What a Gouda Win It Was Sorry, the pun was too much for me to resist. Yes, I won $50 of Dutch cheese from the Holland Shopping Centre! The win also conveniently occurred close to my open house party, so guests got to enjoy the following (see pic): Pesto gouda: green and very delicious Asparagus… Continue reading Dutch Cheese For the Win!
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A Salute to Creativity and the Makie
My Makie Heritage Makies, aka artists, crafters, and creative types, are amazing people. My mother is a potter and creates everything from bird baths to buttons to dinner sets out of clay. My grandmother painted, and I wake up daily to her artwork on my walls. Sewing, cartooning, and graphic design are what fuel my own… Continue reading A Salute to Creativity and the Makie
We Fell in Love With SFU
On January 1st of this year, we went home. We moved to UniverCity at Simon Fraser University (SFU). The university really is like a home to Ryan and I. Not only are we SFU grads, but we both worked for the university, and most importantly, met one another there. This connection with the university and… Continue reading We Fell in Love With SFU
Pomme Natural Market Ladies Night Win
Why Free Food is Awesome I have a special fondness for winning free food. Aside from cold, hard cash, I think food is the most useful kind of prize. I’m also a big fan of consumables at the moment. After 15 years in the same house, we’re moving. Thus, the less we have to box and… Continue reading Pomme Natural Market Ladies Night Win
Winning My Way onto The Ghost Train
A Change of Scene It’s amazing how transformative darkness can be. A familiar place suddenly becomes mysterious. Add some colourful lights, spooky figures, and a mariachi band and you’re celebrating the Day of the Dead on a cool October night in Stanley Park. Thanks to the Westender, my friends and I got to have just such… Continue reading Winning My Way onto The Ghost Train
10 Contests that Changed History
Sadly, I haven’t had a lot of success winning contests lately. That reality has started to sink in and I’m feeling a bit depressed. I’d settle for a free cup of tea or maybe a good book. I’m not asking for a trip to Hawaii, a car, or lots of cash. Just something that I… Continue reading 10 Contests that Changed History
How Lucky Can Anybody Be?
The Genesis At a dark, corner table in the Waldorf Hotel two friends (yours truly is one of them) launched a year-long competition: enter as many free contests as possible and see who wins the most. The winner had to treat the loser to a free dinner at the Waldorf. I was the one who ended… Continue reading How Lucky Can Anybody Be?
Vintage Teacups, For the Win!
Relics from a bygone era. Treasures from decades past. Whatever you call them, we have become a culture obsessed with all things vintage. I am an unapologetic member of this culture; an aging hipster who still gleefully snaps up Don Ho vinyl records, Pyrex bowls, and English bone china teacups. Thus, I was very happy… Continue reading Vintage Teacups, For the Win!
2015 Ends With Two Wins!
Happy New Year! I hope 2015 was a great one for all of you, and that 2016 will bring you much joy and happiness. Personally, I’m sad to see 2015 go. I had one of my best years ever—a new job, great graphic design classes, a wonderful trip overseas, and some fantastic new friendships. With… Continue reading 2015 Ends With Two Wins!
The Adventures of a Shutterbug
The Dawn of Digital I’ve always loved taking photos. I took one course in high school and one in college, and enjoyed snapping away. However, I despised developing in claustrophobia-inducing darkrooms. Fortunately, digital has put an end to all that. I’ve also received an injection of new motivation recently. I was fortunate enough to get… Continue reading The Adventures of a Shutterbug