David Cook, The 2-Hour Ford Commercial

For any of you who are wanting/yearning to break into television listen up. TV Exec's don't really care about the program as long as it has good ratings - really good ratings. The whole purpose of broadcasting is to sell ads. It is a bottom-line driven business. Good shows = more advertising dollars = more profits. With 95+million votes I suppose the Fox Network is pretty psyched about it's ad revenue this week. The American Idol finale was just a big long - 2 hour long Ford Commercial. (and Coke and AT&T) So for all you closet script writers, future show creators and producers (oh yeah, remember, it's the Producers in TV who are the kings, not the directors), just come up with some quirky, unique, never before seen fresh idea and you're in.

Photo credit: Fox

The Love Guru

All I can say is: "No, they don't give Canadian babies weird drinking water at birth...We aren't all this crazy."

Vote for the Best Looking Burger

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Of course we are not your average, normal, run-of-the-mill family. We are slightly off kilter and artsy-over-the-top..kinda. Oh, if you dress us up we will behave appropriately in public, but not tonight. Not during our championship burger dressing contest.

Would you mind very much helping us.

Which burger should win?



Lick's Burgers: Just as scrumptillyicious grilled at home...almost as fun atmosphere....better sofas to flop on to fall asleep happy full-full. Devourerous.

The Love Guru even loves our Canadian Burger place.
Mariska Hargitay. (some of you will get this joke later...)

Alright, you can know the joke now.
You can learn more here. Lick.

Oh, fellow burger fans...please vote now.
Who has the best dressed burger?
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Pool of Longing

Gabby Teaches the Bloggettes

This 5 minute exercise program is the ultimate workout for bloggers. Get the heck off that chair, grab your soup cans and lets get to it. By the way, it is really good to do this 4-5 times per day. We can do that..right?

Photo Credit of Gabby: Albert Watson (Ladies...check out the other photos...ooh la la)

Love Caught by a Sunbeam

As many of you know I like to do 'Drive-by-Shootings'. No, not with guns and bullets silly, with my camera. I just open up the window of my car and start shooting. I think that if we all used cameras instead of guns, our world would be a much safer place. Looky here! Tucked in beside all of the primary-coloured newspaper boxes; nestled into the warm weathered bricks....love caught by a sunbeam. (Just click the image to enlarge). Now this my friends, made my day.

I found something for you, here it is.

During my blog tour today (see right sidebar), I spent some wonderful time reading Seth Godin. I fell into his arms while reading his post on Self-Promotion. In my opinion, the essence of his article was to 'find a genuine need and fill it.' In other words, become 'you-centric' instead of 'me-centric'. My hope is that you find my blog 'you-centric' - I try to stay focused on a wide variety of topics that I believe you will find interesting. Things pop in my head; I take a photo, see an image, think of an idea and I say 'I found something for you, here it is.' Liberty Post may be random but it is anything but randomness. I hope you still enjoy.

"The first is me-centric and explains that we’re promoting something that got made because we need to sell it. What we do is make stuff and sell it, and what you do is buy it or watch it. 'I needed to make something to sell, here’s the best I could do.' The second is you-centric. It starts with the needs and desires of the consumer and ignores the committees, the compromises and the economic realities. It says, 'I found something for you, here it is.' " - Seth Godin

Photo Credit: Meatball Sundae

A Writer's Process

This is interesting. Really.

Photo Credit: Lynda Barry My Space

Volleyball, Gabby Reece & The Science of Loneliness

I didn't know. Did you know? .....(Volleyball Demographics Globally)...that:

Volleyball is the No. 2 participation sport in the world, trailing only soccer.
Over 1,046,000,000 people play volleyball throughout the world.
Women comprise nearly one half of the sport's participants.
Volleyball is among the top three women's spectator sports in the US, following gymnastics and football.
Volleyball players are young and active. Over 75% are between 15 and 34 years of age.
Over 80% of volleyball athletes have post-secondary education.
FIVB (Fédération internationale de volleyball) is the largest international sports federation with 217 affiliated federations.

The Olympic Volleyball Tournament will be played in two venues, the 18,000-seater Capital Indoor Stadium, which will be the main venue, and the 5,000-seater Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium.

The 12,000-seater Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground will host the Olympic Beach Volleyball Tournament.

The popularity of Volleyball has gone from strength to strength since it was first introduced as an Olympic sport at the Tokyo Games in 1964, while Beach Volleyball made its bow at the Atlanta Games in 1996 and has seen fans packing out tournaments ever since.

The rush for tickets mirrors the television success enjoyed by Volleyball during the Olympic Games. The sport was recognised after Athens 2004 as one of the most popular Olympic sports on television, with 3.5 billion viewer hours according to official figures reported by the International Olympic Committee.There will be 12 Men’s and 12 Women’s National Teams taking part in the Olympic Volleyball Tournaments and 24 Men’s and 24 Women’s pairs competing in the Olympic Beach Volleyball Tournaments.

