Rouge 2008

As many of you know - I am involved with GenNext’s ROUGE: MASQUERADE for United Way Toronto.

I would personally like to invite you to this amazing event on November 15th, 2008. This year we are being hosted again by The Suites at 1 King West!

For more information, visit the ROUGE website at www.unitedwaytoronto.com/rouge but here are the main points:


We have an amazing band, These Electric Lives, and DJs Famou$ Players in the main ballroom, with other special musical guests in a designated lounge. We are holding a Silent Auction with Leafs tickets, Raptors tickets, hotel stays in and around Toronto, spa and fitness packages... and MORE! Our silent auction theme this year is Silence Speaks Volumes as all proceeds go directly to United Way.

Our special silent auction items this year are dinners at Canoe Restaurant with 5 of Toronto’s top executives! Bid on quality one-on-one time with one of the following people:

Bill MacKinnon, CEO, KPMG
Robert Harding, Chairman, Brookfield Asset Management
Katie Taylor, President & COO, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
Martine Irman, Vice Chair, Global Trading & Distribution, TD Securities
Adrian Montgomery, Vice President, Football, Rogers Communications

Again, the ticket price is only $35 and ALL the proceeds go to United Way Toronto!

I can't wait to see you at ROUGE on November 15th!


All the best,

Jodi

PS - last year we sold out... so please buy your ticket early!

PPS - I have made this very easy - just click on the link below and order your tickets!

PPPS - If you are wondering how your ticket purchase gives back to the community - Please see the list at the end of this correspondence!

THANK YOU!

www.unitedwaytoronto.com/rouge


Where your money goes…


1 ticket = $35

$35 provides a week of daily healthy community dinners for a person who is living with mental health issues, helping him improve his health.


2 tickets = $70

$61 provides a day of childcare for one infant, giving vital support to low-income or single parent families and enabling them to work or look for employment.


3 tickets = $105

$100 provides a day of educational programming for 30 homeless youth, helping them transition off the streets.


4 tickets = $140

$120 sends a child (6-12 years old) to summer camp for a week, enabling her to learn and stay active when not in school.

Help End MS

I am going to be taking part in the Super Cities WALK for MS again this year in Cobourg and am looking for your support. Even though I no longer work with the MS Society, I have been so touched by the work that they do and the people that are affected by this devastating disease that I continue to support them and fundraise for them. Please help by sponsoring me for the WALK with whatever you are able to give. Whether it is $5 or $50, every little bit helps. The money raised goes toward both research and services to help those living with MS and if you need any better reason that that to give, just talk to me and I would be happy to tell you personal stories of those I have met along the way that would help you understand why I am
still dedicated to this cause.

Sponsoring me is easy! Visit my personal fundraising page and make a donation online or next time you see me you can give me cash - I promise not to spend it on shoes!

https://msofs.mssociety.ca/2008Walk/Sponsor.aspx?&PID=1019896&L=2

Thank you for your support!

Jodi

Reasons I need to buy a gun - A tribute to random conversations

I says:
i need my car for work

He says:
well that seems kind of unfair. why don't they pay for it then?

I says:
nice in theory right?

He says:
yup. hehe... so you need a car to work for a job that pays for your car.... sorta poetic

