Global 411: Wassup 2008

Yesterday, CBC news profiled a new Obama ad making the rounds on the internet. The interesting thing is, for such a high quality video, it wasn't made by any big corporation or other campaign sponsor. Instead, the director of the original Budweiser "wassup" commercials (Charles Stone, who owned the original creative concept rights), decided to round up a crew, all of whom worked for free, in order to support the candidate of their choice. Watch:

Music: Scroobius Pip

For all you music lovers: This is a great music video someone had forwarded me a long time ago and thought today I would pass it on. Enjoy!

Inspiration: SPCA

With all the beautiful fall weather both coasts seem to be enjoying at the moment, perhaps this is a time to indulge in some head clearing walks. And if you don't want to go alone, maybe now is the time to sign up with your local SPCA volunteer dog walking program. If you wish you could have a pet, but don’t have the time or money, this is the perfect way to participate and possibly bring down your stress level in the process. Sometimes the help drops off as winter approaches...so, spread the love!

For Vancouver: http://www.spca.bc.ca/

For NY: http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_nyc

Movies: Rachel Getting Married

Anybody who knows me, knows that I am completely obsessed with movies. Like, crazy obsessed. Recently I had a run in with friends in the business, playing “Scene It” on Xbox, and I got the ‘freak’ look for the vast, useless knowledge I seem to have attained over the years. Because of that, I will most certainly post movie reviews or movie quotes here more than necessary, but some movies are just too good not to share. Case in point: Jonathan Demme's latest movie "Rachel Getting Married" starring Anne Hathaway, who surprisingly, is something of a revelation here. Dealing with a dysfunctional family on the weekend of one daughter's wedding, while confronted with another daughter's return from rehab, it's sad, it's funny, it's touching, so do yourself a favor and go see it. As I saw it with 4 of my girlfriends last night, I give it 4 tear filled tissues out of 4 tear filled tissues ****

Music: Santogold

I am always on the hunt for 'new' music artists, since I cannot seem to last 5 minutes without listening to something. And of course, I use the term 'new' loosely since it seems I am always the last to know. Good thing I am surrounded by super music savvy friends - thanks guys! And please keep the suggestions coming!!

Santogold was recently suggested to me as an extension of M.I.A. But she really has a different sound and is a lot fun. Hailing from Brooklyn, her debut album was released this year and has a artist fan base of everyone from Spankrock to Jay Z. So take a listen and dance a little!

Visit her here: http://www.myspace.com/santogold

Fashion: Decadent Darlings

A friend of mine has recently embarked on a new collection, called Decadent Darlings, of vintage-inspired luxuries that will include sleep & loungewear, and accessories. Think about the glamorous divas of the past, lounging around in silk, a martini glass in hand, and you get the picture. The best part is the whole line will be made from quality materials that have inherent ecological value.

Currently, her adorable Sleep-Masks and Pillow Cases are available on a limited basis in Vancouver, with the promise of delicious silk robes, pajamas, baby-dolls, rompers and kimonos coming soon.

http://www.decadentdarlings.com/

Events: Halloween

As it reaches that time of year again, and I scramble to find a costume, I am reminded of that quote from the movie Mean Girls: "Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it." You know what? It's true. I don't know when that trend came to light, but it is absolutely the case. Web page after web page, all I am getting pitched by the online costumers is "sexy nurse" or "sexy cop" or "sexy (fill in the blank)". What gives? That said, as M & I shop for costumes today, I’ll probably end up wearing something skimpy and totally inappropriate. Oops.

I say, time to bring it back to what it's all about: candy & all things scary! If you need to feel like a kid again, go scare yourself & have a laugh at the PNE's Fright Night:

http://www.pne.ca/fright-nights/fright-nights.php

**Update: Just back from navigating the chaos of Halloween Costume stores and found a new low. Get ready for this...for $24.99 you too can dress up this year as a "money ho"! Complete with a tacky dress, covered with gold chains and dollar, dollar bills y'all.

Music: Broken Hearted?

