Its time, holiday...

the stores are
filled with over sized items.
chocolate and pressies
for one for all.
plenty of people passing
in hallways
decked out with discounts
and savings for sale.
meeting and greeting and
spreading good cheer
its time, it's time
the holidays are here!

Tweet Tweet Canada - No More SMS!

The following was posted on the Twitter Blog regarding outgonig SMS messages in Canada:

Canadian SMS service

"Unexpected changes in our billing have forced us into a difficult situation with our Canadian SMS service. We can’t afford to support this service given our current arrangement with our providers (where costs have been doubling for the past several months.) As a result, effective today we are no longer delivering outbound SMS over our Canadian shortcode (21212).

The ability to update Twitter over SMS will still be supported over 21212. But we know that this is only part of the experience and we want to make Twitter work in the way folks want … regardless of where they live.

There is a realistic, scalable SMS solution for Canada (and the rest of the world.) We’re working on that and will post more details on the Twitter blog as we make progress."

Who's the 'Buy Nothing' dummy?

Who, honestly WHO...

Picked the biggest shopping day of the year to be 'Buy Nothing Day". It makes a mockery of the concept. How about having it on any other day, not during Christmas time so that people can actually say "Hey, I'm going to make a conscious effort to buy nothing today and make a difference." Instead, Nov.28, Black Friday is Buy Nothing Day in North America. the rest of the world gets it tomorrow, November 29, the biggest shopping day AFTER Black Friday. Like DUH?

What the eff were you thinking? To me, I think it makes the whole idea behind decreasing consumerism and purchasing crap into a big joke.

Bettykisses for Moi!!

I got something totally fabulous in the mail this week. Arianne at Bettykiss Style sent me one of her couture signature clutches. It is satin, pink, zebra AND reversible. I had seen them online but let me tell you, it is gorgeous!! I absolutely love it.

It came in a nice box and I was quite excited to open it!

Then, there was another box. It was tied up with a lovely pink ribbon.

Opening the packaging made me feel so very special!

My cute clutch is revealed!!

The little card inside says:
"Thank you for finally doing something for yourself.
You are a true Blue Betty...with Kicks and kisses, Bettykiss"

Isn't it just lovely!!There is more greatness, the holiday special price of each clutch is $20 or two for $35. Shipping is about $10 but if you are in the GTA, you can arrange to have it delivered at no extra cost.

I'm going to be taking an order and having them delivered to me. If you'd to get some Bettykiss for yourself contact through here or email me at sales@casiestewart.com to get in on my order if you live close.

Happy Friday!! ♥

I'll Show YOU Who's Beautiful!!

Someone I know got this email:

"Dear Whatever Your Name Is,

Your application to BeautifulPeople Network was not successful, the members of BP did not find your profile attractive enough this time round.

Please note, that only one in five applicants are currently making it into BeautifulPeople.com.

You are more than welcome to try again, perhaps with a better photo of your self or a more interesting profile text.We wish you every success the next time around.

Best regards,
BeautifulPeople Network "

How about NOW bitches, will this help you think more beautifully...if I plastic my face and show of my lovely tata's and great ass. Is that what it takes to be beautiful? A little A & T? I've seen the profiles that they think are beauties, scantily clad seems like the way in. I'm not like that.

I've not tried my own face at acceptance, but I'm considering it heavily.

Just for sport of course!!

Art 'H' Box Project presents...

FRANKIE RICH!

South African born, Canadian citizen, Toronto based Fine Artist Frankie Rich has much of her work housed in both public and private collections across the globe. Included in the collection of the South African Embassy, Ottawa, her work, paintings and sculptures, have been exhibited to great acclaim in South Africa, Canada and the United States. Frankie’s paintings are imbued with a deep sense of spirituality, and her approach is a joyous one, perhaps best explained in her own words: “Art can be understood, it cannot be explained."

Frankie has been invited to participate in the prestigious Arts ‘H’ BOX project, an innovative, roaming screening ‘hall’ which presents major new video commissions by eight rotating international artists. The itinerant nature of the H BOX allows it to travel the world between renowned museums and highlights the exciting fluidity of video, a medium now reshaping the twenty-first century. Each year four new international artists will join the rotating programme while four others give up their places.

You can see Frankie's artwork on Sunday afternoon from 2-5pm at
88 Mutual Street, Toronto, Apartment 1008, Entry code 1092.

H BOX is an innovative, roaming screening hall, presenting major new video commissions by eight international artists. Designed by architect Didier Fiuza Faustino, the unique structure hosts a rotating, diverse programme of videos by Alice Anderson, Yael Bartana, Sebastián Díaz-Morales, Dora García, Judit Kúrtag, Valérie Mréjen, Shahryar Nashat, and Su-Mei Tse.

