Just when I find myself in the mood for a new film that might fit one of my aforementioned favourite genres, along comes Greenberg opening in select cities this upcoming March 26th.

And – as if there wasn’t enough good to go around, out of the blue pops a friendly  message in my inbox from the fine folks at Alliance Films!   They want this girlaboutOtown to help giveaway free passes to see this quirky fun film that is sure to generate at least a little bit of semi-serious reflection among those of us approaching a midlife crossroad of some kind or another.  Here is a synopsis:

“Roger Greenberg [Ben Stiller], single, fortyish and at a crossroads in
his life, finds himself in Los Angeles, house-sitting for six weeks for his more successful/married-with-children brother.  In search of a place to restart his life, Greenberg tries to reconnect with old  friends including his former bandmate Ivan [Rhys Ifans].  But old friends aren’t necessarily still best friends, and Greenberg soon finds himself spending more and more time with his brother’s personal assistant Florence [Greta Gerwig], an aspiring singer and also something of a lost soul. Despite his best attempts not to be drawn in, Greenberg and Florence manage to forge a connection, and Greenberg realizes he may at last have found a reason to be happy.”

So, I figure – why mess with the gods, especially when it comes to the magic of movies?  Instead, why not help spread a few smiles…

To win one of 4 passes for two to see a special advanced screening of Greenberg, on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at the Empire 7 Cinemas, just leave me a comment letting me know two things that are on your mind. 

The giveaway ends next Thursday, March 18 at midnight and I will randomly select the winners Friday.

While I do love to look at all the glamourous gowns sported by Hollywood starlets, I sometimes find watching live just a touch too unpredictable to be comfortable.  Instead, the inevitable trips, slip-ups, and flops make me cringe with embarrassment, and I usually end up leaving the room and waiting for these memorable moments to pass.  Mostly, I’m interested in who wins, what movies I still need to see, and yes – who were the best dressed, but these can easily be summarized in just a few short paragraphs in the next day’s newspaper. 

So, while I remain undecided about my approach to tonight’s Academy Awards ceremony, I do think today’s top-ten list of my favourite film genres is ‘apropos’…no?

Here we go, in no particular order:

1.  Quirky dysfunctional family movies.  Take Little Miss Sunshine, Running with Scissors, and the classic Royal Tenenbaums for example.  There is something juicy yet comforting about other peoples family foibles, especially when they sometimes seem strangely familiar.

2. Cheese-ball romantic comedies (preferably taking place in high-school or at the Whitehouse or both).  Ok.  I confess, I’m talking about Chasing Liberty and First Daughter here, but you get the idea.  Add outrageously implausible romances The Wedding Planner, Maid in Manhattan, and Monster-in-Law to this list, and it would appear that J.Lo in a starring role is also a key contributing factor.

3. Movies about movies, musicals, and theatre productions.  You know the ones  – Woody Allen’s Hollywood Ending,  State and Main or The Producers, for instance.  I loved Moulin Rouge, Chicago and Nine too.

4. Shameless slapstick movies, made mostly for kids.  Daddy Daycare comes to mind, as does Christmastime favourite Home Alone.  I can’t help it.  I laugh when people fall down (only if they don’t get hurt).  Sorry. 

5. Capers & Cons (preferably involving glamourous international jewel or art thefts).  The Thomas Crown Affair with Pierce Brosnan and  Renee Russo is at the top of my list in this genre, since it was so elegant and the costumes kicked ass, but there are many others worthy of watching too.   The Italian Job, any of the Oceans movies, or even my dad’s favourite Dirty Rotten Scoundrels are sure to please if you’re looking to live vicariously for awhile. 

6. Mockumentaries:  This is Spinal Tap, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind have to be among the funniest.  Admittedly, these often star many of the same actors, but what the hell – I always know I’ll be in for a laugh.

