"It is more fitting for a man to laugh at life than to lament over it."

So, I guess Toronto isn't as cold and heartless as everyone thought.

No, Toronto has feelings and they can be hurt just like any other cities feelings can be hurt.

Wait a second...can a cities feelings be hurt? That doesn't seem right...

The Niagara Parks commission recently launched an ad campaign that was ever so slightly disparaging to Toronto and the Torontonian way of life.

*GASP!*

How dare anyone insult Toronto with it's diverse neighbourhoods, cultural festivals, delicious restaurants, burning police cards, stunning smog-filled vistas and insane traffic jams.

Oh...wait...some of those weren't good, were they?

Now before you jump down my throat I want to make something VERY clear...I LOVE Toronto. My best friend lives just off the Danforth and I have another close friend lives who lives off Queen West. Toronto is amazing. There is great shopping, fabulous concerts, inspiring theatre, great restaurants, stunning museums and delightful neighbourhoods. However, I think it is quite narrow minded and humourless of Torontonians to be so offended by an ad campaign which pokes fun at some of the less glamours aspects of city life.

An article by John Semley of the Torontoist claims that the campaign "prove(s) that Niagara can’t sell itself without digging on some cartoonish idea of Toronto. " Really? You can't just look at yourself and see a tiny bit of truth in these advertisements? Sure, not ever alleyway in Toronto is filled graffiti and vandalism but not every street you take in Niagara leads to a winery...only, like, 75% of them do.

Semley also states that "there’s more to Niagara than sipping wine amidst a bunch of trees, riding rented mountain bikes through largely unexciting trails, and trying to snap a family photo in front of the Falls while being hassled by a human being in an anthropomorphized Hershey’s Kiss costume", pretending as if Tourism Toronto does not do the exact same thing in their advertising campaigns by capitalizing on recognizable attractions such as the CN Tower, the Rogers Center and the Toronto Harbourfront. Of course the NIAGARA PARKS COMMISSION is focusing on specific, iconic locations....THOSE ARE THE LOCATIONS THAT THEY REPRESENT!

However, having said that, I do not appreciate being painted with the same brush as Niagara Falls. I work in stunning winery in Niagara on the Lake which is committed to premium wine making, responsible stewardship of the land and innovative design-not comparable with Clifton Hill. Much of our clientele (be it tours, licensees, corporate events or wine sales) originate in Toronto so why would it benefit us to "hurt the feelings" of those that are fans of our wines?

However, it's not all bad news, Marcus Gee of the Globe and Mail wrote "it would be nice if we could grow out of all that adolescent angst. Confident cities don’t throw a fit when some regional tourism group dares to imply they are less than perfect. Confident cities know in their bones that the strains of city life are more than outweighed by the rich variety of experience that big cities offer. As one Web commentator put it, “get over yourself,” Toronto."

Well said, sir.

I just think that the Torontonians offended by this campaign need to sit back and relax.

Maybe they're stressed by all the crime and graffiti...come to Niagara and have a glass of wine.

It's on us.

The Torontoist Article-http://torontoist.com/2010/07/come_to_niagara_try_the_whine.php

The Globe and Mail Article-http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/marcus-gee/thin-skinned-toronto-let-niagara-get-its-goat/article1647894/

"Times fun when you're having flies.” -Kermit the Frog

Speaking of embracing our childishness...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7UmUX68KtE

“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.”

So, right now I am reading a fabulous book called "The Happiness Project". The book is based on the journey of a woman who spent a year "test-driving the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture about how to be happy--from Aristotle to Martin Seligman to Thoreau to Oprah."

Basically, the author gave herself large goals each month for instance, one month was "Aim Higher" which was her goal related to her improving her career. Within that goal, she then breaks it down into more specific, measurable actions, i.e. launch a blog. (http://www.happiness-project.com/).

Currently I am about half way through the book so I can't give you a full review however, last night, in the chapter dedicated to "being serious about play" I came across an inspirational quote and concept that THRILLED ME!

In the chapter that discussed "being serious about play" the authors tasks included "finding more fun, taking time to be silly, going off the path and starting a collection." Within the "finding more fun" task the author very seriously considered the question "What is fun?" What is fun for me is not necessarily fun for my partner, family or friends, right? After some intense soul-searching, the author decided that what she most enjoyed, what made her happiest and what she considered to be 'fun' was reading "KidLit". Therefore, in a stroke of absolute brilliance the author decided to start a "KidLit" book club.

I am often embarrassed by my love of more childish things (i.e. Harry Potter, Disney etc.) and I spend a lot of time justifying my appreciation for them. When the author started her "KidLit" book club, she sent out an e-mail containing this quote;

"When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed

if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty, I read them openly.

When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of

childishness and the desire to be very grown up."

-C.S. Lewis

HOW BRILLIANT IS THIS CONCEPT?

Many people spend their childhood wanting to be a "grown up", wanting freedom and respect.

I was never one of those children.

I never hid my love for "play" and my "passion for the pretend"...so why start now?

“Why is it that hate comes out so easily, yet...love? It gets trapped inside.”

I think I may use the word "hate" too often.

It's convienent, the word has all the power of an expletive without all the drama.

I suppose I don't really understand the power behind the sentiment.

I use it to express frustration, anger, hurt and disappointment.

"I hate you."

"I hate her."

"I hate him."

"I hate this."

"Hate: the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action."

Yikes.

When I use the word I certainly do not intend for it to be taken in the true meaning.

For instance:

I hate that my office doesn't have air conditioning.

I hate that my car uses so much gas.

I hate that my internet is so slow.

I hate that I don't have cable.

I hate Miley Cirus.

I hate traffic.

I hate...

