And that’s just what they’ll do …”

Photographer: Liz Kearsley

It’s been a long time and many hints in coming, but I am pleased to finally introduce Roamancing in Alpha …

… the site ~ http://roamancing.com

… on twitter ~ http://twitter.com/roamancing

… facebook ~ http://facebook.com/roamancing

… youtube ~ http://youtube.com/roamancing

Just the beginning of what promises to be many a tale of shenanigans and debauchery from the likes of Brie Mason, Sir Von Ritter, Clippernolan, Hummingbird604, Thu Nguyen, Katrina Ham, Alyzee Lakhani, Richard Yearwood, Kelly Lui, Summer, myself and many more whose identies we are keeping undercover just for now.

Smooches from the road,

Emme xoxo

My ever so gorgeous buddy and hummingbird604, Raul, is hosting a wee fashion event tonight, Fashion’s Night OUT in Schools.  Great event!  All proceeds go to combating ignorance and bullying of homosexual youth in schools.  And you know this event is going to be just simply FABULOUS darling!

So the deets:

• Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2011 – TONIGHT
• Time: 7:00-10:00 pm
• Venue: V Lounge at Earl’s Yaletown (1095 Mainland St)
• Pricing: $20
• What to Expect: fashion show and short video presentation, a glass of wine for the first 100-150 people or so, cocktail reception, stunning silent auction, live DJ, and exclusive gift bags.

Now the tough question … what to wear? … and who to decorate my arm with?  Damn theres a lot to do before 7 pm!

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

You see for me the Olympics weren’t really about the games or sport at all. They were about the people I met, both local and from around the world and in sharing in our traditions from music and celebration to food and beer.  Oh and there were some fine beers – thank you Saxony House, I get teary eyed just thinking about those tankards.  I’m happy to provide you with an address for a care package.

Saxon-Canadian Relations (aka Being a good Canadian Diplomat.)

So we all need goals, especially around games, and that I had, just like any of the athletes.  My goals were two fold.

1. Enjoy as much food, drink and music from all around the world, as possible.
2. Encourage International Relations by hosting a little competition of my own against my darling hummingbird604.  How you ask?  Well, our own Olympic Sport of seeing who got more Olympic dates.

Now, this really set a great purpose and tone to the Games as things got off to a roaring start in our Olympic Event.  The Opening Ceremonies alone I had three dates.  Needless to say, despite the odds, I was leaving Raul behind in a white wash.

Olympic Dates 2 & 3 (Yes, they happened at the same time, as did Date 1 - he's taking the pictures. I'm not a girl that wastes time.)

That was until this Saxon fellow got in the way, and turned me head over heels in a hunt for unrequited love.

Stealing a Kiss

Not wanting to lose though, I tossed my heart aside and still managed to get in a kiss or two:

Thats when Raul pulled off the mittens and started playing dirty, deeking me out and landing me a very real Olympic romance and case in International Relations in my lap.  Now, I’m not one to smooch and tell, but lets just say that that German accent yesterday was all I needed to take me right back to Vancouver 2010 and turn my face as red as a beet.

Faced with nostalgia, I think I’ll dig up a bit of our unused footage to share with you in the coming weeks.  Who knows it might even help to me cure of this past year’s weakness for foreign men.

So Raul … what were you saying about George Stroumboulopoulos?  Dish my dear hummingbird604!  I’m waiting!

My poster, yet somehow it's Raul's chest where the signing occurs. Good thing for Raul that I absolutely adore him.

Boy, am I ever glad I did, as hummingbird604 and I had an absolutely hilarious time, and met some truly lovely folks.  I’d say we mauled Richard, but truth be told, it was he who was doing the kissing and who exposed Raul for the man he is.

Enjoy the pics of Richard, Raul and I, along with a few of our new friends – Garfield Wilson and Mike Veinot of Village on a Diet, and Michael Seater and Stacey Farber of 18 to Life (who sadly we didn’t get a chance to talk to, but whom have beautiful smiles):

Not sure where #CBCLive is next, but wherever it is, it’s a great way to spend a Saturday, especially if you relish in the ridiculous.

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

Raul is hosting a contest around a Teddy Bear called Finnspiration. Now this isn’t just any Teddy Bear, but one designed with the love and laughter of Baird and Sarah Sullivan, who lost their brother Finn to cancer.

Baird and Sarah gave Finnspiration big brown eyes just like their brother, and a touch of pink – Finn’s favourite colour. They gave the bear long bunny ears, like their brother’s much-loved ‘Pink Bear’, a soft rabbit stuffie that brought him comfort through his illness, and even added rabbits to Finnspiration’s paws to capture Finn’s joyful and energetic mantra.

