the hemingway: beer. booze. babes. butts.

A couple years ago, 2007, I was in a job I began to hate so one day, I flat out quit. I started doing freelance PR. It was good glam for a while but then I was poor ass. So… I went to work at Hemingways, Toronto’s very own Little New Zealand in Yorkville. It was really fun. I hadn’t worked in a resto in a few years. It was a bit tough at first to adjust to the lifestyle but it really didn’t take long. I made friends with a heap of awesome people, mostly hot girls. I worked there for the best busiest time of year too; end of summer before Flm Fest – Christmas. I was proud of myself for not getting sad about not making enough money doing freelance work, instead I pulled up my socks, hiked up my miniskirt and started serving. No matter what job I was doing, I never lost sight of what I truly love…being social. Instead of complaining about  the waitress life I took more shifts and worked as much as I could. It was a good strategy and worked well to bond with other employees. I got a call in December from an old colleague, in recruiting who had an opportunity he thought I’d be great for. Turns out, I was great for it! I left Hems for that job and stayed there until recently leaving to work for the MuchMTV Group. It’s amazing to think of all the changes I’ve gone through. Been going through lots of photos lately, there’s only about 10,000 from the past five or so years. Wendy was one of my fav’s. She was a little crazy one just like me. We partied alot together. It was more than fun.  She moved away to Japan…

View Post

detroit rock city

I’ve spent the last couple days at Caesars Casino. It’s quite a sight. The carpets in casino’s are a real piece of work. You may not have really thought about it or noticed before, but you should.  He who designs casino carpets must be out of this world or on some really good drugs. Windsor is a bit of a crummy looking place. It’s not nearly as shiny and bright as Toronto, however, they’ve got a nice bar of you like strippers. Babe alert, saw a few hotties. No photos, I wish. Sorry. Got hassled at the border as I’m using my new Zealand passport. Not fun. US Border Patrol now has my finger prints and nice smiley photo of me. I was shocked and kind of appalled of the huge fist in Detroit. What is the significance of it? PLEASE tell me. Oh thanks Internet…It’s a 24-foot bronze fist, which is poised as if to strike, honors legendary boxer (and Detroit native son) Joe Louis. [Dear God, please, please let me have a better statue that a big fist to remember me by if I ever have have one. Thank you.] The artist is really a comedian I think. I enjoy going  through tunnels. I always think about movies where people get trapped in them and it gets all dramatic and stuff. I said “oh, I’d hate to get trapped in here” and then the next day, coming back to Canada, we hit traffic in the tunnel. It wasn’t scary though. The nav system showed us as in the middle of the water, that was a little scary. haha. That’s all for now.

View Post

took candy and makeup and said don’t panic

This morning in the shower I was remembering something that happened a few years ago and feeling quite lucky.  I’ll share with you now what I remember. Mum, if I mixed it up please tell me. I was about 12 years old and traveling home from New Zealand with Mum and Jenie. We had gone through all the checks  and boarded the plane. I don’t remember the exact chain of events but it went something like this. We boarded and someone’s luggage boarded the plane but not the passenger. Airline, big problem. We all had to exit the plane and they had us wait in the waiting area. The plane had come from Iraq to Australia and was picking us up in New Zealand. At the time, Irag & Oz were having bad relations.  Remember, I was only 12 when this happened so I know hardly anything about that part. The security guys were doing massive searches on ALL our luggage. They rummaged through everything taking out  consumable products like gum, candy, lotions, makeup and tossed them in the garbage bin. I asked the security guard for piece of his gum. He gave me one, it was cinnamon. They searched my hair, bottom of my shoes, even behind my belt! Every passenger went though the same hands on search. We found out shortly after that there WAS a BOMB ON OUR PLANE. Yep, the one  we just exited. The bomb squad was on board taking care of it as we waited and waited and waited.  It was eight long hours  in the airport before another plane arrived to take us back to North America. After 9/11 people really scared to fly, including me.  However, I boarded my next flight knowing I already had a bomb on a plane once in…

View Post

it was really nice to see you yesterday

It’s been so nice out all weekend. I got just what I wanted which was lots of rest and home time.  Some friends did a drive by last night and fixed my break. THANKS GUYS!! I think it was the ropes for window cleaning that spooked me. Something to do with rock climbing and the impulsive desire to swing down them. This seagull remind me of a magpie at Grandad’s batch in New Zealand on the coast near Glenburn Station. I think it was a magpie? Mum said they named it and it used to sit on a post just like this little guy here at the Harboufront.

