So after nearly three years, I’m putting this project to an end. And who better to bury this shit with than with one of the world’s greatest gonzo journalists, Nardwuar the Human Serviette!

It’s not so much an interview as it is a chat. (Well, a chat n’ chew, ’cause we were eating lunch the whole time. At the Tomahawk Grill. A popular place in Nardworld.) Nardwuar really shaped my style and tone as a journalist…I aspire to be as entertaining and informative as he is. His work is certainly memorable.

That said, I got into some deeper shit with the Vancouver icon, including what made him the way he is (read: not like you and me), how he deals with anger and what saved him when he was close to dying. He also dropped a ton of his pop cultural expertise, including bits on Sebastian Bach, Sharon Stone on Arsenio Hall, and his relationship with Snoop Dogg.

Anyhow, thanks for listening to this wee project of mine for the last few years. It’s been super fun, though I certainly lost my drive about a year and a half in. Producing takes a lot of time and energy and my passion kind of just fizzled out. (Though my love for podcasts and the art of radio will live on. There’s a potential new project in the works, relating to science and storytelling.)

Big, huge thanks to…

♥Aaron Beckum, for producing the music for the first eight episodes. (Now he works with way cooler people than you do.)

♥Amber and Josh of Lightening Dust and Jagjawuar for letting me use the song “Wind Me Up” in the intro and extro.

♥Everyone who shared their stories with me.

♥Ashley Webber, Chris Smith, Louise Burns, Bogus Tokus for letting me use their music. You should listen to it. It’s real good.

♥Bob from Vancouver is Awesome for putting up a couple of episodes.

AND…of course, ♥♥♥y’all♥♥♥ for listening! (Hearts.) It’s seriously meant the world to me.

And now, at the tender (and lethal) age of 27, we are done! Thanks again.

Click here to read I’m a Good Story and click here to listen to the People’s Program Project.

Hiya. I’ll start this with a few links to some of my work that’s been out there in the webesphere. Here’s a piece I did on teen photographer Petra Collins that got picked up all over the place. (Hot young girls with talent generate interest. Not surprised. Also, helps to have ArtStars in there. And Tavi.) Here’s a piece I did on Jenni Lee Nelson and her fantastic vintage store in the Downtown Eastside. Here’s a piece I did on Deandra, the lady I owe for having magnificent hair, and her new salon and her inspiring everything. Also, if this gets something like 300 more hits, I make an extra 50 buck. So please click! Then I can subscribe to a magazine or something.

So there’s that. I have a bunch of photos to share. This past weekend I was fortunate enough to attend Dave and Abby’s wedding on Gabriola Island, one of my favourite places in the world. (Note: I originally wrote “Galiano” because for some reason I ALWAYS mix the two up, despite the fact that Gabriola is my favorite place in the world and I had just spent five hours writing about it yesterday. I’m a dumb-dumb. Freudian geographical slip or something.)

Snack buffet and travel companion, Larry David.

The view from the cabin I stayed at. The day I went over, an armed and dangerous man was on the loose on the island after a woman was murdered. (No joke.) I was kinda scared of the idea of staying in the cabin in the middle of the woods, alone. But it was all right. Marvelous, in fact.

There were some cliff formations on the property so I went out and took moody pictures.

This represents my pretty, feminine mood.

Later that night, after I spent the day doing interviews for a story I’m writing, I went over to Nanaimo to pick up some comedians and friends.

They were likely laughing about the creepiest kid alive, who was also on the ferry.

The night before the wedding. Alicia and Graham gave Dabby bread slippers. If you listen to Dave’s podcast (and you probably do) you’ll know the joke.

Me, clownface and the bread slippers.

The next day a bunch of us went to the Malaspina Galleries, which was one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited in recent times. The above photos weren’t them.

This was them. Holy smoly.

Then the fellas started jumping into the water, all carefree styles.

I didn’t jump. I chose to slip in.

