Reading is Sexy back cover

Stolen (or rather, re-purposed) from the Shebeen Club blog.

Come out and see the most photogenic of Vangroover’s literati in this year’s hottest centerfolds! Yes, writers posed Calendar Girls-style, to raise money to fight dyslexia. Calendars will be available for sale at $20 (hellooooo, great gift item!) and this’ll be your chance to get them signed and listen to readings from several of our sex-ay writer-types.

Thursday, 03 December 2009 at 7pm
Gudrun Wine and Cheese Bistro
150-3500 Moncton Street
Steveston, BC

The launch of the first annual Reading is Sexy Calendar is on this Thursday evening. Join the model/writers for delicious food and drink and even more delicious readings and gossip at Gudrun in Steveston. You’ve seen them naked: now see them wearing clothes!

• Raul Pachecho-Vega
• Monica Hamburg
• Emme Rogers
• Ian Alexander Martin
• Monique Trottier
• Lori & Richard Yearwood
• Rayne
• Ian Ferguson
• Mark Leiren-Young
• Patrick Tubajon, our gracious host at Gudrun
• Photographer Tris Hussey
• Photographer Robert Shaer

I Want The Serrated Knife, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Terri cut up the bird. She did a fine job. I do have to say my honey assisted by forking. It’s an important job… forking. Shouldn’t ever be underestimated.

Where’s The Dip?, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Steve makes a fantastic bean dip. He told me the secret. Cheese from Spain. To that I say… Grathias Steve!

Prepping The Bird, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Lisa cooked a mean turkey. It was delicious. I say two thumbs up for the briney goodness.

I love Alita. She’s one of my closest friends. SO we jsut had to get down on Friday. Went for dinner with Justin at TAJ (the most amazing but not since they changed their chef Indian restaurant). She changed her hair and looks better than ever. (but I can’t show you cuz my camera skills SUCK when i get drunk.

Candid of Marcus though:

Toasteria in ShiDa closed at 12, just when we were getting started. Marcus suggested Roxy 99 and we reluctantly agreed. But we ran into some friends. 99 of all places!

Here’ Alita with Themba, who is practicing his Obama face:

Patrick and Marcus:

More drunkenness, with Flo in the background. Thanks for all the Jager SHOTS!SHOTS!SHOTS! trouble.

This was the night I tucked my shoes in he bottom rung of the bar stool, then used both hands to put my hair up. Ya, cept I couldn’t balance, and feel forward on my knees. Ouch!

That’s not even the worst part.

Shattered IPhone. At least it still, amazingly enough, works. Gutted though.

Remember not to drop it 257 times. I’ve only had this phone for 11 months. I cry.

Legendary skateboarder Steve Caballero was in the building

Artist hard at work!

Legendary skateboarder Steve Caballero was in the building

Artist hard at work!

Calling all Stewie and Lord Darth fans! There’s a tremor in the force and there’s a party to prove it.

Family Guy: Something, Something, Something, Darkside arrives  Blu-ray and DVD December 22. A follow-up to the 2008 Star Wars spoof “Blue Harvest,” this time around the Griffin clan packs light saber sharp wit as they parody the classic sequel The Empire Strikes Back.  Luke (Chris), Leia (Lois), Han Solo (Peter) and Chewbacca (Brian) have evaded the dreaded Imperial Starfleet led by the cunning, conniving and curiously short evil lord Darth Vader (Stewie), setting up a new secret base on the remote ice world of Hoth.  With the rebellion in trouble, young Skywalker must take the advice of his late, and rather lascivious, mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi (Herbert) and learn the ways of the “farce” under Jedi Master Yoda (Carl) to save the galaxy once and for all.

In honor of all things Stewie and of course, the many wars that Lucas brought us, a special press event will be happening in a galaxy far far far away called Miami. Taking place at the Art Basel Festival, the event will feature a 45 foot Darth Stewie parade balloon, stormtroopers, light sabers, drink specials and giveaways. Super special guest DJ Daniel from Ladytron on the ones and twos. He doesn’t disappoint sonically and, ladies, he is very easy on the eyes, so I’d get down there if you are South Beach adjacent.

The best part about it is, if you live near this Floridian cantina, you can go for free! Yes, you can walk up to the door man, wave your hand in front of his face and use your Jedi mind tricks on him and tell him to let you in for free. He’ll think it’s hilarious because you’ll definitely be the first to do that all night. But if you rsvp’d, he will have to let you in anyways.

Here are the party details.

