Parts of the Whole

It's funny how clear things can get when you take a step back. It's no secret that we're always better at figuring out other people's lives than our own for this very reason. When you're too close, you get too focused on the little things and lose sight of the big picture.

Recently I played mediator to two people who could be half way to exploding or getting over the hump. I don't want to imply that there is anything romantic going on between the two of them but eventually, you hit a point in any relationship, romantic or not, where you have to ask "are we going to keep going with this or not?" Sometimes it’s completely subconscious because things just happen so naturally you don’t really have to think about it but other times things simmer under the surface until they explode.  

Watching other people hash out their relationships makes you re-examine some of your own. Sarah called me a hoarder last night because I have issues letting people go, not knowing when someone deserves another chance or needs to be cut out (side note - my family would agree with the hoarding but on a general level since I have an alarming amount of stuff for the small space I have to keep it in).

The way I see it, any relationship is about give and take; finding a middle ground. You give up pieces of yourself to the other person to make room for the pieces they'll give you in return. Because everyone moves at their own speed, you can always expect fair trade but what happens when you realize you can't give anything else up because they've got too much already and you've got nothing in return. I've said it from the start that something to focus on this year (and last) is letting people go that just aren't ready to be part of my life right now. It's scary to think of but let's face it - I need those pieces of myself back if I'm going to keep moving forward.

It's still quite early in the day (actually it's 2:30 pm but the sun is shining so it feels early!) to be so morose and contemplative...that's usually something I save for the late hours of the evening so I guess I'll save this post for then...

Guest Blog - Drunk & Disorderly, B v. S

I went to a meeting tonight to help plan a family barbecue.  With the planning winding down a battle erupted and this is what Brad had to say:

This is what Brad should
be drinking from especially
since he ended up spilling
beer all over my computer!

So this girl named Sarah thinks she is hardcore with her drinking ability but she has yet to finish a single drink.  All I hear is excuses; she acts like she's a drinking champ but she can barely finish a jagger bomb.  Seriously?  What kind of person can't finish a jagger bomb?  Is she 12 years old?  Of course, she is from Carney so maybe she doesn't know how to handle her liquor.  Well I can't expect a lot eh?

Here is Sarah's response...

The drink that started it all!

Okay, first of all. As Sarah A. Dignos, I would like to say that I have appreciated the hospitality of the Knuckey family. I have been nothing but welcomed with open arms into their home. Never have I officially stated that I was a hardcore drinker - this statement is merely a self constructed perception that has been assembled by Brad Knuckey himself. Secondly, what excuses has Brad heard? Nothing. This is the first time I've met Brad's family and as the polite and charming self that I am, I am not here to be belligerent or make a negative first impression on his family - I am here solely for the purpose of work. Thirdly, in regards to his jagerbomb comment - I personally love jagerbombs; they are my signature drink granted that they are served properly! Brad had served me a faulty jagerbomb; a short shot glass full of jager dropped in a tall boy a quarter full of redbull. For anyone who has ever had a jagerbomb you will know that the ratio between shot glass and highball plays a huge role in the success of how you down a jagerbomb. I am not 12 years old - I am 23. Me being from Carney has nothing to do with my ability to drink or party. I can handle my liquor. And I believe that there is nothing wrong with enjoying a drink. So the next time Brad thinks I am being insulting by not foolishly downing my drink he can suck it and learn how to appreciate my company the next time I am invited at his house - that is if I choose to accept his invite.

So where's a girl to stand in the midst of all this madness?  Far far away =)  Truthfully, I love them both too much to get in the middle of a drunk (Brad) and disorderly (Brad again) argument that won't really mean much in the light of day. 

Event Star Spotlight - Taryn Beauvais

What started as a quick post to help some friends gain a bit of exposure has snowballed into a feature.  The Event Star Spotlight is meant to bring some attention to some of our rising stars in the Event Industry.  While I don't have a set timeline for how often these posts will roll out (it depends on how often I get a chance to actually conduct the interviews), I am open to suggestions/nominations.  This feature is not limited to graduates of The Art Institute of Vancouver (AI) or people just starting out in the industry - if you know someone that deserves to be recognized, please let me know!  Now, without further ado, let's take a look at our next star...

