i'd like a ride in a little deuce coupe

Happy it's Friday, I mean Thursday. Nothing much planned for the weekend because I would really like to rest and be lazy and stay at home and show my TV some TLC. Saw these guys looking pretty in the sunshine on the way to work.

When I was little my Dad had a hot rod shop called 'Toys for Boys'. That site is someone else in NSW, Australia but you get it. His shop was B.I. (Before Internet). He made some of the best hot rods around and worked with the now late Boyd Cottington. Dad also worked with the Horton team at Horton Street Rod & Parts in Breslau. Today's sweatshirt features one of Dad's 32's. I'm pretty sure Mum used to wear it.

the batch in new zealand. you don't say?

I'm watching the Bachelor, well listening to it while I do things around the house. Anyhow, one of the destinations for the show that is on next episode is New Zealand. Looks to me like they are in the beautiful and warm North Island where they take a helicopter flight over the massive hill ranges followed by a bungy jump, Possibly in Taupo? I watched Dad bungy jump there when I was 12. I wanted to do it so bad. You had to be 13. I'm still upset about it. Most of my family lives in New Zealand and they are cool. I have Canadian & New Zealand citizenship which is very lucky, thanks to Mum & Dad!! If you are looking for the best trip of your life and a way to show yourself how awake and alive you are, get moving and plan a trip to the Land of Plenty!!

Music video by OMC performing Land Of Plenty

1996 Universal Music NZ Ltd.

full vintage girl

I found something cool as I was looking for inspiration in photos of vintage girls. I came across this cool babe from Fullerton Vintage, a motorscooter shop in the OC. I have always wanted a scooter. I'd like if Dad could build something rad for me! My Dad builds hot rods and cool stuff.

sharing the randomness - 25 casie facts

This has been floating around Facebook since January. I figured since I've been tagged by a ton of friends it is about time I shared 25 random facts about me.

The rules go as follows: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. Blah, blah, blah...

Here we go:

1. I was born in Canada to New Zealand parents and have dual citizenship (Canadian/New Zealand).
2. I danced ballet, tap and jazz as a kid and completed in competitions across Ontario as well as Showstopper in NY & Myrtle Beach, SC. I was 5 with fake lashes and red lipstick!
3. I wrote a book and became a published Canadian Author at 14. It was titled Jeans: An Anthology of Poetry and Prose. The Toronto Star wrote and article about me titled "Push Over Keats, Teen Muse Steps Ahead".
   
4. I went to Uni in Australia and lived at Bondi Beach. It was the best year because I learned the most about myself and WHO I really am.
   
5. I hate scary movies. I get queezy and I don't like to put bad images in my head. I'm crazy enough already!
6. I still have all my Barbies and their vintage outfits. I hope to get them made in my size one day.
7. I have a Green Belt in Tae Know Do and once knocked out a boy (Note: James Roszell) in grade 8 at school. Mum thought I'd get in trouble but I said "Mum, do you think he's gonna tell anyone?"
   
8. I hate the number three. I don't do anything in threes.
   
9. I grew up around vintage cars and vintage clothes. My Dad builds hot rods and mum was a photog for Canadian Street Rod Magazine.
   
10. I named my sister Jenie because EVERY doll I had before she was born had that name. I love her.
    
11. When I was 16 and had braces, I did a commercial for an electric toothbrush that aired in the US.
    
12. My Mum is my hero. She is so inspiring to me and has instilled good values and confidence.
    
13. I'm a very loving, positive girl. I tell my friends I love them all the time just so they know ♥
    
14. I ride an red vintage bike with all summer and it makes me feel free! I love it!
    
15. I am very artsy. I like to draw, paint, write, make jewelry, sew clothes, pastels, chalk, you name it I do it. Borderline Artistic.
    
16. I went swimming with wild dolphins on the coast of the Bay of Islands in New Zealand.
    
17. My middle name is Diana after Princess Diana. My mum loved her.
    
18. I have more clothes than any friend I've ever had. It's an issue but I wouldn't change it!
19. I have conversations with myself. I think I'm funny. We're best friends.
    
20. I've won a beauty pageant and a bikini contest. Once I was a Sunshine Girl. My hair was long and red and I had huge boobs.
    
