My year in review

I know, I know, the year is not yet at a close. So let's go with finger's crossed something ultra exciting happens in the next 12 days.
22 was a pretty good and somewhat eventful year for me. I moved(twice, although once just across town...). I switched jobs twice. I attended two music festivals. I probably did some other things in twos as well.
I came out to family, and close friends, and am doing so for anyone else here and now. It was stressful but ultimately really positive. It is refreshing to know that the people I care about also care about me. Not to belittle the coming out period for anyone else,which I know can be quite traumatising, but mine was surprisingly accepting. I feel good about feeling awesome about it. For anyone wanting to know more details, ask. I am not fully out at work. Its just easier to keep this part of my life at least somewhat separate. I’m not by any means hiding who I am, just not broadcasting it from the rooftops…

          

I flew for the first time since I was 9 years old. Due to delays, my trip to Boston, which is a total of about 3 hours in flight time, took longer than my parents’, who drove(8 hours).  Aside from that I had the chance to spend some quality time with family I hadn’t seen in years. There was a pool, a bar, games, prizes, and the Olympics all in one weekend. I didn’t mention the food but there were an abundance of tasty treats as well.
I got comfortable with the idea of going to the bar alone. It has paid off in many hung over mornings and a new set of friends. I dated someone crazy, and went to a lot of drag shows. I read a few really good books. If you care enough to know what those are you can look here. I just realized how not in order that list is…  But above all I have worked a lot and failed to keep up with my laundry. 
Bi-annual updates seem to be about all I can manage, so I hope that works for you all. All 5 of you, or whatever the count may be. With failing to do my laundry comes a failed attempt at organizing my life into witty anecdotes for your consumption.
As a close I wish you all a merry Christmas, or happy holiday of your choice. Perhaps I will provide more updates in the coming new year. Don’t hold your breath. Here are some other things not to do. Do wash your clothes.
Xoxo Bec
P.S. If the world ends in two days. I hope it was a good run for you.
P.P.S. In regards to the list of things not to do, do some of them. Like exercising your right to wear clashing outfits as often as possible. 

I am Canadian!

Two days ago Canada celebrated her 145th birthday. I celebrated with my sister who came to town for the weekend of festivities. For those who don’t know me, holidays are the perfect reason/excuse for a costume. So this happened.

          

The day went on, it was pretty hot. We stopped for beers and dancing and this look came about.

         

Living in the capital provides advantages. They close down the roads in the downtown core for pedestrian traffic. You can dance everywhere you go, and we did. At the bus stop, at the Laff, at the hill, for busking musicians, essentially everywhere we went. And then for another 4 or so hours at The Lookout.  

The worst part of the greatest day was that I actually had to drink Canadian .  Small compromises I suppose.

 

I hope you all had a fantastic Canada Day! Happy Independence day to all the Americans tomorrow! And remember, when you get the chance, dance.

xoxo

Bec 

Forward Momentum

I clearly fail at weekly posting once again...
A lot has been happening though.

I briefly was working at Canadian Tire until a former boss called me up to offer me a management position!
I am now part of a team that oversees the Sports Experts at Bayshore. Full time work with good pay means I have been able to start hunting for apartments.

And what a success! I will be moving on May 1st into a bachelor. Its halfway between my place of work and downtown. I will be able to get out and socialize when I please. I'm a few blocks from major transit and everything is included in my rent.

The unit is in an older house so I get something completely unique. I have a built in bookshelf wall, big windows and a quiet street. Right now I am pretty elated.

I can post some pictures once I am all moved in.

Until next time,

xoxo
Bec

You Wish, I wish, Here’s the Dish

Well here I am again(with a super lame title for a post). I totally did not come through with two posts last week but this still falls into a pretty consistent update schedule. Onwards with the story!

 

Last weekend, I helped out a friend running an event for the Children’s Wish Foundation. You Wish was a night of costumes, feathers, glitter, music and burlesque.

      

It was a long day of set-up and prep followed by festivities, tear down and drinks. It felt really good to be so instrumental in an events success. There were definite times when I was frazzled and running around(perhaps when I was on stage for about 30 seconds before the event’s MC stepped in) but overall I feel a really rewarding sense of accomplishment at the end of it all.

Unfortunately, I don’t have figures to provide about how much we raised. I do however know that we were able to fill the bar with family, friends, and positive support for an amazing cause. There was lace, big make-up, and a little bit of skin.  I would definitely do it all over again. And, I urge you to look into burlesque in your area. It is good comedic fun that welcomes all. Confident and sexy women don’t have to be a size zero.