Taryn Beauvais

If I had to pick one word to describe Taryn, it would be poised.  From her early days of dance, to her experiences with some high profile restaurants in Vancouver, all the way to her endeavours post graduation, Taryn is a person who can stare down chaos without (openly) freaking out.  Throughout our year together at AI, Taryn wasn't just a girl who happened to sit next to me, she was a valuable group member in at least one major project each term.  It's because of all those late nights and early mornings that I know Taryn is going to be a success in this industry.

Taryn is currently the Catering Manager at Calhoun's Catering.  Calhoun's has been serving up mouth-watering treats since '94 and their cafe is a must visit for fresh baked pastries if you're in Kitsilano.  Specializing in corporate catering throughout Vancouver, it's not uncommon to see them in and around the University of British Columbia (they actually just sponsored an event out there!), Vancouver General Hospital, BC Children & Women's Hospital, as well as Downtown and Kitsilano.

In addition to working at Calhoun's, Taryn is also a free-lance wedding and event planner, currently focused on weddings on the Sunshine Coast.  Like myself, she's taken to the blogosphere to get her voice heard by a giant audience.  Her blog, TLC Weddings & Events, is a great spot for information on bridal shows, tips, and trends in the wedding and event industry.  The Taryn in the City blog highlights some of the things that make Vancouver such a great city; from trade shows to fine dining, if Taryn's there, you'll find it on her blog.

With focuses on weddings as well as catering/food & beverage, ti's no surprise to learn that Taryn's future plans include eventually opening a one-stop-shop wedding planning company with locations on the Sunshine Coast and hopefully Vancouver.  With a cafe front, Taryn hopes to have one or two cake decorators/pastry chefs, event staff, coordinators, and a decor/floral design specialist in house to create the perfect wedding package for each client.

Although Taryn has grand plans for the future (which are totally achievable for someone with Taryn's drive), she still takes what she's learned from our days together at AI.  "General computer skills like how to efficiently and effectively use Excel for spreadsheets as well as PowerPoint for presentations.  Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and even just how to properly format business communications - it's all proven extremely helpful and I use these skills every single day!"

For anyone looking to join the event industry, Taryn suggests balancing both education and experience because they are equally important.  Never underestimate the value of confidence since you never know who you'll meet or where your next job will come from and always be professional, whether you're meeting someone new or working with someone you've known for years.

Taryn thinks if all else fails, she can always try to be a graphic designer.  I think that the world of graphic design is going to miss out and their loss is the event industry's gain.

Just Say No

Will power is the backbone of any resolution and you either have it or you're doomed to fail.  I like to think I have will power but the truth is I've only got it in certain situations.  One of the downsides of a guilty conscience is that will power almost always takes a back seat to guilt.

Since my friends aren't above taking advantage of this fact, I often find myself in situations that I didn't mean to get into.  Case in point tonight; instead of diligently working on an upcoming presentation, I went for gelato and a wonderfully random drive.  Apparently, the reason "I'm bored and restless" is enough of a reason for me to drop everything and go.  My neediness for being needed was clearly a contributing factor here =)

But even though I didn't finish everything I had hoped to tonight, I still had a great time catching up with a friend which is still productive.  Here's to more random nights of 'productivity' who' numbers will probably increase with the warmer weather.  Maybe I'll have to start avoiding my phone...it's probably easier than actually trying to say "No" at this point...

All We Are - OneRepublic

I wasn't lying before when I said that my iTunes/iPod/iPhone is eerily psychic sometimes.  Case in point, I'm currently feeling extremely tired (probably my narcolepsy acting up!), and slightly frustrated.  You know that feeling you get when you're working so hard on something but it just doesn't want to come together?  That's me right now and it really doesn't help that I've got so many projects on the go.  So in an effort to get me into the right mood for writing and maybe get to bed at a decent time, I hit shuffle and left it up to the music gods to set me on my way.  The song?  All We Are by OneRepublic; song/mood matching perfection.  Sometimes all you need is a little nudge to get you heading back in the right direction. 



"All We Are"
I tried to paint you a picture, the colors were all wrong

Black and white didn't fit you and all along,

You were shaded with patience, your strokes of everything

That I need just to make it, and I believe that...

