Archive | November, 2009

Hope Live 2009

on November 30, 2009

You may already have your hands on a set of these super-hot tickets.  Or, you may have read this story in yesterday’s Ottawa Citizen. If not you may be hearing it here first…

Regardless, tonight’s Hope Live 2009  gala event at the Great Canadian Theatre Company hosted by CTV Canada AM’s Seamus O’Regan, is shaping up to be one fabulous night out.

Featuring food & wine by Stephen Beckta and Chef Michael Moffat and a hilariously funny show by Rick Mercer, proceeds from the evening will go to support Fertile Future.  This organization works to provide vital information about fertility preservation so that young cancer patients can have the fullest life possible after cancer, including the possibility of being able to have biological children.

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Each year, an estimated 10,000 young Canadians face a cancer diagnosis. Approximately 8,000 of them will go on to win this battle. Sadly, without knowing the importance of fertility preservation prior to their treatment, many are left infertile with few options.

By providing information about fertility preservation to those facing medical treatment and to oncology professionals alike, and by offering  support services, Fertile Future aims to change this reality for young cancer victims.  The organization raises awareness, shares information and hopes to establish a financial assistance program to help reduce the high costs associated with fertility preservation.

Unfortunately, this girlaboutOtown won’t be able to go to this star-studded gala, despite a kind and generous invitation to join.  Instead, I will have watch live updates via Twitter and Facebook from where I am.

If you’re interested in following too, search Hope Live 2009 on either, and stay close to the scene.

Learn more about Fertile Future, check out their online store or click here to donate.

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Car Shopping: Is There Such a Thing as Smart and Sassy?

on November 29, 2009

For a girl who loves to shop for just about anything, it surprises me sometimes how uninterested I am in cars.  I like to drive, and look cool when I do, but I have never been bothered to think too hard about what kind of wheel I sit behind.   So long as the windows work and there are tunes in the tape deck (did I really say tape deck?!), I’m generally a happy girl.

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t lack imagination.  In my wildest dreams, I would be driving a vintage Mustang convertible (in biodiesel, of course).    The top would be down, the seats would be back, and the wind would be whipping through my hair.  There would be no trash pile in the back seat, no toys floating freely on the floor, and snow tires would not be necessary at all.

 

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Alas, real life requires a more practical approach, and I’m currently in the market for a new car.  This means I must take time away from more pleasurable pursuits to compare features, count beans, and test drive.  Yuck. 

The heap I drive now was acquired when I wasn’t sure what the future held, and when the lowest price was my law.  They were tricky times, and I chose cheap.  I know better now, because I’ve spent more time at the gas pump than any one person should, and because the car’s maker narrowly escaped a bitter end earlier this year.  Lucky for me it’s a low-interest lease, so back to the lot it goes…

This time around, I would like to do better.  This time around, fuel efficiency comes first and quality counts, despite my deep-seated resentment regarding the expense.  Such careful assessment is onerous though, because I am also considering the personal statement a car makes.  Rightly or wrongly, I realize now assumptions are made, and this girlaboutOtown want to make sure she’s saying something as smart as it is sassy.

Having tried a few cars in the compact category in an effort to find the right fit, nothing so far has met my not-so-crazy criteria.  Am I asking too much to be in the market for:

  • extremely good gas mileage,
  • reliability & longevity, 
  • value retention,
  • attractive design,
  • sufficient space for found furniture,
  • fun to drive; and 
  • a reasonable price?

Oh, and don’t forget the tunes, of course!

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