H BOX is produced by Hermès. Benjamin Weil, executive director of Artists Space, New York, is the artistic director of the project. H BOX was first unveiled at the Pompidou Centre in Paris in November 2007 and has traveled to MUSAC, Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Castilla y Leon, Spain, and MUDAM, Luxembourg. Following its presentation at Tate Modern H BOX will travel to the Yokohama Triennale in Yokohama, Japan.rankie Rich!!

Be happy, despite not being happy, get that?

Happiness is a state of mind. Not a bank account number or fancy clothes, arm candy, sex, drugs, and all that shit. Being happy is a way of feeling a way of acting and an outlook on life. I live a very happy life despite what happens around me. I make a conscious effort to not let other peoples worries & troubles infiltrate my own feelings and inner thoughts. My message from Yehuda this week is all about Building on a Moment. I share this message and the 72 Name of the Week, my favorite one:

49. Happiness - Vav Hei Vav
(Scan the letters from Left to Right to connect to the energy)
Meditation: I find the strength to restrain selfish longings. Through this Name I ask for what my soul needs, not what my ego wants. I find deep appreciation for whatever life brings me. This brings me happiness in the deepest sense.

"The only thing we can do when faced with chaos and pain is accept things as they are and be happy in that moment. The genius of this logic is one moment is carried into the next. When we put all our effort into seeing the good, to pushing back the darkest doubts and to injecting light and happiness, we go into the next moment carrying that energy.

Switching up the energy, that's what we're doing. Difficult? Yes. Paradoxical? For sure. Doable? Without a doubt.

Lots of people are in the dumper lately, that's no news flash. And I think this idea of building on the moment is especially relevant. It doesn't mean we have to resign ourselves to a bad situation or relationship. I think we have a habit of thinking "I can't be happy now because I have this problem and if I accept it I will never get rid of it."

The energy that goes into being happy, internally ignites change on the external level. That's the beauty of life: everything can change just like that. Even when things aren't as you want them, if you can train yourself to be happy in the moment, then you will see dramatic shifts forward.

On top of that, why be miserable and unhappy? Look back at your life. If you had certain parts to do over, would you do them over with apathy, boredom and fear? Or would you rip into those situations with confidence and verve?

This week, call yourself out on your negative thought loops. Break it in your mind. Pay attention to how often your feeling of desperation and doubt are in control. Practice being excited and happy - even when you're not.

To keep it simple, here's a 3 step reminder for the week:

1. Accept the difficult situation for what it is
2. Be happy, despite not being happy (get that?)
3. Switch the moment, leading to a new continuum of happiness

All the best,

Yehuda"

it looks cold outside

and i remember how warm i used to be

this is my old home.
the life the luxury.
the sun, the sand, the skin.
the ocean, the waves.
the boards, the boys.
bondi will always have my heart.

Highspeed Internet on Planes

Some very interesting and refreshing points. Mr. Louis C.K. (born Louis Szekely; September 12, 1967) is an Emmy Award-winning American stand-up comedian, writer, actor, producer and director.

City Girl defines her Style

Jennifer Herd, a talented artist I know has created this awesome pic 'City girl". Her artwork has been entered in the Sony VAIO Contest to be one of the new laptop skins to be manufactured & sold across Canada. I am asking for your help top get her design into the Top 10. It is very simple! Click the photo to follow the link & hit 'vote for this design'. You can vote every 24 hours. It would be a dream come true for the artist to have her design manufactured by Sony. I'm excited to help make her wish a reality! To check out more of Jennifer's artwork visit her blog.

A little bit about Jennifer:

1. Whats your dream job?
- Illustrator for a trendy Toronto animation company
2. What's your favorite type of music?
- Gotta have my blues rock! Oh yeah!
3. What clothing brands best defines your personal style?
- I don't buy particular brands - I love indie and vintage!!

barry manalow rocks the eighties

Tonight, I watched Will & Grace and it was the episode when Will is in line for tickets the one night show of Barry's Christmas Special. Grace gets mad when she sees that her mum ditched Hanukkah shopping to hang out with Jack. Karen finds comfort with the Fanilows in line for tickets. ET Canada was happy to have Mr. Manilow on their program this evening also. He is releasing a new album "The Greatest Songs of the Eighties," due November 25 on Arista. It's just amazing how youthful and soft his face looks. I browsed through some photos of Barry and maybe I found one way to stay looking young and have a pretty voice, a dried flowered bud of the Cannabis Sativa plant. It has visible THC crystals, which indicate high potency.

blue snowflakes star falling

Elvis singing Blue Christmas. I love it.