7.  Political comedies:  Recent release In the Loop had me rolling on the floor.  See this movie, and then decide if the political staffers you know would find it equally as funny.  Dave with Kevin Kline was sweet and satisfying, as were Man of the Year and Swing Vote.

9.  Epic intergalactic battles between good vs. evil:  Star Wars (all of them), Star Trek (most of them) and yes – Avatar.  Need I say more?!

10.  Loose Literary Fun:  Baz Lurman’s  Romeo & Juliet was a wild ride, Shakespeare in Love was delightful, and ensemble piece Six Degrees of Separation while not based on a book, makes many a literary reference.

The general trend for me is clear.  This girlaboutOtown appears to be most entertained when she leaves laughing or has a silly grin stretched across her face.   

What about you?  What film genres do you favour?

This girlaboutOtown was lucky enough to win two tickets to the February 21 matinee performance of Girls Night: The Musical, at Nepean’s Centrepointe Theatre.  Admittedly, it was my first visit to this west-end gem of a facility, and I was suitably impressed.   Apparently, I’m not alone!  This classy community venue was awarded Performing Arts Centre of the Year (2009) at the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards last March.  

Anyway,  Girls Night: The Musical was a barrel of laughs, and was followed up by “Girls Night: For Real” at one of my perennial favourites, the always fantastic 4th Ave. Wine Bar.   What more could a couple of gossiping girlfriends want on a Saturday night?

Fast forward to last Thursday, and it was over to Somerset Street’s Raw Sugar Cafe to see Ottawa’s own Kirk Ramsay aka Giant Hand, and opening acts Ben Somer and Matt Paxton both from Hamilton, Ont.   For someone like me, who is a sucker for singer songwriters, these young artists offered up acoustic music that was intelligent and provocative, but each in their own way.  Warm but not raucous inside, the Raw Sugar Cafe was the perfect setting for an intimate couple of sets, and the show an excellent antidote to the cold and snow outside.

While this girlaboutOtown thoroughly enjoyed all three performances, it was Giant Hand I went to see.  Having taught himself to play guitar only 2 years ago, Kirk Ramsay has been steadily gathering steam ever since, and has found himself stage front in record speed.  Not only has he conquered the instrument, he has confronted his pent up emotion with raw honesty and shaped it into a series of hauntingly beautiful folk ballads.   If you haven’t heard him yet, listen here and/or check out Ramsay’s next show coming up March 20 at the Irving Greenberg Theatre.

                                 Photo by Aaron McKenzie Fraser for Ottawa Magazine, via Giant Hand. 

Finally, last Friday afternoon, I managed to squeeze in a lovely lunch with friends at one of my favourite new stops, Babbo’s Italian Food Shop on Main St. at Lees.  This unassuming little eatery specializes in panini sandwiches, homemade pasta and Italian pastries made from scratch.   With just a few window tables, the food is good to go -  but if you’re eating in – the service is super friendly and the short wait painless. 

This week is shaping up nicely too, as my lucky streak continues!

Thanks to a great giveaway over at arts & culture blog OttawaTonite, I won another set of tickets, this time to see STOMP at the National Arts Centre tonight.  I’ll be taking my equally lucky little girlaboutOtown, who will no doubt be inspired to continue her improvisational kitchen dances once she’s seen what can happen when you follow the beat of your own drum.  

Thursday, the good folks at the Great Canadian Theatre Company are hosting a few very fortunate OTown bloggers for the opening night presentation of blood.claat, a one ooman story, and for this opportunity, I am most grateful.  I look forward to seeing the coming of age story of a 15 year old Jamaican girl performed by award winning dub poet, actor and playwright  d’bi.young anitafrika, and to experiencing an entirely new perspective.

All in all, not a bad stretch for a culture-loving, bootstrapping businessperson on a budget!

If you haven’t already heard, I hope you can come!

Thinking of making a move? Feeling overwhelmed? Why not have some fun with your house hunt instead?

The fella and I  combine real estate with design coaching to help you  find the right place, understand the space, and express your personal style.