Almost wedding time. This is the part where everyone takes advantage of how pretty and handsome they look and takes pictures of everyone else. I think Alicia stole the show, after the bride, of course.

Is it getting warm or what? Myself with some handsome fellas.

Then the stunning ceremony, which included but wasn’t limited to adorable flower girls in handmade dresses, a cry-worthy poem and quote about love, a butterfly AND an eagle. Not to mention the absolutely knock-out bride. I had a sneak peak at the shoes and dress design but Abby just blew my mind with how she pulled it off. Every detail of that outfit blew my brain right out of my head.

I was lucky to clock some Grampa time. He’s my #1 (a). [Dutchie is my #1 (b).]

WE HAVE ALLERGIES!

More stunningness.

Dan and I pretending we have chemistry.

The next day when I came home my beautiful neighbour was having a girl’s bbq croquet party in my backyard and happened to have invited every single hot girl in this city. Too bad you weren’t invited.

Then I went to another bbq and this anime character was there.

And these two fantastic staple friends.

Oh, did you know my mum’s been in town and it’s been absolutely divine?

I’ve done a bunch of work today and I should be doing some more but I just don’t have it in me.  So I’ll be posting to my blog, thank you very much.

It’s been really nice being back in Vancouver. I was so surprised by how many people were happy to see me. Nice to be missed. Now I’m trying to figure out how I can be based in two places, and where those two places will be. Vancouver is one, for sure. Not too sure where the other will be. Suggestions?

In terms of stuff I’m working on/have worked on…I wrote this for CP, which is about a fun/nerdy event happening this weekend. I’m working on a project with Chris Jacot, which we hope to air for the last ever episode of the People’s Program Project. What, you’re thinking. That’s still around? Well, technically it is but since it’s so infrequent I decided to try and put out one last podcast and call it a day (well, two years and 27 episodes.) I’ve lost the passion and drive for that particular podcast, but I still plan on putting out some other podcast-related stuff in the (hopefully) near future. I’ll keep y’all posted on when the last episode of P3 goes up, and I’ll be sure to excessively promote the other podcast I’ve slowly been working on.

If my writing is currently any indication, I’m very tired. So here are some photos.

Ayma had a party for Kate-Lynn. I spent a good chunk of the night having a heart to heart with Ayma, while she wore that ridiculous hat.

Speaking of ridiculous hats.

This was a good day.

Lisa Joyce having a hard time deciding if she’s having fun or not.

This was a good day too. We felt like we were in a cock fighting ring , or were five-years-old, while we looked up to order.

The other day I was thinking about someone I want to have the ol’ in and out with, and I looked up and saw this. Sign?!?!?!?!

This isn’t the first photo of Miranda and I taken in front of cool wallpaper.

And despite being a former model who doesn’t like haven’t his photo taken, here’s one of one of my all time favourite people, looking quite photogenic.

Hey! Check out my latest project. Click here now!

Lots of valleys as of late. So let’s focus on the things that make me peak.

This…

Because it makes me  feel like summer, even though that feeling is fleeting these days.

Old people holding hands…

Never gets old.

Louise Burns!

She’s my Buddha babe.

This movie, which says a lot ’cause I have little patience for movies.

This song. It’s currently number one on my Top 25 most played on iTunes. That link is of a sexy, coked up version of the original.

Oh. And this person…That right there is my Jesus. I worship him. It’s his birthday today, so I took the day off to celebrate. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS JACOT! I’ll call you for the ninth time later!

Here is Rape Whistle Fan Club’s debut! Well, the debut was actually on Friday as part of Music Waste’s video competition. Here’s a photo of us chatting with the judges…

…and a photo of the judges…

…all of whom I have a connection to. Here was our bit…Bob on the right, is my co-worker. Paul in the middle, I’ve made out with. And Taz on the end, I’ve slept with (because we used to date.) So we told them that if our video didn’t win, it means I’m a shitty worker, a bad kisser and a terrible lay. Like I said, we didn’t win. But we still had fun!