Gabby Reece, world-famous volleyball star has an awesome website and blog.

The official ball of Volleyball Canada is the Wilson 4310.

And, did you know that mortality rates are higher among 'the lonely' than cigarette smokers?

Photo Credits:

Wilson the Volleyball, from the movie Castaway, 20th Century Fox and Dreamworks LLC/Associated Press Photo

Gabby Reece

Beach: Liberty Post Editor

Fruits of the Campaign. I'm Humbled. UNEP

I get so inspired by the efforts of others. At times I feel as though I am not contributing enough to my community, country or world. And then there are times like this when I get recognized for such a little act of promotion. (scroll to the bottom of the UN page) Thank you UNEP, Billion Tree Campaign for thanking me. It was my pleasure. I wish I could do more. I promise, I will do more. How can I help you?

Photo Credit: UNEP

Google Office

Gee. Perhaps I need to make a strong coffee and consider a new work/studio space for myself. Something like this. What do you think? Via Laissezfaire/Swiss Miss.

Until Morale Improves

Until morale improves, these will be the only faces on the beach. All wonky and bleached; kitschy and shocked. Where are all the people?

Sleepy Beach

There isn't a warmth across the sand today. No crowds. No wild teenagers. Just grey skies and spits and spurts of chilly rain. This coupled with the fact that everyone thinks there is nothing left at Wasaga Beach after the fire and the skyrocketing price of gas...our beach is empty. That's not good for tourism or business or well-being or leisure or family time or fireworks. Here is the real fresh water story. We have a sleepy beach.

Empress of India, Show Us Your Tits

It's Victoria Day Weekend in Canada! We will be celebrating Queen Victoria's birthday. Over the years the holiday has come to mean many different things to many different people. Some people call it Firecracker Weekend because we have incredible firework displays; big events by beaches and smaller folksy events in neighbourhood backyards. Others call it May Two Four weekend (although this year it doesn't fall on May 24th), the birthday of this Queen. A case of Canadian beer comes in a 24 pack, so the holiday is synonomous with heavy beer drinking and finishing off several cases of 'two four' - usually 'Canadian' brand beer. Some people just know it's a long weekend and they couldn't care less about why we have it off. Still, many people don't even know who the heck Queen Vic was.


Warmhearted and lively, Victoria had a gift for drawing and painting; educated by a governess at home, she was a natural diarist and kept a regular journal throughout her life. Imagine that! An artist. On William IV's death in 1837, she became Queen at the age of 18. Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from June 20, 1837, and the first Empress of India from 1 May 1876, until her death on January 22, 1901. Her reign as Queen lasted 63 years and seven months, longer than that of any other British monarch to date. The period centered on her reign is known as the Victorian era.

On May Two Four Weekend, Wasaga Beach becomes a party town - think Spring Break in Florida - that's what it's like here. We are invaded by thousands of college age students (boys begging girls to show them their breasts) - yes there are signs like this everywhere....'Show Us Your Tits'.....and the young girls oblige......young couples visit too....a usual 10 minute drive down the strip will take you 4-5 hours to do....or the police will close off Beach One when it gets too packed....hmmm, by about 4pm today. I will be attending a festive event at my son's beach house. We will light fireworks at dusk on the sand and laugh the night away under the stars.

Oh, and if you want to see a silly 30 second commercial about our national beer.... Happy Vicky Day!

Saba, The Unspoiled & Spoiled Queen

Imagine an island in the Caribbean untrampled by time. Imagine unspoiled landscapes that make you feel like an early explorer, and friendly English speaking people who make you feel at home. All this is Saba; The Unspoiled Queen, part of The Dutch Antilles...and this is where my oldest daughter is going to live to study medicine. Here is a gorgeous tourism video of this remote island....you will be so surprised when you watch it. I was astounded by it's beauty. Saba (pronounced 'say-ba'), is ideal for the traveler looking for a secluded haven, in peaceful and friendly surroundings. Rising steeply from the azure sea, the tiny island in the Caribbean is a magical experience far away from the cares and worries of today's hurried world. Four small villages are as quaint and charming as the gentle, friendly manner of the Saban people, descended from hardy 17th century pioneers. Visitors feel they have stepped back in history, yet many modern luxuries are here to be enjoyed. Saba is a monument to nature's best above and below the ocean's surface. The famous Saba Marine Park is second to none. Saba is a magical place for scuba diving, hiking, admiring the nature or honeymooning! Saba has one road, aptly named 'The Road'. The whole island is only 5 miles wide !!! She will be arriving in Saba at the end of August and will study/live there for 20 months. Then she will head off to the United States to finish her studies. The journey to Saba is an interesting one. One must fly into St. Marten's and then take a small plane (landing at Hell's Gate on a very short runway...oh my) or ferry (1.5 hours) to the island. There is no need for cars on Saba....it is a very small mountain island. The beauty of Saba is breathtaking. It reminds me of something out of King Kong, Jurassic Park, James Bond or Survivor. The photo at the very top shows the University in the bottom right corner. Did I mention that there are only 1400 people who live there? Paradise found. She is a well-deserving, 'Spoiled' Queen (girl). I am so very proud of her.