Soon as I hear "I'll have blue, Christmas, without you",
my heart melts for The King.

He does this little smirk.
It's fantastic. Just watch him.

Beautiful People.

Tonight watched Beautiful People on Slice. If you don't know what Beautiful People is you may not have been on the Internet for the last year and probably should see a doctor. Right now.

Beautiful People (BP) is an exclusive agency for meeting other people, except it only lets in the pretty ones. No boring and no ugly ones either. It's beauties meeting beauties. The members vote and if you're hot enough, then you can join. If not, you get a message that says "the beautiful people don't think you are attractive enough". I suggest you take a look at it for fun. I find it interesting however not surprising that a business like this exists this and Slice broadcasts it right into my very own room.

There was a commercial for Botox during the break and it emphasized the importance of "freedom of expression". This, I am also thankful for, the expression that is, not the Botox. An actress from Toronto got rejected by Beautiful People (BP) and found inspiration in that to get plastic surgery all over her face. They told her that she looked tired and sunken and she needs some work done. Her inspiration inspired me and I drew on my face but I don't want to change it.

The two blokes who started the company said "PR is the cornerstone of their business". They like the media and guerrilla marketing because it is cheap & effective and gets lots of attention. They like lots of attention. They like to get people talking. They like to cross borders and make you stretch what you think is normal. They like to shake your mind a bit. They like to get you moving.

The Beautiful People boys did a fine number by projecting an message on the side of one of our downtown buildings. It lasted two hours before the cops shut it down but it lasted much longer once the media grabbed it.

I think to myself, have we lost it. The economy is in the shitter. People are all walking around like The Sims, looking the same in the face, wearing the same clothes, going to the same places, seeing the same people. Boring. Boring Boring.

There are a couple people whom I find quite interesting because I see them doing somehting different. White Rabbit, Jon Dube and Optiadmedia; its all creative inspiration of different mediums. The time has come for the rising of the arts and those who are Borderline Artistic will no longer be hiding.

Oh winter, why dry?

This time of year is always the worst for dry skin.

A few weeks back I received a Burt's Bees survival filled with Burt's bees products for me to test out. I have been using the Milk & Honey Body lotion the most. I keep it in my purse or at the office. It really leaves your skin feeling hydrated, absorbs quickly, and is not greasy.

The lotion is specially formulated for normal to dry skin and includes "Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, formulated to leave rough, flaky skin soft and smooth, naturally. "

I recommend you give it a try this winter. Take care of your skin & take care of yourself!!

My Next House Party

Will be like this:

Who's coming?

Recomended and Loved

A Dedication to one of the greats from Casie, the Great as recommended by Artist, Michael Golland.

It is with utmost admiration, I present to you, Queen - We Are The Champions (Live At Wembley 86).

"Casie This is my pick of the month.

Perhaps you may wish to post on your

enigmatic Borderlines this video:
A Tribute to The Freddie.
we are the champions"

Event has been Cancelled

Dance Glass has been canceled by the organizers.

Aahh well. I'll be dancing tonight no matter what!!

Plans tonight? Feeling Jazzy?

Check out renowned
jazz recording artist, my girl,
Cara Matthew!

Doors pen at 8pm @ Alleycatz

Hm. Mr. Tapeminatti, who are you?

I received a comment from an anonymous reader...

I think Mr. Tapeminatti, who ever he is, has picked up on my interest in his business and is now playing a little game with me. Seems like he/they/whoever, may have ghost written me and now I am intrigued! I further explore the world of this unique media that I see all over downtown. The thing I really enjoy is the mystery behind it all. It's my favorite type of marketing, the 'roach-bait' style.

A marketing message delivered by an actor posing as a regular person with the intention of having that message passed along to many others....

"Anonymous said...

nice thought
know you not
full story got

know more than before
but still no score
learning evermore

the more you seek
the more you see
Tapeminatti is
come Unity

Tapeminatti does provide these services but is not limited to them."

My friend Daniel is a very inspiring individual.

Daniel Patricio is a 20 year old Ryerson University student and a Hospice of Peel volunteer for the past two years. Daniel approached Hospice and said he would like to contribute in a bigger way.

Daniel is raising funds to put Christmas dinner on the table and provide for families affected by terminal illness and their kids. He is asking for $10 which will go directly for Hospice of Peel.

Many of these families divert most of their valuable time, energy and finances to fighting illness which causes them to forget to cherish their last moments with their loved ones. In these precious last moments, we would like to give families the chance to embrace these last days as memorable ones.

