A golden Olympic moment

The cauldron on Coal Harbor.

The Olympic rings on the water. Every day that Canada wins a gold medal, the rings change from blue to gold. At midnight, they revert to blue. Click on the bottom pic to see it bigger.

Vancouver Olympics, day 3

It's an amazing and overwhelming energy in the city. Frenzy. Pride. Joy. Everyone knows the whole thing ends tomorrow with the rematch between the US and Canada mens hockey teams. After that, closing ceremonies.

Today we hit some "cultural" events. The CocaCola tent, Samsung pavillion, and Quebec house. Tonight is dinner with friends, then the last fireworks over Fakse Creek. From what I hear, they have some spare cans if fireworks and they firing them all tonight. Nothing held back!

I've lost my voice. Tomorrow will be off the hook.

Vancouver Olympic pics, day 2

This pace is exhausting. So much to shop for. A nail-biter of a hockey game. The fever is getting to me!

Vancouver pics, day 01

You have received new photos from Jim Kehl.

-- Email sent with the "Multi-Photo Email" iPhone application --

Olympic Fever hits home

I've got my team outfit on, these white pants are horrible to keep clean in the rain and snow!
(psssstttt, that's me on the left!)

You've probably noticed I've been not here lately. I've been watching TV. SPORTS on TV to be more specific. I'm getting an average of 12 hours of Olympic coverage recorded to my DVR every single day. NBC has cleverly mixed the things I want to see with things I don't want to see. Even to fast forward through every single hour of recorded events would take an hour or more just to get through 12 hours of broadcast coverage.

But I manage. I just don't have time for anything else, like writing a blog, reading a blog, cooking a meal, or doing any work.

Mikka represents, G-Oh Canada!

I've even gone so far as to go out in public and watch a sporting event in a bar. Canada vs. USA Men's hockey, at a British pub in Santa Monica. Hunkered down with 30+ rabid Canadian sports fans. I had the fish & chips, they were delicious.

Lyle and I have watched as the world turns the focus on Vancouver and I have been very sad that I am not there taking part in all the festivities. I feel a proprietary ownership over Vancouver. I grew up an hour south of Vancouver, just inside the American side of the border. I spent the summer of 1986 at the Vancouver Expo and we lived there for year in the middle of our California lives. Every time they show a street, a landmark, an aerial shot from the Goodyear Blimp, I go, "I should be there! I know that street! I used to have coffee there!" and I get crazy in my head.

My dad has a phrase, "Everybody complains about the weather, but no one ever does anything about it." So I'm doing it. I'm changing the weather.

By the time you are reading this, I WILL BE IN VANCOUVER.

I found a cheap flight. I bought my ticket. I've got a place to stay. And I've got friends willing to sell me their tickets to the CLOSING CEREMONIES. Look for me on the television, I'll be in row, "Holycrapthatsclosetothecieling, Section J, seatZZZ"!!!

Anahi Viña HQ

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Remain Open to Change - Dwell in Possibility

Short post on one of the most important elements of the creative process: remaining open to change.

Example: I began writing my current novel last month. I had the title first, which for me, is how I roll. I'm not prepared to spill the beans on the title yet, but I will say it's similar to THE SECRET KEEPER in that the title tells the power of the main character. However, last week as I was writing, I was trying to find another character who could also have a power, since that's what I thought "should" happen. When I couldn't come up with someone else having a power, I thought, maybe none of them should, and the book should be straight YA rather than YA Fantasy. So... I took the power away from the mc.

And then today happened.

As I was writing, the mc stole my pen (i.e., keyboard) and began telling about her power and how it works and how it doesn't work and I realized maybe this is the way the book is supposed to be after all! How confusing this writing game can be. And how beautiful the notion of creating something from nothing.

Have you had similar experiences with your writing - when you thought something was "supposed" to go a certain way only to find you were terrifically wrong? I'd love to hear about it. ;-)

I feel I'm in "change" mode. I'm looking for a new background for my blog (don't be surprised if I have a new look the next time you stop by), I've moved the furniture around in my bedroom, and I have that anxious-butterflies-in-the-stomach feeling that something's coming, I don't know what it is, but it is gonna be great... Life. Possibility. Exciting.

As Emily Dickinson says, "Dwell in Possibility."

LIVE

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SUBLIMINAL MONDAY: Revelations

Is it just me, or are SUBLIMINAL MONDAYS arriving at warped speed these days? I'm fairly certain someone has messed with the fragile space/time continuum, and I'm not pleased. The reason this angers me is because, although it may not look like it, these posts do not write themselves. [In fact, small elves from Greenland write them, but I'll save that for another time.]