Photo Credits

Wasaga Beach Open for Business

Remember when this happened late last year? And, remember when I shared with you my ideas for revitalizing and re-building the beach? Well, guess what? This amazing community has got a plan in place and it will be ready for Queen Victoria Weekend on May 16th! I'm sticking my chest out (small as it may be) out like a proud Mama. I can't wait.

One of Ontario's premiere holiday destinations and one of Canada’s few Blue Flag Beaches, with 14 kilometres of clean white sand and crystal clear waters; with great weather, abundant restaurants, accommodations and shopping that already attracts nearly two million visitors every summer, is about to embark on an ambitious period of growth. Love my beach.

And I love it more because it's a Blue Flag beach now! Wasaga Beach was the first provincial park in Canada to raise the prestigious Blue Flag which lets the world know Wasaga Beach is safe, clean and environmentally friendly. In order to receive a Blue Flag a beach must meet 27 different criteria under four headings: water quality, environmental education, environmental
management, and safety and services. Wasaga Beach has 6 Ministry of Natural Resource managed sandy beach areas along 14 kilometers of fresh water. The Blue Flag program is administered internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education, a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization consisting of member organizations representing 36 counties.
In Canada, the Blue Flag program is administered by Environmental Defense, a registered Canadian Charity. Environmental Defense is a member of the Foundation for Environmental Education. The Blue Flag is an exclusive eco-label awarded to over 3300 beaches and marinas in 36 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, New Zealand, Canada and the Caribbean.

Amy Butler's Midwest Modern

I want, I want, I want. (I got. I got. I got.) That's right folks! I got the book. Amy Butler's Midwest Modern. For those of you who don't know Amy (have you been hiding under a giant rock?), let me introduce you to her. Amy is an artist and designer who lives and creates from a mid-century home studio in Ohio. She has created, written and produced many feature articles for Country Living Magazine and co-founded Art of Midwest with her husband David. Amy now sells sewing patterns, designs fabric for Rowen, licenses her art for paper goods and more.....This book is a wonderful peek inside her world and her processes. She shares her home....it's like being a fly on the wall...and her workspace. Respite from the styles out of L.A. or NYC, this Midwestern style is fresh and contemporary. Go here and get lost in Amy's inspiration. Enough said. You know how I feel about her.

The Same Good Things

"The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time." - Friedrich Nietzsche

A Daughter's Snake Charm

She was dreaming of this. It was between the early morning light of deep sleep and lazy wakening. It must have been true. She pedaled down a sunny dirt road. There were many dead snakes squished by other rickshaws along the bumpy way. Her Mother held the map and described the directions to the Pavilions. Each road she turned down became more and more dense with black green brush; canopied by tall trees that stretched to the heavens. She became fearful of the dark lanes and turned back to the road that was sun bleached. It was not like her to be afraid, of anything. Her Mother remained calm and ran her fingers across the sketch of Marrakech. It took hours; seemed like days going up and down many streets. (yet the dream was but a minute of magic.) Each one, the wrong way. In frustration she awoke, having never arrived at the guest house. Exhausted. Heated. It must have been true. Yes, she is sure it was. 'What does it mean?', she thought as she tucked her feet inside the slippers that waited by her bed.

Bitchology

BITCHOLOGY: When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a bitch. When I stand up for those I love, they call me a bitch. When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts or do things my own way, they call me a bitch. Being a bitch means I won't compromise what's in my heart. It means I live my life MY way. It means I won't allow anyone to step on me. When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak against it, I am defined as a bitch. The same thing happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone's maid, or when I act a little selfish. It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won't become anyone else's idea of what they think I 'should' be. I am outspoken, opinionated and determined. I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that - Anon

Image Credit

I Love You Mom

And not just because you are my biggest blog fan either....I love you for many reasons. Thank you for your 'big' heart, your apple brown betty, your knitting, your organizational skills (I'm still hoping some will eventually rub off), your attention to detail - I adore how you still have a curious spirit, always searching the internet daily for new and exciting learnings. I am so proud that you care about our world, those who suffer; giving your talents to make a difference. You continually surprise me. Like the fact that you're into the 'environment' thing; recycling long before it was cool to do so. And you believe in clotheslines. That's very hip. You make all of us laugh. I am so thankful you are such an incredible, fun Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. And one last thing....I love it when you say 'fresh fish'. (sorry that's an inside joke) Have a happy day! Eat tons of sugar. I'll be over for a Gin & Tonic. Love Me xo

