New job? New look? Party on!

August 1/12.

Where'd July go? Gone in the blink of an eye. Can't believe in just over a month, kids will be back to school. I always HATED Labour Day night. Cried every year on that evening because I was petrified of the future. (Fear of the unknown has always done me in). My late Mum would tell me, "Lainey, there comes a time for COURAGE!"- Hey, SOUNDS good, Mum, but it never worked! I always cried myself to sleep and had to be FORCED out the door in the morning!

The only time things changed was when I went off to college and fell in love with Seneca & the amazing gang of students and teachers there. After the first day, couldn't WAIT to get to class and learn about TV/radio/film/theatre/PR. You mean we get to talk about Bonanza and the Ponderosa today?? Yippee ki yay!

And I can get a diploma for talking TV? Unbelievable.

Never knew Seneca would lead to 18 years at Global TV, interviewing Tom Selleck,

Christopher Plummer,

and Robin Williams! Those were really fun days. Looks like I may have the chance to do a few more interviews coming soon. We'll see!

In the meantime, my parents-in-law, Ben and Jean Bornstein, (and other family members) have been rolling with wild games of caregiver musical chairs - ladies going AWOL, finding and interviewing new ones plus other health issues. Getting older is tough enough without these monkey wrenches tossed into the mix!

Last week, Sam and Kate had fun on a two-day trip to NYC!

They stayed at the Edison Hotel right near the ever-crowded Times Square.

Kate enjoyed shopping. This dress was among her purchases. They had fun buying things on Canal Street.

The Book of Mormon was the show she chose to see on her own. It was completely sold out.  Sam took off to see the Lindbergh musical, Baby Case. (the Lindbergh baby kidnapping case is his obsession...er...hobby).    

Then together, they attended the final emotional performance of A Streetcar Named Desire, (which even brought tears to the eyes of tough guys who shall remain nameless!)
"STELLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

They came home to Toronto with tons of trinkets and many memories. Nothing like New York!

Meanwhile, I stayed home with Max to look after the really exciting stuff at the house. When Max brought home a giant speaker in a massive box, we tried to crush and rip it up for the recycling bin, but darned if it wasn't the strongest cardboard box in the history of the world. Even wearing boots and jumping on it, I couldn't break it down. Max and I ended up having to tear it into shreds which took forever.

When I wasn't attending doctor's appointments, grocery shopping or transporting kids from here to there, I was hanging out with my lifelong friend, Joanne Silver, visiting from L.A. I took her back to our old stomping grounds at 100 Roehampton where we used to share an apartment many years ago. Found out a one bedroom there now rents for about $1100 a month. (When we were there, it was under $400)!

On her last full day, we had breakfast downtown at Marche. I had a fabulous raspberry crepe with syrup and a cup of Earl Grey tea. Really good!

Her sister, Val was with us. (they both got the memo to wear white t-shirts!)

Later on, had to wish a fond farewell to Joanne as she headed off for the airport to fly home. Wahhhhhhhh. We said au revoir at the Church and Queen Green P parking lot. I hate goodbyes.

So does Joanne!

Also got to attend our great friend, Franc Mosbaugh's milestone birthday party held for him by his talented sister, Mary, (standing on right). She outdid herself with the fabulous food.

And the cake was gorgeous! (sorry Franc, but it gives away your age!)

My sister, Carrie and her son Lee, were unable to attend Franc's bash, since they were away in Lewiston New York for a baseball tournament, so it was unusual to be at the party with her boyfriend, Paul Nodwell! Got the chance to catch up with him about the bear that attacked their northern campsite recently!

They're lucky to have escaped with their lives!

Franc spent some time Skyping with relatives who couldn't come to the party. He told everyone he didn't feel a day over sixty (because he WASN'T a day over 60....yet! ha ha!) - MY Skype has gone on strike and won't work at all!! I need a computer geek to fix it. SO frustrating not to be able to talk to people!

One guest brought these cute lamb sugar cookies as a contribution!
(I brought wine - what else?)

Franc's partner, Robert (centre) baked up his special Cornish pasties, which were so delectable. He was joined by his Dad and step Mum (left) in the back yard.

Thanks, Mary, for being the hostess with the mostest!!!!

And finally made it back to Paul Taylor, hair master extraordinaire at the I 'N I salon. Arrived with my usual raggedy rats nest of so-called hair.

Paul is set to take a trip to Peru soon, so he's been busy cramming in customers before he leaves. He came in early on Tuesday morning to mix up colours just for me!

It was so early, the laundry guy hadn't even delivered the clean towels and gowns yet, so Paul brought me his own personal cloth gown with velcro closings. So cool. But I looked like Hannibal Lecter, about to be carted off! (kinda FELT that way too).

Got the foils for lowlights.

Always a charming look.

But in the end, - voila! Every hair back in place and colour the way I like it. Thanks for everything Paul!

Have a safe trip and will see you the day after you get back for the NEXT colour and cut! Can't wait to hear about your Machu Picchu adventures! (only wish I could hire you as my personal stylist so you could do my hair every day! I know, I know, you've heard that a million times before from clients!)

Back to school!

January 11/12.

I never liked school. Didn't do well at ALL, until I got to Seneca College at age 18, signed up for Applied Communications, studied radio, TV, journalism, photography, drama and WHAM! - life changed, BIG TIME. I remember the first day of TV class, the late great Mike Monty, (yep, sadly, he was a heavy smoker), and passed away a few years ago. I still can't believe he's no longer in this world.

BEST teacher I EVER had. EVERYONE loved Mike. On that first day we all met, he suddenly launched into a tirade about Bonanza! WTF? Couldn't believe it! I was instantly enthralled. - You mean it's possible to get an A+ by talking TV?  FANTASTIC!! I'd finally found my niche! Mike changed my life.

