Click here to read I’m a Good Story.

Hey y’all who read this “blog”, which isn’t really a blog but more like a place to dump my photos and post links to stuff I write online and update on anything exciting that’s going on in my life. I suppose this is more like a newsletter than a blog. It just looks like a blog. Anyhow. What was I saying? Right, the big news is I moved back to Vancouver. Yayayayayay! I haven’t felt this happy in my brain for a long time. Probably since, oh I don’t know, before my brain chemistry started changing when I was 11.

I was offered a really great part-time writing gig, which so far is working out very well. It’s four blocks from my place and it’s in a newsroom, which I surprisingly missed, and it’s all around fantastic. Plus, it gives me time to keep doing the freelance thing. So yup, I’m not complaining much these days.

Speaking of freelance, I had a piece in the weekend travel section of the Toronto Star. It’s about how to have sex when you’re travelling. Click here to read it. It was mostly inspired by the last seven months of me being kind of without a permanent home.

And, now here’s some photos…

After spending some glorious, life-affirming time at the beach recently, Katie and I went to check out the Maritime Museum with my guest media pass, because otherwise I’d never pay to see something like that on the assumption that it was super boring. But guess what? It totally wasn’t! I even learned about lady pirates. So go! It’s super fun.

Friends!

How I’ve missed you! (I want hair like Mish’s but would never be able to commit to that kind of colour.)

Framing my face?

Cheer up D!

Who’s the sharp mystery man nice enough to take me out to dinner at this super sweet Vietnamese restaurant? You’ll probably never know.

So here are a few things I’ve been really excited about.

Too High Crew. My new favourite persona-rap-pot-goofy-how-many-people-can-they-fit-onstage-performance-art act. I had a lot of fun at their 4/20 show.

Here’s me eating a peanut butter cup at my 4/20 afterparty. Followed by a bag of dried mango and some homemade potato salad (the only thing I’m really good at making).

My new book, Radio Belly, by Buffy Cram. I’m so proud to say I went to writing school with Buffy…I’m honoured to have once critiqued her work! What a talent. I went to her Vancouver book launch and it was the happiest thing that’s happened to me all year. It was thrilling to see.

My downstairs neighbour gave this to me. I remember absolutely loving Astro Boy as a very young child, but could not tap my brain hard enough to recall what it’s about. So I started watching it again and in turn, have fallen in love all over. There’s so much depth to the stories. There’s also a lot of darkness and inspiration. Seriously. Check it out.

That’s all I got. Ta-ta for now.

Haven’t updated this blog for a while. Sometimes I wonder how many blogs one person can maintain. Anyhuesy…photos! The above is one of my dog looking like a frill-necked lizard.

And Barclay looking like the giant creature from the Never Ending Story. (Not uncommon for dogs.)
My sister thinks it’s really funny that they have love seats at Bloor Cinema…or as she calls them, “fat people seats”.
 Very little makes me happier than rubbing these feet.
 This was a nice moment.

My dogbaby. My baby who just happens to be a dog.

Click here to read I’m a Good Story.

So, did any or all of y’all catch my story in the Post this week on Garfunkel and Oates? If not, here’s a link to get you up to speed. Photos by Mr. Intensity himself, Simon Hayter. So yeah, that was fun.

More photos.

god is everywhere.

Most of my mornings are like this these days.

Tuff times.

Dave and Graham did a live podcast show here last night. It was such a fun party!

Since when did they get so famous?!

Now it’s Sunday and I’m desperately trying to write but it’s all coming out like a sloppy stream of poop. Trying to finish up a radio play about inadvertent public displays of bestiality (uh, don’t ask?) and I’m having a hard time coming up with an ending. So many possible scenarios but none seem as funny as I want them to be.

Oh, so I’m half-assidly starting a blog about loneliness…

thelonelyblog.tumblr.com

Feel free to submit or email me (write@eliannalev.com) photos, songs, videos, poems, words, and snapshots of moments when you’re feeling lonely…and I’ll put them up. It’s just a silly little thing my friend suggested I do whenever I feel needy. Not putting too much energy into it, but maybe I will when I’m bored or procrastinating or if there’s a huge interest.

