CASIE STEWART
THIS IS MY LIFE • BLOG EST. 2005
Writing

DREAMS WITH SHARP TEETH

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 🙂

View Post

Related Posts

LIFE

Daily Twitter News for 2012-02-04

Daily Twitter News for 2012-02-04

It’s harder than you think. http://t.co/lEBrjC6l #thisismylife #tvontheinternet #video # Photo: Believe in yourself http://t.co/l7XThtlc # Good morning! two exciting event dates to launch today #genyto & @BridleBash! # ##GENYTO: Mardi Gras style at @LouDawgs, Feb 21! http://t.co/Y4p6aNQe #thisismylife #friends #socialmedia # Happy Birthday @dylanculhane you sexy South African babe! Love from Canada <3 # Last year's #MotionBall was fun. Archive post w/ @jeniestewart @nicoleMTV @liztrinnear @julianbrass & the Ned Ma guy 😛 http://t.co/9fLsS8MM # Date of @BridleBash announced for July, 28. Mark your calendar, gonna be WILD! https://t.co/5HgzFWeD #poolparty # I uploaded a @YouTube video http://t.co/y1E7cXSF Daily Vid Challenge: 3/29 – Feb.3, 2012 # I've just snapped a new picture: http://t.co/mE9oskph # preeeeeeeeetttttttyyyyyyyyy http://t.co/jIoBWNwv # Infographic: Generation Y and Facebook http://t.co/XhDR37v5 "actively shaping culture" #genyto # Tavi to Perform Neil Young Cover Live During Fashion Week http://t.co/HDVZkabM # Jesus Crotch he is so sexy!! The fashion evolution of David Beckham http://t.co/YZ3alyQq # Disco never dies http://t.co/aZYn1ImT via @dazedmagazine via @wearemansion #party # NKOTB ftw http://t.co/DXtDSASz # how could you hate this face? http://t.co/RqN1wWab # London College launches UK’s first ever ‘iPhoneography’ course http://t.co/GpTjouZW # haha "@maulingmueller If I text you a question and you immediately call me instead of texting back, I hate you." # Netflix on too many devices and now can't watch. Damn me for being nice and sharing account info! I need to watch my TARA! # i can't wait to hear what the personality disorder expert on my panel for #SXSW has to say about ME? i've never been assessed. (thank god!) # Sweet Dreams & Delivered Lunch http://t.co/Uoh6kHNq #thisismylife #socialmedia # Mad Men’s Minimalist Subway Ads Get Street Art Remixes http://t.co/KhJH0gVE # don't bite, little doggy http://t.co/C1wXt9sn # don't bite, little doggy http://t.co/C1wXt9sn http://t.co/2vsvuoUg # Who' gonna be next? Eddy Murphy ain't dead. http://t.co/kVk7Z4db…

View Post

Related Posts

Writing

Have Confidence in Your Business

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.

View Post
Writing

THERE’S NOTHING WE CAN’T DO

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…

View Post

Related Posts

You can’t fly with the eagles if you’re with the seagulls.

You can’t fly with the eagles if you’re with the seagulls.

Title is advice from Mum. She said that to me a few years ago when I was trying to sort out where I wanted to go with my life. I always thought I wanted to work in fashion, then I did. After that, I thought wearing a suit, working long hours and being part of the downtown financial district was my dream. I stayed in that job as an IT recruiter having meetings at 8am (yeah omg, it was hell) and 2pm every single day. I hated it so much (job not the people!). One day my boss said “Casie, it doesn’t seem like you are having fun?” I replied “No, I’m not having fun at all. I badly want to quit but I need two weeks pay”. I left at the end of that very day, cheque on the way and started a job at Toronto’s most famous Kiwi restaurant shortly after. I knew the owner (HI MARTIN) and that because of my Kiwi citizenship I had a bloody good chance of getting hired. Working in the bar gave me the freedom (and same money TBH) to do what I wanted with my time. It was stress free and I loved chatting to the regulars and new customers. I worked at Hemingways for a few months and met some really rad people, it was like a family there. One of my recruiter friends sent me on an interview and moved into a job in IT. I worked for an online casino (it was cool, we had catered lunches) for two years and despite almost getting fired for doing it, worked on my blog A LOT. If my old boss reads this he will totally be shaking his head. Thanks Mike! When they caught on to all my blog activity, I decided…

View Post
LIFE

Good things come to those who…

GO OUT AND GET THEM.

Good things come to those who… <P> GO OUT AND GET THEM.

Watched State of The Union last night (sounds like a movie, no?). Obama is a great speaker. I find him really charming. I used to blog about him heaps before he was President. Love this photo essay from his college years in Time Magazine. Click image to see it all again. When I was growing up I used to go to dance competitions in New York and Myrtle Beach fairly often. I was in love/obsessed with the American flag.  I had jackets, shorts, shirts, hats GALORE. Jenie and I had matching full sequin flag hats. Snapped this photo at the Boston airport the other day. I love Instagram. In other American news my young Canadian friend from the west coast, Alex Kazemi recently interviewed LANA DEL REY. I love her. Check out his interview here. I’ve been on a bit of an optimism kick this week. I’m working on some exciting projects with awesome people that I will tell you about in DUE TIME. Reminded myself of Optimism Girl last night. Did you know she’s over 16 now? Crazy. This will perk you up no matter what kind of day you’re having. This morning I have a car service taking Sammy & I to Pearson Airport for a luncheon with HP & Air Canada. No, not leaving the country yet though! Will be at the DX3 conference later in the afternoon. Getting really stoked for Austin & SXSW in March. Started prep with my panel mates and loving our ‘Narcism Notes’. Chuckle to myself there haha 😉 Couple goodies from friends for the day:  Album download of Toronto band The Slakadeliqs feat. babe Justin Nozuka (free!) Win a ticket to the CONDO SHOW OR a trip to BAHAMAS from condooutlet.com (on FB) Did you know MIT is starting to offer FREE classes? Oh…

View Post

Related Posts

LIFE

We’re second best in the world! Embrace Winter!

