2009 in Review

2009 has thankfully treated my household really well. It's been a hell of a year and it kicked the bottom out of a somewhat dubious 2008. H and I had some really, really good times in the past 12 months, granted - there were also some busy times, some stressful times, a lot of airport departure lounge times and some (literal) rainy days...but all-in-all, 2009 has delivered the goods. In true bullet style...here are some of my personal highlights:

- We both turned the big 3-0 this year. Interestingly, H flipped into his 30s with grace and style...only once feeling the pinch of moving up a decade. I, on the other hand, had a total and utter breakdown...howling my way out of my 20s kicking and screaming. In hindsight it was all quite embarrassing, seeing that things haven't really changed that much...afterall, the gray hair and weight obsession was there before!!
- H and I bought our 1st car together this year. Our little Chevy Aveo has given me back 2 hours a day during the working week and I am a changed woman. I now have time to go to the gym before work, sleep in if I want to, grocery shop on the way home and even stay late in the office and still get home earlier than I used to on the TTC. I love my little mo-mo long time.
- We moved house again (my 9th move since April 2004). This time, we headed up a floor in the same building so we could get a free parking space (I say free...I actually mean included in the rent!) The new apartment feels bigger, has a massive bedroom and floor to ceiling windows...meaning the view is effing awesome. However, we also have an influx of spiders in the summer, which is gross. There are so many that we can't use the balcony and the windows are covered in webs and dead insects. Despite this, the car space far outweighs Spiderama. (As a sidenote - H and I moved by ourselves, and I ended up carrying the weight of the furniture up the stairwell, while he "guided"...I am still working out how that one worked).
- My job has been amazing this year. I've traveled across the country and experienced some of the most amazing places and people. I got promoted, became a Channel Host, produced a 6 part series, hand fed a grizzly bear and had lunch with a cowboy. It's been that year where my career has become a priority and I am thrilled with where I am. This also means that days bleed into weeks and then into months, and suddenly the year is over! But hey, it's been a good one! Fingers crossed that we keep it rolling into 2010.
- H has been working like a fiend and butterscotch.com is kicking arse. He's survived shoots in Vegas and Detroit and is happily producing and directing what feels like a berjillion projects. We'll be working together again in 2010 on Sexy Tech, which is going to be a ton of fun.

So, now we are moving onto 2010. I can only hope this new year brings everything that the last one delivered. Happy New Year all.

K xx

New Year, New Project

I am super pleased to finally be able to talk about a new project I am working on with the guys at butterscotch.com. It a weekly show called 'Sexy Tech' and it will launch early in 2010. Let's be honest - the web is saturated with sexual content, but 'Sexy Tech' isn't a show about sex. We'll be addressing the relationship of sex, dating and social interaction within the realm of technology and the internet. The content is fun, open and educational. Check out this episode of 'On Deck' for the show's announcement:

Safely home

Yay! It's starting to feel a lot like Christmas now...especially with 6 inches of snow in Cambridge!

Where did December go??

This month has flown by...I can't quite get my head around just how busy things have been. It's always crazy at this time of year - as deadlines are mental and we are all busting our balls to get our work done before the holiday season.

I think I am getting there...I've been trying to sort out various end-of-year essentials, and the list is gradually getting smaller. My work pressures are almost out of the way. I still have the obligatory Tim Hortons and Canadian Club to buy, but other than that...I'm just so damn bloody close to packing my bags and heading home.

I have 1 more day at work, and then H and I are England-bound on Friday evening. (As a total sidenote...if we can miss the massive snowstorm that we experienced last year, I would be thrilled. Please and thanks).

Other than that...England, see you soon. So. Bloody. Excited. Can't. Bloody. Wait.

Into the Bear Den

I recently hosted a special on Oasis HD called 'Into the Bear Den', whereby the channel dedicated 2 evenings to bear-themed documentaries. I shot the hosted intros at Northwood Zoo and Animal Sanctuary, just outside Toronto, which is an amazing, privately-run venture that provides animals for movies and television work. It's hidden away from the world, and is home to 9 bears, an array of lions, tigers, monkeys, panthers and wolves. I had a fabulous time shooting the throws, (which aired last night and this evening), and I even got hand-feed a grizzly bear and meet these gorgeous characters:

Holding a baby lion and tiger.