Please join us TOMORROW at our seminar for homebuyers!

We help you better understand your options and opportunities before you go shopping for a property.

Learn what suits your budget, and where.  See more than a set of rooms.  Figure out how to know if a home fits you.

Design thinking.  So you can start smart and buy better.

Image Source

For those of you who have not yet noted this new direction, the recently published  2010 edition of Ottawa Magazine’s Interiors Edition is a celebration of some of the city’s most magnificent modern homes.  Local bloggers like Marie of ModernOttawa (MOOT) and Eric of West Side Action have been diligently tracking the trend towards modernism, and have documented their discoveries with intelligence and integrity.  Just in driving around town, the growing incidence of modernist-style infill seems difficult to refute.  Even Ottawa’s most established purveyor of contemporary furniture Phillip Van Leeuwen is now just one among many, including Mikaza Home, Structube, mass retailer EQ3, and mid-century experts Found Design.

Interestingly, modernism began as a rejection of what was considered conventional:

“The modernists were keen to shake off the intellectual, creative and cultural norms of the Enlightenment and to push the boundaries… Modernism started as an intellectual movement, but soon spilled over into all parts of life, from the political to the creative.  Literature, art, music and design – both architectural and interior design – all fell under the influence of modernism….a rejection of the ornate flourishes of other design styles, such as Gothic, Renaissance and Victorian styles of design.”           -From LovetoKnow.com

This girlaboutOtown can’t help but wonder what this current cultural shift will mean.  Still a ways off from 40, I worry a bit about a waning appreciation of older things.  What will happen when nobody wants an antique anymore?  Who will continue to collect?  What will be done with all of the art?  Will the desire to decorate in a more traditional style simply die away?

I for one, hope not.  While I can certainly do new, and understand the attraction towards the clean, open austerity of modern design, I know that in real life, it’s a look that is unattainable for me.  I’m just more comfortable in the presence of personalized clutter and a touch too nostalgic to let go of my family’s finest old furnishings.

My mindset may be squarely in modernist territory, but I still have classic aesthetic taste!   To me, “traditional” signals subtle sophistication and a respect for the past, but is still fully functional, cozy and inviting for today’s way of life.  This isn’t to say that timeless styling doesn’t require a contemporary twist to bring it forward, but not at the expense of elegance please!  

How about a few of these pieces to inspire your imagination? 

1. Oval Inset Mirror with Bevel by Pottery Barn  2.  Wellington Centre Table by Thomasville  3.  Bronze Ceramic Table Lamp by West Elm  4.  Campton Console Table in Ming Red by Pottery Barn  5.  Brompton Hall Terrytown Sofa by Thomasville   6. English Roll Arm Studio Upholstered Chair by Restoration Hardware  7.  Perched Bird Accent Table by Pier 1  8. Nizam Kirman Rug by Elte  9.  Alexis Ceramic Table Lamp in Blue by Pottery Barn  10.  Antique Brass Faux Bamboo Chair from 1st Dibs  11.  Kiono Floor Screen by Pier 1

Hosted by three talented and enterprising young women to watch, this was one well-attended and classy party with a point.  Appropriately associated with Valentine’s Day, the event was intended to introduce these smart new entrants to Ottawa’s increasingly stylish wedding industry.  Regardless of where you stand on weddings, it is hard not to appreciate the genuine artistry these women entrepreneurs have expressed through their respective business endeavours.

Accomplished photographer and cinematographer Bridget Redmond of First Kiss Films uses classic cinematic techniques to chronicle “that special day” on 8mm and 16mm film stock to create moving memories that will certainly be worthy of a watch for many years to come.   Beautifully shot and artfully edited, Bridget’s films are timeless, inspired and astonishingly appealing.  

(While I was once married, my time for wedding cinematography has probably past.  Nevertheless, I find myself wishing Bridget Redmond would consider spending a day with me and my three so we too might look through such a lovely and nostalgic lens at our lucky love!)