I am a big believer in giving and that it truly is it's own gift. Take a few minutes to donate to a good cause and shine some light on your day by helping out someone else. Feel free to tell me your stories of giving. I love sharing the positive vibes ♥

Do it today!

Holiday time means....STUFF FOR YOU!

In December I am going to be giving away this lovely Givenchy Organza gift set from my friends at Givenchy. I'm in the process of setting up a contest and using my creativity to sort out the details. I'd love to know if you have any ideas!

In Givenchyʼs 2008 Holiday Collection, the Organza set comes with a 50mL spray, 75mL silky body veil and a 75mL shower gel. The gift set is available exclusively at The Bay and the suggested retail price is $ 80. What a great gift!

i'm following

art is for the making

my art is here

balcony cigarette coat

professional art company

give me some sunscreen

unpretentious

Remember when Smith Jarred dropped his pants?

How happy the audience was with the performance?

The show was moving and creatively expressive.
It was flowing with emotion and bursting with exuberance.

I felt this way recently.
I was moved. I was inspired. I wanted to dance.

I recently attended show that was graced with American Apparel and bare skin. Sex. Identity. Kettle one. Sweat. Violence. Strength. Dancers moving to elegant sounds and screaming heartfelt emotion. There was pain and love and seeds of anger. It was fierce and touching. It was poignant and personal.

The show ‘BloodLetting and Other Things’ is choreographed by Tony Chong and performed by Dancemakers and the Centre for Creation.

To introduce their exciting 2008/2009 season, Dancemakers and the Centre for Creation, host "DanceGlass" a unique launch event and fundraiser. The event will be on November 26, 2008 beginning at 7pm The Kitchen, 1186 Queen Street West.Call 416-367-1800 or email Marie for tickets or more info. Support the arts community and contemporary dance. I know you all watch DWTS and SYTYCD. This is your chance to take part in an event that supports those type of dancers. ♥

Do it Daily!!

I've been participating in Daily Challenge since the idea first came online and developed a community. I believe strongly in the power of positive thought and know from experience that thoughts really do become things if you believe in them!

I have submitted a challenge for you to sign up on www.dailychallenge.org, if you have not already, and tell me why you think Daily Challenge is a great idea?

Lets spread the word and get more people to
DO ONE GOOD DAILY!!

Entrepreneurs Unite!

My friends at BizLaunch recently asked some of their entrepreneurs to complete a short questionnaire about their own business and offer small business advice to their network. I've included an excerpt from my interview. You can read it in its entirety by following the links to the BizLaunch blog where you will find a collection of advice and information from Canadian small business entrepreneurs.


Tell us Your Story

1. Who are you and what business did you start?

Casie Stewart, Toronto , www.casiestewart.com

2. Why did you start your own business?

I started a publishing company and published my first book at 14, an anthology of poetry and prose. I've always been a writer and with the many resources available online, I thought a website & blog was a good step.

3. What has been your biggest challenge so far?

My biggest challenge is finding the time between my full time day job and the venture.

Click here to read the rest!

miss ya mitch

You know, you can't please all the people all the time... and last night, all those people were at my show.
- Mitch Hedberg

Mitch Hedberd was my favorite comedian. He died late in the evening on March 29, 2005. Due to stage fright and anxiety, he often performed with his glasses on, head down, hair in his face, and sometimes closed his eyes as not to make eye contact. Mitch was known for pointing out when he didn't deliver a joke right and often nodded his head saying "all right." It was often quite funny when he didn't get the reaction he expected and would say something like "That joke's better than you acted" or "That joke was dumb, I am aware of that." He's funny. I wish he was making jokes still. Luckily, he still makes me laugh every time I watch. ♥

guess who's now following me on twitter?

My homeboy Barry Obama!!

Once I got this I sent him a message. I wonder is he, or his 'Twitter updater" will message me back. That would be a dream. Maybe Barack Obama updates his own Twitter and he really is made up of all the wonderful that I think he is. ♥ I'll stick with that positive mindset.

for my grandad ♥

i love and miss you
your spirit
will live forever
in my writing
you inspired me
and continue to
and i am thankful
for your love ♥

a little spray chalk on the sidewalk

i know what tapeminatti is now.

I spotted a photograph by Chris Wood and it was of a young gentleman spray painting Tapeminatti on a downtown sidewalk. I discovered that Tapeminatti is the place to go if you want to get your poster or message plastered all over the city.

