All Apologies

Alright, alright I realize I've been a slackity slacker. I know it's unacceptable. But to be fair I've been kind of busy. Like a lot busy. Let me explain. Here are the top 7 reasons I have sucked as a blogger of late:

1. I got a new job. Actually not a new-new job but a promotion at my old-old job. So I'm now assistant production manager. It's nice. I mean I haven't given up on my PR dreams or anything but it's nice to be able to breathe for a bit and also...get paid for my work. Thanks for nothing internships :P

2. I moved. That's right. I no longer live with my mommy. (Okay truth be told I love my mom more than anything and loved living with her. I had a great time at home, but it was time to go.)

3. I went on vacation. The day after I moved in to my new place my friends and I went on a roadtrip across this great nation of ours all the way to visit another friend in Prince Edward Island. (Thanks Herman!)

We also did ALL things Anne of Green Gables because...I'm obsessed. Seriously. Why do you think I dyed my hair red? Jk, jk...ahem.

Road trippers at Dalvay Beach in PEI.

Mecca. I mean Green Gables. <3

4. I bought a car...that since moving out on my own I will no longer be able to afford so I now have to sell. Also I failed my driver's test. Yep...go me. (Currently practicing my patootie off so I can actually not be a hazard on the roads. Thanks dad! You have the patience of a saint.)

5. I was kinda seeing someone, only not, only kinda, only not again.  Onwards to better people in my life. Come on Hamilton...you can't only have these wishy, washy dudes kicking around. (fingers & toes crossed)

Whoa...that's graphic...and extreme.

6. I was in a wedding. One of my oldest and bestest friends married the man of her dreamz. Candace and Andrew tied the knot on September 21st, 2013 and it was a lovely day.

PS. One of my other friends Amanda recently became engaged and has asked me to be in her wedding as well. So much love happening around me! (Wait...how many times a bridesmaid, never a bride? CRAP!)

The beautiful bride and her ladies. Thanks for asking me to be part of your day! <3

7. It was summer and then fall and like...I have a life :P

Anyways to my loyal (and few) readers I thank you so much for understanding. I know you know life can just make a better door than a window sometimes.

So what happens now? I suppose I will start being a better blogger. Hamilton has lots going on that I can focus on. I mean...I know we're no Toronto and our Mayor hasn't brought us world wide headlines but we're still pretty awesome. Actually maybe more awesome since our Mayor  is presumably NOT a crackhead.

Nuff said.

Hamstown in finter (that weird time between fall and winter)(TM) is very pretty and you can feel the excitement all around as the population prepares for Christmas and other winter celebrations. Something has happened to me guys...I think I have somehow found a bit of Christmas spirit this year.

It is November 9th and I have already had my apartment decorated for the season for over a week. Who am I? I am supposed to be all Grinchly. I blame the kids. Those sweet, loving, adorable children in my life who make me feel all warm and gross with this yuletide glow. Yuck.

 Look at these faces. They make me believe in Santa...well you get what I mean.

Not to worry I'm sure it will wear off soon. A person can only take so many malls playing Christmas music before they snap. Snapity, snaps a lot.

I feel like I've gotten off track somewhere. All I was trying to say is that there's stuff coming up in the city that I'll most likely attend and write about. So look for it. Stay tuned. Check back. Same Tamara time, same Tamara channel. (Okay that didn't really work but I'm gonna leave it because I love batman.)

Hope you're out there enjoying all that Hamilton has to offer on this lovely, crisp finter(TM) day.

Finter. Is it fall? Is it winter? What do I wear? I'm so confused.

Big Sips And Tall Ships

I think I have finally relaxed after my crazy weekend. Not only was it Canada Day weekend but it was also the weekend that Hamilton's pier 8 was taken over by some of the tallest ships in the world, and I got to be a part of it all!

Okay, truth... I wasn't so much "a part of it" as I was selling tickets for it, but still you get the picture. It was a great event and something completely different. There were 5 ships from all over the place, including the biggest one, Sorlandet, which hailed from Norway. It is the oldest full rigged ship still in operation...IN THE WORLD!

Liana's Ransom sailing out for a cruise.

The event was long, hot and so very busy. Who knew that so many Hamiltonians were shippers. Although thanks to the heat I did have to deal with some fairly miserable people but I wouldn't have traded the weather considering it was supposed to rain the entire weekend. Thank goodness that didn't happen and for the most part people seemed to be loving the ship out of this event! (See what I did there?) Unfortunately the opening night musical entertainment was cancelled due to the forecast but the rest of the weekend was beautiful. Almost as beautiful as the ships themselves.

Some of my work friends.

I was privileged enough to work right in front of the tall beauties. Not a bad view if I do say so myself. I only wish I had been able to go on one of the deck tours that I was selling tickets for. Unfortunately I was selling tickets before they opened and until they closed so that didn't happen. I'll make sure I do if they ever come back. I would love to step foot on a piece of history like that. It's a little bit sad when you think that ships like this used to be the norm on the waterways and now there are so few that huge events are held just to see them.

This was taken from my work station. Not too shabby eh.