He says:
you could write a country song about it

I says:
but then i would have to admit to people that i wrote a country song

I says:
and I would probably need to buy a gun

*Not quite* 105 things about me

105 things about me

1. EVER BEEN GIVEN AN ENGAGEMENT RING? No
2. LONGEST RELATIONSHIP? 2.5 years
3. LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED? Tickets to the symphony - A Salute to Vienna
4. EVER DROPPED A CELL PHONE? Drop? I tend to send them flying more than them dropping
5. WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU WORKED OUT? yesterday
6. THING(S) YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON? My car
7. LAST FOOD YOU ATE? A yummy peanut butter cookie
8. FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX? Eyes
9. ONE FAVORITE SONG? For Good - Wicked
10. WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Toronto
11. HIGH SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED? Northern
12. CELL PHONE SERVICE PROVIDER? Rogers
13. FAVORITE MALL STORE? Holt Renfrew
14.LONGEST JOB YOU HAD? Sporting Life
15. DO YOU OWN A PAIR OF DICE? Random... but yes
16. DO YOU PRANK CALL PEOPLE? No
17. LAST WEDDING YOU ATTENDED? Shauna and Jeremy
18. FIRST FRIEND YOU'D CALL IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY? Eleanor
19. LAST TIME YOU SAW YOUR BEST FRIEND? Dec 14
20. FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT? Does Swiss Chalet count as fast food?
21. BIGGEST LIE YOU HAVE EVER HEARD? I am too gullible to recognize lies most of the time
23. WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT WITH FRIENDS? Sushi Supreme
24. CAN YOU COOK? You Bet!
25. WHAT CAR DO YOU DRIVE? Jetta
27. LAST TIME YOU CRIED? A few days ago
28. MOST DISLIKED FOOD? Chopped Liver
29. THING YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF? I am fantastic in every way - haha
30. THING YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF? See above
32. LONGEST SHIFT YOU HAVE WORKED AT A JOB? 30ish hours straight? I wanted to dies at the end.
33. FAVORITE MOVIE? Amelie
34. CAN YOU SING? I like to pretend, but I am not trying out for idol any time soon
35. LAST CONCERT ATTENDED? Gogol Bordello
37. LAST MOVIE RENTED? I don't rent movies... I forget to return them and it gets too expensive.
38. ONE THING YOU NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT? clothing :)
39. FAVORITE PLACE? Central Park
43. LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER? Laptop
44. FAVORITE COMEDIAN? John Stewart
47. WHO SLEEPS WITH YOU EVERY NIGHT? My teddy bear
48. DO LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS WORK? Never tried
49. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE? Twice, Three times if you count the ride stop last night
50. PANCAKES OR FRENCH TOAST? chocolate chip pancakes
51. DO YOU LIKE COFFEE? yes
52. HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS? Sunny side up
53. DO YOU BELIEVE IN ASTROLOGY? Not unless it says something good it going to happen
54. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My mom
55. LAST PERSON ON YOUR MISSED CALL LIST? Purolator
56. WHAT WAS THE LAST TEXT MESSAGE YOU RECEIVED? "Will do!"
58. NUMBER OF PILLOWS? 5
59. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING RIGHT NOW? Lululemons and running shoes. I like casual days at work
60. PICK A LYRIC, ANY LYRIC? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
61. WHAT KIND OF JELLY DO YOU LIKE ON YOUR PB & J? Strawberry
62. CAN YOU PLAY POOL? With a big of liquid inspiration I think I am pretty good.
63. CAN YOU SWIM? Yes
64. FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Baskin and Robbins Mint Chocolate Chip
65. DO YOU LIKE MAPS? I love them on my blackberry, or old cool looking ones as art
66. TELL ME A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF? I can fold my tongue in 3
68. EVER ATTEND A THEME PARTY? Absolutely
69. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON? Spring
70. LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED AT SOMETHING STUPID? 10 minutes ago? I laugh at stupid things all the time
71. WHAT TIME DID YOU WAKE UP THIS MORNING? 7:30
72. BEST THING ABOUT WINTER? Fireplaces
73. LAST TIME A COP GAVE YOU A TICKET? a few months ago... damn parking tickets
75. NAME OF YOUR FIRST PET? Benji
76. DO YOU THINK PIRATES ARE COOL OR OVERRATED? Did you hear about the new pirate movie? It's rated Arrrrrrr
77. WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WEEKEND? So much easier to say what I did last weekend... I am a last minute planner
78. BIRTHDATE? February 24, 1981
79. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE? A giraffe.
85. ARE YOU ON A LAPTOP? No
87. ARE YOU SMILING? Smirking
89. DO YOU MISS SOMEONE RIGHT NOW? yes
90. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD YOU GO? Japan
92. ARE YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL? Haven't been for a while, does that mean I am too old to fill this out?
93. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH? yes - I might be too old for that too
97. DID YOU GO ON VACATION LAST MONTH? No :(
98. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A CRUISE? No
102. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL? Yes
103. DO YOU WISH YOU COULD SEE ANYONE PARTICULAR RIGHT NOW? Yes
104. WHAT JEWELRY ARE YOU WEARING? Pearls (Yes... with lululemons)
105. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO AFTER THIS SURVEY? Work... Enough distractions for one day!

ROUGE: A GENNEXT MASQUERADE for United Way of Greater Toronto

As many of you know - I am involved with ROUGE: A GENNEXT MASQUERADE for United Way of Greater Toronto.

I would personally like to invite you to this amazing event on November 02 2007. This year we are being hosted by The Suites at 1 King West!

Please see the invite below - To summarize: We have an amazing band, God Made Me Funky, in the main ball room and DJ's, DJ Shingo and Missruckus, in a designated lounge. Further we are holding a Silent Auction with; Leaf tickets, Raptors Tickets, Hotel Room Stays, Trips to LA, Pearls.... and MORE! Our silent auction theme this year is Silence Speaks Volumes as all proceeds go directly to the UWGT.