Time can tear you apart

But it won't break anything that you are, you are

We won't say our goodbyes you know it's better that way

We won't break, we won't die

It's just a moment of change

All we are, all we are, is everything that's right

All we need, all we need, a lover's alibi

I walked a minute in your shoes, they never would've fit

I figured there's nothing to lose,

I need to get some perspective on these words before I write them down

You're an island and my ship has run aground

Lord knows I'll fail you time and again,

But you and me we're alright

We won't say our goodbyes you know its better that way

We won't break, we won't die

It's just a moment of change

All we are, all we are, is everything that's right

All we need all we need, a lover's alibi

Every single day that I can breathe, you change my philosophy

I'm never gonna let you pass me by

So don't say your goodbyes you know its better that way

We won't break, we won't die

It's just a moment of change [x2]

All we are, all we are, is everything that's right

All we need, all we need, a lover's alibi

So don't say our goodbyes you know its better

We won't break, we won't die

Lunch-time Geekery

Designed by Aleks Istanbullu Architects

It's lunch time and instead of drooling over food, I'm drooling over these designs for custom bookcases.  When I grow up, I want the one above or at least something similar that I could actually afford =) It was designed by Aleks Istanbullu Architects, based out of Santa Monica, CA.  Check out their website (which is pretty cool itself) for more shots of this amazing house in Beverly Hills (it's the Lago Vista, Coldwater Canyon property under Single Family).  To see nine other custom shelf designs and anything else interior design related, check out the Chic Tip website!

Message in a Bottle

I know it's shocking to see a post before 9:00 pm so getting two posts in one day before 9:00 pm must be staggering!  However, I really felt that this particular post couldn't wait until tomorrow. 

Blogger has this fantastic feature that lets you track your blog's statistics, from which posts are viewed the most, to how often your blog is viewed, and even where in the world it's being looked at.  I've been getting views from all around the world which is surprising as much as it is thrilling.  The fact that a random stranger has read something I had to say reminds me not only to be careful about what I write, but to keep writing in general since you never know what will be meaningful to someone you've never met.  Case in point, I got my first reader email! 

I don't know who they are, where they are from or even if they are male or female.  All I have is a letter that they asked me to post because they liked the idea of writing something and releasing it into the world, not knowing if it reaches the intended person or not.  I normally would have reservations about posting someone else's work here but this particular message was too honest to ignore.  Sometimes, it doesn't matter if the right person hears the words, you just need to let them out because it's too much to keep to yourself.  So, here is our very first (but hopefully not last) message in a bottle.

Hello.
It seems like such a small, simple thing to say, but I never said it to you the way I wanted to.  There are countless things I never said because it meant stepping out of the boxes I placed us in.  I never got to share a secret through a smile or run my fingers through your hair.  I never had a conversation with you through a glance from across the room or held your hand in the moonlight.  I never told you all the things I wanted because they were too much and not enough at the same time.  Instead, I looked away when you came near because Eliot once wrote that there would be "time for you and time for me, and time yet for a hundred indecisions, and for a hundred visions and revisions."  I looked away and thought of Cummings "deepest secret nobody knows" which is always written all over my face but no one has noticed.  In my life, I'll never feel this way about anyone else but you but you'll never know because you belong to someone else.

(Note: Eliot refers to "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot and Cummings is "i carry your heart with me" by e.e. cummings, both of which are favourites of mine even though I generally find poetry to be too confusing to understand properly)

Secrets

I love PostSecret.  Started by Frank Warren in 2004 as a community art project, PostSecret encourages people to mail their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.  Frank has published five books that contain just a fraction of the hundreds of millions of cards he has received over the years.  Frank travels throughout the sates with an exhibit of the cards and speaks about the impact these secrets can have on our lives.  I can't even begin to imagine the number of lives that have been saved by this project because sometimes all it takes is to know you're not alone in your struggles.

Every Sunday, a new collection of secrets is posed on the PostSecret website and they are always titled "Sunday Secrets."  I like reading what other people are thinking and I like to compare it to my own secrets, some of which I've actually sent to Frank.  There's something about this shared experience that fuels my own hopes and dreams.  It inspires me to keep going with my own project even though it may not mean as much as PostSecret because I know it means something to at least one person.