So, my friends, guess what? I'm back to work on a new story. [Sheesh, does this writing crap never end?] Awesome Agent is currently reading Draft #3, and I'm going crazy not editing. Therefore, TADA! new book to the rescue.

As I was writing this week, I had a mind-bending revelation: There may not be "magic" in this wip, and I mean that literally. I would've bet money that the follow-up to my first YA novel would also have a magical element, but guess what? I would've been wrong. [I'm sorry, are you snoring? RUDE!] So, what is my new book about you ask? It's about teenagers without special powers, other than their usual bitchiness, know-it-all-ness, laziness, sex-craziness, etc. that teens excel at. [I'm sorry, did I say, "teens?" I meant,"I."] Even though I'm only 4,200 words in, I'm already in love with my characters. They're fun, quirky, bossy, interesting, and conflict-ridden. And a few are just plain train-wreckish. [Like Tiger Woods or Sarah Palin. Or maybe Tiger Woods and Sarah Palin. Ohmygod, could she have been one of his gazillion mistresses? Holy Lipstick-On-a-Pig, Batman, I didn't think it was possible for my opinion of Tiger to tank any lower!]

Like many writers, I translate the drama I see in real life into fiction. I'm fortunate enough to be surrounded by a gaggle of teens. [Yes, they're called a "gaggle." Google "gaggle" if you don't believe me... Okay, fine. I made it up. I just wanted to say google gaggle.] Of course, I cut out about 99% of the bad words they use, because, really, who wants to read a book with the "eff word" in every sentence? [Larry Flint, Howard Stern, and David Duchovny, to name a few.]

And, don't faint, but I had another revelation this week. [Must be the extra chocolate I've been strategically adding to my diet.] I realized writing is akin to Olympic sports. Yup, you heard me right folks. Like Olympic athletes, we writers rise early in the morning [afternoon], exercise [Twitter, solitaire] and GET OUR GAME ON! [Write a chapter or two and take a nap.] Sometimes we even fall down [roll out of bed for a snack] leaving random body parts [words, sentences, entire chapters] strewn about, and get up and do it all over again the next day. In fact - and you can quote me on this - the stress we writers face far surpasses that of Olympic athletes. Why? Because they only do it once every four years, while we writers sometimes write four books in ONE year. You do the math. [You hate math? Fine, I'll do it for you. 4x4=16. You're welcome.] Like gold medalist Shaun White would say, "I'm so stoked, dude, cuz like, WRITERS ARE TOTALLY RAD!"

So, as you continue to watch world-class, Olympic athletes skiing, skating, bobsledding, or whatever-the-heck it is they do on the international stage this week, remember to give credit where credit is due: to the writers. After all, it is we who work our arses off [sit on our arses while we work] and it is we who never sleep [not counting night time and mandatory afternoon naps].

SUBLIMINAL MONDAY question: What is your favorite Winter Olympic sport? My fave is Figure Skating. [Will forever be in love with Torvill and Dean.]

Mitzy

WOLF REMIX 1

WOLF REMIX 2

61T4N4

Fiera

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BONUS:

UNO

DOS

All potatoes, no meat

So I've got nothing going on here. I mean, I always have 10,000 things going on, but nothing on a grand scale worthy of blah-blah-blogging about.

The weather is nice. It's been almost 80 for a few days. The forecast is for rain to come again on the weekend.

Work is busy. Either because I've left a bunch of stuff to pile up, or because other people waited and dumped it all on me at the last minute. Either way, its nice to have work to do.

The house is out of control and needs that "clean slate" clean post Christmas re-do. You know, the one where all the tchotchkes move to the dining room table and get re-placed about the house, or into storage while other things come out of storage.

I need to fold my sweaters.

The Winter Olympics in Vancouver are taking over my life. I've got almost 9 hours of coverage to fast forward through every night to find the nuggets I want to watch. I am continually two days behind on all events.

So you can see I am just as dull as my neighbors without a blog and still, I got nothing to write about over here.

Brazilian beer Devassa, Rio

Paris Hilton pic

In February 2010, Paris Hilton participated in an advertising campaign for the launch of the Brazilian beer Devassa.

The Chairman of the Schincariol, Adriano Schincariol, announced at a news conference in Rio that the company will invest in 2010 approximately $ 1 billion, with $ 100 million for the launch of the beer 'Devassa and blonde, "which, according to Adriano, now available in retail outlets and innovative marketing strategy for the company's beer market.

The Advertising campaign in which the mark is not revealed - 'and mysterious', released on Sunday in the open and pay TV, is played by the international celebrity Paris Hilton.

As part of the campaign, Paris Hilton 'll also join the carnival of Rio de Janeiro in the cabin of the brewery.

Paris Hilton came to Brazil in full carnival, to advertise beer. This is Paris Hilton 's first time dancing and partying in Rio.



