Disqus - Latest Comments for Kirsty

Re: What do you cherish about your home?

Kirsty — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:52:00 -0000

Bee - I know exactly how you feel. I finally unpacked after six years of living in places around the world. Now I am settled in my own space, this time with a partner. From all those unpacked boxes, I cherish my mish-mash collection of blue and white dishes collected from garage sales, my yellow antique writing table, and of course, all my photo albums.

Re: How do you define waste?

Kirsty — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:00:54 -0000

The mile long paper receipts I get from the grocery store even if I'm purchasing less than eight items.

Re: In terms of Creativity, what are you attracted to?

Kirsty — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:16:42 -0000

Connecting with people who’ve got ideas about making positive change, be it through a festival, a book, a painting, an exhibit or a community gathering. People who laugh and smile. And words strung-together like a great painting or a textured piece of pottery.

Re: Father’s Day: What Did Your Father Give You?

Kirsty — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:17:19 -0000

My dad gave me nature. Originally from the tiny nation of Slovenia, nestled between Austria and Croatia, he is a man who grew up walking and skiing up and down mountains to get to school. His own education was cut short when he ran across the communist Yugoslav border back in the late 60s and finally settled in Canada. Without scientific explanation but with a strong emotional connection, he showed me the beauty of a long walk, particularly along the shores of Georgian Bay. He is the reason why I travel, seeking the outdoor celebration of other nations.

Re: Father’s Day: What Did Your Father Give You?

Kirsty — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:36:58 -0000

That's really cool. I grew up in a family were there was almost no emotional security, and my two sisters and I are still dealing with consequences...and we are in our 30s! When I read about families like yours it gives me the encouragement and knowledge it is possible to raise healthy kids. Luckily, I've got a great man who believes we can too.

Re: What’s the best movie you’ve seen lately?

Kirsty — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 07:01:29 -0000

Lars and the Real Girl. A quirky love story that also illustrates the power of a supportive family and community. Ryan Gosling is exceptional in this role.

Re: What’s the best movie you’ve seen lately?

Kirsty — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:23:11 -0000

Hey Laura...I did the same thing...watched it twice with the director's commentary on..and I too was struck more by the director's story of finally making 'her' movie than the movie itself. It was so encouraging for me, a youngish 30 to learn of a woman in her 50s finally coming into her creative being.

Re: What’s the best business book you’ve read?

Kirsty — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:31:59 -0000

Let My People Go Surfing. I'd work for Patagonia in a heartbeat. This guy is the real thing.

Re: What’s your favourite inspirational quote?

Kirsty — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:11:24 -0000

Ohhh...I like this one!

Re: What’s your favourite inspirational quote?

Kirsty — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:14:07 -0000

Right now, here is what keeps me working forward:

"Do not think, dream."

Richard Bausch (from his Ten Commandments of the Writing Life)

Re: What’s your favourite inspirational quote?

Kirsty — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:00:41 -0000

Hey Alligator...I just completed a writing workshop where Richard Bausch was a guest speaker. He recited his Ten Commandments which I believe originally appeared in a magazine article. I think he's got a book out there about the writing life as well. I'd pick it up; this guy's prolific and well-respected. (I've copied and pasted the full list below for you).

Best,
Kirsty

1. Read: "You must try to know everything that has ever been written that is worth remembering, and you must keep up with what your contemporaries are doing."

2. Imitate: "While you are doing this reading, you spend time trying to sound like the various authors -- just as a painter, learning to paint, sets up his easel in the museum and copies the work of the masters."

3. "Be regular and ordinary in your habits, like a Petit Bourgeois, so you may be violent and original in your work." -- borrowed from Flaubert

4. Train yourself to be able to work anywhere.

5. Be Patient. "You will write many more failures than successes. Say to yourself, I accept failure as the condition of this life, this work. I freely accept it as my destiny. Then go on and do the work. You never ask yourself anything beyond Did I work today?"

6. Be Willing. "Accepting failure as a part of your destiny, learn to be willing to fail, to take the chances that often lead to faulire, in the hope that one of them might lead to something good."

7. Eschew politics. "You are in the business of portraying the personal life, the personal cost of events, so even if history is part of your story, it should only serve as a backdrop."

8. Do not think, dream.

9. Don't compare yourself to anyone, and learn to keep from building expectations.

10. Be wary of all general advice.

Re: What are your favourite natural remedies?

Kirsty — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:39:32 -0000

My morning detox: a glass of warm water with a slice of lemon. Keeps my liver smiling.

Re: What would you like to revolutionize?

Kirsty — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:24:07 -0000

Joanne, I'll carry your microphone with that message. I'd also tack on the idea of challenging people to think about what they really need versus what they really want. I've worked in one of the poorest countries in the world and witnessed what people need to achieve happiness while the same country's upper class struggled to translate and interpret Western consumerism into their own culture. I don't believe we shouldn't shop or buy nice things; I just think it's important to ask where it comes from, how it was made and how much do I need?