 

And now, on a totally different note. I have my driver’s license back again(no it wasn’t suspended I just lapsed on its renewal). Regardless, it means my wishes are coming true. I don’t have to spend all of my time either trapped in my parent’s basement or at work. So all good and positive thoughts for the future. Leave me a comment if you so choose.

XOXO

Bec

Promises and Progress (Alliteration is fun!)

So in a continuation from my previous post… Look at me! Posting weekly! An improvement on my usual bloggin habits is a pleasant surprise for me and hopefully? for you too. I have been doing a lot of introspection lately so I will fill you in a little bit on that.

Moving back to Ottawa after living away for the past five years or so has been extremely stressful. I was able to build up my self confidence quite a bit while in St.Catharines and it is always daunting to find out if you will jive with people in a new place. Was that disjointed enough? Basically I’m struggling/trying to find the place that I fit best here after being so comfortable elsewhere.

So I am trying to establish and/or develop an online presence for myself. I am currently shacked in with my parents which means a lack of television, people, and basic services(i.e. the convenience store is 5KM away). It is a nice, comfortable prison of sorts.

This is kind of what it looks like but with snow

I sit and think and stew and have come to the conclusion that the best way for me to get in contact with/meet new people in the area is if they know who I am. This is really ground-breaking stuff guys, take notes. I feel I overuse the conjunction SO… But I will continue to blog, I’m thinking weekly posting is reasonable don’t you? You can also find me in the twitter sphere @ralkerto . Expect to find updates about my morning coffee, events I am interested in or attending and other random bits and bites.

I am on a quest for more sincere and honest relationships, but also just more relationships.

Seriously, get me out of the house!

Here’s the deal/proposition if you will. Are you a sincere and honest person (Bonus points if you like music and board games)? Leave me a comment, I will get back to you and we can be friends. sound good? Acquainted you say? Yeah, I can handle that for now. 

All the best to my new bests!

XOXO BEC

P.S. I had also wanted to post a little blurb about the burlesque event I worked on this weekend but I felt this was getting drawn out so if y’all are lucky I might just post twice this week!

I’m Back!!! Maybe

 

                      

So after almost a year long hiatus, I am going to try and get back into this blogging business. I can't make any promises about how often I will update because I procrastinate and am obviously not very good at this :). But stay positive and I will try and you can try and maybe things will be good.

Where to begin? I suppose we shall start where I last left you and I will try to fill in the blanks along the way. If you have questions comments or concerns don't be afraid to let me know.

Last June I attended the 10th annual Bonnaroo Music Festival and let me tell you it was the best time of my life! If you haven't gone, look into it. If you don't like people or music, first you fail, and second, don't look into it. All that aside it was hot as hell and the music and atmosphere were wonderful. There is just nothing quite like spending a weekend camping with 80, 000 like minded strangers who want to enjoy life and music. Everybody was ecstatic to be there and I was able to meet a ton of cool people from all over the place. I don't really have pictures of myself to share because I focused on getting shots of the bands but here are a couple for your viewing entertainment.

       

                 

     It was dirty and dusty, so were my feet…

      

       I doubt this is true but I do love unicorns.

I apparently missed getting a photo of

THIS TENT, but it was there too!

   

      Green man jam session on a bus? Why not?

And I also have lots of blurry band shots that I won’t bore you with.

Onwards. In August we threw a backyard bash for my sister’s birthday with bands and drinking and food and dancing(not necessarily in that order). I continued to work, hang out and caught some more live shows. Anybody else catching onto a pattern here? Fall was kind of boring and pretty rainy.

Christmas came. I once again was unable to come back to Ottawa to see my family due to work. I got pretty bummed and wasn’t the best of company. New year’s was a riot at the Merchant Ale House (if you are in St. Catharines, go here. Good food, good beer, nuff said). We got dressed up, drank and danced because, well I believe it’s a requirement.

Shortly after the beginning of January I decided to quit my job. I was frustrated and life was feeling too stagnant. So I have moved back to Ottawa. Since coming home I have a new job, have participated in some family photos, and have finished a few books. While I loved the rural lifestyle as a kid, being somewhat technology deprived in my twenties is killing me. If anyone has time killing tips or interesting topics for me to learn about, please, please let me know.

I’ll be volunteering this weekend at You Wish, a burlesque event for the Children’s Wish Foundation. Other than that I will just be back and forth to work, filing my taxes, and generally spacing out.

So there you are! All caught up. Fingers crossed for stories of note in the near future.

 

XOXO BEC