Hyper to Hypo: I'm Yucky Sick

I haven't been myself lately. I've had an out of body experience feeling; a woozy, dizzy weirdness for the last few weeks. After getting some tests back today, it was confirmed that the pendulum has swung the other way. Go figure. Now I have hypothyroid. Oh, I'll be fine. I'll be back to even steven in no time flat. A few weeks on a magic little pill and I will be dancing a jig. I just had to share with you the sweet pj's I wanted to buy and have in my closet for days such as these. Except, I got escorted out of Goodwill for taking photos. I wonder if they are still there? Is it yucky sick to buy used pj's?

Hot For Words

So you want to be an internet star? Here's a little story for you. She (The Russian Blond) is one smart cookie. Marina burst in on the scene in mid 2007 launching her YouTube channel HotForWords, where she takes requests from YouTube viewers for words to discuss, and she releases 3 or 4 videos each week discussing the origins of these words, in a fun and playful manner! You can visit Marina who is a philologist (one who studies linguistics and etymology). Marina has had 43 million hits in the last 8 months - 1.5 million new views/week and entertains 70,000 subscribers daily. Here is her guest appearance on the O'Reilly Show. Cha-ching. Here is her very first video. You could do this! You could teach crafts, decorating, painting, photography, business......So, I ask: What are you waiting for?

Wasaga Beach Fire

I grew up in Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto. As a city girl, I did not have any experience with the spiritual side of campfires, unless I went camping up north. Now that I live in Wasaga Beach, I enjoy these marshmallow flames almost every night. It is usually forbidden to have fires in big cities, suburban areas or downtown neighborhoods. But here in 'The Beach', that has always been a cottage/resort town, a fire is a human right. Wouldn't you know it. The powerful people from Town Hall have now decided that backyard campfires are allowed only for cooking or warmth. We are not foolish people. Every house on every street has 1 package of wieners sitting ready for the fire inspector within six feet of the orange & yellow crackle. You can't take the fires out of The Beach. You will have a riot on your hands. You are blowing smoke out of your......

The Gin and Tonic House

I discovered the most darling little house yesterday. It was over the Jubilee Bridge and up around the bend on a 'no exit' avenue. Cute as a button. I promise to go back in the green lushness of mid-summer for another picture of it. Don't you just love the view across the street. This is what you enjoy when you sit on the front porch. I'd have a textured rug and an ultra-comfy outdoor living room in that covered area. Then, I'd sip on my gin and tonic and read magazines. Cut lots of lime and make lots of ice. If you click on the photos you can have a front row view!

Hannah Montana vs Miley Cyrus

Behind the Scenes: V.F.’s fashion and style director Michael Roberts with Miley. (Makeup artist Pati Dubroff - hairstylist Christiaan) Billy Ray Cyrus, The Dad and Annie Leibovitz, The Shooter. All for the Vanity Fair June 2008 feature, Miley Knows Best. I'm reading a ton of comments online and in print about the 'growing up' of this 15 year old gazillionaire. Yes, they do become women and this phenomena is happening faster and faster these days. We need to embrace our collective womanhood and sensuality/sexuality. It's a beautiful force of nature. Coming of age. Discovering our instincts. Do Disney/Family Channel viewers (I'm talking the adults here) really believe that these young female stars will remain little girls forever? They seem to go into shock when they realize that these teenage actresses might actually have sex, get pregnant or have a life outside of their TV character. Why must we always enslave ourselves to toddlerhood?

UPDATE: O.K. Now I'm nauseated. Probably due to some contract, Miley has had to come out to apologize to the world for the photos. "For Vanity Fair, I was so honoured and thrilled to work with Annie. I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be 'artistic' and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed,"Cyrus said in a statement published on People magazine's website. The Disney Channel backed up the rising star saying in a statement that "a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines". Miley is now seen out and about sans makeup. This shouldn't surprise anyone. Disney wants her to be 10 again.

Would you not agree that Miley and her father look like they are extremely relaxed; enjoying the photoshoot? (above photos) This is all about the 'bottom line' and profits. Poor Miley. So rich and yet no 'liberty' whatsoever. Oh, and Vanity Fair. They are serving champagne this morning in Graydon's office. This issue will sell out before you can say whippersnapper. Maybe they're behind all the ruckus. Miley needs to call me. Why are you apologizing? Don't do that to yourself. Call me girl.

Sunday Sermon: ProBlogger, Dooce, Federated Media and You.