The ticket price is only $30 and ALL the proceeds go to United Way of Greater Toronto!

I can't wait to see you at ROUGE on November 2nd!

All the best,

Jodi

Note 1 - last year we sold out... so please buy your ticket early!

Note 2 - I have made this very easy - just click on the link below and order your tickets!

Note 3- If you are wondering how your $30 gives back to the community - Please see the list at the end!

THANK YOU!


ROUGE: A GENNEXT MASQUERADE for United Way of Greater Toronto
Dress to Impress, But a Touch of RED is Essential!
Experience a red-hot evening of music, masks and silent auction indulgences.

Treat yourself to a live performance by God Made Me Funky and beats from Jeff Goldberg of Sonic Events in the Grand Ballroom or groove in our Lounge Room to the rotations of DJ Shingo and Missruckus.

Plus, enjoy a little guilt-free retail therapy at the Silent Auction Room, where your money will go to support the over 200 member agencies of United Way of Greater Toronto.

When: Friday, November 2nd, 2007
Doors Open: 9PM
Silent Auction: 9PM to 12AM
Where: The Suites At 1 King West, The Grand Banking Hall (1 King West, Toronto)

Tickets: $30 - All proceeds go to United Way of Greater Toronto.

Purchase your tickets online today!

Online Ticket Purchasers: Please bring your ID to Rouge - your name will be on the guest list.
This is a 19+ event. Please drink responsibly.

Buying one pair of tickets to Rouge? For $60, United Way can:
* Provide a two-hour conversation circle for 15 newcomers to help them learn English and integrate into Canada

Purchasing three tickets (one for yourself and two for friends) to attend Rouge? For $90, United way can:
* Allow two low-income families to grow vegetables in a community garden, supplementing their food budget and enabling them to eat fresh, healthy food.
* Provide one hour of personal care (bathing, dressing) to three frail seniors, allowing them to live independently in their own homes.

Going to Rouge as a foursome? For the cost of four tickets to Rouge ($120), United Way can:
* Provide an abused woman and her three children with start-up groceries to establish a new home.
* Provides four hours of counseling support to a person with epilepsy.

Thank you so much!!!

Hi Steve.

Steve,

I think you are the only person that admits to still reading this everyday, even though I haven't posted anything since December.... So you get a special post!

For everyone else... I have a story that is making me happy right now.

King Solomon, the wisest man in the world, had a servant that was his favorite. Why? Because anything he asked him to do he did perfectly. But the other servants in the palace got very jealous. The wise king knew that the jealousy is very bad and he had to do something about it. So the king decided that he would give this servant a job that is impossible to do. The king thought that the servant will not succeed, he will put him down in front of all the other servants, it will make everybody equal and there will be no jealousy in the palace. So the king called the servant, one month before "Pesah holiday"and he made up a story. He told the servant that he heard about a special ring that when you wear it when you are sad you become happy and when you wear it when you are happy you become sad. The king said: "I want it. can you get it?" "Did I ever disappoint you? " said the servant; "of course I can get it"!

"Very well" said the king, "bring it to me in 'Pesah' evening." "'Pesah'?" asked the servant " it is one month away, I can get it to you in couple days.""No, no" said the king, "bring it to me as a present from you, for 'Pesah' and give it to me at the "Seder" dinner." "Yes, my king" said the servant. The servant took a group of people, divided them to four different groups and sent one to the North, one to the South, one to the East, and one to the West, telling them "go on the way, stop anyone you meet, and ask him about the ring. If he knows something or heard something or knows somebody who heard or knows something, come back to me, with the information. so we can take directions and get the ring for the king"

After two-three days the first mission came back but "Nada" (of course, the king made up the story and there was no such ring). The second mission came back and again "Nothing", third mission, fourth mission and three weeks had passed and the servant got "zipo". He got so nervous. the "Seder" is one week away, and he must find the ring. He started searching for the ring on his own and started walking from place to place, from town to town, from village to village, door to door, house to house, didn't sleep, didn't eat, asked everyone he met and, nothing ("nada"). The night before the "Seder" he came back to Jerusalem but he was ashamed to come to the palace, everybody was talking about him and he was walking around the streets like "meshugi" (crazy). Eventually he found himself in the poorest neighborhood of the city and there in a small alley he saw a petite, tiny little shop with an old man inside, a jeweler. So he was thinking to himself "if I can't get the ring maybe this old man can make it. I have nothing to lose, I will give it a try."

