractive older woman is marrying a frat boy – who just happens to be her son’s best friend. Awkward!!! And Tommy morphs into Debbie Allen when he choreographs a hip-hop wedding dance.

Nov. 7 “Stranger Danger” featuring Irene Karas, June Wilde

Its inventory day and the boutique is a disaster. Not a good time for the city inspector to come calling! Meanwhile Nick is on a date and she is suspiciously skilled at pole dancing. Then a box of fireworks go missing. . .

The Cast of the Pilot of Always A Bridesmaid

Oh and I forgot to mention the terribly sexy, incredibly talented and oh so funny cast.  They include: Kirsten Van Ritzen (as Mariel), Donnelly Rhodes (as Bob), Veena Sood (as Blaga), Chelan Simmons (as Savanna), Vincent Tong (as Tommy), and John Emmet Tracy (as Nick).  Oh and just saying, the rest of you missed out this last weekend on the irresistibly sexy Stephen Lobo (from Godivas).  Wow is he HOT to watch!  And not that I’m bragging or anything, but I didn’t get to just watch him (and yes he totally makes you feel like an oh so very dirty voyeur), but I also got to sit nice and close to him over drinks afterwards. mmmm…….