Wednesday December 2, 2009

The Vagabond
30 NE 14th Street
Downtown Miami

And since ’tis the season of giving, and I’m feeling a bit charitable, I’m going to give away a DVD prize packages (including DVD and mini-poster). To win, follow me on twitter at @aliontheair and tweet me your favorite scene from Family Guy. The one that makes me laugh the hardest wins. That’s it! I mean, it sure beats waiting in line in some Black Friday scam. Voila. Instant Xmas present. Though, if I were you, I’d keep it for myself.

click on image for photo gallery

click on image for photo gallery

This past weekend I’m sure everyone enjoyed themselves. My weekends have become somewhat of a shit storm of activities. I’m usually super busy yet I let the weekend decide what I’ll partake in. Thanksgiving with my family was grand but it was equally grand with friends… Also it was my best friend Ryan’s birthday, so pictures will describe the festivities! (check out my flickr)

and we begin….. NOW! Potluck first..

Kat, Jireh, Rocky

Illest Villains Crew and Fam!

Koby’s Bday Bash Attack!

Me, Jack, Koby, Blake

Blake getting the "you talk to much" lesson

Lastly, maybe a week ago… we had another party at Ross’ house!

Villains

FIN!

…to pull out those planners! The time between Halloween and New Year’s is always my favorite time of year because there is just so much going on! I’ll be sharing the best of Athens parties and fundraisers with all of you, so keep a look out for new event posts!

After a great first show back in November, it’s time for round 2 of 55dsl’s Pic+Mix at the infamous Studio55 (upstairs at the 55DSL flagship store).

The second show in this series takes place on the 03.12.09, working with the Monorex Agency, where experimental graffiti artist Chu has chosen to work with fellow street artist & illustrator Disco Teck. Using the tools of their trade, aerosol vs. marker pen to give a 360 degree installation that will seriously turn your head.

For those who missed the first one, Pic+Mix is a new series of art exhibitions curated by Intercity for 55dsl. Each show will see a renowned artist selecting and working with a collaborator of their choice; this could be a like-minded contemporary, a fresh new talent, or an artist from a completely different discipline; Photography, sculpture, moving image, furniture design, music and more – all are up for grabs. The collaborative nature of this series of shows will offer diverse ways of working, and the results will be a creative mix of both talents and techniques.

I will be spinning a mix of Funk, Soul, Hip Hop & Beats throughout the night and I’m sure there’ll be some drinks kicking about too.

We require RSVP so be sure to get in touch.

Rafael Acosta, aka Juanito, declared he would take over as borough president of Iztapalapa in Mexico City, after a 59-day leave of absence, reviving an intense embarrassment for the PRD. Juanito and his supporters seized the borough offices and camped out overnight. Clara Brugada, the acting borough chief, said Acosta was “mentally ill.” The Federal District Government Secretary José Ángel Ávila Pérez promised a rapid solution “to guarantee the governability of the borough and the delivery of services.”   A two-thirds vote by the DF’s legislative assembly could remove Juanito. (Reforma 11/28, Universal 11/30)

Retell: Patricia Polacco describes a fun-filled family reunion where the adults challenge the kids to baseball games, the aunties make meatloaf and jello salads, and everyone catches fireflies.

Topics: reunions, family, baseball, curiosity, storytelling, fireflies, tradition, parties

Units of Study: Memoir, Personal Narrative

Reading Skills: envisionment, interpretation

Writing Skills: incorporating sensory details, storytelling

My Thoughts: When planning read alouds, I have been trying to create text sets, planning books not just by unit of study, but by themes.  I’m thinking of creating a text set with the theme of ‘traditions’ which may include  When Lightning Comes in a Jar, The Keeping Quilt, and When the Relatives Came.  This book could also be great to read when you are teaching students to storytell to their partners.  Storytelling is a Polacco family reunion tradition.

Been a very busy few weeks, hence the lateness of the post.

Firstly, I finally got to see my comedy idol, Mr Eddie Izzard in Amsterdam.  He was fantastic and I got rather over excited.  I was actually squeaking before he came on… yes, squeaking like a small mouse!  Poor John and Bas who were sitting with me, they must have thought I was having some kind of fit!!

Bas looking… well… like Bas and John looking thorougly fed up with my giddiness!

Excited Katie

Ken who came all the way from Belgium to see Eddie… then came to find us in the crowd.

And the mighty Izzard himself!

By the end of the show I was actually feeling quite ill from laughing so much!  My sides and cheeks were killing me.  I then spent too much money on Eddie Izzard stuff.  Including the programme for the tour, a Covered in Bees t-shirt which I love and a Cake or Death mug which I really need to remember to bring into work!

