Happy Halloween!

My original plan was to dress as a Rebel Fighter Pilot again this year, but figured the orange jumpsuit might be a bit too much for the office. So, I opted for a black suite and tie with the new Darth Vader voice changer and Anakin Skywalker light saber.

Some people in my office were embarrassed. Some ran out of their offices with camera phones:

My boss sent this image via e-mail to everyone to try and demonstrate the abuse we inflict on him. I could see how it is slightly embarrassing...

"Did you just put that on in the elevator?"

"No, I got dressed in my condo."

"So... you didn't actually walk downtown like that...?"

"Yup. I even got a couple of waves and one 'USE THE FORCE!'"

"God..."

Happy Halloween everyone!

Level Up!

We were having a good laugh in the office the other day thinking about how life and role playing games (of the computer variety) intersect... um... sortof. From that discussion, I figure we should all play a game together:

What skill have you unlocked?

Seeing as marriage is a momentous occassion and how we're always learning from/with our spouse, the point of matrimony is a key time to unlock a skill.

I have learned that Ryan has had Boley Smash as one of his attributes for years. Since getting married in August, Karissa has now unlocked Boley Smash for herself. Of course, this skill requires a bit more development, but she has more time for level-building now that she doesn't play soccer any more on Monday nights.

Natalie enjoys a Kung-Foo attribute and has been lucky enough to have had that for all her life. When she received her engagement ring, it added a +2 to her Kung-Foo skills. I admit that I was excited to unlock Kung-Foo skills upon our marriage, but, unfortunately, my attributes are already under a White configuration and Kung-Foo just isn't compatable. I am, however, hoping to level-build my Craft Perogy ability.

Any skills you've unlocked lately?

The Bill Brooks Prostate Cancer Project and "It's wicked!"

Background: My boss is the Chair of the Bill Brooks Prostate Cancer Benefit at the Calgary Health Trust. Our company, therefore, ends up doing a lot of volunteer work for the project, which is not bad because raising fund for prostate cancer education, research and treatment is a good thing. I've been doing a chunk of work for the Project by working with designers, doing some media relations, producing ads (which I should be doing right now) and working on events. The big event is the Annual Bill Brooks Prostate Cancer Benefit (aka The Bum Ball) on January 28, 2006.

So, this is how I ended up at The Core (Calgary downtown shopping centre) at a boxer short fashion show (blue and white boxers being the new symbol for the fight against prostate cancer) and speaking with the Calgary Sun about my favourite pair of boxers. I'm learning that I may not be the best media spokesperson for anyone... but let me get to that after this excerpt from Chris Gerritsen's article in today's Sun:

Out and About

The downtown lunch crowd was treated to a brief fashion show yesterday at the Calgary Eaton Centre. It was Brief Encounters, in support of the eighth annual Bill Brooks Prostate Cancer Benefit.

Mode Models walked the runway, showcasing a collection of boxer shorts turned into works of art created by 15 of Calgary's best designers and artists. The shorts will be put on display then auctioned off at the fundraiser in January. Page Six asked some of those who took in the show about the artful boxers they favoured...

[then the article quotes about 8 or so people. Fifth down is a familiar name...]

Daorcey Le Bray, 24: "I liked the chastity one the best. I think it's wicked. Moderately uncomfortable, but I like the metal look. Very cool. If I could wear metal shorts comfortably, I would."

Wow.

It's wicked?

Good god. One never really knows how umm... unique one sounds until one shows up in print. But, then again, I should have noticed that there is a pattern forming in my media experience:

Exhibit A: Star Wars Episode III. Asked by friend and CBC correspondent about what I thought of the movie. "It was amazing! Non-stop action! I thought it was great!"

Exhibit B: Alberta Beef Producers' Centennial BBQ. Last minute insert into CityTV Breakfast Television to cook burgers on air because my chef didn't show up. "People should come on out and enjoy a beef burger on the Alberta Beef Producers... I think this burger's good to eat... yeah, try this one [insert nervous pelvic thrusts toward interviewer]."

Exhibit C: Aforementioned love of shiny undergarments.

Part of my job is considering questions and answers for clients and how to make them sound great in the media. Most of the time, they're really happy with me. Maybe I could benefit from some media training of my own. I think I just need to curb my enthusiasm.

And, for the record, The Revenge of the Sith was a fun watch, but hardly amazing. It didn't make me choke up like Serenity did. Now that was a good time.

PS: if you happen to be in Calgary, buy a pair of boxer shorts at Harry Rosen, Thomas Jeffery or Urban downtown and some of that money will go toward fighting prostate cancer. Plus you'll get a sexy metal boxer short pin.

Click, click, click

I got a typewriter. Daorcey bought it off Ronaye, who was having a garage sale but that item never sold. So for a cool $11, he got it. Apparently, this typewriter is worth $75 on the Internet.

I haven't really figured out how to do type properly. Typing on computer keyboards wusses up the pinkies. You really have to pound the keys to make any impression.

I don't know what I'll use it for, quite yet. So far, I've just typed the grocery list.