Baird, Finnspiration & Sarah

Aside from being a wonderful and comforting reminder of their brother, Finn, Baird and Sarah designed Finnspiration to raise money and awareness to the Starlight Children’s Foundation in their goals to grant wishes and create beautiful memories for seriously ill children and their families.

I am not really one for the commercial side of Hanukkah, Christmas and other winter holidays, but I have to say this is one toy I’d be willing to buy for my nieces this Holiday season, especially knowing that the gift gives joy to other families during some pretty rough times.  I wonder how I can share this idea with my nieces, so they know just what a special bear Finnspiration is.

If you want to spread the love and awareness for Finnspiration you can comment on Raul’s post with your inspiration (it says the contest closed yesterday, but based on his tweets it sounds like it’s been extended until tomorrow, December 7th) or you can purchase a bear for $20.00 at any Toy R Us nationwide or online.

Okay I think I need to go have a little cry.

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

One Visibly Distressed Santa Sandwiched by Erica and Raul at #LPV10

So last night’s highlight for me???

Well, duh!!!!  Panty by Post! I’ve only been dying to meet the sexy gals behind it for months, not to mention, finally getting the opportunity to caress their luxurious European panties.

Which brings me back to Santa. I know the Holidays are about the giving.  But if you so happen to want to give me a present this year, Panty by Post would give both you and I something, that is if I were to happen to post a pic or two of me modeling my monthly panties. Just saying, you know, in case any of you are wracking your brain as to what to give me aside from hugs and kisses.  You know I’d hate to think I was causing any of you stress in life.

Now this brings me to a conversation and debate a ‘girlfriend’ and I were having last night after fondling the wonderfully soft men’s briefs they had out for the snuggling. How soon can one mail a man panties?  Is it ever too soon in a relationship to do such a thing?  I mean my ‘girlfriend’ wouldn’t want to scare him off or come across as a tart.  Also gents, how personal are a man’s panties to them?  Would you wear panties a gal sent you?  Would you wear these? And then there’s the question of sizing …

Food for thought.  And please do share those thoughts!

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

PS Thanks to Maura, Danny, Dimitri (and Sonia) for another great Launch Party!

PPS LATE BREAKING NEWS … this just in ….. Panty by Post is offering all my readers 20% off on theor pre-Christmas (2010) orders. Just enter holidaydeal20 into the coupon code section after you select your package! Wahooo!

You see I’ve been invited to Fan Night at the Vancouver Opera for the World Premiere of Lillian Alling!  Can hardly wait!  As you know, I always relished going backstage at the Opera last season and seeing the magnificent sets and props, but Thursday night is bound to be equally special with a pre-Opera chat with Principal Répétiteur & Assistant Chorus Director Kinza Tyrrell.  Was privileged enough to attend a similar chat before Madama Butterfly last season and it really opened up the Opera to me in a whole new light.  And the best part is, this chat is not just for me, but all who partake in Fan Night at the Opera!

Photo by Tim Matheson

Now having just done a little research into Lillian Alling, the Opera itself, I’m even more excited.  You see I’m a huge history buff and being somewhat narcissistic, I especially salivate over history that somehow pertains to my existence, and this Opera definitely does that, and in a story of intrigue, mystery, survival and love.  A contemporary Opera that explores the journeys of new Canadians and the early settlers of BC. And Lillian is a Russian immigrant no less, yet another part of my history that buzzes at the edge of my brain (you do know that I either come from Russian aristocracy or a family of spies?).  Just listen to music overlaying this history of the real Lillian Alling and it will have you gripped on the edge of your seat salivating for more, at least thats what it does to me.

Very much looking forward to this and hopefully running into a few of you there too on Thursday night.  If not, you can still catch the final performance of Lillian Alling at the Vancouver Opera on Saturday October 23, 2010. Can’t wait!

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

PS A Lillian Alling Review from my ever so dashing hummingbird604 – Lillian Alliang World Premiere

PPS A few Lillian Alling Reviews from Lillian Alling Opening Night Bloggers:

• Miranda Lievers
• Stacey Robinsmith
• Frances Sprout
• Nik Belonio

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

Jason in Anticipation of a Lucky Golden Key

So here’s what I am doing with my bars.  If you want one, you must tell the camera what you think the caramilk secret is or what you’d do with that knowledge and $250, 000.  And YES, Nadia and Liz, this means you!!!! No more Veruca Salt temper tantrums from you two demanding gals. If you want another bar, you’ll have to smile for the camera.

Two Van Sexy lads who have tried and sadly failed:

(Jason – I may be able to slip you another bar for the co-ordinates to the Whistler Mountain gold)

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

PS For a bar, find me or one of the folks from Ahimsa Media at a Van City Event.  We’ll mention on twitter if we are heading somewhere with caramilk in hand.