The real reason the Oilers suck
It’s not the coach, our defense, offense, youthfulness nor the fact that we don’t have a A-lister goalie. It’s not because it is a “building” year, or because we don’t check enough, lack locker room leadership, or [insert any theory here]. Every year for the past 6 years we hear all of these excuses as reasons for our team’s lackluster performance. The Oilers themselves know they suck. They have fired coaches and GMs, traded, benched and publicly berated players. Yet nothing changes. We continue to lose. We continue to live in the league’s basement. Why? What’s the real reason the […]
Significance
On October 2, 2012, Edmonton will step up once again with the opening of Valour Place. Valour Place is like Ronald McDonald House, but for injured soldiers as it provides “hope away from home” for Canadian Forces and RCMP members, veterans and their families when they are in Edmonton for medical treatment and rehabilitation. Valour Place is significant on so many levels. It’s the first home of its kind in Canada and it’s right here in Edmonton. It’s an initiative led by the community, for Canada’s military community. A team of hard working and connected Edmontonians took an idea conceived […]
I bet you think this post is about you
Once upon a time, long long ago, when you acted like an ass or crazy lady, or just did something plain stupid, mean or funny, the story spread as quickly as one could tell two friends. And then they’d tell two friends, and so on and so on. But we no longer live in Faberge Shampoo kinda times. You don’t need two friends anymore. You just need a blog, Twitter or Facebook account. Share your tale blindly in cyberspace and before you know it, everyone knows the kind of shampoo you use. The internet and social media move rants, rumours, and […]
Happy Birthday: Lessons from a 1-year old blog
Today is the first birthday of my blog, This is Actually Happening. In the past year, I have learned a lot about the benefits and challenges of having a blog – actually, several blogs. In addition to Actually Happening, I also have my Freestone company blog, and I am the editor and author of blogs for two of my clients. Needless to say, I jumped head first into blogging this past year. Trial by fire; learning at mach speed. I get asked by clients and colleagues about what it is like to have and upkeep a blog. So in honour […]
In extraordinary company
Humbled. Flattered. Honoured. Touched. Thrilled. Inspired. I am running out of past participles in response to Avenue Magazine Edmonton selecting me as one of the Top 40 Under 40 for 2011. As was the case in the previous two years, the list of Edmontonians they have recognized in 2011 is an impressive one. Professors. Media celebrities. PhDs. Creative gurus. Presidents. Artists. Technology leaders. Educators. And one rockstar chef. I like to think I work hard, and give back whenever I can. And while we all love to be appreciated, I think many of us just live our lives always choosing […]
How to look good in photos: Secrets of a professional photographer
Do you hate having your photo taken? You are not alone. Inspired by my recent, one-time experience as a poster girl, I decided it was time to get over this silly hang-up with some insider info on looking good in pictures from my favourite photographer friend. Meet Curtis Comeau, a photographer from Edmonton that gets to photograph some amazing people and places across Western Canada and around the world. Every time I talk with Curtis, he is just off to or back from some exotic or adventurous destination. Check out Curtis’ blog if you love beautiful photographs (including ones of […]
Why I won’t miss Oprah
Will you miss her? Not ready to find other ways to fill your 5pm time slot? Still want to shed tears at yet another tragic story? I am sure my male readers are agreeing with me, if they haven’t already clicked out of this post at the sight of the word, “Oprah”. Now, I am not denying her power and the incredible impact she has made on society and pop culture. There is no one else that could take a book, movie, a movie star, a two-bit professional good at the sound-bite, industries, trinkets and trash and make it either […]
Diary of a Northlands Poster Girl
February 17: Picture this. A call from our new Northlands CEO, Richard Andersen. He explains a new ad campaign by the organization to profile the people behind Northlands and our longstanding connection to our community. I think it’s brilliant. Northlands is well known, but not well understood. This campaign is a good first step in addressing that. Then he says they want to profile me, as a Board Director, in one of the ads. Hmmm. I am low-profile, behind the scenes, avoid the center of attention kinda girl. And now they want me to be a poster girl? Because Richard […]