I was sitting on the floor of a tiny classroom with a group of brilliant & funny young people, (some of whom are still my good friends today). I stared at Mike, as he chained-smoked IN class, and and thought, WHAT? We're studying Pernell Roberts, "Adam", Michael Landon, ("Little Joe"), Lorne Greene, ("Ben Cartwright"), Dan Blocker, ("Hoss")??,  - seriously -  the Ponderosa? - Apparently, the answer was YES!  FINALLY - something I GET! Something I LOVE! After failing "grade 13" - (which no longer even exists...Weird or WHAT??), I got the highest marks in the two-year media course and ended up being the Valedictorian! IMPOSSIBLE!

Who knew? Seneca, Mike Monty, Bonanza and the kids from first-semester Seneca saved me from total obscurity, oblivion or getting completely lost in this world. Here now are a few of the fabulous faces of my old Seneca pals from the dark & murky past!

(above) - the gorgeous Lynda George and my long-lost adorable friend, John Axelson, (whose manuscript I've been reading, after finally locating him online after three decades)! - Hey, speaking of Axelson, he is having some success with his book, Stalking  The Average Man.

According to John (out in Nelson, B.C.), he has inked a contract agreement with GMP Distribution Services to represent his book series Stalking The Average Man, Stalking The Bridge of Reason (vol 2) - to be released in early 2012, and Stalking the Designs of Intent (vol 3) --to be released in late 2012, to independent book stores in British Columbia and Alberta. His work has also been accepted by Chapters and Coles for nationwide listings in their systems, and hardcopy distribution in selected stores in B.C. He also informs me, "This development takes me from the ill-thought-of ranks of unknown self-published writer, to that of an unknown, legitimately distributed author! - The significant difference is that, when I am homeless and hanging out at the Mall for warmth, I can point at my picture on the back cover at Coles, and say, "WTF eh?" (thanks for the update John and congrats!)


Click here to see how you can order John's book!

hilarious Rick Dade, (Global TV cameraman who moonlighted as a bagpipe player at weddings and in parades!)

talented writer (and later, railway conductor!), Jim Stockley, here with me at Axelson's wedding with Lynda.

At any rate, following Seneca, (oh, ya, and then a 30-year career in radio, TV and print), NEVER thought I'd study anything again! But I was WRONG.  Ever since I heard about Jason Deline,

- actor/voice-over expert, and became Facebook friends with him, I've always wanted to take his course called FIND YOUR VOICE. Never could seem to find the time, due to Mum's illness. Never met him, never had the opportunity to work with him. But after Mum's death, decided NOW'S the time. I want to do something for MYSELF.

Attended the first session on Tuesday night. Turned out to be an absolute blast! (Exactly like that first addictive TV day at Seneca).  During the two-hour class, I couldn't think of ANYTHING else, other than what Jason was teaching us.

"Us" is this amazing group in the TA2 - (Tattoo Sound + Music) - 483 Eastern Avenue at Carlaw.
(Left to right) - Dave Clark (audio engineer), students Chris Truax, Suli Ahmed, Diana Galligan, Meryle Trouble, instructor, Jason Deline & Brittney Scott.

We got to know each other a bit. Suli is a business management student at Ryerson who is switching to radio/TV. Diana has a background in web/online video work, is interested in directing & writing, often works as a clown and has a fabulous voice. Meryle (above with glasses), works at the Silver Snail comic book store on Queen Street West, is a singer, can do a mad, maniacal laugh, has a great ear for mimicry, performs at niteclubs, does Vaudeville and has an unforgettable speaking voice.

Beautiful Brittney is enthusiastic, fun and has a keen interest in v/o work and the arts. She seems very sweet.

Chris is 26. He attended Seneca (my old stompin' grounds), is an aspiring voice actor, works at CHIN Radio and does a syndicated radio show featuring Japanese dance music! A young man of eclectic talents!
Online, it says:  Neko Cat (Christopher Truax) brings you pure Japanese dance music exclusively on the J-Mix from the Em studios in Downtown Toronto. I gave him a lift to the Broadview subway station (he lives WAY off in Etobicoke). Hey Chris, I can take you to Broadview station EVERY week, if you like. No problem. Anyone who went to Seneca is a friend of mine!

The first class was jam-packed with fabulous voice-over info from the very busy & highly successful
Jason Deline. He had me in hysterics when I took this shot and he launched into "angry yelling mode" (just for laughs!) In fact, to describe him from first impression, - just exact OPPOSITE of this pic! Can only say he is handsome, cool, confident, funny, easy-going, laid-back, casual and made us all feel immediately at home in the studio. Quite a unique talent.

He had each of us take turns at the mic, reading bits of real commercials. Then, he tossed us ideas - how to bring attitude & punch up the script, he talked about diction, comprehension, gave us warm-up exercises (some of which came from the students themselves), explained how to "play with extremes," deal with false realities and had no problem answering countless, off-the-wall questions. Every second was entertaining and informative.

Next week, we have an unusual assignment.

Suli (and gang), must come up with a newspaper/magazine article, or even something we write ourselves, that reflects a subject we are PASSIONATE about. (I already KNOW what I want to talk about and can guarantee nobody ELSE will choose this subject).

Won't tell you what Jason wants us to DO with our choice of article. (That would be a spoiler)! But will be fun, for sure !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meanwhile, Dave is standing by, (er, sitting by) the board to try his best to help turn us into experts! (Good luck with THAT!)

See you all next Tuesday night gang for class #2! - Can't wait!