Photo of Bridget Redmond by Natasha Moine Photography, via First Kiss Films.

Anastasia Wilde, along with her partner in candy crime Jean Francois Labelle, are labouring together to make hand crafted chocolate treats with traditional fondant centres.   Be Sweet Chocolates came about as a result of Anastasia’s “artistic appetite”, a few family recipes, and plenty of very pleasant taste -testing.  Charmingly, these delightful bites are cooked up at a local maple sugar shack using fresh cream and fine sugars, and can be special ordered in small batches for any occasion.

Finally, Anne Marie Bouchard of AMBPhoto is a photographer of considerable talent who will no doubt be very busy this upcoming wedding season.   For Anne, weddings represent all the things she loves to photograph most, and offer her an opportunity to capture moments that might have otherwise been missed by those in the throes of their festivities.  Based on the stunning magazine-style photos I saw, Anne and her camera don’t miss much at all! 

Photo of Anne Marie Bouchard, by Bridget Redmond via AMBPhoto.

Oh, and while we’re on the subject of wonderfully personal weddings, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Wed By Hand, Ottawa’s first ever “Indie Wedding Show”. 

Coming up so very soon, this unique event connects cool couples with local crafters ready to help add personalized details to their special day. The show will feature a variety of artists making everything from the lettering on invitations to the last drop of icing on a wedding cake, and offer a one-stop-shop for budget-conscious brides delighted to dress in previously loved wedding wear.

Wed By Hand will take place on February 27, 2010 from 10am-3pm at the Courtyard by Marriott, 350 Dalhousie Street.  Admission is only $3 and proceeds from the event will benefit Team Diabetes Canada!

A few months back, the fella received a generous gift certificate for some fine dining at the Fraser Cafe, thanks to my bro and his lovely wife.  Because we’ve been so busy with business-related things, we just hadn’t made the time to make a reservation until yesterday.  Celebrating nothing in particular and everything we’ve experienced this past while, we headed out for a mid-winter culinary indulgence.

I do confess that foolishly, I forgot my camera, so there is no photographic evidence of the feast, but it was a very memorable meal none the less.

Beginning with a selection of cheese and charcuterie, we dove right in and devoured a series of divine Canadian cheese including Ciel de Charlevoix, PEI clothbound cheddar and Cape Vesey from the Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Co. in nearby Prince Edward County. 

Following these delicious prize winning cheeses (and our conclusion that loving cheese could quite conceivably be our new hobby), our much anticipated main dishes arrived at the table.

It was Braised Lamb and Beef Stew for the fella, complete with wide noodles and seasonal vegetables, and the Kitchen’s Choice for me.  “It’s melting in my mouth,” he said after his first bite, while I was slowly savouring the flavours of my mystery dish revealed.  The Roasted Duck on Mushroom Risotto was scrumptious and wonderful, and assembled with flare.  I learned a lot later from Chef Ross of the Fraser brothers two, who was kind enough to stop by and share a few secrets about what was involved in the evening’s prime plate.  In addition to a splash of cranberry sauce on the side, my risotto had been traced with a wee bit of truffle oil and the duck finished off to perfection with a soft-handed shake of sherry vinegar and honey.  Yum.

When we were done our dinners, the fella was “too full” for more and turned down desert, but this girlaboutOtown just could not resist.  Disappointed I wasn’t going to be able to try two sets of sweet treats, I opted for the Warm Doughnut with Caramel Apple Sauce over the Baked Brownie with Peanuts.  Imagine my delight when small tastes of both appeared, each served with ice cream beside!  Imagine also (if you can) my surprise when the fella somehow found his fork again…

Having not visited the Fraser Cafe in it’s new location, this girlaboutOtown had not yet experienced it’s expansion from somewhere kind of quaint but pretty great to real live restaurant heaven.  This dining destination has indeed stepped it up, with a sophisticated yet welcoming interior, a much bigger kitchen and touches of true personality peppered throughout.  The service we received was superb, and  parking wasn’t even a problem!