Paris Hilton Devassa party in Rio...

Paris Hilton "live in" brazilian beer launch party in rio 14/02/2010.

That was hot..



Paris Hilton - Carnaval RIO 2010

I love Paris Hilton! She's a sweetheart!

BBB & DLS in NYC

Okay, folks, I've edited a bit and tried to make this VLOG as intriguing as possible. May I present me and Awesome Agent (the incredible Bernadette Baker-Baughman of Baker's Mark Literary Agency) in NYC. Let me know what you think!



Sorry about the darkness and the background noise. Steven Spielberg has nothing to fear from me.

Zara With A Little R.L

Zara Spring collection is finally in, and its giving me exactly what I want. This season campaign features Toni Garrn,one of the few who can make a string and napkin look dope. Zara skipped the bright colors and bold patterns and went in for the cool mellow tones such beige, khaki, and soft pinks. Men's inspired blazers and high waist safari pants are the base of the Spring collection along with with McQueen inspired shoes. (I'll have to show you those later:-D )

Quick Run Down-

Blazer- $129

Leather High Waist Shorts- $99

Total= $228

Not bad right? R. Lauren would have charged you 10x's more for this look.

-Shaeveon La'Trey

Nicholas Kirkwood Spring '10

It's about that time to tuck those winter boots back in the box, and quickly shove them under the bed. The sun is out, and its time to step it up..... about 6 inches!

-Shaeveon La'Trey

Billy Reid Fall 2010 Collection

I've noticed my style maturing lately. I don't dabble around with graphic t-shirts anymore, & I'm not afraid to throw on a blazer & a tie every once and a while...for no reason at all. Even though I haven't always been the Billy Reid guy, I have always respected the line. I couldn't wait to check out the Fall '10 collection, and I'm glad I enjoyed it. I'm guessing that Reid couldn't decide on a the fitted look or the slouch, so he didn't bother picking sides...and did both. & I lived. The collection gave tweed suits with patch pockets, beat-up sweaters with stretched-out crew necks, a camel hair barn jacket with a leather-back collar, and all manner of broken-in boots. PR Firm, Maguire Steele handles a lot of their clothing. Hopefully you'll be hearing more about Steele & I, while I'm in the city. ;)



-Christopher Nic.

This Woman Gets To Me

Amber Rose and I have had this ongoing Love-Hate relationship ever since Ye picked her up from the pole and threw her in magazines and blogs. I just don't get it. She's soooo bad. Like, in a dope way. But for what? To the left, is a picture of her this past weekend at Nicole Miller's Fall 2010 #NYFW show in allblackeverything, WITHOUT Kanye.

She has gotten so big, that she doesn't need West on her arm to get noticed. But like they used to say back in the day, "Don't hate, Appreciate." I am not mad at you, home girl. Okay, maybe just a little envious, but whatever. (I should've been at Fashion Week -_-)


-Christopher Nic.

Marc Jacobs Fall 2010 Collection

I've been paying a lot to detail with collections this go 'round, so when Marc's collection came up, I was all over it. I ended up missing the live broadcast of the show, a friend of mine, iCON shot me a link to check it out. I enjoyed the show so much, I watched it a couple more times just to get into every look. I loved the soft neutrals and pale pastels that he used. The show was dark, but still had some warmth and intimacy to it. My favorite looks would have to be the sequin-front/knit-back sweater, sheer-layer skirts, the velvet dresses, and the 1970's look knit dresses. & he had bags for dayssssssss!

I lived.

Get into Marc and MJ President Robert Duffy pulling off the construction paper off of the set, beginning the show. I thought that was so adorable.



A couple of my favorite people were on front row too. Made me smile.

Bryan Boy, Tavi Gevinson and Tommy Ton of Jak & Jil.

Grace Coddington and Tonne Goodman of Vogue.



-Christopher Nic.

Victoria Beckham has IT.

& when I say IT, I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about.



This past weekend, Beckham showcased her very first collection at NYFW. A real intimate show, held at an Upper Eastside town house. What I found was extremely dope is that fact that she narrated the entire show, discussing fabrics, color, cut, and construction. Most designers just send their clothes down the runway & we have to figure that stuff out on our own.



From a personal aspect, I don't think there was a dress that I hated. Everything was nothing short of amazing. Am I the only one who kind of forgot she was a Spice Girl? What I can appreciate so much is that everything is actually WEARABLE, still giving the sophistication of a high-end designer.








I wish I would've been there to give her a personal "Congratulations". :)





-Christopher Nic.