My favorite thing that they do is sidewalk stenciling. It is done on any public property using only water-soluble spray chalk. It is most frequently done outside clubs or on busy streets in the downtown core. It's cool because they use chalk which is water soluble and can be used on walls or over existing posters. I reckon it makes for a very cool effect and unique campaign. I envision my name plastered and painted across the whole city....

The services offered are street postering, event flyering and retail campaigns. On the website there is a variety of media including music and heaps of interesting videos and documentaries.

There is an illuminati connection in the documentaries. It is interesting because Tapeminatti prefers to keep a bit secret too.

I enjoy mystery. I like to find clues.

chicken wheelbarrow painting

i know of a poem

that involves these things

william wrote it well
painted a portrait

so picturesque
it opens

the imagination
drives the poet

do you know it?




- handwritten

I Saw a Peacock, with a fiery tail

Anonymous (before 1665)

These following are to be understood in two ways.

I Saw a Peacock, with a fiery tail,
I saw a Blazing Comet, drop down hail,
I saw a Cloud, with Ivy circled round,
I saw a sturdy Oak, creep on the ground,
I saw a Pismire, swallow up a Whale,
I saw a raging Sea, brim full of Ale,
I saw a Venice Glass, Sixteen foot deep,
I saw a well, full of mens tears that weep,
I saw their eyes, all in a flame of fire,
I saw a House, as big as the Moon and higher,
I saw the Sun, even in the midst of night,
I saw the man, that saw this wondrous sight.

canada smokes europe!

Received my update from the Economist on the hottest stories and there was something a bit interesting today...

Turns out there is alot of pot smoking going on in Europe. I learned "cannabis use in Europe remains high by historical standards, according to a new report on drug use from the EU's drug-monitoring arm. Around a quarter of all Europeans aged between 15 and 64, or some 72m people, have tried cannabis. The Dutch are not the keenest spliff smokers in Europe, despite lenient laws: the Danes, French and Britons are most likely to have puffed on a joint at some point in their lives. The highest levels of usage are reported among people between the ages of 15 and 24." I think that in Canada we might just smoke then in this category.
From what I hear, we smoke alot of pot, so I did some research. Turns out, I am right.

CBC reports from the UN, "Canadians use marijuana at four times the world average, making Canada the leader of the industrialized world in cannabis consumption, a recent United Nations report found.

The 2007 World Drug Report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime says that 16.8 per cent of Canadians aged 15 to 64 smoked marijuana or used another cannabis product in 2006. The world average is 3.8 per cent."

late night pizza poppers

N: hey did i tell u what happened on Saturday?

Case: no!

Case: do tell

N: so i walk into pizza pizza.. same guy is there.. and he goes "alone tonight? that's a shocker.. no chicken wings tonight??" lololol

Case: lololol

Case: omg hilarious

Case: he knows you

Case: and us

Case: love it

N: lol yuupppp

Case: thats hot

Something suspicious...

This is not a free cruise. I just got a call from a +0000000000000 number, whoever called me knew my number and name. They offered me this cruise in Florida for 2 days if I answered some questions. I know this game. I played it before. They do not include port charges or government takes. I've read about the cruise line before also. It is sub par and two star. If they call you, don't waste your time. Unless, you and a friend are in Florida and have a few days to waste along with about $300.

NOW Obama!!

Two of my best friends Tahnee & Aga grace the pages of NOW! Magazine this week. They were in Dundas Square last week celebrating the wonderful Presidential victory of Mr. Barack Obama.

The caption reads:
who: Barack Obama supporters
where: Dundas Square
when: Tuesday, November 4, 11 pm
what: Celebrating Obama’s historic victory in the U.S. presidential election.
More coverage, page 16.

Photo By Sam Javanrouh

This photo, on Tahnee's FB is worth at least a thousand words. That's my girl!

be nice to yourself this week

mem lamed ayin

Removing Negative Thoughts

By scanning these letters right to left you connect to the spiritual energy of this name. The meditation is linked to the photo and you can also experience it by connecting here.

A little spiritual tune up from Yehuda:

The month of Scorpio is the perfect time to be reminded of this. We tend to be extra hard on ourselves under the influence of this energy. But at the same time, there is always a little poison in the vaccine. Meaning, if we can learn to be nice to ourselves, even when we are in the throes of self-hatred, we can inoculate ourselves against that inner critic for the rest of the year.

Be nice to yourself this week. You have so many gifts from the Creator that were given to you so you could share them with others. The more you are patient and tolerant of your shortcomings and failures, the more your gifts will come out.

And the more your gifts come out, the better you will feel. Be well. Enjoy your week!

All the best, Yehuda Berg