He went into the shop and said to the old man: "the king wants a ring that when you are wearing it when you are sad you become happy but when you are wearing it when you are happy you become sad." "Can you make such a ring?" The old man thought for a second then he said: "sure it's a piece of cake" He took one of the rings he had on the table and engraved on it something in Hebrew. The servant was only a slave and he didn't know how to read, but he had nothing to lose so he took the ring. "Pesah" dinner.

Everybody knows about the story and they want to see what will happen. Everybody is happy they are smiling, singing, telling jokes. The king at the head of the table with a big smile on his face. Except the servant, he is in the corner shaking praying, maybe the king forgot. But the king didn't forget he was waiting especially for that moment. Then the king pointed at him showing him to come over with his finger. Silence. Everybody got closer to listen and see what happens. The servant was terrified, he came to the king shaking his eyes on the ground, the king smiled and said: "did you get the ring?" The servant was so afraid he was whispering with a broken voice: "I hope so my king…" "I can't hear you!" said the king. "I hope so," said the servant louder. "Hand it over," said the king. He gave him the ring with a shaking hand. The king took it with a big smile, he put the ring on read what was written on it. Then the face of the king turned over and he become sad. When the servant saw that the king was sad he realized that he got the right ring, and smiled. And on the ring there was a simple sentence in Hebrew "Gam Ze Ya-avor". Which means: "this too shall pass".

This story reminds you that when you have a bad day, it will pass. And when you have a good day seize the moment, enjoy it, appreciate it because you should know it would not last forever.

Who are the people with Multiple Sclerosis?

Who are the people with Multiple Sclerosis?We are your parents, your children, your brothers and sisters; we are the person down the street; we are that lady or fellow who may walk a little "funny" at the grocery store. We are the people that you "tsk, tsk" over because we might look "too good" to use a handicapped parking space. We are the folks who may not be able to get out to the Church or Temple every weekend; we are your peers; we are human beings.We are the face of Multiple Sclerosis. A face that is nearly every ethnicity; that comes from nearly every country, that does not discriminate by social standing or class or financial or educational background or language or religion. We are both able to walk unassisted and use canes and walkers and wheelchair users; we jog and swim and partake in sports; we are housebound, we use scooters; we need respirators. We are everything in between. We are visually impaired and we are not. We are at every level of physical ability.Of course, we "look so good" while we're doing it. We hear that phrase every day of our lives. Sometimes that phrase is meant as a compliment and sometimes it is meant to hurt or meant to shame us into doing something of which we may not be currently capable. We may be able to do that something tomorrow, though, or next week; Multiple Sclerosis is like that. We are like that.Some of us are hearing impaired; yet all of us occasionally have people talk louder to us. "HOW ARE YOU D-O-I-N-G????" they'll scream, speaking to us as though we were either hearing or intellectually impaired. "YOU LOOK SO G-O-O-D!!!!"Of course we do. Thank you very much. We are, in fact, the very best looking people in the handicapped community. We have secret beauty pageants every year, to decide which of our number is the absolute best-looking. Billy Crystal emcees, as his character Fernando; "...and you look MAHVELOUS my dear; absolutely M-A-H-V-E-L-O-U-S..."We are brave. We are fragile. We want to live, and we want to end it all. We look for support and we want to stand alone. We are Everyperson. We are the People with Multiple Sclerosis. We are People, Just Like You....— Virginia Sanchez

Facebook

Hi, my name is Jodi and I have been addicted to facebook for the last 2 months.

I need help. It is addictive, turning me into a stalker, and in general just bad.

Help me. Please. Is there a 10 step program for this? Maybe a two step program, it may be all I have time for. Time to stop working 14 hour days. Come to think of it, that may be the more serious problem. Anyone have a 10 step program for that?

Edmonton

Edmonton 002
Originally uploaded by jodilala.

Four Things about me

Things you may not have known about me.....

A) Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Editor
2. I.T. Trainer
3. Coffee Expert
4. Real Estate office receptionist

B) Four movies I would watch over and over:
1. Breakfast at Tiffanys
2. Amelie
3. Legally Blonde
4. Zoolander

C) Four places I have lived
1. Toronto, ON
2. Waterloo, ON
3. New York, NY
4. Honesdale, PA

D) Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. 24
3. The Daily Show
4. The Colbert Report

E ) Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Punta Cana
2. Israel
3. Victoria
4. Maine

F)Four Websites visited daily:
1. mail.yahoo.com
2. myspace.com
3. jpost.com
4. surveymonkey.com

G ) Four of my favorite foods:
1. Sushi
2. Dim Sum
3. General Tao Chicken (from Springrolls)
4. Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (From Baskin Robbins)

H) Four places I would rather be right now:
1. On a beach
2. At a cottage
3. In my bed
4. Anywhere surrounded by friends and family