DREAMS WITH SHARP TEETH

Morning! I’ve been added as a speaker to a second panel during Social Media Week and this one is probably the most personal talk I’ve even agreed to take part in. It’s about to get deep, we’re talking ANXIETY. One of the things that gives me the most anxiety and possibly you too, is not having money. I’ve gone through lots of ups & downs in my life and I don’t come from money so all I have, is all I’ve earned. When I returned from Australia I was so skinny from living on next to nothing I looked like Nicole in her anorexic days, not by choice. It’s hard to carve out a way to get paid for what you love doing. Especially as a creative person. Last summer I wrote a post about how you can’t pay me in chips or chocolate bars. I got sick and tired of people asking me to do work for them in return for things I don’t need. What would I do with a bunch of chips & chocolate? I go to the gym for a reason! Helloooooo. If they (whoever is asking) are getting a paycheque and are asking me to do work, I should get paid too. You wouldn’t believe some of the extreme things I get asked to to in return for ‘publicity’. I turn down way more than I accept. (That’s not to say I don’t love getting a few freebie’s along the way!) Lauren posted this video that’s an excerpt from an upcoming documentary on Harlan Ellison, “DREAMS WITH SHARP TEETH“. He’s an excellent writer and inspiring man. I’m sure you will enjoy it. My startup disk is full so I’ll be spending the afternoon moving TO THE CLOUD. Have a spectacular day. It’s lovely & sunny in Toronto 🙂

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Have Confidence in Your Business

Watched this talk last night by Mike Monteiro about being a person who works in the business of being creative. He talks about relationship building and uses good language. The start is amusing and I learned a few things. I drew on iPad while he was talking. He brings in his lawyer, who is quite insightful. Especially when it comes to how to take care of client service contracts as a small business. Sounds boring but it’s not. I watched the whole thing. Having a business lawyer like Weisblatt Law Firm can really help expand and build on your business in the best way possible with sorting out legalities. If the person you are working with has their lawyer on the call, you should have yours. 2011/03 Mike Monteiro | F*ck You. Pay Me. from San Francisco Creative Mornings I like when he says ” I would like designers to stop being bottoms, realize the power you have in the relationship”. (You’ll enjoy that part I’m sure.) I love listening to entrepreneurs talk. It’s like candy for your brain. At the end he says something that I say to you and myself like, errrrrrrry day. Go do something awesome.

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THERE’S NOTHING WE CAN’T DO

I want a balloon tree. I always have. The Balloon Tree by Phoebie Gilman was one of my favourite books as a child. We used to read heaps of books. Each summer Jenie and I would join the Summer Reading Club at the Preston library. I spent so much of my childhood at that place. I was either there, the dance studio, or gymnastics. I’m pretty sure I had my first reading by Robert Munsch at the Preston library.  I remember meeting Phoebie Gilman and having my photo taken with her. Authors were my celebrities back then.  When I wrote ‘Jeans: an anthology of poetry & prose‘ in 1996 we had our book launch there. We sold over 80 books that night and one dollar from the sale of each went to the Women’s Crisis Shelter.  It was a magical night. I’l never forget how good it feels sitting there signing your own book for a lineup of people. I’ve been (slowly) working on another  book. Write more, read more, that’s what I keep telling myself. I’m a big believer in the power of positive thought and a few things I’ve been thinking about lately are libraries and speaking. Not necessarily together but in general. The crazy thing is, I got an email from Marketing Magazine asking me to speak at an event next month and guess where it is? A LIBRARY. My favourite library in the city, Toronto Reference. We’re talking youth culture and the founder of VICE Magazine will also be there talking about The Creators Project between Vice & Intel. I’ve been a Vice fan for about ten years and have a diploma in marketing so this is all quite exciting. THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN’T DO. The Creators Project is really cool and well, CREATIVE. “I have…

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What time is it?

Time to get up. Time to get off the couch. Time to pick up the phone and make that call. Time to start living. Time to start loving. Time to make that list of things you want to accomplish and not let anything get in the way. Time to let go. Time to take abreak. Time to make a move. Time to sit back and relax. Time to do something. Time to break free. You’ve  got the whole world in your hands.

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A Little Razzle Dazzle in the Press

Sitting in the Product Development Centre at the Henry Ford Museum listening to a panel discussion on creativity, design, ideas, innovation & inspiration. It’s pretty neat because it’s not all Ford people there’s a mix of ages & backgrounds. I’m not gonna go into detail on it now so I  can actually pay attention. This photo was posted yesterday by Ford Europe from the Fusion press conference yesterday. Overalls from H&M, shirt StyleMint & vintage scarf from CTS. Today I was quoted in the Detroit Free Press and the article is here. There’s a video of Joallore too. We’re representing Toronto here in the 313! “There’s really cool booths where it’s like they’re not just appealing to you buying a car, but they want to create an experience for you – which is really cool,” said Casie Stewart, also a blogger from Toronto. Have an awesome day. I’m off to Vegas tonight for CES. Ahhhhhhhh! Exciting 🙂 xo CASIE  

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Anyone from Twitter YOU would like to meet?