What else? Mother Lev is in town. Here’s a photo of her and my dog…

OH! I’ve launched my column, I’m a Good Story, as its own website. Click here and check back every Thursday for a new one! Also, send it to everyone you know. Even your weird neighbour!

Tomorrow I’m being flown to Toronto for this amazing press tour thing. I’m really excited. I’ll provide more details upon my return later this week. It’s going to be a busy few days. But I’m sooooo excited! You’ll understand why once I’ve filled you in…soon, soon.

One of the things I’ve been working hard on recently is a storytelling night called Rain City Chronicles. We had our first event on December 1st at Little Mountain Studios. It was a great success. We’ve got nothing but really positive feedback and it seems like the city is ready for this kind of thing. We plan on doing it every season so the next one should be in March. This special episode of P3 features stories by CBC Radio 3‘s Grant Lawrence, who talked about his first experience with a pacific octopus…

Rain City Chronicles co-organizer and freelancer writer Karen Pinchin, who talked about her first time getting in a car with a stranger…

Sex guy and Manhussy‘s Cam MacLeod, who talks about the first time he realized girls go crazy when you’ve had sex with them…

Talent Time‘s Paul Anthony, who talks about his first parentless road trip…

And me. I told a story about the first time I sang with Belle and Sebastian on stage…

Music is by Basil Waugh…

I’ll try to have the second half of the evening out in podcast format by next week. In the meantime, enjoy!

A Steinberg, Finlason, Jacot, Lev co-production. Marie Pierre is an alter ego who’s a hyper-sexual, androgynous Cirque du Soliel reject.

Illustration, voice, writing, animation and editing: Sarah Steinberg (Check out her other animations. They’re funny and very observant.)

Marie Pierre Concept: Chris Jacot and Elianna Lev

Hair, makeup, wardrobe, photo direction: Matthew Finlason and Chris Jacot

To listen to episode one, click here.

Welcome to the temporary web home of the People’s Program Project. I’m going to be using this until my website, www.noneandonly.com, is ready to go.

For the majority of my adult life, I’ve been lucky enough to tell stories for a living. As a result, I’ve become obsessed with finding good ones. The People’s Program Project (or P3 for short) is my attempt to do that.

The plan is to start local. All the people in my life are talented, funny, articulate and great storytellers. So my storytelling vault is pretty much endless. But the plan is to eventually start hearing stories from outside my little world, to truly make this program project that of the people.

So on the first episode we have three stories (and a really long intro and extro.) They are:

A Small Band in a Large Amphitheatre
A few years ago my friend’s band was asked, seemingly out of nowhere, to spend a month opening for a ginormous band. I asked said friend, blind-item styles, about what it was like to tour with the biggest band in the world.

Never Been Caught Stealing
The story of a former retail manager who became obsessed with stealing from her own store.

Courage: Living Up to Her Name
The story of a recent reunion with my first baby.

There’s a lot of people who helped put this podcast together. They are:

Aaron Beckum – He’s the musical director of the show and all around very talented fellow. He’s also one of the founders of the Amazing Alphabet People’s Coalition. The podcast would be nothing without him.

Dave Shumka: A local comedian who hosts the consistently hilarious Stop Podcasting Yourself. Let’s call him the technical director, because he taught me everything I needed to know about podcasting. He’s a whiz.

Josh Wells and Amber Webber: Also known as Lightning Dust. They provided the sweet, beautiful theme song, Wind Me Up, with permission from their label Jagjaguwar.

Ben Frey: This mindblowingly talented artist designed the podcast’s logo. Good thing he owed me a favour. You can check out more of his stuff here.

Steve Pratt: He’s the director of CBC Radio 3 (which I used to freelance for) and a multimedia master who has been so generous with his time. If it wasn’t for his encouragement, I’d never have even thought about starting a podcast.

Thanks so much for your interest and stay tuned. Drop me a line at noneandonly@gmail.com and let me know what you think.