Anyhow, hope you all have a happy week!

Click here to read I’m a Good Story.

I’m writing this from YVR on the way home to Toronto. Delayed by AIR CRUELTY for the last four hours but I’m trying not to complain, so I’ll just use this time to be productive and update my personal blog. So yeah. Anyhow. I’m in Vancouver and have been for the last 10 days. From one home to another. I don’t think I could live without Vancouver in my life on a consistent basis. Trying to figure out how to make that a reality.

So here are some photos of things I’ve been doing. Oh, before I get to that, I should remind you to pick up the National Post on Wednesday. I supposedly have a cover story on the arts section that was a lot of fun to write. I’ll remind you later this week. Ok. Photos.

This is the first thing I did when I got to town.

Followed by this. (Sushiyama aka Sushiyummy!)

Followed by this. (Karaoke!)

And this. (Friend friend party time.)

And this. (Trying hard to rock my new high-waisted jean look.)

The next day I was done my work early and feeling useless and unproductive and was like, I should go for a walk, maybe something magical will happen. And within a minute, I ran into these two, who were in town for an hour and thought they’d go for a quick walk. CRAZY! (Adrienne on the left is the producer of Bomb Girls and one of my heros, and Ian on the right is a teacher extraordinary and one of my closest friends.)

Spending time with Hilary is magical too, in much different ways. Ask me about it another time. Still processing.

And while we’re on the subject of magic, lil’ miss good vibes herself, KITTY RAE! And Irish.

Stayed at the Burrard for a few nights, which was undoubtedly one of the highlights of my trip. Highly recommended. Kyla came to visit me one night. That was also a highlight.

Went on a travel writing exercution to Washington with Mir for 24 hours. The first thing we do in the US is hit up Jack in the Box. We tried the bacon milkshakes and let me tell you…

…we really enjoyed them.

Stayed at a super lovely lodge. Except there was no door on the bathroom and we weren’t the lesbian couple everyone thought we were so it made things a little awkward when I wanted to take a soak.

There were pigs on the property. They wiggle their tails just like dogs do! This guy was being shy.

Then it was off to a final wine tasting, Target, the outlets and back to Vancouver where I was able to have a quick visit with my #1 (a), Grampa!

I also got to spend time with Shane and Katie. I’m their surrogate teenaged daughter.

Okay. It’s been about four hours of killing time before my delayed flight and I’ve got another 1.5 to go. Gonna go spend my big $10 voucher at some crappy generic airport vendor. That’ll shave off another 35 minutes or so.  NOT COMPLAINING. FLYING IS FUN!

Tell me what I got to look forward to in Toronto, my friends.

Click here to read I’m a Good Story.

I heard this song on CBC radio this morning and I cannot stop listening to it. I think the last time I heard it was on a cassette mix someone made me at zionist/socialist camp when I was 13. Anyhow, I am quite partial to any song with mandolins and harmonies. It gives me the warmziez.

So? What’s up guys? Have you been reading my column in the Metro every Monday? I hope so. They’re fun to write. It’s my voice, but toned down to a much broader, on-the-way-to-work audience who want to learn about things I’d traditionally snarf at, like poetry readings and jazz. Unfortunately I believe this week is the last I’ll be doing it as it was just a temporary thing while my buddy who does it regularly took a vacation. But I’m sure there’ll be other opportunities of that calibre some time in the near future. Look at that? Me being positive about the future. Must be something in the (disgusting, flat, gag-inducing) Toronto water.This city is taking to me, or me to it. I can’t believe I just admitted that.

Anyhow. Photos.

Every time I leave my parent’s house, this happens. It’s a goodbye party!

I was staying in Liberty Village for a few weeks and one night the sky looked so pretty. Too bad it didn’t translate well in the photo.

Remember Matthew? Of course you do. He’s hard to forget. Anyhow, he was in town.

So we threw a party!

The gang!

These exist and I am that much happier as a result.

I visited my dad at work.

Tried to get connected to nature like I used to in Vancouver. Not quite the same but close enough.

My main goal right is to find a boyfriend who’ll accept every part of me…even when we’re taking a dump together.