We’re second best in the world! Embrace Winter!

Toronto’s been named second best city in the world! The big apple took the cake for first place but hey, it’s NEW YORK. Read it here in the Globe & Mail. We had a mini blizzard in Toronto today. When I say ‘we’ I mean Toronto and not the kind of blizzard you get from Dairy Queen! Brrrrr. Took this pano from the balcony just before sunset. The weather was really moody today all up, down, angry, then the sun finally came out. I felt a bit like that too. This video is down by the lake when I was almost BLOWN OVER. keek/casiestewart Stopped by the beach in the afternoon. No really, I went to the urban beach even though it was FREEEEZING.  Sand & snow! Embrace winter! I love how the boats look, pretty, peaceful and cold. I have so man memories from this spot. Hung out at CTS with Emma in the afternoon and she dressed me in a full leather outfit. Decided to walk back from my meeting to get some fresh air. Hanging out with these guys tonight. These are my favourite chocolate treats if you are wondering what to get me for valentines. In celebration of Toronto’s awesomeness and being one of the BEST CITIES to live in here’s a lovely tune from GTA cool kids Walk Off the Earth called ‘Corner of Queen’. Queen Street FTW!

View Post

Related Posts

LIFE

Extraordinary thing, The Internet

Extraordinary thing, The Internet

Turned off the awards show last night to watch one of my fav films, Closer feat Natalie, Clive, Julia and Jude. I love it. Natalie says she’s a ‘waif’ at the start of the film and The Waif’s are one of my fav Aussie bands. Turns out they’re from Perth like Sam. Today is a busy day shooting two things for two different tv networks (just my luck they’re both on the same day). These photos were sent to me last night from Javier Moltó in Madrid. We met last week in Detroit for the International Auto Show. I loved this song when I lived in Australia and was happily reminded of it last night. I really want to go to London. Attending & covering the Olympics would be a DREAM come true. Have a wonderful Monday. It’s nice to be back in town but I love that my international friends never feel that far away. Looking forward to tonight & hibernating. How many days till summer?

View Post

Related Posts

Fashion

I’m a gangster for real, I feel so damn gangster

I’m a gangster for real, I feel so damn gangster

I love this photo. Took it today as soon as I got home from the airport using the 360 app on iPhone. I find this city so beautiful to come home to. Have you heard of Pigeon John? Khayyamm always has good tunes and I was introduced to him when we were in Sin City last week. He’s not really a gangsta’ and neither am I. I came all the way home TO THE FREEZING COLD in Havaianas. Crazy woman! Packed socks in my bag so I was warm on the plane but couldn’t not be bothered to get other shoes just to run to the car. I was tired and lazy. My ankle is really swollen and my foot hurts. I have an old injury from about five years ago that is painful every now & then (love that movie). Urghhhh. I did however. spend the entire day on the couch (the internet). I’m doing hot/cold on it and have a castor oil compress for the night (thanks Mum!). I’m always stoked to check the mail when I get home from work/vacation. I was VERY pleasantly surprised with a bunch of jewellery I ordered from Etsy (late one night) and a box with the warmest, wooly, winter slippers EVER.  They’re called Glerups and they’re from Denmark with a lovely family story about how they’re made. Glerups are made from 100% natural wool. Swoooooooon! Being Kiwi I’ve had wool slippers before but never as fancy as these.  (I feel Mum is going to ring once she reads this saying she needs a pair!) Check out other styles (men, women, slipper, shoe) at Gerlups.ca. I got the black Women’s Slipper that retails for $99 CAD. I’ve been wearing them since I got ’em! They are SO incredibly warm. Thanks for sending Sadie!

View Post
LIFE

Welcome to Fabulous. Dream it. Do it.

Welcome to Fabulous. Dream it. Do it.

Last pic in the hotel before Leaving Las Vegas. Classic movie.  My hair is slowly growing crazy, crazy growing slowly. Hurry up. Gelatin will make you hair & nails grow fast. Buying Jello tomorrow. Whenever I’m in the USA people always stop & compliment my hair. It’s unique there I guess. I see cute short haired blonde girls in Toronto and on the internet all the time so it always catches me off guard. Roots are quite popular too. Getting them done by Darren Kwik this week.  The night before I left was CRAZY. When I got to the door at TAO I gave the word I was here and a tall hot VIP host named Logan walked me through the crowd to the private party. (Exactly how I imagined it should would be in Vegas TBH.) I remember always ready about Paris Hilton hanging out there.  Thanks NextGen & my friends for a fun night. Met some rad people. The dance floor was insane, so crowded. I only went there for 5 minutes at a time before scurrying back to bottle service. I don’t care if that sounds snobby, it was awesome and I was livin’ it up. Check out this dancing girl covered in neon body paint. Shake that! Keek/casiestewart: Neon dancing girl at #TAO #Vegascom There are these huge faces of CT all over the Luxor for his show. He creeps me out. Bonga is kinda obsessed with him. (I hope he reads this HAHA!) I did not gamble or see any shows the entire time I was in Vegas. I did make it to Spearmint Rhino for a lap dance from a lovely shoe model. It’s like one of those things you just have to do. While wastng time before the airport I wandered into a little shop in the hotel and met…

View Post

Related Posts