Kodiak Bears

On a side note, the owner, Norm, took me into a lynx cage to stroke what looked liked an over-sized moggy. Now, this lynx lerved Norm, probably considering him the head of the world, Mr. Chief Food Man and all that. However, this cat looked at me like it wanted to rip my face off. Norm told me to stroke its stomach, which, being English and therefore overly-polite, I did. The lynx stood up rather quickly and lunged forward, giving me the "I'm gonna get you" eyes. My cameraguy exited at a hundred miles an hour. Norm then playfully wrestled the lynx back to a purr while I counted back my 30 years, memory by memory. The moral of this story...the cutest, fluffiest animals are the ones that want to maul you. A rhino doesn't give a shit. A rabbit, on the other hand, wants you dead...now.

My birthday in Chi-Town

Well, I seemed to have survived 30. I mean - nothing exploded, nothing sagged south, nothing wrinkled and nothing turned grayer than before. Kate hit 30...BAM. Done. Thank Feck. My lovely H took me to Chicago for my birthday weekend, partly to celebrate, partly to make the entire process far more manageable for me. Three words: Bloody. Awesome. City. If you haven't ever visited Chi-Town, I would highly recommend it for sooooo many reasons:

- Porter flies there, making the flights ridiculously easy and cheap from Toronto. Plus, they serve lunch and a glass of vino mid-flight...it's a cute concept in our crappy skin-flinting air-travel era.
- They have an Ugg Store. OK, they don't have Kate-sized boots, but they have an Ugg Store.
- Hotwire.com offers an amazing deal on 4+ star hotels...bloody awesome deal. Hence my grin...

- The meal portions are MASSIVE...like one whole chicken is one person's meal. H and I were scared when he received an entire chicken (for one meal) one night. I can't believe people can finish these kind of plates...

- Budweiser Cheladas are available in cans from corner shops. If you don't know what one is, try one...damn, damn good.
- Despite the multiple line-ups, the Sears Tower is one attraction that is worth the moolah.

- Nearly 15 years later, I got to visit the Chicago Board of Trade, where my Dad came when he traveled to Chicago in the mid 90s. It means jack shit to everyone else, but it was top of my list of places to see.
- Navy Pier is such a great tourist destination, with amazing cityscapes and wine in plastic glasses. It is somewhere to just catch up with the city, rather than be embraced by it.

(Oh, and they have a ferris wheel...which you can ride if you are over 10 years old without shame...and it doesn't make you sick, which being the motion-sickness queen, I presumed I would be hurling by minute 1. However, H swapped sides midway into the revolution, and I wanted to smack him).

- Despite being calorific, deepdish pizzas are something you have to try. Granted, I probably ate a berjillion calories and didn't see a vegetable for the entire meal, but...hmmm, not bad (although I can't see me doing it again soon!) Imagine a scone and tomato paste making a meal...

- A 30 year old girl can get happily hammered on her birthday in a piano bar, singing to Miley Cyrus's 'Party in the USA'.
- The waterfront is just beautiful. We wandered by the water for the entire of Sunday, and it was just lovely. It felt like Toronto should feel, with better urban planning.
- Lincoln Park Zoo has polar bears. I heart polar bears.
- You can walk everywhere...although H took it literally and made me walk to Wrigley Field, which resulted in a 17 km roundtrip in less than 8 hours. I love him to death, but feck, I wanted to kill him when he told me we were 4.5 miles from downtown. At least the calories from the deepdish meant nothing by the time I collapsed in the hotel!
- 'The Bean' was a super way to close off the weekend. I can't explain what the hell it is, but it is awesome to see.

All-in-all, see this city. We were really fortunate to hit amazing November sunshine, but Chicago is amazing. I loved my birthday weekend. I just loved it and it got me into my 30s in the best way imaginable.

Check out Flickr for more photos.

On the eve of 30

(or "the 1st anniversary of my 29th birthday...!")

I turn 30 years old tomorrow. I can't quite believe it. Where the hell did my 20s go? It's like the most massive change for me, and I won't lie - the number has been the biggest stress. 30 is a turning point. It is a transition from my carefree, 'whatever happens - happens' 20s. I have spent the last decade avoiding settling, doing what I wanted, and generally living a somewhat selfish life. It is easy to think about the things I wish I had done. Believe me, there are many. But hitting the big 3-0 has also made me think about what I have achieved. It is bizarre to think about me, this time 10 years ago. I really didn't have any idea back then, and god, what I have done since, I am thankful for.

