Alas I may not be Richard Yearwood's 'lover', but I do love that this man has no issues with hugging, kissing or telling me he loves me. The feeling is mutual and one of the many reasons I love to both work and play with this man.

These are not simply the ramblings of a gal that is single on Valentine’s Day.  I actually generally prefer my single Valentines, as more people tell me they love me and I am never met with disappointment.  Plus Fuzzywiggle Furrypants Roo makes the best damn Valentine’s cat that there ever was.  She gives even more kisses and hugs than I do (and I’m pretty liberal with mine).

No, this is a philosophy instilled in me thanks to my parents.  And thanks to them, it is the reason that I know where I stand with my family, close friends and many of the people who I work with (who I consider to be family and close friends) ~ they love me and I love them (Hell, at  Ahimsa that seems to be one of the long term prerequisites ~ do they have talent and do we love them ~ necessary after all, when we do long hours, all over the World).  And as I get older and have sadly started to lose some of the people in my life that I love, it is for this reason that I always know the last thing that I said to them ~ I  love you! (and despite saying these words often, every day of my life, they are not hollow words).

And with that, I send all you lovely readers some hugs …

With smooches to Ian MacLatchy for posting this video on our producer, Erica’s, facebook wall, where I spotted it.

Love and Kisses,

Emme xoxo

"Me Time" at Le Chamois Whistler

To put this to the test, Richard Yearwood and I escaped the hustle and bustle of the city Easter weekend for some fun in the sun in Whistler, thanks to Whistler Tourism.  It was exactly what I needed.  While we didn’t exactly slow down, we did have a huge amount of fun and discovered all sorts of new aspects to Whistler from music and art to learning to snowboard in the Spring sun to zipping through the trees with Ziptrek Ecotours.   Best part for a Van City Gal, was this kind of escape can be planned stress free at the last minute or simply on a whim.

Richard and I, in what I like to think of as Ewok Village Whistler

For a full account of all of our Whistler Weekend Adventures over the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival, you will have to stay tuned to Roamancing as we launch the site and our social media feeds over the next month and put up a variety of posts from A Morning in the Life of an Ewok to the first in a Le Chamois inspired series on the World’s Best Tubs to Snowboarding Tips from Whistler Blackcomb Ski & Snowboard Hottie Sean Matthews.

In the meantime, a few tips for those looking for a highly recommended escape from the daily grind:

• If you, like me, fantasize about leisurely soaks in the tub with a good book and a glass of wine, the tub at Le Chamois was an absolute dream come true for me, jets included.  And now sadly, while I didn’t get the opportunity to try this, I’d harbour a guess that it fit two comfortably.  Richard, similarly enjoyed his roomy shower.

Tub Heaven at Le Chamois Whistler

• There’s ART in Whistler!   And really good art – inspired by the mountain culture and the natural surroundings.  When you’re taking a break from the mountain, go search it out.  I really enjoyed what I saw.  Had to give Richard my credit card to curb the spending cravings.

TWSSF State of the Art

• If you give the techno music in the clubs a pass (unless of course that’s your thing) there is actually some good music in Whistler.  The Mountain knows its acts and will bring them in, often for free. We caught both Broken Social Scene and Marianas Trench for free on Easter Weekend.  I’ll be keeping a close eye on the new Jazz Festival coming to the mountain in September.

Marianas Trench at TWSSF in Whistler

• Even though the snow is not at it’s best in the Spring, the skiing is still immensely enjoyable, especially if you go with the layered look and salaciously strip down throughout the day.  It’s a great way of building that tan for the summer, especially if it is not limited to the goggle region.  Blackcomb Mountain is open for the season until May 30th, so there is still time to grab a few runs.  To find the best runs and ski conditions, test out the Whistler Blackcomb Live App.  It’s free.  Oh and think Preventable: wear a helmet (and possibly a bum pad, if you’re snowboarding) and get lessons if it’s your first time.  The Whistler Blackcomb Ski & Snowboard School are excellent and they have a hottie or two working for them (HELLO Mr. Sean Matthews).

Sean Matthews, Snowboard Instructor & Whistler Hottie

• If you’re like me and like to geek out a little, while taking in the mountain air and getting that Whistler adventure rush on, then I’d recommend checking out the Ziptrek Ecotours. We did the Ziptrek Bear Tour, which made me feel like I’d joined a band of Ewoks.  It was awesome!  Being someone that was initially terrified, I had fun and felt in safe hands with our knowledgeable and humorous guides.  Thanks Peter and Edwin!

Richard Showing off on the Ziptrek

Now I should also note that some of the art and music mentioned about is one of the advantages to hitting Whistler when an event is on.  We were there for the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival, which included one of my favourite art exhibits, State of the Art, and a series of free outdoor music concerts, including Broken Social Scene and Marianas Trench.  You have to wait a year until TWSSF is back, but in the meantime, there are some other cool festivals in Whistler coming up, including:

• Outstanding in the Field ~  July 9th, 2011
• Konkanee Crankworx ~  July 16 – 24, 2011
• Slow Food Cycle Sunday ~  August 21, 2011
• Jazz on the Mountain ~  Early September, 2011

Now to answer the age old question (or at least mine), can you find love in Whistler?  Don’t laugh.  Yes, I have been told that I can find plenty of love there for a night (which really isn’t what I’m looking for just now), but actual love.  Despite the chuckles and scoffs that I can hear as I write this, I do believe you can.  Whether it is taking someone you are building a relationship with on a weekend escape to take time for each other or you seriously connect with someone on a weekend escape, it happens.  We met a couple from the States that actually met in Whistler (video to come on Roamancing) and despite the transient lifestyle of Whistler, there are folks that stay and are looking for that special someone.  This is especially true for the gals, as lets face it Whistler is a bit of a sausage fest.  Ladies – you just have to be somewhat discerning in your selection (ie. give the married men on a weekend romp a wide pass.  If they are treating Whistler like Las Vegas, they are probably not the fellow to be batting your eye lashes and tossing your hair at).

