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!

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…….

Photo by James DesRoche

Loved the film!  In a day and age where filmmakers have a tendency to dumb things down for their audience, assuming we have the attention spans of a gnat (probably shouldn’t say that as I don’t really know how long the gnat’s attention span is), I was pleasantly surprised to find myself pulled into a tale told by some eloquently portrayed characters that assumes that the audience is bright and sophisticated.

A truly beautiful tale of people & communities that you’ll love, even if you don’t love trees.

Don’t miss The Green Chain.  It plays at Fifth Avenue Cinemas from now until Thursday March 12th.  Today’s the last day to catch the post film Q+A with Director / Writer, Mark Leiren-Young and let me tell you, you don’t want to miss that sexy devil. Sexiness is certainly not limited to the actors in this film.

Photo by James DesRoche

The Green Chain is playing daily at Fifth Avenue Cinema at 1:30, 4:45, 7:10 & 9:10 pm.

You don’t want to miss this film.  It’s so powerful and is an example of storytelling at it’s finest.  Fifth Avenue Cinema – last day for post film Q&A with writer / director Mark Leiren-Young – 1:30, 4:45, 7:10 & 9:10 pm.

I know he says fire doesn’t sleep, but does he?  Or more aptly, will he with me?  Shall I ask him that, if I happen to run into him at tonight’s screening of The Green Chain at Fifth Avenue Theatre?

Besides which, just check out the man on the poster – need I say more:

Here’s one of the trailers:

Now, I know Mr. Firefighter says fire doesn’t sleep, but my question is does he sleep or at least will he sleep with me?

Okay now, I’ve gone from pushy diva to just plain crass, so thinking it’s time to sign off before I get any worse, if thats possible.

Kisses,

Emme  xoxo

The First Van Sexy Winner of a 2008 Canadian Blog Award:

• 3rd Place for Best Science & Tech Blog – DeSmogBlog

The results from all other categories are still pending.

And the winners from last night’s 2008 Best of 604 Awards:

Best site for Sports:
1. BC Soccer Web
2. Canucks Hockey Blog
3. Outdoor Vancouver

Best Podcast (audio or video):
1. Lipgloss and Laptops
2. Choogle On
3. TikiBar TV

Best site for Events:
1. Beyond Robson
2. From Blown Speakers
3. Vancity Buzz

Best Multi-Author site:
1. The Tyee
2. Beyond Robson
3. Vancouver is Awesome

Best New Blog of 2008:
1. Modern Mix Vancouver
2. 3 Degrees West
3.Tiny Bites

Best site for Tech:
1. Buzz Networker
2. Techvibes
3. iPhone in Canada

Best site for News:
1. The Tyee
2. CBC
3.News 1130

Best site for Politics:
1. The Tyee
2. Matthew Good
3. Jonathon Narvey

Best site for Humor:
1. The Province Live @ 5
2. CondoHype
3. Your Dose of Lunacy

Best Company blog:
1. Raincity Studios
2. BuildDirect
3. 3 Degrees West

Best site for Food (directory or blog):
1. The Well-Tempered Chocolatier
2. Farmstead Wines
3. Chow Times

Best site for Photos:
1. Waxy Photography
2. Marc L’Esperance
3. Blue Olive Photography

Best site for Fashion or Style:
1. Demicouture
2. The Style Spy
3. The Conveyor Belt

Best Personal site:
1. John Chow
2. Gus Greeper
3. Delicious Juice

Congratulations to all the winners!  Especially big congratulations to The Tyee and my pal, Mark Leiren-Young – way to go – three wins!  And an enormous congratulations to Rebecca Bollwitt, Miss 604, for organizing all of this and for putting on what I heard was THE PARTY last night in Van City. Only wish I could have been there to celebrate with all of you sexy cats!

Kisses,

Emme

PS Sizzingly sweet dress, by the way, Rebecca!!!