- I nailed an BA and MA degree, which ironically I look back on now and can't believe I had the commitment to finish. (Side note - I have to meet Atom Egoyan...the guy shaped a part of my life, without knowing it, which makes me a stalker...yeah, forget this line).
- I emigrated to Canada. Granted, I was supposed to be here for 3 months back in 2004, but I survived the HIDEOUS immigration process that took 2.5 years and a berjillion $. I also became a Canadian citizen. OK, so I am not a fan of swearing allegiance to another flag when my own is perfectly adequate, but actually finishing the whole process, actually becoming a dual citizen after years of working towards settlement was quite the experience.
- I love Toronto. But - I moved to Vancouver for a year. I wasn't a fan and I didn't enjoy it. Looking back - hell I am proud it did it.
- I've traveled and seen so many new things and met so many new people. I'll never tire of it and it is fascinating to see what it has taught me about the big wide world.
- I've forged a career in Canadian television for myself. I've worked as a reporter for the Toronto International Film Festival, I've written for the Biography Channel, I've co-hosted The Lab with Leo, I've hosted/AP'ed Oasis HD, I've traveled across Canada shooting for NCC...I've been lucky, and I've also worked my arse off.
- I've met some lovely, beautiful people. I heart my friends.
- Distance is crazy difficult, but family ties are stronger than anything.
- But most importantly...my 20s brought me to H. He's the best thing ever. It may sound full-on, but jeez..thank god for everything that brought me to him. He's awesome. He's fun. He's the best roommate ever. He's my travel partner. He's the best person to go grocery shopping with. His humour is as 'hilarious' as mine. He's perfect to waste the weekends with. He thinks Jamie Oliver is great. He'll wear an England jersey with pride. He'll consume my retarded vegetable and water diet and pretend he likes it. He comes home to Cambridge with me without question. He weirdly finds Jonathan Ross and Ricky Gervais more amusing than his own culture. He just fecking gets it. He's bloody, bloody lovely, and worth every moment of heartache of being continually homesick.

Kate at 30 is bloody different from Kate at 20. When I wake up tomorrow morning (and head to Chicago for a long weekend, which is a whole other post), things will feel different. But despite hating the concept of 30, jeez, I am DAMN proud of how I got here.

The big, looming 3-0

I turn 30 years old on Friday. That's right, I will officially be out of my 20s, at that point in my life where I am told I will a) be more focused, b) feel sexier than I ever have, c) be able to reap the career rewards of the last 8 years, d) know more about what I want and e) decisively know where I am going. Now, this may all be well and good, but right now, I don't feel I am in control of any of the above. If anything, I am realizing that turning 30 is a landmark for a whole other bunch of reasons:

a) My secret inner fat girl wants out...BIG TIME. Now she knows we are getting closer to the big 3-0, she is itching for a spoon and an evening sat in front of the fridge. Weight stays on my frame now, for longer and it take less calorific intake to see the flab. I am currently running 4 times a week, full-tilt like a deranged mo-fo for 40 mins each time. I thought I would see the results of a slender, toned goddess...yeah, still waiting to see her.
b) Gray hairs live in clusters, therefore making certain hairstyles and/or ponytails redundant. I now have to pay $150 every 6 weeks for professional colour treatment. In my 20s, I would have said eff it and headed for the $10 box colour, just to change up my look.
c) Late nights and excessive boozy evenings kill me. Literally, for days. I can't stay up past 2am or I will implode. Give me a Jack and diet, and my head will pound out of my ears until the middle of the following week.
d) Gone are the days of eating hideous fried food by the greasy bucketload. If I even sample pizza, a chicken wing or HEAVEN FORBID - a french fry, I am out for the count. In my early 20s, I would pound this crap back. Now, I need an elasticated waist to even think about it.
e) Oil of Olay doesn't cut it any more. I need to proper shit, the stuff that fills in the wannabe wrinkles.
SIDE NOTE: I don't know anything about music anymore...and what I do know, I feel grossly old about. Miley Cyrus is too young to wear plunging necklines. Nuff said.

I am sure there will be an upside to 30. I mean, there has to be, right?!!