21. My favorite gift I ever received was a hardcover Thesaurus from my parents in 1996.
    
22. I'm addicted to Twitter. I love it. I learn so much and get smarter and smarter each day. Follow me @casiestewart
    
23. My Dad was a professional gymnastics/trampoline coach when I was a kid. I'm flexible and can still do the splits.
    
24. I have a bad memory. I started my blog to keep more memories and no one read it but ME for at least the first year. Now I write about things that can help make the world a better place, review products people send me and share my thoughts on life. It has really helped my memory and writing is my passion.
25. I have lots of different talents and believe I can achieve anything. My career goal is to be the Awesomest I can be.

Alicia & 30 Reason's why I'm not eating meat anymore:

I'm not a big fan of animals (as pets). I've never had a dog before. My cat and I broke up years ago, she lives with Dad now. However, just because I don't like animals licking or touching my stuff, doesn't mean I want to eat them instead. I've been considering going vegan for a long time now. I rarely drink milk and grew up lactose intolerant. Alicia Silverstone has a great new ad that was banned in the UK due to her being, um...naked. Its hot! In the spirit of loving hotness and wanting to try this out today is the day I've decided to try vegetarian.

I want to eat better, feel better, and stop supporting cruelty to chickens, pigs, cows, fish, and other animals raised for food. By signing my name, I pledge to explore vegetarianism for at least 30 days.

Signed by:
Casie Stewart

Alicia's ad:

Order a vegetarian starter kit at GoVeg.com

30 Reasons:

whoa throw back mama

This evening I connected my trusty old external drive to find something and it's like a time capsule. I also realize that I keep everything, take a zillion pictures and am a total loser sometimes. I've been through a few laptops over the years and I keep backing that ass up on the same drive and now it's like those boxes in mum's basement and dad's storage filled with memories. I've had so many different hair colours, lengths and cuts. You may have seen this long red haired one? Crazy.I also saw this crazy streak in the sky just before the sun set tonight. I had a friend that was all about looking into conspiracy theories and she was convinced it was chemtrails.

trails in the sky from me on vimeo.
Vimeo is slow if you don't upgrade.

black and white and red all over

It's not nearly as warm as it looks outside. The sun is shining and so am I but the air is breezy and cold. I walked past a truck that said 'smart' on it and I thought, hey that's me. There's three more cases of Swine Flu in the GTA. Mild, but still crazy. I don't like pigs. They gross me out. I'm glad I never went to Mexico, I don't think I will ever go now. Not really into dying, there's lots of other nice beaches that aren't deadly. I love this spot in the afternoon. The sun shines so very bright. I just got a cheque for retro pay on a raise, exciting but not massive. I'd like a massive cheque with my name on it. Or a trip. Or a new laptop. Or new shoes. I love shoes. I pulled these red boots out from storage. I love red shoes the most. I like red cars too. I used to think red cars go faster. I've never had a car. I never needed one. I'd like my first car to be a Porsche. Dad wants a Porsche too. Chatted him today. He's busy building hot rods. I like that. He sounds happy. I'm happy too.

rollin' with ma homies

When I was little I used to cruise around with Dad in hot rods all the time. It was SO much fun!Yesterday I put on one of Mum's old Deuce Doins shirts from 1981 and went for a cruise with my friend Jeff. Nothing like cruising in the sunshine in an old classic!Was really nice out and the sun was shining bright. Lots of people out on the streets.

Jeff's car is pretty damn sweet as.
I know that lots of people have lots their jobs lately and I saw that they are hiring girls here and thought you should know. Since it's Easter the girl was wearing this lovely little bunny number just for you!

beautiful losers - make something from nothing

As kids you write, create, draw, you make things. I was constantly making things with Mum and my sister at the kitchen table or in the garage with Dad. I painted, sculpted, drew, cut, copy, paste, glue, paper mache, you name it, I was doing it. This film is a collection of stories from artists who all felt at times that they didn't fit in and now have shifted their ideology from being nerds, or weirdo's to cool nerds and creative people. I'm waiting on response to see about showings in Canada. This movie 'celebrates the spirit behind one of the most influential cultural moments of a generation.'

Beautiful Losers film trailer from beautifullosersfilm on Vimeo.