This is one of my favourite songs of all time – yeah, yeah, you probably shouldn’t listen if you’re suicidal, but the title is fitting since I LOVE the holidays. Here are some photos of how I spent mine…

Sean and his massive household had a wholesome Christmas party, where guests were required to dress in onesies or lederhosen or both. Everyone in attendance was a costume designer or a puppeteer, except me.

Channuka/Hannuka/Hanuukkkakakakakakakaka

Me looking and feeling soooooo happy after Christmas dinner at the Jacot’s.

2/5th of the Jacots.

Dutchie’s winter attire, which I did not invest in. My parents have spoiled her to the point where she’s a different dog. She even snapped at me when I shoved my face into her face and wouldn’t move it. Back in the day, she never would have even dreamed of doing such a thing.

I spent a bunch of time in the hospital, while my friend was in there. I helped her fill out lengthy forms, which was a pretty fun process.

Should you ever go to the crusty Chinese mall in Chinatown, know the rules.

Let the Snow Games with Dutchie begin!

Food and drink on New Years.

I made everyone take a photo of themselves. I do that a lot.

Apparently if you move around while someone’s taking a photo of you, it’s impossible to get a bad shot. Not that Sarah doesn’t photograph well.

Beautiful Katie.

I changed my top to a polka dotted one.

Anyhow, that’s it for now. Didn’t make any resolutions ’cause I have enough pressure on myself right now. I did promise to eat every novelty poutine item I come across on a menu, so, yeah, bring it. Got any tips or recommendations for poutine-inspired dishes?

Click here to read I’m a Good Story.

How are things going, y’all? It’s getting bitterly cold here in Toronto but I’m trying to train my mind into tricking my body into thinking it’s hot, like those crazy energy people are able to do. Still learning how to get good at being all brain powerful but I’m sure it’ll come in time with some rigorous training.

What’s been going on? Well, a few things. Work wise, I’ve had a few things out there in the past few weeks. For one, I have a weekly column in the Metro every Monday. It’s called Urban Compass and I’m doing it until Mid-Feb or early March while the girl who usually does it is away. Taken a few weeks to sort of understand the tone and voice, but it’s coming along.

Last week I had a piece about Todd Barry in the National Post. Click here to read it.

When he was in town, I took him to Banook, and ordered this:

Poutine pizza. I’m that disgusting girl. (To my credit, and dignity, I only ate a quater of it.)

He’d never been to Active Surplus, so we checked that out too.

This is for all those people who seriously anticipate getting their Shoppers Drug Mart coupon flyer.

What else? I went with my mum to see the General Idea retrospective at the AGO. She was like “I don’t get it” and I was like “Wow, these guys were real artists. I wonder if they were rich?”

Me, trying not to pose but posing.

Speaking of posing, my dog on her hind legs. It’s one of her better tricks. I call it “The Gopher”.

Oh, I accompanied the lovely Sarah Efron on one of her Spice City exertions.  It was decent. I liked the place’s decor better than the food.

I went with Chris to see Jack and Jill. We got there early and were turned away by the ticket taker three times so to kill time, Chris went in this tornado stimulator. It was basically a small capsule that made strange sounds and blew air on your head a bit stronger than a hairdryer.

Came across this kid in Kensington market. I like what she’s got going on.

Tell me this detergent thing doesn’t remind you of a delicious piece of candy.

Oh…my stunning dear friend Natalie and her boyfriend took part in this series, where couples are captured looking moody and beautiful.

She is without a doubt one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met.

I believe that’s it. My dog hasn’t, er, taken care of business yet today so I should probably go take care of business…happy holidays!

Back from New York. It was sad to leave but it’s all good. Toronto’s not a bad place to come back to. But enough yammering. Here are some photos.

Every time I took Maggie for a walk, I kept on thinking about that horrible movie with Winona Ryder and Richard Gere…

The most sure-fire way to get attention (the good kind), is to put little rubber booties on your dog. Or a dog. That’s not my dog.

There was a guy playing sax here once but I was too shy to take a photo. So just imagine (with your eyes and your ears).