7

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SUBLIMINAL MONDAY: Meeting Awesome Agent - The Ballad of B & D

I bet you're wondering how my meeting with Awesome Agent aka Bernadette Baker-Baughman of Baker's Mark Literary went? [You're not? Fine. Be that way. I have no feelings.] It wasn't easy, people, let me tell you: It. Was. Not. Easy.

First of all, she was supposed to fly in on the Red Eye Tuesday night, but, guess what? The East Coast got slammed with the biggest storm in like a bazillion years. [That's not an exaggeration. It was a bazillion and three years since the last storm this big hit Philly, Baltimore, & DC. Google it if you don't believe me.] So.... plane canceled.

Tears streamed down my face at warped speed for the next 24 hours until, VWALAH - Wednesday night Red Eye took flight! Yes, Maribelle, there is a God and her name is jetBlue. [I've no idea who Maribelle is, and if God existed, which I'm not completely convinced she does, her name would most definitely NOT be jetBlue. It would probably be something like Sasha or Ariella or Alexandra or Sasha Ariella Alexandra. You know, something with beauty, elegance, a little oomph.] Alas, my tears dried up like the Sahara after a wicked rainstorm, and joy began to creep back into the soft, slight creases on my face. [Okay, they're craters. Whatev.] Awesome Agent managed to fly 3,000 miles into the City Of My Birth, and now it was my mission to travel a mere 94 miles from Philly to NYC. No big woop, right? WRONG! In my humble town, we received 20 inches of snow atop the previous 15 inches that was dumped on us only four days prior. Three freaking feet of snow, people, three freaking feet of snow. So, guess what?

1) Honey plowed our driveway with our super-duper snow-blower for three hours and we still couldn't get a car out.

2) I couldn't get a cab to the train station.

3) Most of the trains were either not running, or seriously delayed.

So, AA was in NYC and I was, once again, crying at home in Philly. [Do you feel bad for me? Cuz you should definitely feel bad for me. Heck, even I feel bad for myself! This story is a real tear-jerker.] I was supposed to have dinner with AA, but I couldn't even get to my mailbox.

She wrote to me in an email, and I quote, "The force is strong with you, young Jedi. I believe that you'll make it. ANYTHING is possible."

Wow. She called me, Young Jedi. How could I so thoroughly disappoint my Master, especially when she'd traveled thousands of miles just to see me? [She had meetings galore in NYC. Dinner with me was, no doubt, a regretful afterthought.]

LIGHT BULB MOMENT! I could try to get into New York on FRIDAY! I checked the train schedules and paid the price of a plane ticket, but it was worth it, because I was on my way to meet my Master! The clouds parted, the sun shone through, the flowers bloomed, and Sasha Ariella Alexandra spoke to me. She said, "Good job, my young Jedi. The Force is most definitely with you!"

[BTW: For those of you new to my blog, if you were looking for a "meeting" here, AA doesn't mean what you think. AA stands for Awesome Agent. And, best of luck with your sobriety.]

So, after what seemed like a lifetime of tears and sadness and disappointment and sheer terror, I found myself on a bumpy, ice-lining-the-tracks train ride to NYC. [There wasn't even one scintilla of terror, I just thought I'd toss it in for effect. Did it work? Were you terrified? Good. Then, I'll give my bud Stephen King a shout-out. He's kind of green at the fear game - thinks it's "his calling" (such a Drama King!) and I believe strongly you've got to encourage the newbies.]

I arrived in Penn Station not much worse for the wear - a few hairs out of place, my make-up smeared, some drool on my chin from a much-needed nap - I mean crying for 24 hours wears you out! And then, as if in a beautiful dream, there was AWESOME AGENT! Amidst the millions of busy New Yorkers racing by, AA appeared in a black and white checked coat made of pure awesome. She walked up to me in slow motion and gave me a long, much-needed hug. I'm fairly certain Steven Spielberg hovered above in a hecidoctor [That's what my son called a helicopter when he was little. Isn't that cute? No? Oh, well, never mind then.] filming the most intense, history-making, literary moment EVAH!

We slipped inside an Irish Pub and got down to the business of getting to know each other in person. Phone calls, emails, tweets, and even Skype, don't begin to convey the magnificence of AA. She's exactly as I imagined - an angel sent from Heaven to help me along my literary path. She even has wings, I swear, it's true! [And, yes, Maribelle, the Pope is Jewish.]

We did an 8-minute vlog answering questions submitted by my dear followers. I will post that vlog later this week. All I'll say about that is that it's downright hilarious [think Chelsea Handler meets Lewis Black] and is filled with way-important literary tidbits. You will not be disappointed! [You may be bored, but you will not be disappointed!]

Until then, I hope your Valentine's Day was filled with love, and more importantly, chocolate, and that you're enjoying the Winter Games in Vancouver.

Go USA!