So did I find love?  Too soon to tell, but I did get a phone number or two.

~ Emme xoxo

Whistler Vacations

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

… and based on the intel from the last few episodes of InSecurity, she’s not batting so well in the childhood friend department. So with a little arm twisting and possibly an unfinished camp song or two, I’ve got myself a new BFF (sorry Brie) and some sweet intel on Richard Yearwood in his double life as Benjamin N’udu.

Now just to get her one on one. According to my sources, I should find her (in alias disguise, as Natalie Lisinska) and N’udu at Metrotown in Burnaby this Saturday January 29th from 3 – 5 pm. Don’t want Nu’du to catch on, so do I knock him out or drug him? … Oh shoot, so simple, just need a bit of music. After all, there is nothing like a serenade. “You’ve got the eyes of a stranger …”

Yep, that Irish Stud, Stephen Maguire, sent me a love song from across the pond in Ireland.  Well, in truth, his beautiful wife, Tera, sent me the love song, but she’s just as hot as he is, so works for me.

Next up, gotta get Stephen to serenade me in person.  That and get that sexy sweetheart Richard Yearwood to serenade Brie and I in person and on camera – he’s already done it once over the phone, but Fuzzies accidentally walked over my iphone and clicked delete.

I’m really rather fond of the goals I have in life.

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

True to form, I always get my man or in this case Benjamin N’udu (plain clothed alias: Richard Yearwood – yes, my Richard – clearly he wasn’t totally above board with me).  Here I thought the great Benjamin N’udu was supposed to be one of NISA’s craftier spies.  Or maybe, it’s just that I’m that good.

NISA Agent Benjamin N'udu hides in plain sight on Toronto Streets

To test this theory, that I’m better and craftier than Canada’s top spies, I put the challenge out there to you, can you find more N’udu’s than me or any of the other NISA Agents. Who knows if I track down N’udu’s alias, Richard Yearwood, maybe I can even convince him to pucker up for the winner, especially if the winner is yours truly. You can post your findings on the facebook page of N’udu’s alias.

Oh and any spottings on the CBC at 8:30 pm this Tuesday (January 4th, 2011) don’t count.

My Gal Randy, as captured by Richard Gustin

Was never really a football fan growing up.  Didn’t really get the men in tights, slapping each others asses. That’s been changed, at least as far as the Saskatchewan Roughriders are concerned.  You see I think those sneaky little Prairie boys and girls have been somehow brainwashing me amoungst my many adventures through their fields of golden wheat.  I can’t proof anything, but …

How can little green men be anything, but infectious!?!

No, in all seriousness, their love of the game is infectious.  And I’m not alone.  After a summer in Regina, it seems to have got a hold of my buddy Richard Yearwood too. For me it’s a combination of meeting a local football star (albeit one playing for Edmonton), Graeme Bell, serving drinks at a local Saskatoon watering hole (Winston’s Pub – he’s no longer there), seeing him treat my 70+ year old friend as the most beautiful woman and most important person in the bar, and the intoxicating infectious pride Saskatchewanites have for their team the Roughriders.  Quite surprised that nobody has called a Provincial Holiday yet to celebrate them in the Grey Cup or to celebrate Rider Nation receiving the CFL Commissioners’ Award.  An award that my friend, Randy accepted on behalf of Roughrider fans with her son and granchildren – all Riders fans.  Way to go Randy!

GO RIDERS GO!

Now twice, I have played out sexual fantasies – once my own, once someone else’s. Is that an abnormally low number?  My fantasy: becoming one with the great outdoors and my partner at the time, west coast style (aka on the beach).  Really wouldn’t mind revisiting that one, just not anywhere near Vancouver, as there are just too damn many people in the outdoors here.  As for the other fantasy (that was not my own), I could tell you, but I’m not that kind of girl.  That one is just between him and I (and whomever he’s told).

Seeing as I am unlikely to muster up the gumption to purchase Sex for Dummies from the local bookstore, help me out here.  What’s your fantasy?  Have you acted upon it?

Failing any of you sharing, I’ll have to resort to finding an actual boyfriend and trying to convince him to play out Richard Yearwood’s book, 52 Weeks, which seems to involve playing out a few fantasies (I cheated and read both the his and hers copies in advance).  That could take me awhile though and a whole lot of planning and work, so fantasies, please!

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

PS I do actually own the pocket sized version of Dating for Dummies thanks to a friend (I do hope that wasn’t a serious present).  Did you know it has a Chapter entitled, ‘The Predate Warm-Up’?  Am I missing something here, as admittedly, I’ve never warmed up for a date and wouldn’t know where to start.

How can you not love this man?

It is his in front of the camera work that I want to highlight just now though, as this gorgeous beast is just about to be a leading man (Benjamin N’udu) in the CBC Series InSecurity that is coming out in January.  Here’s a little teaser:

… and *umph* seeing Richard in HD is a tease indeed!

At any rate, if you, like me, are dying for more (or just want to stalk him), not to worry as I have been teaching Richard to use social media. You can find him on:

• his blog
• his new facebook fan page (which I built, as the unofficial President of his fan club)
• twitter
• flickr (which he needs to use more)

I just now need to teach him that ‘u’ and ‘r’ are not real words.  RICHARD!!! Next thing you know, he’ll be saying he’s ‘good’, rather than ‘well’.

Oh and InSecurity just sprouted up online too with a fan page of their own.

Kisses,

Emme xoxo

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!