Re: What would you like to revolutionize?

Kirsty — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:26:50 -0000

I like that phrase: Mass produced communities have removed all individuality from our homes. I wish our Ontario politicians considered the individuality of ones' home in their next election platform as an affront to both the environment and the social fabric of our communities and families.

Re: Yoga & Hugs…In Your Own Style

Kirsty — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:41:24 -0000

Kundalini was calling my name too! For years, I've wanted to experience it, and back in May, synchronicity was at play and I finally tried it. Amazing to finally breathe from my core. I was buzzed for days. Unfortunately I now live in a town where there are no Kundalini teachers so I bought a book and I'm guiding myself.

Answer that Kundalini call!

Re: If you believed you were enough, what would you do differently?

Kirsty — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:57:04 -0000

Those darn 'shoulds'....little pesky buggers, aren't they?! If I was whole enough in my own eyes, the eyes that really matter, I'd take a massive risk, buy that Airstream trailer, fill it with beautiful, natural Canadian craft and jewelry and head out to B.C. to sell it to the world when it arrives for the 2010 Olympics!

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Kirsty — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 08:09:26 -0000

I've only read one 'personal growth' book to date: The Artist's Way. Really effective. I'm not completely where I want to be yet professionally but it has helped to bring back creativity into my daily living. I love being a CREATE-A-HOLIC.

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Kirsty — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 08:57:07 -0000

I read the book only. The woman who recommended it to me is both a career counsellor and poet so I took her word for it. I found it very powerful reading my way through it independently so I imagine a workshop group would be even more inspiring.

Re: What are the best Inspirational or “Personal Growth” books you’ve read?

Kirsty — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:02:33 -0000

I know, there seems to be an entire shelf dedicated to the Artist Way series. I started with....The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, 10th Anniversary Edition. There was no workbook included.

Re: What’s your image of God?

Kirsty — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:04:26 -0000

Same as Carrie. Simply nature.

Re: What would improve your work space?

Kirsty — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:47:05 -0000

Go for it Kate! Get a pepper...cut it into strips...keep it in the fridge...munch on that.

Re: What’s your favorite eco-friendly habit?

Kirsty — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:57:56 -0000

Currently...it's our terracotta water filter. SAY NO TO PLASTIC BOTTLED WATER. We don't love Brita's b/c they use alot of plastic in both the pitcher and the filters. So after alot of research purchased a terracotta filter from Grassroots in Toronto. The water doesn't stagnate, it actually breathes through the terracotta; we are still using tap water so we don't have to 'purchase' bottled water or pay a company; it removes all the bacteria and chemicals we were concerned about and I can even break up the filter in the garden when every nine months.

Re: What’s your favorite eco-friendly habit?

Kirsty — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:21:50 -0000

Hi Laura...yes, the name of the filter, made by artisans in Brazil is Stefani. There is a Canadian distributor who sells through Grassroots in T.O. For more info, here is a link to a recent story on Treehugger.com about them:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/05/stephan...

If you are seriously considering one, I can give you more of my insight with it...it is a behavioral change!

Re: The world you want to live in.

Kirsty — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:33:41 -0000

Hey Danielle:
Your challenge to zero in on an issue I feel slightly indignant about, the over development of residential properties along the beach front of a provincial park near my family's cottage, inspired me to pick up the phone. I spoke with the park superintendent about the 'condo development' signs tacked onto the Park Ontario sign posts near my cottage this past weekend. He had no idea the developer had put up these signs! The gist: they are going to take down these 'illegal' signs. A small triumph but it made me feel great.
Thanks! Kirsty

Re: What’s sacred to you?

Kirsty — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:01:33 -0000

Sacred to me is nature and my ability to BE in it every day. Sacred to me are the relationships I cultivate. Sacred is my little sister Larie (who I just can't reach emotionally these days...)

Re: If you had a totally open day, every day, what 4 or 5 things would you fill it with?

Kirsty — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:46:37 -0000

OH...I've thought about this before...I think I'm a lucky lass as my mornings actually roll out as dreamed!

MORNING:
I’d have a small breakie of all bran with almond milk before going on a 10-km run through a park or along a trail. I’d be listening to a new playlist on my own iPod. After a coldish-shower with yummy soaps, body scrub and face wash with cream, I’d dress in a favourite outfit!

AFTERNOON
I’d spend the next few hours writing without disturbance. For work. Maybe it’s an article on Mexico and my Kundalini experience. Meet the girls for a late lunch. We gab and sip wine. I check voicemail and reply to a couple work-related writing queries.

NIGHT
It’s a massage at 7:00 p.m. and then a nutritious homemade dinner with Drew. The stereo rotates some great tunes. Crosswords before bed.

Re: When do you hide?

Kirsty — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:19:55 -0000

I too love call display :)

Re: What’s your favorite easy thing to cook?

Kirsty — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:55:23 -0000

Nancy...I made something similar a couple of weekends ago...an extra addition: a handful of roasted green pumpkin seeds!