View Post

on the edge: martin streek

Rode against the wind the whole time and my hair is frizzy like Andy Warhol. My teeth hurt from wearing my retainer. I don’t mind because they are  so straight when I wake up. I haven’t dealt with death that much, lucky me I guess. My family is all in New Zealand so if someone passes, I’m not there to be with them. That’s unlucky. My high school had a really high suicide rate. Yesterday Martin Streek, my fav man at the Edge called it quits.  I saw Shane‘s Facebook and was shocked when I read his blog and got the story. I used to run into Martin and his smiling face often. We made friends one summer. My most fond memories are the summer days when Jenie and I used to go down to The Edge and hangout out with him while he did the Thursday 30.  It was so much fun, as soon as he saw our faces he would say ‘OMG, it’s the Stewart Sisters, you guys are so hot’ .  We’d give hugs & hang.  He was always full of smiles and jokes.  I’ve gotta find the photos now, I think I know where they are. He will be missed by me, was always my favorite man on the radio. I remember the Jager tattoo, he was  really fit for his age.  Nice eyes too.  Rest in peace my friend. FYI: There’s Martin Streek nooner on the Edge today.  I’m listening live. ♥

View Post

eagle preparing to fly

Before I fly I always get a little bit of anxiety. I’ve always been with someone when I’ve flown and this time I was meeting friends in Florida and flew by myself.  To make sure I was ready I put on my chain with a star and eagle feather. I added a Tiki that Dad brought me back from NZ to the chin before I left too. I’ve been working on a project called Flock of Eagles and the eagle feather makes me feel strong. I also put on bracelets from Mum that traveled all the way from New Zealand.  That way I had a little bit of family with me. I also made sure I got tanned up and toned up my muscles. The flight was smooth and I arrived to the hot sun in just over 3 hours. More posts coming soon about trip etc.

View Post

palmerston is beautiful on both sides

I’ve find that biking is toning up my beach body.  This is really nice considering I hate the gym. It gives me anxiety. I’m lucky to have these super mutant-like muscles that when I do any exercise I get almost instant results.  Yesterday I was biking to Yorkville for #wiredwedTO and took back streets. Didn’t have helmet on, sorry Mum. Will pick it up this evening just for you. I rode down Palmerston Boulevard, one the most beautiful and truly one of my favorites. Most of the houses on Palmerston Boulevard were built between 1903 and 1910. It’s a nice one to bike on and there’s hardly any cars. I like it because of the trees and the houses and because a bunch of my family live in Palmerston North, New Zealand.  ‘Young heart, easy living’ they call it.Palmy (as the Kiwi’s call it) is a very beautiful city north of the capital, Wellington, in the eastern part of the Manawatu Plains, and close to the northern bank of the Manawatu River. I love it there. They have lots of windmills and rolling hills that is absolute bliss. You can see them from the back yard at Nana’s old house where Mum grew up. It’s really pretty.

View Post

#awesomistic #tfc #birthdayweek

Yesterday at the TFC was amazing. I’ve never wanted to be a fan of a game as much as I did being in th. I had a blast. I’m very grateful that my friend took me. I yelled my guts out. Clapped, whistled, jumped up and down and made friends. It was a tie and the fans are the most intense I’ve ever seen in pro sports. The weather was a roller coaster of fun. Rain, sun, rain, sun, rain, sun. Luckily Av had these killer TFC rain parkas that he got during the first season.I sat in the rain and drank my beer and I was warm and dry. I love the skyline. This is a great city. I was also super satisfied with the food. I had a chip butty. Last time I had a chip butty I was 12 and at Shelly Beach in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. I was with my family and Mum caught a flounder with a stick. I also went swimming with with dolphins about an hour out in the ocean. It was absolutely amazing. This photo is amazing; BMO/Carlsberg, don’t be shy now, you know you love it. I made friends with some cool peeps after the game. I was drinking on the Carlsberg tab at Brazen and checked out that bestmate.ca contest you told me about. Entered it. Not sure where I can see my profile? I also met a lovely babe from MAC at Rasputin Vodka Bar. Cool place. Looking forward to being better friends with MAC and Carlsberg.