Tonight when I used the word "hate" in reference to a person I really don't care for.

In response,the person I was speaking with said "I don't hate anyone..."

I was shocked.

"You don't hate anyone? What about Hitler?"

His extremely insightful (albeit, out of character) response was:

"Hate is what made Hitler who he was."

Oh.

Wow.

I wish I could say something warm and fuzzy here like:

"let's take all of the hate in the world and replace it with love"

but that's extremely unrealistic.

However, perhaps the first step is restricting the use of the word "hate" in our vocabulary.

Thoughts?

“Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.”

Today was a difficult day.
Not for myself but for someone close to me.
Therefore, in order to restore my good mood, I have decided to pay tribute to Miss Gala Darling (my inspiration for starting a blog), by writing a "TILT" blog or "Things I love Tuesday".

Things I Loved this Tuesday, July 13th include:

• Wearing my big girl shoes all day with relatively no pain. Yeah for me!
• Being complimented on my ensemble numerous times in one day. (I was told that I looked "put together".)
• Afternoon ice cream breaks.
• Delightful and loving text messages from my best friend while she is en route to Nova Scotia.
• Feeling more confident about my dating life. (One down, hundreds to go!)
• Finding the perfect (Walt Disney) quote for a card.
• People that are SO EXCITED about figuring out that they know my one of parents from high school.
• Making a covert trip to the garbage chute in order to dispose of something that I know does not belong in the garbage chute (cue the "Mission Impossible" theme music).
• Having a cute boy hold the door for me as I enter my apartment.
• My apartment...just in general.
• Turning on my digital frame and seeing my loved ones (past and present) smile up at me.
• The woman at the grocery store who fawned over my reusable bag. She LOVED it!
• Watching my bunny eat bananas. You will never see an animal enjoy something as much as he enjoys bananas.
• This line from "National Treasure" "Do you know what the preservation room is for?" "Delicious jams and jellies?"
• Waking up to this text message from my friend Tyler "Pretty sure Michael Eisner is waiting for the same plane as me." Uh, what? AMAZING!
• My dear Norweigan friend who translated the words to "O Canada" into Norweigan and posted it on my Facebook wall. He also once told me that I was "a cupcake with pink icing and sprinkles."

What made you happy today?

"Friendship must never be buried under the weight of misunderstanding."

When I was in high school I got to see my best friend every single day. It was great. We knew every single nuance of the days, weeks, months ahead.

When I lived in Florida I got to see my best friend everyday. It was great. I knew where she was and who she was with morning, noon and night.

Now I live on my own and I don't get to see my best friend(s) everyday. It sucks. I don't know what they're thinking, what they're doing or who they're with.

Friendship is hard sometimes.

Now, effort has to be made....when it comes to this you have two options.

1) Assume the best, give them the benefit of the doubt, look at the history of your friendship and see that you were and are friends for a reason. Trust.

2) Assume the worst, project your insecurities onto their response, ignore the history of your friendship and close yourself off. Mistrust.

If you follow Option 1, your friendship may not always be perfect but any misunderstandings or disappointments will be dealt with from a place of love, acceptance and honesty.

If you follow Option 2, your friendship will definitely not be perfect, things will be blown out of proportion and mountains will be made out of mole hills.

In this day and age contact is often diluted or misinterpreted by Facebook, text messages, e-mails, MSN and BBM. You get a message that says one thing and you believe another. Why? Simple....you put a spin on it based on your feelings, your memories and your preconceived notions. I am at fault for this as much as anyone. I am aware.

But the important question is....how do you stop it? The internet was designed as a tool for sharing information...but how can the nuances of genuine emotion be communicated by a machine? I suppose it really depends on you...not only do you need to be extra clear in the message you are sending but you also need to be open to receiving a message without bias or pre-judgement. Once again, I am at fault for this as much as anyone. I am aware.

I feel as if I'm missing the mark. I have so many ideas, concepts, theories and feelings swirling around in my brain and I cannot grab them quickly enough and force them out the tips of my fingers.

In the end...what I really want to say is...

I am extremely grateful for the very few friends that I have whom can trust completely.

I trust them not to hurt me (intentionally).

I trust them to give me the benefit of the doubt.

I trust them to stick up for me.

I trust them to consider the history of our friendship before throwing me under the bus.

“I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people”

I know, I've been gone for quite a long time.

However, the other day my "boss" (I use quotation marks because she is much more than just a "boss") forwarded me a quote that has been on my mind ever since and has inspired me to write once again.

Hooray for the 10 people who periodically read my blog!

"There are two ways of being creative.

One can sing and dance.

Or one can create an environment in which singers and dancers flourish."

For someone who has spent the past seven years of their life going to school and trying to figure out where they fit into this big, scary world...clarification like this is priceless.

Clarification of my purpose.

Clarification of my career path.

Clarification of my place in the world.

And not just clarification...but inspiration.

A motto to live by.

As a person who identifies strongly with both the left and right side of the brain, my challenge has always been how to find something-a job, a calling, a profession, a career, a goal-to do that contributes to the greater good. How do I find a job that I enjoy, a job that challenges me and a job that makes a difference and leaves a legacy?

I started my educational journey thinking I would be a teacher, specifically a drama teacher. I would sculpt the minds of young children and inspire them to be better, kinder human beings. However, things didn't turn out that way...but I still wish to inspire people and now I know that I can do that in a number of ways, both in my personal and professional life.

I am extremely happy in my new job. It is the perfect balance of frivolity and conscientiousness. I may only stay with the company for a year...I may stay with them for 10 years, but at least I will know that I started my career in a place that is making a contribution to the coming generations.

Go forth, friends.

Learn. Inspire. Conquer.