This week brings two very different concerts to Vancouver, by two very different women who are no strangers to heartbreak. First up on October 30th, is the one and only Madonna. If you have not had a chance to see her live before, I highly recommend you doing anything you can to go see her. Anybody who opens their concert in a headstand yoga pose, wearing a corset and then proceeds to out dance everyone 20+ years younger than her, is amazing in my books! Too bad her soon to be ex husband does not feel the same. Heard things are getting messy AND no pre nup:
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/10/15/madonna.divorce/index.html?eref=edition

November 4th is Alanis Morissette’s concert, and from what I am told by a friend (Hi, C!), it is worth a watch purely to witness her latest round of anger & heartbreak. Yes, you heard right, the years of ‘Jagged Little Pill’ are back! Yikes. I guess I would probably feel that way if I was engaged to someone who then broke up with me and promptly married Scarlett Johansson. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20229417,00.html

As for me, I am waiting for Chromeo to roll back into town. They are too much fun:
http://www.myspace.com/chromeo

For more, go to: http://www.livenation.com/

Global 411: US Election

To my fellow Americans: You better be registered to vote!! Geez. No excuses! I am continually shocked by just how many people don’t bother. If you haven’t registered yet, go here: http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Voting/Register.shtml

*Though it should be noted that after comparing my experience of voting in Canada (quick, painless, simple elementary ballot) to that of the US (always in line for over an hour, ancient & scary looking machines with levers – thanks NY state. I feel so much better now), I can see why people are not exceptionally motivated.

As for my opinion (ah hem):

Obama, obviously!
https://donate.barackobama.com/page/content/splashsignup_welcome

California Residents: Please vote NO on prop 8. Equality for everyone.
http://www.noonprop8.com/

And a big thanks to Jon Stewart & Stephen Colbert for continually doing a remarkable social commentary, keeping me laughing: http://www.indecision2008.com/

And Tina Fey for knocking Palin out of the park:
http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/couric-palin-open/704042/

And Gloria Steinem for sticking it to her too:
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-oe-steinem4-2008sep04,0,1290251.story

Fashion: Chanel

Dear Karl Lagerfeld: You are fabulous and creative and crazy and I love you. Only you (ok, along with others) could come up with this concept of ‘mobile art’ in the shape of one of your famous quilted bags.

Leave it to the man with the fan to come up with that one! Unfortunately, the exhibit is being shown in NYC, currently 3000 miles from me. So, my east coast friends - go check it out, tell me about the experience and make me jealous, please and thank you. Cxo

http://www.chanel-mobileart.com/?lang=en_eu

http://blogs.forbes.com/findoftheday/2008/10/chanel-mobile-a.html

Travel: Shanghai

And…I’m back: As some of you know, I have recently returned to the west coast after more than 3 months traveling around. This is not uncommon as I have a tendency to pick up and go where the next adventure is. I have been fortunate enough to journey from Europe to South America to Asia. And there are still so many places to see! I truly believe travel is the best education (sorry, UBC), and highly recommend it to anyone, as often as they can go. Sometimes just checking out a near by town, simply to step outside of your comfort zone and get some fresh perspective, is a great idea. So go to Italy, go to Egypt, go to Brazil, go to…Edmonton? Hey - whatever works for you ;)

In July, I made my way back to China, making my first visit to Shanghai. It is a fantastic city, and I found it to be far different than my previous experience in Hong Kong. It is still free of the blatant Westernization that has happened in its counterparts, yet continues to hold onto the influence of its European (French) past. For such a large city, it somehow maintains a relaxed feel, it is easy to get around and the people are friendly. The only problem seems to be the influx of recent construction, as the city is quickly tearing down the old, putting up the new, and the commerce sharks are circling looking for new opportunity. To learn more about Shanghai: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai

I think it is a great destination and has many different things to offer to many different types of travelers. And if you are looking for a stylish abode to rest your head while there, go check out the new Urbn Hotel, Shanghai’s only boutique hotel and the newest in chic retreats. http://www.urbnhotels.com/