See Saw (Thornbury, Ontario) Photo Tour

I want you to see what we saw this afternoon in a quaint village in The Blue Mountains. We, being my Sister-in-Law and myself, escaped sans children for a sunny, yet breezy afternoon of sipping good coffee, tasting gooey cinnamon knots, shopping, talking, laughing and solving world miseries. This short trip to Thornbury was a 'gift' to ourselves for Mother's Day. Here is how they describe their lovely (rich-laden-expensive-celebrity-driven-mercedes) town: "There is a place where time is measured by the arrival of cinnamon buns in a bake shop window. Where bicycles and snowshoes are the chosen SUV. And where strangers say the strangest things - like 'Hello'. Come and get a taste of the good life, all year round, here on Georgian Bay." Doesn't that make you want to board the next private jet to Toronto, hop into a limo and make the 2 hour easy drive up the highway to visit me? I had a terrific time today, but I am mad at her now. (My Sister-in-Law) I spotted a divine costume diamond ring for just $10 and she said (in that assertive yet loving Spanish accent..."Noh...jew doh't neeth annie mooore stuuff....we doh't neeth annie mooore stuuff.) I'm trying to wrap my head around this because while she was lecturing me about my spending habits, she invested $5 in a half dozen sticky buns. I could have had a sparkly-love-it piece of jewelry for $5 dollars more. Alas, I listened to her, but now I'm kicking myself. I'll sneak back next week. Don't worry, I'll take a photo and you can be the one to tell me if I needed the ring or not. This is the see saw of women. To buy or not to buy. That is the question.

P.S. Click on the photo directly under the dog to see a really cool eco-coffee table. What do you think?

Free Mother's Day Card Image (Fruit-Speak)

(below is the copy to print inside a card or email with the image)

That's 'Fruit-Speak' for: Mom, Let me tell you. I'm not lying. I Love You xo

Invasion of The Cherry Tomatoe Dollies

My Dolly Series is always dedicated to Beach Bungalow 8. Because I can never forget that she was the very first person to 'link' me and the very first person to comment on my blog (June 14, 2007....3 days after I started) and more importantly, because dollies creep her out. xo

UPDATE: What did I tell you....Dolls creep her out...here is her comment:

"oh my god. freaking madame alexander dolls from mcdonalds!!!!! i KNOW those dolls. those will come alive at night, you know.and quietly creep through your house....all pouty faced and wrong.thank you my friend. i feel so honored : ) (i'm passing this post along)"-Beach Bungalow 8

It All Starts Here

Some one tries to get up your skirt and then poof! You're a Mom. Have a Happy Weekend!

Are You Growing a National Forest?

Sex and the City .....the song on the website breaks my heart.

Obama Will Not Beat McCain

I'm not saying this so you will vote for Hillary. I just know in my gut that she is the right one that's on the left. Look at her here. I feel like we are having a 'Sex and the City' moment. A few of us cute girls having lunch, discussing our 'dogs' (men) and deciding where to go and buy shoes. Of course, Hillary is a high-powered politician in this scenario. She's the President for god's sake, but truly, doesn't she look so relate-able and normal. Like the best friend you trust and call in the middle of the night when your boyfriend doesn't come home again. Come on America. You know I love you, but get it together already. Vote for Hillary. She's soft and hard all at the same time. And isn't that what makes us women the best for anything anyway?

By the way, you can leave Hillary a Mother's Day Wish here.

Cindy McCain

Why are you so darn insistent on hiding your income tax returns? I thought it was only the poor and middle class who did that so they could still pretend they were rich. We want more honesty in The White House. All this time, I've been watching you on television; thinking you were this quiet, uber-polite wifey type....boy was I wrong. You have much more clout that you exhibit. You must give us more than your treasured family recipes. (You still have your very first Easy-Bake-Oven?) As the daughter of a multimillionaire Anheuser-Busch (Bush?) distributor you should be ashamed, or at the very least offer everyone a cold one. Cindy, one more question...Do you think the average person in the world realizes you are the 'Chairman' of that beer company? For goodness sake, show your damn tax return and get over yourself.

Alicia Paulson's Stitched in Time

Now you can place your order for the fall release of this darling paperback book. Stitched in Time is full of memory-keeping projects from the creator of Posie Gets Cozy. If you like the looks of this cover, you will also feel the need to order this one and this one and ahhh this one<