What I Did Over March Break, Part 1

Alternate Title: How to be Cool

I wrapped up the week before March (aka Spring) Break not feeling particularly spring-y nor particularly cool. Despite a few days of glorious above-freezing respite the weekend *before* March Break started, winter is a tenacious bastard, and as I sit writing this post on the official first day of spring, I am once again looking from the inside-out at a freshly-shaken snow globe. O, Canada, indeed.

A few weeks ago, in a fit of ambition inspired by multiple viewings of "Pitch Perfect" (and probably a glass or three of wine), I signed up for DJ camp at Off Centre DJ School in Toronto. A few days after I signed up, I received email from Laura at Ladies Learning Code about an application I'd previously filled out to mentor their workshops and camps for girls, and a few emails later I had committed to spending the mornings before DJ school mentoring girls at Girls Learning Code's March Break Camp.

First let's talk about GLC camp. These girls were all amazing, and the event's organizers, Laura and Ashley, killed it. On the first day of camp the girls were editing HTML and CSS to make Love Bombs. By the end of the week each group of 4-6 girls had created an entire website full of multimedia goodness, including a logo they created using GIMP, a stop-motion animation, and photos and a video that they shot and edited. The group with which I worked most closely made this website for their cause, "Operation Rescue: 911 For Animals." Did I mention they were seriously amazing?

Next up, find out how I learned to scratch, beat match, and that time I ate pie with a 2013 Canadian Junior Champion figure skater. (And you thought I was kidding about the whole cool thing.)

Rock The Vote!

Readers,

As you know, last year's election was a pivotal one. You donated your time and money, you called voters in the swing states, you crossed your fingers, and you voted. And now, thanks in part to his charisma and intelligence, and in large part to your perseverance and dedication, the leader of the free world doesn't suck.

It's time to elect another smart, charming fellowhottie: Ken has been chosen as one of the 10 finalists in Daily Candy's Get With The Programmer Contest! Get over there and vote for him. He'll make you a caipirinha and dance all Milli Vanilli for you. Girl, you know it's true.

P.S. If you're not already a DailyCandy subscriber your vote will sign you up, but it's actually a really awesome service, and the only one of its kind to which I subscribe! If you hate it you can pour your caipirinha on my shirt (and then just unsubscribe).

P.P.S. Guys, you can vote too. No homo.

Fynn

Fynn
Originally uploaded by Kitty LaRoux.

This is my nephew, Fynn. I got to hold him yesterday while he was sleeping. Holding a sleeping baby? Rocks.

Fantasy Fulfillment

I'm in Waterloo, and over the weekend while Gregoire was in Toronto, I spent some quality time with Sweet Sirrah, Charlie-in-Utero, and Bartleby the Labradoodle.

On Saturday night as I was heading off to the basement guest room, Sirrah offered, "You know, if it gets too cold down there, you can always come sleep with us." She paused. "That is, if you want to sleep with a pregnant lady and a big brown dog."

Dear Penthouse Letters,
I never thought it would happen to me.

Another Birth Day!

The population explosion continues with the birth of the lovely Miss Cara, who entered this crazy world on Saturday morning in California. Many congratulations to her mom & dad, and big brother Ewan, all of whom are happy and healthy!

(This bodes well for UFF readership, which will practically double by the time these kids can read. You know, in 2011 or so.)

Rock

When I was visiting my parents in January, Sunny asked me to go through her storage space to clear out my stuff, which I thought might amount to a few boxes. It did, if by "a few" you mean "1,200 sq. ft. worth of". Anyhoo. Much of it was throw-awayable, but there were a few keepers, like a box of pictures that contained such gems as this:
Apparently I thought that XL was an appropriate t-shirt size. So hot.

Please note my resemblance to Canadian icon Kim Mitchell:I am a wild party.

As Seen On "Survivor"

"So now what do you think I should do with this coconut?"

"I dunno... Shred it or something?"

"No, the shell."

"Oh. Maybe you could make one of those coconut bra things."

"Oooh! A coconut bra! Good idea!"

Pause. "Or you could make the sound of horses' hooves."

In Which Gillian's Social Life Gasps Its Final Breaths

Dos: you said you're coming here next weekend?
me: yeah
Dos: you wanna buy a wii? I have an extra
me: No way! And, YES!
Dos: ya, fred found a bunch, no per-customer limit, so i told him to grab me one
me: Sweet! How much?
Dos: ok, i'll hold it for you. $330 cdn after taxes
me: that's awesome! Thanks!
Dos: standard sports pak bundle, same as i got
me: W00t! I'm very excited.
Dos: cool :)

Happy Birth Days!

I'd like to extend a warm welcome to two brand new humans and future UFF readers:

• Daphne Chareau, born yesterday morning in New Jersey
  
• Fynn, born this afternoon in K-W, Ontario (probably getting me the closest I'll ever come to being an auntie! W00t!)
  

Both babies, moms, dads, and Daphne's big sis Little G* are totally rockin' their now-with-33-to-50%-more families!

Congratulations!

*Not her real hair. Or mine, for that matter.

Biter

Last night I received the following email:

From: K-Dog
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 11:46 PM
To: Gillian
Subject: Biter

Look at the dolphin in the picture, biting my name.

I don't think Dog does a lot of drugs or anything, so I was quite puzzled.

It turns out he'd forgotten to include the context-providing link.

This is still cracking me up.

Infiltration

Little Lisa went back to high school today.

I laugh aloud. Plus, mad props to her for using "hilare" on her blog.

Power Move

On Monday's The Show, Ze Frank asked for some power moves. Please note: Power moves are not about being cool, they're about being awesome.

Mostly because I could, I recorded my own power move:



P.S. I love my new Mac. <3