The mental-ness that is Maurizio Cattelan.

And staple friend, Rachel. Still a staple after all these years.

Oh, at the park I would frequent, I kept hearing about this feral graveyard dog that lived in the park. We came across it one day and I felt like I sawr a leprechaun! He was so sweet and shy.

Sue and I trying to recreate a photo we took in Victoria, like, seven years ago.

And the cutest family ever.

Hey, what? It’s ALI LIEBERT! In New York! (I type that in all caps ’cause I think more than 60% of hits on this site are people around the world looking for photos of her.)

And now a series of photos of me posing awkwardly next to modern art…

Me, my 90s “whisp” bangs and the lovely Sara Morgan…

My first American Thanksgiving dinner at Teru’s place, which was delicious. We actually had stirfry, instead of the traditional fair.

And here’s me and Maggie next to a swamp!

That’s it. Yup.

Nearly a month since I last posted on here so why the eff (f?) not?

So what’s been going on? For one, I’m really happy that I relocated to Toronto. I never thought I’d say that, but the city’s got it going on. SO MUCH more work. It’s great. I’ll probably likely probably maybe likely probably end up staying.

For two, I wrote about my experience as an intern at the fabu Pop Up Video for the National Post. Read it, it’s fun! I also wrote a few reports about cardio health for Mediaplanet. It’s fun too!

What else? Here are some photos of the last month or so.

This is at Tikka Lahore. Go there, it’s wonderful. They decorate their walls with saris and make fantastic kebabs. Ronit says I have Karla Homolka eyes in this photo.

Gabi and baby Julia.

Dogs.

There should be a petition to let me keep Ronit’s pants.

Baby teeth. It’s amazing what my parents keep around the house. I’m working on parring things down dramatically.

What are these things called? Head lovers? I want one.

Go play a Video Game. (Wow, these are mostly photos of me. I guess that’s just my headspace these days. Sowwy everyone else in my life.)

Now I’m in New York. My days have been full but my nights have been low key. Except for this one night, when we went to this terrible, cokey Wall Streeter club that has seven bouncers outside and makes you wait even if you’re on the guestlist and barely anyone is inside.

Naomi wondering when it’s all going to be over.

Me (again? Geez…) wondering what path I could have taken to be one of those girls cuddled up next to the overweight fat cat at the $3000 table with bottle service, being waited on by models in tight dresses and sparklers.

We only went to see Naomi’s friend, Buck, perform. If you’re a porn aficionado, you know who he is. He’s awesome.

Now I’m hanging out with this little fluffy monkey. We go for nice walks here. I’m around for another 10 days or so, so if you know fun things that are going on, do keep me posted.

Also, I’m going to be doing a weekly column in the Metro for a few months called Urban Compass. So if you or someone you know in Toronto is doing something cool/quirky/unique that needs promotion, hit me up email styles, write@eliannalev.com

Coming at you from the East Coast! North York to be exact. Home of, um, a bunch of ravines, a huge Canadian Tire and lots of strip malls. It’s not so bad. I’m staying with my folks, who are eating dinner as I write this at 4:15 p.m.

First off, here’s a little something I wrote for CP on Canadian scouts. Apparently it’s the hip happening thing for the youngens to do these days.

As for my life in Canada’s most important city, here’s a few snapshots…

I went to my first baptism, or as my dad kept calling it, “baby waterboarding”.

I wanted to take full advantage of the fact that the Toronto Transit Commission allows dogs to ride subways and buses (!!!!!!) . This is unheard of in Vancouver, which is super annoying. Anyhow, Dutchie didn’t like it, not one bit. She shook and panted uncontrollably the entire trip.

I went to a cottage for a day, which was somewhere far and couldn’t be accessed by GPS.

Then I slept at a beautiful B&B that had really cool curtains and headboard fabric.

Then it was my birthday. One of the best ones on record. Of course Chris tried to embarrass me.

Then we went to a park and basked in the glorious sunshine.

Dan was there and here’s the proof!

Then we went to a bunch of bars and wound up at Lakeview diner. That’s it!

So Toronto, is there anything/anywhere I desperately need to hit up now that I’m here? Do tell.