Welcome My Friends,

The goal is to spend my Sundays on my shiny new bicycle, blond hair blowing in the wind and all because of this and this and this. She was an inspiration too. I read somewhere this past week that she makes over $40,000 per month from her blog. (Go ahead slap my wrist. I can't source that for you, but it's true. I did read it.) Watch for the piece on her that will run on Nightline and Good Morning America next week. (click on the top photo to enlarge) What's your blog goal? What's your dream? What's the 'end state' for you? (By the way, there will be no passing of damn plates or baskets to collect money for this service.) Come on. Be gutsy. Let the world know where you really want to go. Turn now to the people sitting around you. Introduce yourself and share your inner-most blogging desires with them. By the way. If you are a 'blog skeptic' and you don't think blogging has any future, I need you to do something immediately. I need you to come stand by my blackboard and write (neatly) 1000 times. "I will not make fun of bloggers." I can't wait for my local media to start recognizing my superb blogging talent and exceptional original content. After that, I'll harass the regional news and of course I'll bug the national newsrooms. Magazines and Radio stations. You are not exempt from my ambitions either. No way. Nothing. And I repeat. Nothing in the blogging business is more important than traffic, unless you are on your shiny new bicycle and want the road all to yourself. I hope you have enjoyed today's theme.

Hand up in the back pew.

Member of the Flock: 'But Liberty. You don't have ads on your blog. How are you going to make money?'

Liberty: 'That's a very good question. I'm waiting for Federated Media to call me. They don't know what they are missing. And please keep this just between us folks. I'm really trying to get their attention, so if any of you can put in the good word for me, I'd be eternally grateful.'

Have a wonderful week. Please try to bring friends and neighbours with you next Sunday. Yours Truly, Liberty The Blog Preacher.

East Side Mario's

Except for the flat tonic water, it was delightful. Perfect, I'll admit. We enjoyed a meal at East Side Mario's in Collingwood last night. Mambo Italiano! And guess what the bar was called? Oh yeah. That's right baby. Lady Liberty herself! We relished in unlimited garlic loaves, grilled bruschetta flatbread, angel hair pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, Calamari Fritti Al Diavolo (Lightly seasoned floured calamari tossed with garlic, onions, red, green and hot peppers, and served sizzling in a herbed tomato broth with lemon), crisp garden salads with fresh cheese and chocolate truffle cake. Good food. Great prices. Excellent, friendly service. Family fun. You will feel as though you've stepped into Little Italy in NYC. It occurred to me (Once again because the smiling restaurant manager approached me....and I was ready I might add. That's right folks. I now have Liberty Post business cards) that Canadians are the only people I know who a) get very curious about people taking photographs and b) ask you to not take pictures or c) kick you out if you continue to take pictures. It's true. I don't ever experience this anywhere else. Is it a Canadian 'politeness' issue? - a privacy issue? - a corporate espionage issue? (You didn't know I was a Secret Agent did you?) I've even been escorted out of a Value Village (large thrift shop) for taking photos of second hand blouses. Well, if any of you know why let me know.

Photo at top: Circa 1900

My Self-Hurt Books

These are the books I will be reading this weekend. I'm not intentionally trying to be mean to you, I really don't know how to source them. I found them in a little shop at the mountain called Jinger. Jinjer offers a well-blended funky, eclectic mix of gifts and accessories based on design, art and humour. It has a perky, yet relaxed atmosphere and you can find those things that you don’t need, but would love to have. I always take my house guests there. Funny boutique. A great giggle. I'll be painting this weekend and reviewing/learning from these classics. Have a terrible weekend. Don't plan anything. Burn your meat on the grill. Hope your cake flops and your brownies are too dry. I'll go one step further. I hope your brownies are so rock hard that they break your neighbours tooth. Spill your drink. So hurtful.

Cotton Candy Colour

And candy apple goodness. These are the magical, carnival 'feeling' colours that create nostaligic happiness in most of us. There is something so familiar. You can hear the sounds, smell the scents, taste the salty popcorn. A carefree afternoon on fast machines; home feet tired with sicky sweet full bellies. And yet another stuffed animal that really, let's be honest, you do not need.

Ed Feingersh, Best Marilyn Monroe Photos Ever

These ones circa 1955 and also the ones of her in the Dimaggio era. Lovely Hotness.

Weenie & A Lemonade

It isn't exactly what you would call 'culinary fanciness', but this is the stuff of small-town Canada. Serving up hot dogs and fresh-squeezed lemonade. There is just something about the smell of the smoky BBQ's readying the wieners or bratwurst (yum..with fried onions) that says 'come get me baby'. I love them smothered with mustard and hot peppers. Have I told you that I don't like relish. It's true. I'm a big pickle gal, but not sweet relish. Yuck. Heaven is to wash the dog down with the ever so slightly sweet lemonade. I could gulp several large cups. So refreshing. Filled with ice chips. Oh, Canada.

Treat Yourself Today:

6 lemons - squeeze the juice
1 cup sugar, or to taste (I use less sugar)
4 cups cold water
1 lemon , cut into cartwheel slices
ice cubes

More fresh recipes here.