In the end, the fella and I found ourselves quite sufficiently sophonsified.  Anymore would have been superfluous to our capacity…

Fraser brothers photo by Darren Brown, via Ottawa At Home

When the going gets tough though, I make it a point to stop and reflect on my favourite 5 P’s:

1.  Passion:  I’m so lucky to be doing what I love, and I’m excited about the unique approach to home buying the fella and I have developed.  Helping people decode their daily living patterns, figure out their space requirements and find that feeling of home is truly a privilege.  Plus, being my own boss and starting a business from scratch is pretty cool too!  

2.  Patience:   I read somewhere that overnight success can sometimes take years to achieve.  Since it’s only been a month since I left my cubicle behind, I’m trying hard to remember this important premise and to pace myself accordingly.

3. Perseverance:  Without the luxury of limitless time or resources, entrepreneurship takes dedicated effort.  It’s tough slogging doing a lot stuff that I haven’t done before, but doing nothing is just not an option!  Ian Graham over of the Code Factory has been writing a series of posts  about the ups and downs faced by entrepreneurs, particularly in the first two years, and this girlaboutOtown has been paying very close attention. 

4.  Positivity:   Staying positive in the face of fear, possible failure and the embarrassment of being a beginner isn’t always easy, but I really try to remain focused on what is going well.  This is particularly true when working with the fella, who is my partner in life and in business.  Our mantra has become “have fun and stay together”, which has a wonderful way of putting everything in perspective when necessary. 

5.  Promotion:  This is the hardest part for me, I confess.  I understand that smart marketing can be done on a shoestring, and that getting the word out about the services I offer is an important first step.  These are things I know how to do, but selling myself on the other hand sometimes feels kind of shameless.  Thankfully, I recently read this rockin’ post by Danielle Laporte of White Hot Truth.  According to this bold and beautiful writer, speaker and fire-starting business coach, the secret to self promotion is simple:  just radiance and the facts, Jack! 

Yup.  It’s true, from time to time I too fall victim to Friday afternoon fun and frivolity. 

Today, it was fashion news from my inbox that got the better of me.  “Final Sale!” it declared from J.Crew, so I stopped in to take a quick look…

Window-shopping only for this bootstrapping businessperson, but what is the harm in a little wishful thinking? 

Besides, a few beautiful basics like these would be a wise investment, wouldn’t they?

Stretch Wool Olive Dress, Perfect Pencil Skirt,  Wool Cashmere Station Coat, Tulle Tiered Blouse, Cashmere V-Neck Sweater  and Joley Pearlized Patent Peep-Toes.

Enter Faisal Sethi, Head DoGooder and co-founder of Ottawa-based DoGood Headquarters.   If you haven’t heard about his DoGooder downloadable browser plug-in yet, no doubt you will soon.  This is little plugin – with its stated and straightforward objective – is sure to have a big impact, in more ways than one. 

By downloading the DoGooder browser plug-in, you change the game. 

By downloading the DoGooder for free, generic Internet advertising on your screen is superimposed with environmentally and socially minded messages instead, and your everyday web browsing generates funds for charitable and green initiatives.    A full 50% of DoGood’s proceeds from these alternative ad sales (which depend directly on the number of downloads) are donated to a number of carefully chosen causes.  Not only can you do good by not doing much, this ingenious plugin puts you the consumer in control of your browsing experience.  You choose to see good, which in turn does good, but if you still prefer to peruse  generic ads, all it takes is a right-click from you and the DoGood campaigns disappear.  The DoGooder plugin does not block generic ads, it simply replaces them until you direct it otherwise.

So, has Faisal Sethi finally found a way to turn much-maligned marketers into forces of good?  Has he managed to turn an individual’s passive web browsing into proactive world changing without requiring him or her to donate so much as a dime?  Will DoGood spell doom for big brands unwilling to move with these more environmentally and socially conscious times?  