Blogged before bed last night because I had to get up early and go to the office. Ok, I didn’t HAVE to go to an office but I decided to get my booty to Edelman’s Toronto office to meet David Armano their Global EVP from Chicago. I’ve been following @armano on Twitter for YEARS. Sometimes I get people saying they’ve followed me for ages and they’re excited when WE meet, this is one of those people for ME. the power of a post: social media with love I wrote a blog post about him on January 6, 2009 when I WITNESSED him raise money to help a friend who had fallen into an unfortunate situation. It was heart touching to watch as the donation meter on his blog post “Please help Daniella’s Family” went up and up. As I followed along, they raised $12K in 24HR! He’s a rad guy and today we get to meet in person. Today is going to be awesome 🙂 Make the most of it, you’re younger today than you will be again! James Dean reading poetry, 1955

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TedXToronto: September 23, 2011

I’m happy to my acceptance as a Delegate for  TedXToronto on September 23! I attended last  year and it was quite riveting. For details on how you can take part in the conference go here. There’s a few speakers this year I know personally so I’m really looking forward to being there. Not sure who the hosts are. These are two of my favourite videos from the speaker vids created by my friends at The Biz Media. First up is Movember co-founder Adam Garone and second Rob Spence. Reckon you’ll find them quite moving 🙂 Dropped off a bday present for Emma at Sammy’s work today and have had this song stuck in my head. It’s real pretty. Give a listen, you will like it too. Tonight is the Diet Coke TIFF party. Two more nights of TIFF before it’s over! Gah. Mega tiring. Gonna take a city break and go visit Mum this weekend.

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Art Battle 17 at The Great Hall: Paint by Numbers

And by numbers… I mean Pemberton & Plashkes, the creators of Art Battle. Their numbered shirts equal seventeen. Eight is my fav number, I have one tattooed on my right arm. If you have never been to Art Battle, follow them on Twitter here and stay tuned for the next one. It’s one of the most awesome things that happens in this wonderful city. Competitive painting for the WIN. Paint pr0n. THIS is how you do event shirts. These babies were all up for grabs. Painted that night, silent auction. I really liked this one. Bid was $150, I didn’t go for it. Jack will always be in our thoughts. The ones without bids are DESTROYED. See video here. Hello new friend blog fan, Twitter peep. (Please tell me your Twitter if/when you see this!) Queen West art hipster types in full force. You can tell there are deep thoughts going on here and I like it. Smart, arty & handsome. Winning combo 😉 Painting in the final round. Counting up the votes. Simon & the winner of the Art Battle 17 David McKenzie. David & his is final painting. “Let’s destroy some paintings” Paint on the clothes is a good style I reckon.   Maybe some for me next time? I like to paint too. Some serious talent at these things. I know for sure you will enjoy yourself. I’ll keep you posted on the next one.

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exhibitIKEA: realms of bliss realms of light some are born to sweet delight

I cruised by this the night before it opened and snapped a bunch of shots in the dark. Yesterday I creeped into the beautiful art installation exhibit by IKEA at King & Peter. It’s in collaboration with Canadian fashion designer David Dixon, fashion & design photographer George Whiteside, sculptor Bruno Billio and Thrush Holmes, popular artist, painter & owner of Thrush Holmes Empire. I love the creativity. I could live here. Maybe one day I will.     These photos were taken the night before it opened and shot from outside.

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What would you do with the $250,000 if you were the Protector of the Caramilk Secret?

With $250,000? I would like to do what I’m doing now but MORE HUGE. TV on the Internet. I would go on TV shows and talk about my new show and travel the world more and tell you all about it and it would be so fun awesomazing. A dream come true. I would have huge parties and you would all come. It’s been a while since I did  a contest and I reckon it’s time to bring it BACK. To Enter: Answer in the comments: “What would you do with the $250,000 if you were the Protector of the Caramilk Secret? “ Prize: Goodies from Caramilk valued at $50 (three winners). Prize will be shipped to you and contest closes August 26th. You must be in Canada. There are still six more keys to be found across Canada. The winner could be you. For details on the big Cadbury Secret Contest see Facebook/Caramilk. If you find a key, Secret Agents come to your house and meet you and them you come to Toronto, go to the factory and see if you have the key to the real Caramilk Secret. If you have the secret, you get $250,000 and more chocolate than you could ever eat. Gah!

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