Sampling Nova Scotia

5 Provinces in 4 weeks...I've covered a lot of ground recently! It's been an amazing experience, and as an immigrant, I've seen places and met people that the citizenship test just doesn't tell you about. My last trip was out east to Port Joli, a small harbour town on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia. It was a beautiful place, although the weather could have been kinder to me!

I flew into Halifax, although I didn't get a chance to spend much time there, as I stayed in a hotel out in the burbs. It's definitely somewhere I would love to go back to, with its wooden-paneled bars, fresh seafood and beers served in tankers! New Scotland definitely has a homely feel for us Brits, and when I am not on the work clock, I think I might just need to sample the local hospitality at a slightly slower pace!!

Shooting in Saskatchewan...The Hills Have Eyes

Having found myself sat in a lot of airports recently, I'm enjoying my 1st Sunday at home in a month. I spent 3 days last week in Saskatchewan, shooting more stories for my project with Oasis HD and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. It was my 1st time in the province, and the Prairies have such a different feel to the rest of the country. Aside from the immense expanse of flatlands (it is crazy how the horizon just extends for miles and miles, and when you are landing in Regina, it is literally a small city dotted in the middle of nowhere), Saskatchewan has a distinct identity that I haven't experienced before. Despite Regina being the capital, it feels like a small town, blanketed in grey cloud...

I shot 2 stories, 1 in the Qu'Appelle Valley (to the east of Regina) and 1 in Cypress Hills (4 hours south west). Both shoots were exactly what I wanted, with strong interviews and decent weather. I think there is such a thing as a 'pinch-me moment', and 1 highlight was being met by a herd of bison grazing on the grasslands, which made for amazing b-roll for the story.

Our shoot in the Cypress Hills area literally took us into the edge of the Prairies. We were out of cell phone coverage, away from gas stations and driving through a landscape dotted with rusting farm equipment and oil pumps. After the shoot, we were booked into a guest ranch recommended by the locals, which was about an hour and a half from nowhere - making it more hidden than Area 51. I will introduce this guest ranch by saying - upon checking-in, I thought I would be surprised to see the morning.

The house was hidden deep in the hillside, at the bottom of a gravel track. It appeared out of nowhere, peeking out of the landscape with a church spire (which it turns out the owner had transplanted there for $5K from another town...to host theatre nights and non denominational weddings...) I'll be honest - I was ready to leave when I was met by these lovely greeters:

As it turns out - the owners were a kind and friendly gay couple whose herd of cows had names (rather than numerical identities) and hosted the guest ranch for love more than money. My initial fears of the House of Wax meeting the Manson ranch were more than dumbfounded, but it has been a while since my own English history has freaked me out so much. I slept with 1 eye open, as Vic watched over me...

But alas, we survived. I think I have just watched far too many horror movies and in true b-rate style, called H to bid him a fond farewell. I don't think he rested until I returned. But all-in-all, Saskatchewan gave me 2 lovely stories of the preservation of nature. And it also taught me the lovely lesson of not judging a book by it's cover. Afterall, the guest ranch (despite being bloody scary) was one of the most tentative and hospitable places I have stayed in. Would I stay again though...erm, I'll leave that one to your imagination...!

Shooting in BC and Alberta

After a week on the road, I am finally relaxing at home. I headed out west to shoot a series of testimonial profiles for my work, and it was simply the most amazing experience. Granted, I am knackered and I think I averaged 4-5 hours sleep a night, but I have met some of the most fascinating people and seen the most beautiful places. This vast country is stunningly diverse and the often hidden natural beauty is just breathtaking.

I flew into Vancouver last Sunday...which was an odd experience. I haven't been back since I moved away 18 months ago - and to my surprise, the weather was beautiful! I shot a story on Monday about Swishwash Island, which is a nature reserve in the middle of Vancouver Airport's flight path. It is a great story for the series, and I even managed to kayak for the first time. I hate water and I hate boats...so if I ever had to conquer my demons, it was then.

