CharleeWith2Es

I went to my hair stylist this weekend for the usual cut and color. I have been going to the same stylist for almost six years. It’s part of my control freak nature. I know her. I know she’s good at what she does. I trust her. I know she’s not going to let me walk out of the salon looking like a poodle or a super freak. On top of that, she’s one of the coolest people I know. Not cool like the popular kids in high school. Cool as in she’s 100% completely and totally her own person. Just the sight of her radiates an aura of coolness. If you didn’t know her you would be intimidated by her cool factor. Yes, she’s that cool. I must at least get some points on the cool-o-meter just for knowing her. Every time I check in with her I learn something new in the world of music, literature, fashion. She’s one of those ‘go to guides’ for upcoming trends in anything and everything. And it’s not like she goes looking for this stuff, she’s part of it. She lives it therefore it surrounds her. We were c...

I had the chance to hang out with one of my younger cousins this weekend. I always love catching up with him. He was an old soul even at the age of three. I can remember having a conversation with him when I was twenty three and he was thirteen. Here’s the kicker. He was giving me advice on life. Advice that made perfect sense. And it wasn’t the kind of stuff he simply regurgitated after hearing it somewhere else, it was deep seeded wisdom. I don’t know where he gets it, but he’s got it. Anyway, he’s nineteen now. At an age that makes me jealous of him…in a way. Jealous because he’s so young and he has so much ‘time’ and opportunity to figure out what he wants. But then I’m not jealous of him because I was that age once and I had the ‘time’ to figure it all out and now I must say I have a great life. Not to brag or anything, but I feel very happy…very satisfied. Then you turn around and look at this nineteen year old again and say to yourself “Wait, am I satisfied? Am I happy with all ...

I don’t often go to the theater to watch movies. I would say I average around six theater movies a year. I prefer to enjoy films in the comfort of my home. I love to lie on the couch, wrapped in my favorite quilted blanket with a snack – guaranteed to be better and cheaper than anything you can find at a movie theater. I like to be able to press pause if I need a bathroom break. I’m one of those people who will not leave the theater. I don’t care if my bladder is about to explode. I can’t stand missing a part of the movie, especially when I paid $15 to see it. Instead I will squirm in my seat, re-positioning myself a dozen times and when the movie ends I practically stampede my way out of the doors and to the nearest washroom. That doesn’t sound like fun does it? You’re exactly right. It’s not. So I usually wait until the movie comes out on DVD and I watch it at home, that is unless it’s a movie I have been aching to see or it has great effects (i.e. Avatar). Some movies are just bett...

This is my latest obsession. It’s a good obsession. THE PACIFIC is a ten part miniseries airing on HBO on Sunday nights brought to you by the same production team who gave you Band of Brothers. I’m talking about Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman. Already three episodes in, I can honestly say this miniseries is more than epic. This miniseries is story telling at its best. I often find that people of my generation think of the world wars and remember stories their grandparents would tell them. And when you look at your grandparents telling these stories you forget they were once young too. You forget how tough they must to have been to go through this time and survive. I feel so privileged to say that not only I could I not ever even imagine going through what they did but I’ve never even had to consider it and this is all because of the sacrifices they made whether they consciously decided to or were forced to. When you watch this show you will see how these soldiers or rat...

All aboard Jamie’s train. Next stop, Healthyville. I can’t tell you how happy I am that this movement is in place. I think many people for many years now have been trying to get ‘the system’ on board with healthy eating to promote healthy lifestyles to combat the HUGE problem of obesity in America. Sometimes it takes a little glam and celebrity pomp and circumstance to make a difference. Think of all the celebrity telethons over the years to raise funds for those in need. Or how about Oprah’s book club? Think of how many people read because she told them to. There is no doubt that Influential people have the power to not only make people listen but to make them act. Well, it’s HAPPENING!!!!!!!!!! Yes we can, Yes we can, Yes we can. On Friday night I sat down to watch the first two episodes of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, which aired on ABC. This show serves up a heaping pile of rude awakening and I really hope the viewers don’t leave the table until that pile has been digested. For ...

Let me start by saying “You’re Welcome.” After you listen to this song then this album you will be thanking me for changing your life. For educating your musical palate. For making you cooler. So, you’re welcome. Today I’m delivering to you some very fine East Coast music. And not East Coast USA. I’m talking about East Coast Canada. Nova Scotia to be specific. The East Coast of Canada breeds some very incredible singer, songwriter talent. It must have something to do with the salty air, the easy attitudes, the Scottish/Irish roots and the booze. I’m sure the booze helps. Matt Mays formerly of Matt Mays & El Torpedo is among the great talent I speak of. One of my favorite albums is called Terminal Romance. It was released back in 2008. It’s the kind of album that will match any mood you’re in and the kind of album you don’t leave home without. EVER. My favorite song on the Terminal Romance album is actually called Terminal Romance. It is 7 minutes and 40 seconds of musical gold. The...

I know what you’re thinking. A book about the circus? Seriously? Give me a break. Well, let me start by saying I never thought I would LOVE a book about the circus so much. I was skeptical about this book. A friend of mine told me to read it a year ago and every time I went into the bookstore I would veer towards it, thinking “this time I will pick it up,” but I just couldn’t do it. Even though she raved about this book. And every time I walked passed it, I could hear it yelling at me, “Get over here and read my jacket cover.” I couldn’t believe that a book about the circus would be appealing to me. At the time I was obsessed with all things vampire and supernatural for that matter so a book about the circus was beyond the realm of possibilities. I’m happy to report that I have let go of my vampire addiction and have moved on to greener, much more livable pastures. No worries though. My Twilight series remains close by just in case I need a quick fix. A few weeks ago I made another tri...