We then met up with Ken and Marjan from Belgium and went for some drinks in the bar across the way, of course a couple of drinks turned into 4 or 5.  During the course of these drinks we discovered that Ken and Marjan’s brilliant plan for the evening was to hang out watching DVDs on the laptop till they got a train home in the morning.  Of course I told them not to be so stupid and they could come and stay with me.

We then went to get the last train from Amsterdam Arena that was due to leave at 1.32, we arrived on the platform at 1.28 to see the train pulling away!!  I was not amused, least of all as I was wearing a teeny tiny skirt (of course, this is me we’re talking about here!).

So we ended up waiting for a bus for about 20 minutes, had to take that to Amsterdam Centraal and from there get a train to The Hague.  Well we got on the train and then get the announcement that it was only going as far as Leiden (that’s about half way).  So at Leiden we had to get off and get on a coach which took us to The Hague HS station and then get a taxi home.  3 HOURS it took to get home!!

Then everything went quiet for a week and a half as I had suspected pig flu!!  Not so much fun.  Being ill when living on your own is horrible as well.  You actually have to get out of bed to go and get your own drugs and food!!  What’s that all about?  Last weekend I missed out on Nancy’s 29th 80s themed birthday party which was really annoying as I’d been looking forward to it for about 2 months!!  Stupid pig flu!!

So was back at work last week which I have to say was a blessing as I was so bored at home!!  There is only so much TV you can watch while curled up in your PJs!  Tuesday night I went to see New Moon and LOVED it.  My review of the movie here.  Then ended up going for 1 drink… well we all know how 1 drink turns out!  Was a little bit fuzzy round the edges on Wednesday!

And that brings us nicely to this weekend!  I had 3 parties planned, 2 leaving parties and on Saturday Katerina’s name day party.  In Greece you basically get 2 birthday’s.  One is your actual birthday and the other is your name day which is the saints day with the same name as you (so my name day is the same at Katerina’s).  But your name day is actually the bigger deal in Greece so lots of presents and parties.

Friday night was OK, bit of a quiet party for my liking even if I did manage to lower the tone quite effectively with my drunken banter.  But when the acoustic guitar came out that was too much for me and I left.  Ended up going round to John’s for more drunken banter and then crashing out in a drunken stupor.  Not good the next day when you have to do the walk of shame from a friend’s house!!!  I did have the beautiful shoes on which look gorgeous and are OK for standing about but not exactly designed for walking long distances in.  By long distances I mean anything further than about 50 feet!!  So by the time I got home my feet were killing me and I had time to leap in the shower and get changed before meeting Mo for lunch in town and do a bit of Christmas shopping.

Then Saturday headed into Amsterdam which is a bit of a trek as its 50 mins on the train to central station.  But once there went to Werck which was where Katerina’s party was and I have to say was one of the best night’s out in ages!!  I think I was the only one there who was new to the group so it could have been a disaster as sometimes its difficult to get to know people who are already an established group.  But not problems at all on Saturday.  All Katerina’s friends are really lovely and great fun.  My cheeks were hurting from laughing so much!!

Going to be bad and not comment on all of them as I was very drunk and I can’t remember everybody’s names *looks ashamed*

Me and Katerina

Dancing Girls

Some really drunk people!!

Wow I’ve written a lot so far!!

Sunday I was meant to be going round to Mark’s for Kriszta’s leaving dinner and party but I went for a nap at 5pm and woke up this morning!!  So clearly I fail at multiple nights out!!  The hang over yesterday was rather impressive though!

So far no plans for this week until Friday when hopefully me and Erica are going to see New Moon again and then head to the expat Christmas Party.  But Erica is looking a little peeky at the moment so she may not be well enough to do anything.  Then Saturday I’m going Christmas tree shopping which I’m rather excited about.  First time I’ve decorated for Christmas since I’ve lived here so am really looking forward to it.

The other nice bit of news is I’m going to be dog sitting a toy poodle from 9 Dec till 3 Jan   He’s a very laid back dog so doesn’t need much walking and is more than happy in a flat.  Haven’t had a dog for ages so really looking forward to it.  I also have a very old friend coming to visit on 10-14 December which should be a bit of a riotous weekend knowing him!!

Strikeforce light weight champion, Josh “The Punk” Thomson came out to support the KNOXX party

DJ AJAX

Fighters get down too!!

Import model and Go Go dancer, Jeri Lee