Watch the download counter at DoGoodHQ and see the future unfold for yourself!

In the meantime, why not get to know more about this brave O-Town entrepreneur who has combined a background in design, some tech savvy and a serious social conscience in order to do good…  

Are you from Ottawa originally?   Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. I’m a Prairie Muslim if you will. Any story worth telling is all about a girl, and that is how I ended up in Ottawa.

Have you always been a DoGooder?  What about your professional experiences before starting DoGood? 

I think I’ve always challenged myself to be good. Prior to being a self-proclaimed Head DoGooder, I was a Creative Director and Designer for 15 years, working on everything from exhibit design at The Bata Shoe Museum to commercial film productions. I also had the privilege of releasing two independent albums; the last one’s claim to fame was receiving a five star review in the same column as a Johnny Cash album that only got three.

DoGood is a really interesting concept.  What inspired your idea? 

Self-introspection. I came to a profound realization that I was aware of several social issues that were plaguing our dear planet, but I didn’t do anything about them. I set out to devise a solution to break down as many of the barriers as possible causing my social inaction. 10 seconds of your time for a lifetime of good- does it get much easier than that?

How long has it taken to turn your idea into reality?

About 14 months.

What have been you biggest challenges so far?  

Balancing my social values within the context of a capitalist infrastructure, end-user adoption (convincing people this is for real), and a steady diet of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Yes, my wife (and co-founder) is oh-so pleased about the latter being a mainstay of our current diet. 

From whom have you received loyal support, positive encouragement and necessary help?

Friends, family, strangers, and several wonderful organizations. The United Way of Ottawa, Green Thing (UK), The Ethical Fashion Forum (UK) and Borden Communications (Toronto) come to immediate mind, but there are countless others. My development team is top-shelf as well.

The DoGooder plugin has been downloaded more than 5500 times.  What does success for DoGood look like for you?  How will you know when you’ve achieved it?

When we are able to see the tangible results of our donations– A well built in Africa, the protection of a wildlife preserve in South America, a smile from a child who gets to wear a pair of shoes for the first time; when the people that need our help are receiving it, when we are providing a sizeable amount of funds on a monthly basis to causes that need it, that I would consider a success. And that isn’t just success for DoGood, that is success for all of us, every single one of you that download and use the plug-in.

Now for some fun… If you had a superpower, what would it be?

Invisibility. 

Describe your perfect day.

A book and a king-sized bed. A close second would be a walk with my family, including my Bull Terrier Moses, followed by a spectacular meal.

If you could change just one thing, what would it be?

The notion of pride. I think perhaps that is what, in part, continues to perpetuate civil unrest.

What impresses you the most?  Integrity, patience, and humour.

What is your favourite genre of movie? Film Noir.

Do you prefer to read fiction or non-fiction?

Lately fiction. But I do enjoy reading academic books as well, particularly with a social science angle. Cookbooks are fun too.

What are your most prized possessions?

A handmade Spiderman doll my mother made me when I was two. I still have it, and never travel without it. 

Favourite Ottawa restaurants?

Beckta, Siam Kitchen, Wellington Gastropub, and lately Yummy Sushi. Can someone direct me to some good Dim-Sum in this town?

Favourite bar or nightspot?

Barrymore’s (when a band is playing). 

Best coffee shop?  Ideal Coffee.

Favourite local blog?

You probably get this a lot– Girl About O-Town. I like Eco-Chick too.   (Editor’s note:  Thanks!!  You are too kind!) 

Favourite local causes?

They are not necessarily local, but have head offices here – Sierra Club of Canada, National Campus and Community Radio Association.

The browser plug-in works with Firefox (which is recommended, as well as Safari & Internet Explorer using XP and lower).  To learn more, or to download the plugin for yourself, check out DoGood Headquarters !