Re: What’s your favorite easy thing to cook?

Kirsty — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:56:02 -0000

Me too: I love poached eggs. I'm having one one an English muffin and spinach right now.

Re: You are what you eat.

Kirsty — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:08:41 -0000

I grew up as a box of Kraft Dinner and people commented on that. Now, I am happily a basket at the local farmers' market.

Re: What adventure are you craving (or planning for)?

Kirsty — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:30:19 -0000

I'm craving an adventure with my girlfriends Jessi and Jass. They are two of the wildest, creative, laughing spirits in my world and we always have an adventure together, even if it is just walking down the street. Jessi is moving back East from Victoria so I can't wait for a hook-up!

Re: Popcorn Withdrawls!

Kirsty — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:14:34 -0000

A big bowl of edamame sprinkled with good sea salt.

Re: If you suddenly inherited $10,000, what would you do with it?

Kirsty — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:53:02 -0000

Jess...that's really generous and thoughtful to help support your parents.

Re: If you suddenly inherited $10,000, what would you do with it?

Kirsty — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:54:39 -0000

If $10,000 landed in my lap, I would get laser eye surgery (imagine the miracle of waking up and being able to read the alarm clock after 25 years?), and the remainder would go into our investments savings account.

Re: Thanks to Sigg: No more disposable coffee cups

Kirsty — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:59:03 -0000

I guess I went to such a greenie-hippie university that I was influenced early on but I've been toting a reusable coffee mug for over 10 years. Daniel, welcome to this bandwagon...it's such a simple way to make a difference.

Re: Be a walking contradiction.

Kirsty — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:56:38 -0000

Danielle...I struggle with this alot...what about being authentic? If you are full of contradictions, doesn't that stab at one's authenticity?

Re: What do you find sexy?

Kirsty — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:07:06 -0000

Oh yeah! That Jermaine...I spent eight months in New Zealand last year and I'd argue alot of Kiwi men are sexy. Oh, and Montrealers.

Re: What is your favorite fiction book?

Kirsty — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:28:59 -0000

A beautiful story of relationships. I hear that Rohinton's next book is only 45-46 pages with illustrations. A flip from the heavy-weight Fine Balance.

Re: What is your favorite fiction book?

Kirsty — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:31:02 -0000

OH Wazzy, I just re-read Anne this summer, and she still delights. One of the best characters out there. I love how Anne was always wanting an environment that gave her 'scope for imagination'.

Re: What is your favorite fiction book?

Kirsty — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:38:06 -0000

I recommend Mister Pip by New Zealand author Lloyd Jones. It won a number of awards. Reasons I believe it makes a good book club read:

1) Strong narrative voice.
2) Creatively interweaves Dickens' Great Expectations into the plot.
3) Background issues of race, politics, war, mother-daughter, coming-of-age

I hope you enjoy it if it ends up on your list, or at least creates discussion!

Re: What is your favorite fiction book?

Kirsty — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:48:40 -0000

Sweetness in the Belly by Canadian author Camilla Gibb.
http://www.camillagibb.ca/sweetness_excerpt.cfm

Re: What is something completely luxurious that you dream of owning?

Kirsty — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:00:34 -0000

An Airstream classic, custom-designed, and hauled by a bio-diesel truck. For all my road-worthy adventures!

Re: What are you excited about right now?

Kirsty — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:14:22 -0000

Right now, I'm excited about attending our a wedding in the Ottawa Valley where we will be surrounded by genuine, fun-loving friends.

Re: What are you excited about right now?

Kirsty — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:18:13 -0000

Kudos to you for embarking on the half-marathon! It's an amazing experience.

Re: How do you know when a decision is “right” for you?

Kirsty — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:45:08 -0000

Bene...I get the same physical reaction when I've made the right choice: energized and peppy! But like Alison said in the first reply, if I second guess myself, I loose my focus, and the energy of my intuition.

Re: What’s the best concert you ever attended?

Kirsty — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:03:09 -0000

That's funny...I saw Lionel Richie open for Tina Turner at the ACC in Toronto about five years ago.

Re: What’s the best concert you ever attended?

Kirsty — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:10:42 -0000

Oh, I like this question. But I echo others, it is too hard to pick b/c luckily, I've been to too many fabulous shows.

If I had to pick only one I'd say U2 at the old CNE Grandstand in Toronto on their Zoo TV tour. My friend at the time surprised me with fourth row tickets, and back stage passes. I've never met a sexier man than Bono in my life.

Re: How have you changed?

Kirsty — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:58:23 -0000

My behaviours and thoughts have changed as I realized I can't 'save' my family from their unhappiness and mental health issues.

Re: Carrie & Danielle’s Evolved Men We Love List

Kirsty — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0000

The men of Pearl Jam, especially Eddie Vedder and Stone Gossard, for continuing to produce their style of rock against the grain of the music industry and for having political consciousness.