View Post

fond, found, fortune, fashion, focus

I’m wearing a mum outfit today. Her old belt that still smells like New Zealand and a shortened Dashiki that matches my orange vintage boots. Tomorrow is going to warm but today its so windy and cold. I think I’m going to write on my way in more often. I lost my computer and ipod so now I use what I got, my device and thoughts and spend less time on the actual computer. I’m inspired in the morning, except for sporadic days when I am not. I usually wake up with a smile. Damn its cold. This morning I woke up to a message from a friend that said he’s in London England and the style there reminds him of me. I think that’s the nicest thing ever. I’ve never been to London but I know about style there. I can’t type as fast as thoughts fly, I can barely talk that fast and when I do its funny and I sound like a nut. I missed a call from a magazine editor last night. I wonder what he wants? H has the closing party for his art show tonight and I’m also planning to chat with Poster Boy. I’m going to make some. Cut and paste was one of my most favorite things to do at the kitchen table when I was younger. It still is along with writing. I wrote a poetry book in 1996 called Jeans. It’s not on Amazon because its out of print, its time for a new book. We started our publishing company without Internet and did it old the fashion way. We learned a lot. Its seems so easy now. I forgot my sunnies, the vintage ones from France. They would have matched perfect. As I take off my jacket I forget…

View Post

The Brightest Light in My Life – Mum

On the weekend I spent a lovely day with Mum. She has just returned from New Zealand and brought back some treats. I feel quite lucky because she managed to find and bring back some of her old clothes for us. I got a great dress she made (yes, made) when she was about 15 as well as a gorgeous leather belt. She brought my sister back a pair of her old boots that are totally rad. Mum found some old photos of herself, she is so cool and has always been a stylish young lady!One of the things I really miss about NZ are the treats. There are so many wonderful things to enjoy! Mum packed up a goodie bag for us each! Yum yum!We stopped into Lahore Tikka House for lunch. The food was fantastic as usual. However, they are using Styrofoam plates and cups which I find to be wasteful and horrible for the environment. Maybe they will change this behavior? I did see the following things that I found to be amusing:Note the handwritten sign stating that you can have a “piece of history” by purchasing an Obama t-shirt. Nice. This needs no explanation except for “ha ha”. Have a great day!

View Post

canadian family you say, ma?

I just had a long chat with Mum who just returned from New Zealand. I miss it. I want to go back there so bad. She told me a story about the very tip of the North Island called Cape Reinga. It is so very beautiful. She said that New Zelander’s (The Kiwi’s!) are very creative and they place much of attention & value on the arts and artsy things. That makes me feel awesome.

View Post

the worlds largest untapped resource

Yesterday was International Women’s Day. “It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women.” I had a soak in the hot tub and thought about women who have inspired me to be strong & confident. Women that have helped me define myself by what I have learned from them and their experiences. I am truly blessed to have had some wonderful women around me since a very young age. The most inspiring, strong, unique women of them all is my Mum. She is visiting my awesome family in New Zealand. Lots of love to the family ♥. I think of New Zealand as an untapped resource too, the Maoris hanging out at Rotorua geothermal, the long drive out to Grandad’s Batch.