After wrapping this story, I flew to Kamloops (and lost my luggage - eff you Air Canada) to shoot a ranching legacy story. The Lac du Bois Provincial Park provided the most gorgeous backdrop:

From Kamloops, I flew to Calgary to start the Alberta leg of the shoot. After about 2 hours sleep, I drove 3 hours south to Waterton National Park to shoot a couple of stories profiling ranchers adapting to the changing economic environment. The funny thing is I thought I was going to meet 'Joe Average', who would talk about the industry on a mass scale. Amazingly, I was met by Blaine Marr, who was the most authentic and passionate cowboy with a 100+ year generational history. I couldn't have asked for a better interview.

After this shoot, I went with the Marr family for lunch at the local Mexican restaurant (granted, it is a little random to find a themed restaurant in the middle of the Rockies) where I watched a drunk local kid ride a motorbike around the yard with a parrot on his shoulder...yep, a parrot. As I was totally knackered, I didn't think this was weird at the time...

The Marrs ranch is located on the outskirts of Waterton National Park, which despite strong winds, is stunning. I watched elk swim in the lake and tame deer wander the village streets. It was like being stuck in a timewarp, surrounded by 1950s chalets in the middle of wild grasslands and rivers.

From here, I traveled back north towards the foothills of the Rockies to meet a ranching couple who have been married for 53 years. Hilton and Alta Pharis were the most elegant and dignified people, both of whom had fascinating stories dating back generations. They raised their 5 children on the ranch, and aside from a little scary off-roading, the story was exactly what I was looking for.

After this stop, we headed for lunch in a saloon in a township called Longview. It is only about 45 mins south of Calgary, but wow, it was a culture shock. The place was full of cowboys and bikers, all eating burgers, ribs or wings. Ziplock bags of water were hanging from the walls, which apparently keep the flies away from the food. Needless to say, flies circled the entire room, probably numbering into triple figures. This was one of the framed posters displayed proudly above the bar, which actually explains a lot...

I rounded off the shoot with a trip into the Red Deer Valley, before flying back into Toronto last night. I can't put into words the appeal of my own bed right now. Alas, I am back to the airport on Monday to fly to Regina, Saskatchewan, to shoot 2 more stories - 1 in the Qu'Appelle Valley and the other 5 hours drive into the Prairies. I'm back late into Wednesday night, so watch this space for a travel update from the middle of nowhere...

All-in-all...this job is turning out to be one hell of an amazing experience.

Heading West

I am really lucky to have an awesome job. I really am. I am super excited to be heading out West on Sunday to shoot 8 stories for the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Oasis HD. I am working on some amazing profile stories in Vancouver, Kamloops, Calgary, Waterton Park, Red Deer, Regina and a cattle ranch in the middle of the Saskatchewan grassland prairies, all before the start of October. This is a hell of an opportunity for the English Girl in Canada to add a few more pins to the map! More details to follow - as I am flying solo for most of the time and therefore will be spending a lot of time with my trusty laptop! My body clock is going to be screwed though, as I am just over the jetlag from GMT...bring on PST!

I heart home

After a 10 day whistle stop tour of home, I am back in the office, feeling like I haven't ever been away. My time at home was gorgeous and as always, it went too quickly. But, I will be back for Xmas, so it is just a case of keeping my head down now and working like a mo-fo until the snow falls.

We had a total blast with my family and friends. The weather was great, and the company was even better. And hell, I even got to see an England win at Wembley! A girl can't say fairer than that...actually, she can. What about World Cup qualification as well. Nice one boys.

Photos here.

Heading home

This is a quick post, as I am on my way out of the door...heading to the airport.

After 9 months, I am going home. FINALLY.

Hanging in New Brunswick

I am currently sat in a hotel near Saint John in New Brunswick. It is raining outside, and I have the afternoon to kill before I can fly back to Toronto tonight. I flew here a few days ago to shoot a couple of stories for a project I am working on for Oasis HD. It's a beautiful province, and I have met some lovely people on these travels. It is also super quiet here, like the air is clearer because the lack of traffic, and the people are friendlier, which seems to be just the way they are.

I spent some time in a beautiful area called Shamper's Bluff yesterday, with an amazing nature photographer who gets to wake up to this view every morning:

Kind of beats the Gardner Expressway, doesn't it! I also shot a story at the Musquash Estuary, which is the last natural estuary on the Bay of Fundy. It's a stunningly huge area, and it is gradually being preserved for future generations.

In keeping with the title of this blog - here is a dedication to the 'east' of Canada. I am gradually getting to see this beautiful country from coast to coast.