The tall ships were here as part of Hamilton's 1812 Bicentennial celebrations and I think it's safe to say that this is an event that should become annual.

 

(A great little video posted on YouTube by pier8group)

After the insane whirlwind that was working at the tall ship event I was so exhausted that even forming sentences seemed difficult but I am a solid patriot and so of course on holiday Monday I had my friends and family over for a delightful Canada Day BBQ and beer party. This has become somewhat of an annual event and I am glad that it has. I persevered through the day of drinking and eating but alas was far too tired to go watch fireworks. I was in bed before I even heard any go off. Me thinks I'm getting too old to burn the candle at both ends anymore.

Some of my friends on Canada Day 2013. Red & White REPRESENT!!

I hope all my Canadian readers (do I have readers?) enjoyed your weekend, eh! And if you get a chance to go see the tall ships at another port or, if fingers crossed, they return to Hamilton's harbour I would suggest you go. It is truly an incredible sight.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Summer...Festival Season

Okay Hamstown this is an exciting weekend!! Don't miss things. I know, I know it's forecasting rain but come on, we're Canadian. Get out there and do stuff.

#1. The Battle of Stoney Creek
This is the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Stoney Creek which makes it extra special. Takes place Saturday and Sunday with Battle Re-enactments June 1 at 3:30pm & 8:30pm and Sunday, June 2 at 2pm. History in your backyard. Go.

#2. The Blues & Roots Festival
The first time a festival like this has taken place in Hamilton. Running in Westdale Village on Saturday June 1st, from 10 am to 11 pm. Guys....Terra Lightfoot is performing so you better get out there and see her FOR FREE before she blows up and charges $70 for a ticket.

#3. Concession Streetfest
Saturday June 1st. Lots of vendors and other neat things. Also I heard tale that there is a bubble blowing competition or something like that taking place as well. If you're not into bubbles there is also a petting zoo.

#4. Brews N Bands
How did I not know about this one. I hope I can go. This is the Casbah's 2nd annual Brews N Bands event. Some talent performing includes: The Sadies, The Wooden Sky, The Dinner Belles (ahhh), Dan Griffin & The Regrets and many more. $25 per session gets you 10 3oz samples and/or food vouchers. Tickets available at Casbah, DrDisc (905 523-1010), Naroma Pizza Bar (905 525-6699) & on-line at  www.casbahlounge.ca/UPCOMING_SHOWS.html

Personally I can't decide what I want to do most. Maybe all of it. I do hope that you go check out at least one event in the Hammer this weekend. Get out your wellies and go to town. Have Fun!!!

Kijiji Killers

I have been avoiding writing this but I would feel remiss if I neglected mentioning one of the biggest murder cases in Canada. I feel I need to write about this since what I write about is Hamilton and sadly this case took place in and around the city. It is such a disgusting, weird, twisted case. Everybody in this city is talking about it and I have to admit I'm somewhat over hearing all the theories. From here on out I only want to hear the real facts. I'm intrigued (and I wish I wasn't) as to the real reasons that Dellen Millard and Mark Smich (allegedly) felt that Tim Bosma deserved to lose his life.

You have probably heard about this case. The suspects contacted Bosma about a truck that he was selling on Kijiji. They made plans to test drive the truck, Bosma accompanied them and was never seen again. His truck was missing and a nation-wide search began. His truck was found a week later at the home of Millard's mother. Although the hope was that Bosma would be found alive, his burnt remains were found a couple days later on one of Millard's rural properties. One of the most interesting things about this case was the role social media and the community played in the search. Sadly that doesn't seem to be the case all the time.

The poster seen across Canada.

 Since Bosma's death another man has gone missing in Hamilton and there has barely been anything heard about that. I had briefly seen one post about it on Facebook but when trying to find information about it for this post I couldn't find anything about it. It makes me sad that the community doesn't rise up about all of the other missing persons out there. Don't get me wrong, I'm very glad for the sake of the Bosma family that everything (although not the outcome that was wanted) was discovered pretty quickly.

I really hope that everything is found out that needs to be found out and that justice is delivered. At this point I think the Bosma family and even the entire city needs for this to wrap up. This particular murder has left a big grey cloud over the city.

Smich has already pleaded not guilty and it appears that Millard will also be entering a not guilty plea. Only time will tell what brought these two to (allegedly) commit such a monstrous act.  Until then that's all from me on this matter.

Dellen Millard, Suspect #1 (His wrist tattoo with the word Ambition lead to his arrest)

Mark Smich, Suspect #2.

The only thing I have left to say is that I wish we didn't live in a world where these stories were so common. It has reminded me that life is fleeting so to hold those you love close and never forget those who have been taken.

SEW HUNGRY!!! (CAPS NECESSARY)

The masses came, saw and waited in extremely long lines at Hamilton's Sew Hungry. A food truck rally that has become an annual delight in Hammer Town. The event takes place on Ottawa Street, which is known for it's tailors, seamstresses, and all things to do with sewing...hence Sew Hungry being the name. The Ottawa Street BIA is all to blame for this gastro-riffic day. Thank you.