View Post

sharing the randomness – 25 casie facts

This has been floating around Facebook since January. I figured since I’ve been tagged by a ton of friends it is about time I shared 25 random facts about me. The rules go as follows: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. Blah, blah, blah… Here we go: I was born in Canada to New Zealand parents and have dual citizenship (Canadian/New Zealand). I danced ballet, tap and jazz as a kid and completed in competitions across Ontario as well as Showstopper in NY & Myrtle Beach, SC. I was 5 with fake lashes and red lipstick! I wrote a book and became a published Canadian Author at 14. It was titled Jeans: An Anthology of Poetry and Prose. The Toronto Star wrote and article about me titled “Push Over Keats, Teen Muse Steps Ahead“. I went to Uni in Australia and lived at Bondi Beach. It was the best year because I learned the most about myself and WHO I really am. I hate scary movies. I get queezy and I don’t like to put bad images in my head. I’m crazy enough already! I still have all my Barbies and their vintage outfits. I hope to get them made in my size one day. I have a Green Belt in Tae Know Do and once knocked out a boy (Note: James Roszell) in grade 8 at school. Mum thought I’d get in trouble but I said “Mum, do you think he’s gonna tell anyone?“ I hate the number three. I don’t do anything in threes. I grew up around vintage cars and vintage clothes. My Dad…

View Post

tageriffic from down under

Last night I was talking with one of my mates in Palmerston North, New Zealand. A bunch of my wonderful family members live in that small but awesome city commonly referred to as ‘Palmy’. This is James Wynne with a tag he did. So swift!

View Post

if you’re canadian, sing it, sing it,

I sang or listened to our national anthem everyday while growing up. I learned it in both official languages. I still remember it and can sing it the way we used to, like half English half French. My parents grew up singing God Defend New Zealand. They did not grow up in Canada like I did. I have dual citizenship’ but I live here and feel Canadian. New Zealand has two national anthems of equal standing – ‘God Defend New Zealand‘ and ‘God Save The Queen‘.The reason: ‘National songs, ballads and hymns have a tendency to elevate the character of a people and keep alive the fire of patriotism in their breasts’. The Saturday Advertiser and New Zealand Literary Miscellany, 1 July 1876 Did you know that O Canada was first a poem, became national in 1980 and has several versions? Honestly, I think if you go to Canadian school and work in the Canadian economy and and choose to be Canadian, learn the fucking anthem as a kid in school. Some people in New Brunswick don’t think so. In summary of you havent seen the news “principal’s decision, eliminate tradition, singing O Canada, sparked outrage, parents, the country…heated debate…blah blah blah”.

View Post

save them. save yourself. you wild thing.

One of my favorite books as a kid was Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. I loved this story. I just found out that mum complained at the library one time about how the book was horrible. Max was punished and sent to bed without dinner for bring mischievous. She had never heard such a story in New Zealand! This thought is quite funny, mum took another read of the story and saw it in a different light from then on. The book is regarded as an American classic in children’s lit and is only ten lines long. How inspiring!! My sister got me this great shirt for Chrissy this year. I’m feeling a bit wild today!! OMG UPDATE: the movie comes out october 16, 2009

View Post

cold? snug.

I was feeling quite cold on Sunday as I was lazing around. A friend suggested something called the Snuggie. Have you heard of it? Snuggie seems like a really weird word to me, look at it, ‘SNUGGIE’. I think this unit is following me around. Later that day I saw it on TV and today I got an email offering me a buy one get one free special. I think it’s silly, however, I’d have to try it to find out just how useful it could be. I’m thinking it may be practical for an outdoor sporting event. Especially if you had a few sewn together so you could keep the whole family warm. Family size snuggie. Feel free to take advantage of this offer that was in my junk mail. I don’t need it. I have heating, blankets and many lovely sweaters from New Zealand that my Nana knit.

View Post

the promiscuous economist reader

This week the Economist published an interesting article entitled “Sex and the Citizen‘. It showed a detailed breakdown of what countries are the most promiscuous. I found it interesting. They surveyed 14,000 people in 48 countries. Questions ranged from “how many one-night stands have you had?” to” is sex without love acceptable, or sex with casual partners?”. Researchers gathered the answers and determined the results. I found the comments on the article to be quite interesting! It’s a bit funny actually. Finland and New Zealand rank highest and Bangladesh and Taiwan are the lowest. I’m pretty surprised that France, Italy and Australia were not closer to the top of the list! Boooya!

View Post

What is Anzac Day anyways?