"In the early 1990's a loose-knit group of like minded outsiders found common ground at a little NYC storefront gallery. Rooted in the DIY (do-it-yourself) subcultures of skateboarding, surf, punk, hip hop & graffiti, they made art that reflected the lifestyles they led. Developing their craft with almost no influence from the "establishment" art world, this group, and the subcultures they sprang from, have now become a movement that has been transforming pop culture."

"Starring a selection of artists who are considered leaders within this culture, Beautiful Losers focuses on the telling of personal stories. It speaks to themes of what happens when the outside becomes "in" as it explores the creative ethos connecting these artists and today's youth."

sometimes i think i'm so cool

I've been going through my old hard drive and I've managed to dig up some jems from years ago when I used to go out 'clubbing'. In this one my friend is smoking a dube. haha. They used to allow smoking inside back then, lots of cigarettes in this photo. Sorry Mum.

Moxie Halloween. That's my old lady mask. It rules. Dad used to wear it when he took us trick or treating. It is so old and scary. It looks real and totally freaks people out. My costume was an 'old sexy bag' my shirt said that on the back, I made it. It was right when 'Sexy Back' came out.
Moxie Promotions Princess party: We all wore crowns and big puffy skirts. It was really fun. My hair was so long. This is Hannah. She is also the Power Ranger.
What kinda outfit is this? Fishnets under bathing suit? Nice real nice. Pretty cool when you go to the Guvernment in 2005.
I hope you will enjoy these guys like I did. Don't be shy on the comments. I know I had a few!!

leon me, when you feel strong

My dear pops and sister have been listening to the Kings of Leon album 'Only by the Night'. Dad gave me a copy and I very much enjoy listening to it. The sound is music to my ears, literally.

Something I really enjoy is the Rorschach ink blot style cover. I first learned about these things in high school for Mrs. Weidinger, my marketing/entrepreneurship teacher. She was one of my favorites. I remember having very unique answers to those other kids in my class group. Looking back, totally not surprising. I now call it borderline artistic. I've always been the crazy weird one, even though I was well liked in school. That was probably because I had big boobs back then.

weather report: minus smiles across the city & negative winds

I went for a walk today at lunch. I was wearing my earphones even though my ipod battery was dead. Hold your thoughts. They keep your ears warm and I also have a strange pastime of eavesdropping on other peoples conversations. Yes, it is true. It's more fun on the subway then walking, but whatever. Anyhow, what I did overhear was all kinds of people 'cryning' as my Dad calls it (crying/whining) about the weather. We are going to have damn cold days coming, so what, deal with it, stay inside, hibernate, read books, learn something. I love summer, I do not like being cold, however I do really, really not like complaining. It is not good energy for yourself OR anyone around you. Whether you mean for them to hear you or not.I got back to the office and thought, I need to ditch this bad attitude. I dove into my work and managed to knock off a few hours. Then the sun came out and I was smiling again. ♥

My New Zealand - The Haka

This video is of the New Zealand All Blacks doing the Haka, a traditional Maori War dance. My Dad used to do the Haka at rugby games when I was a little girl. He played some pretty hard core rugby in new Zealand before coming to Canada.

The haka as composed by Te Rauparaha begins with a chant:

Kikiki kakaka kauana!

Kei waniwania taku tara

Kei tarawahia, kei te rua i te kerokero!

He pounga rahui te uira ka rarapa;

Ketekete kau ana to peru kairiri

Mau au e koro e – Hi! Ha!

Ka wehi au ka matakana,

Ko wai te tangata kia rere ure?

Tirohanga ngā rua rerarera

Ngā rua kuri kakanui i raro! Aha ha!

Then follows the main body of the haka:

Ka mate, ka mate! ka ora! ka ora! Ka mate! ka mate! ka ora! ka ora! Tēnei te tangata pūhuruhuru Nāna nei i tiki mai whakawhiti te rā Ā, upane! ka upane! Ā, upane, ka upane, whiti te ra!	’Tis death! ‘tis death! (or: I may die) ’Tis life! ‘tis life! (or: I may live) ’Tis death! ‘tis death! ’Tis life! ‘tis life! This the hairy man that stands here... …who brought the sun and caused it to shine A step upward, another step upward! A step upward, another... the Sun shines!

Click here for more info on the Haka!