There are over 40 food trucks as well as local restaurants to choose from. I saw so many interesting choices and I wish I could have tried them all. Unfortunately I only have one stomach and not enough dolla, dolla bills to make that wish a reality. Some of the most interesting ones I saw were  Texas Tornado, The Big Chief Fresh Food Company (Native American food), Mike's Dog House, El Gastronomo Vagabundo and Gringo Gourmet. Hamilton's old faithfuls were out as well including Gorilla Cheese and Southern Smoke Truck.

 My friend Kristen works on the Food Man and Culture Boy truck. She told me that she is obsessed with the duck tacos so I decided to try that while my friend Jolene had a Portobello Burger at another truck. I am glad that she talked me into that little delicacy. The duck taco had duck confit, mango, fennel, green onion, hoisin and siracha. WOW! What a totally interesting mixture of flavours. It tasted like summer. The weather felt like summer too so that worked out well (minus the sunburn I acquired).

Kristen hanging out/workin hard on the Food Man and Culture Boy truck.

Delicious Duck Tacos.

Me likey.

There is a lot more than just food trucks to go check out. There are lots of unique little shops and vendors on Ottawa and what would a food truck rally be without the host of the food network's, Eat Street, James Cunningham. He is hanging out down there and doing a book signing for his new book, Eat St.

If you're reading this and it is still May 3rd, 2013 you are in luck. You have not missed out on this event just yet. It runs from 4-8pm tonight so now you know where you're going for dinner. You're welcome. Enjoy.

And Shakespeare Said Let It Be Pink?

"Oh my God, oh my God you guys"... Legally Blonde the musical is playing at Hamilton's Theatre Aquarius! I ventured out in the drizzly evening with my mother and my grandmother. I really wanted to stay dry indoors, wrapped up in my blanket with a tea and my book but I powered through and I am glad I did! It was the best production I have seen at Theatre Aquarius to date, and I've seen quite a few. This (and my "THEATRE" friend Amanda who suggested it) have lead me to this post. Community theater VS. Professional theater in good old Hamont!

Bruiser

Here is where "blonde" Elle Woods decides to go to Harvard Law!

I am lucky enough to have many friends in the theatre community and therefore have been to lots and lots...and lots of performances. I also just plain old love theatre. I was in a couple of plays in high school and I swear to God I still have dreams about it. It was such an amazing experience. The lights, the costumes...sigghhh...

Aquarius usually can be depended upon to put on some great plays, but I've seen a couple that weren't AH-mazing, but usually those were non-musicals and seemed how many would think "community theatre" is. Slow, boring, abstract. Luckily I can honestly say I have yet to encounter a community theatre production in Hamilton that has met any of the stereotypes.

To me there is such a small divide in Hamilton theatre. Everything is pretty top notch, even the low budget shows have been so full of life with talent that it rings through. The last "community" show I saw was Hamilton Theatre Inc's Godspell. I had never seen Godspell but was very intrigued (and scared) by it. I'm not religious by most accounts but I know the bible stories and Jesus Christ Superstar is actually my favourite musical. Still, I was nervous that I would be somewhat out of the loop with this one.

I recognized many performers from other community theatre shows and was blown away by the amount of talent in the room. Small stage, tiny set, home made costumes but overall an incredible production. Although it was about Jesus and his disciples it never got too "God-y". It was fun and had lots of great voices. It was nice to see almost everybody in the cast get some kind of solo and they really worked well with the small space they had.

Jesus is my homeboy...

Wonderful cast of "clowns" aka. disciples!

Other than musicals a couple of my favourite community shows have been Black Box Fire's Pride and Prejudice (HUGE Austen fan right here)  which took place at HTI's space and Black Box Fire`s awesome production of Dracula (also a big vampire fan :P). They were both SO good. Dracula played at The Staircase Theatre and had a very small cast but nothing about it looked cheap. The actors were great and it was a wonderful version of Dracula.

I guess to sum up I would just like to say that there is so much talent in this town that you can't really go wrong when choosing which theatre productions to attend. Just remember more expensive doesn't always mean better. There are great shows for every budget. Even some high school productions (ahem...like Hill Park's 2002 production of OLIVER...) are captivating.

Here is a list of some amazing theatre companies in the Hammer where you could potentially go see some stellar shows:

Theatre Aquarius
Hamilton Place
Hamilton Theatre Inc.
Black Box Fire
Shooting Star Theatrics
Hammer Entertainment
The Players' Guild of Hamilton
Theatre Ancaster


Also Legally Blonde: The Musical is playing at Theatre Aquarius until April 27th, 2013! Click here to go see it!

Coffee Time

Just a quick update...

Do you remember in December when my friend Laura and I went to be a part of the Arkells music video? No? Well we did that. The video is finally OUT!

Laura and I both made the cut and are in it which is very exciting. If you want to see me you can watch it below. Even if you don't want to see me you should probably check it out anyways since Arkells are an amazing band!

This video is great! I love how they incorporated their fathers into it and how they always stay true to the Hammer! Wicked stuff! My dream of being in a music video has come true. I can scratch it off my bucket list and move on with life :P

Enjoy! Arkells- Coffee.