Anzac Day is commemorated by Australia and New Zealand on 25 April every year to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. Anzac Day is also celebrated in the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tonga. This is the verse of the ode that is said during the minutes of silence on Anzac Day: They shall grow not old,As we that are left grow old,Age shall not weary them,Nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun,And in the morningWe will remember them. Lest we Forget The Sweet Stuff: ANZAC Biscuits are a snack food most commonly made from the primary ingredients of rolled oats, coconut, and maple syrup/golden syrup.

View Post

Vice Magazine – Show your love for NZ!!

Being a Kiwi, as great as it is, I enjoyed that VICE featured NZ in their global trend report. However, with all the focus on cities around the world, they managed to put NZ, the COUNTRY, not a city such as Auckland or Wellington, or hell, Palmy either!! Here’s what they said: “It’s slightly disappointing that no one in this majestic land actually looks like Frodo or Xena. Yes, that is all most of us know about New Zealand. Oh, and Flight of the Conchords, which isn’t the funniest thing ever, but it’s a little bit funny once in awhile. Eagle Vs. Shark was pretty good too—like Napoleon Dynamite but with cute accents and kind of sadder. What other good movies were made in New Zealand? Oh yeah, Heavenly Creatures. That’s an old fave. So anyway, instead of mythical creatures and lesbian schoolgirls, what we have here is a bunch of young cool kids being cool in their cool clothes that, we are slowly coming to realize, are the same cool clothes as everywhere else in the world. Globalization blah blah blah. Nevertheless, New Zealanders look like a pretty good time. It’s like new rave never stretched its poisonous tentacles all the way over there or something. NZ girls are good at mix ’n’ match. High-end designer pieces (Yohji Yamamoto Y’s, Zambesi) are carefully thrown together with more “street” items and bits of vintage. (MY FAV!) A simple black-and-white outfit accented with a Chanel purse plus arm tattoos plus pink hair with long bangs plus Docs equals “Let’s do this.” And wait, is that a tattoo of the Little Mermaid on her arm? OK, fine, let’s fucking do this. Everything is black-and-white, and color only occurs in the context of a perfect plaid shirt, which is harder to find than…

View Post

FYI: Conchords Develop Powers in Palmy

Last week while visiting New Zealand metropolis Palmerston North city, Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement of Flight of The Conchords were exposed to radiation from an explosion at a power generating wind farm leaving them with super powers. McKenzie found that after exposure to the radiation he was able to send text messages with his mind and Clement reported that he was a bit stronger than usual and could lift about three or four more shopping bags than he usually could. But really full ones though. Effects wore off after ten minutes but during that time McKenzie managed to text his mate Dave “HPPY BRTHDY DAV. I M SNDNG THIS USNG MND”.

View Post

natalie dee said it:

sssssssssssssssssssssssssssheeeep. ok, i’m from new zealand.i love sheep.yes, i have sheep farmers in my family.but honestly, i don’t know any sheep fuckers.the joke is OVER now.

View Post

Whatever Weather

I can’t believe I’m wearing winter clothes in June. Hardly rode my bike the last few weeks cause we’ve had so much rain and it’s been chilly. Just finished from a haircut at Evolve Hair Studio with Sonya. This sweater was a gift from kiwi designer Adrian Hailwood during NZ Fashion Week in 2010 when I was a VIP guest. On the bright side, since this is the first summer I’ve worked full time in over two years, I don’t really mind the weather. I can only imagine how hard it will be to gaze out the window when it’s super sunny and warm. Hope the day is treating you well 🙂 CASIE Posted from WordPress for Android on my HTC One

View Post

yesterday on twitter, this happened:

Today is the best day yet. Younger than tomorrow! #ftw # fresh cut grass (@ Toronto Music Garden) [pic]: http://4sq.com/kWoByM # Ahhh! My cuz just had a new baby! 7pound 9oz, Travis John Stewart! Now, I must get back to #NewZealand # Photo: › Mena Suvari – Vanity Fair Italia by Mark Liddell, October 2007 http://tumblr.com/xmj2ha1w25 # Photo: break dancing ant allcreatures: http://tumblr.com/xmj2ha1sns # this is how i feel today. i love this feeling. (@YouTube http://youtu.be/-kKswLd65Ws?a) # i know i know, that’s what she said. # where did 4pm come from? ah # tomorrow 3-7 @ Roosevelt Room #swag2011 w/ @rightsleeve RSVP here if ya wanna join the par-tay http://rightsleeve.com/swag2011 # #NewZealand Wine Fair tomorrow @ Design Exchange http://bit.ly/kjt81u # Debt show #CastingCall http://on.fb.me/lViUAB (I was on one of these once & it totally helped me & I got PAID!) # #friday13th this week! booked a massage & facial. used to hate numbers 13 & 3 but now I take over the day & plan something awesome! #win # Yo ladies! @moovbootcanada SALE tonight!! Selling off samples size 7 & 8 at 545 King West from 5 to 8pm! RT # busy & exciting day today! yeehaw. # View from my office, looks pretty out there! http://twitpic.com/4wby6h # happy happy birthday from Canada to the lovely & beautiful @NZTopModelColin! ILU xo # building a guestlist for something cool May 31. if i don’t have your email you might wanna flip it to me MEOW. # oh btw @laurenonizzle, i blogged your standup today. hope to see you at Yuk Yuk’s. Me thinks you funny 🙂 http://bit.ly/liClZN # HOW TO: Move Your Band’s MySpace Page Onto Your Facebook Fan Page – http://on.mash.to/jBlajH cc @brockmclaughlin @universalmusicC # for the record @itsbrownbarbie i did NOT mark us down as common law on the…

View Post

he said ‘there’s this woman, she’s a hurricane’

Lets do this. Here we go. Remmeber my Guns on Plane story from the summer when I went to Boston? Read it here. Anyhooters, being calm and was careful not to pack an firearms this time. Go through customs and doing bag check and who’s line do I end up in? Oh yeah, same dude who caught me with the gun. He says ” I remember you? Any guns this time? Do I need to search your bag?” We laugh. I say no. He explains what happened and that the dude last time should really have given me back my gun, 38 special (metal necklace). Then some other dude says “they always hassle the pretty girls”, I giggle, I’m always hassled. I gave him my card and I hope he reads this. HI, NICE SECURITY AIRPORT MAN! Ran into Marcel next in the Molson Pub. Fancy that! He was on same flight to EL EH. The bartender took this artistic-fuzzy one. Cheers mate! Guess who likes to sleep on planes and had TWO empty seats beside them? This girl. Snoooooooozefest. One beer prior to boarding, then pizza then gravol then comatose then almost in LA. Quizno pepperoni + cheese za was quite good. What’s in my locket? Your heart. My heart. i love this poem by e.e. cummings. one of my fav’s: i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart) i am never without it (anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling) i fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true) and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you…

View Post

the young and the restless

I wanted to wear the dress for ages. It’s so cute but short. Mum brought it back from the homeland a couple months ago. She made it when she was about 16 and Nana had it.  Raymi had this hat in her purse. Good one. I haven’t done a sneek attack like that in ages. I loved it. Recognize same face…haha. Lots of cool peeps were at the Notable TV party. We were all celebrating them being named Top 5 Emerging Digital Brands in Canada for 2009. Nice to see a bunch of bloggers. Love that too. Talia was looking hot! Her Sunshine girl photo is here. If you never saw mine from 2001, it’s here. I have a heap of photos from the night here.  Nice Raymi and Reado. Was a fun party. Marben is packed on Thursdays. It’s nice to run into so many familiar faces in one little local spot. Vaneska was DJ and the music was  rad. Danced a bit around the vodka table. Mostly chair dancing as not to spill drink, fall or get a bruise from the table. some of  the club clothes you were mentioning Before we went there was an unfortunate accident when I opened the freezer door and a vodka fell out and smashed on the clen kitchen floor. Smashed. Full bottle. SO accident prone. Got a battle would cleaning up the glass. Thank goodness boyscout had bandaids. Congrats to Julian and NotableTV. SO happy it’s the weekend. Staying way from Caribana crowds. I used to go when I was a teenager but I don’t like it anymore. Bring on the sunshine!

View Post