So yesterday we had this photographer come to the office to take shots for our annual report. He’s quite the famous photographer and was telling me stories about photographing the Queen of England, Sean Penn, Joachim Pheonix, the Stones…He said that Sean was the most fun and actually asked him to stay and party with him for a few days.

Its was like having crazy paparazzi around the office all day. You’d be working or in a meeting and he’d pop out of nowhere and take a photo of you. For a lot of them he’d be so close up to you…I swear he’s getting nose hair level detail. The funniest part is that we don’t own any of the photos he took…he own’s them!! So for each photo that Softchoice wants we actually have to pay more and buy them from him. So we paid him to come and take photos of us that he can make even more profit from. I think us models got the short end of the stick.

This is his site: www.christopherwahl.com

Spent the weekend chilling out on the slopes of Blue Mountain. I was thinking of re-attempting to become a snowboarder (haven’t been on a board since I tore my ACL & MCL a couple winters ago) but then we only got up there at 4pm and I opted to be official Martini-maker instead. I don’t know what it is about having a really bad injury. I’ll try any other death-defying extreme sport out there…but just can’t pull myself to try snowboarding again. Anyways, Amisha was still recovering from her torn knee ligament and so we kept each other company!

The weekend was just what I needed. I got to hang out with friends I hadn’t seen in ages. We had the most incredible chalet suite that you could ski off the slopes directly into our Living room…and you could literally spit on all the Village bars they were that close. It was fully decked out with kitchen, dining room and fireplace and fit the entire crew of over 15 people for the evening party. Amisha and I spent most of the afternoon drinking martinis and making smores. Yum! We then hit up the hot tub (managed to do 2 snow rolls……jump out of the tub and roll around in the snow…too bad it was more ice than snow!) but after about 20mins so start to get pretty sleepy and hazy so we headed back to the room. The rest of the evening consisted of an insane amount of food, some birthday cake and singing for Amisha, a fun visit from Mjak and his crew and then heading out to the village watering holes. We tore it up on the dance floor of Indian Motorcycle, and then after getting busted for jumping the fence to get into the Irish Pub…we were actually let in through the real entrance and ended up closing down the joint.

Sunday morning started off really slow. We had to check-out by 11am in order not to get the $100/hr fine. But when 10:30am rolled around and most people were still in bed…and I had a batch of Cinnamon rolls still in the oven we realized it wasn’t happening. Luckily it was a “Phone check-out” where you just call this number and say you are checked out. So we did that…and then just took our time leaving.  Best system ever. Getting the big crew moving in the morning was quite the task…it took us about 3 hours to load up cars, figure out where and what to eat and then say goodbyes. We were supposed to head to the Alpine Ski Club for 2pm to see Simon compete in the Boardercross tournament, but by the time we actually got there they were already taking everything down. He apparently had quite the show-stopping crash into the fence…and we missed it!

This week is going to be crazy. Ultimate tonight, buying my car on Wed, Dodgeball and Haircut on Thursday (I just realized I hadn’t cut my hair since Aug!) and then heading to Waterloo on Saturday for a Science & Business Alumni event. Plus countdown to St.Patty’s…..Foggy Dew!!

First batch of Blue photos...more coming: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=7v0wrahj.2wau2dqn&x=1&y=hesthu

So Friday night's Hoot and Boot was quite the success thanks to Chet and the PIMPs club. Lu and I enjoyed some "Frescarono", her innovative combination of Fresca and Desorono while getting dressed and then rode the rocket over to Schmooze. We were about to call Mitzi to use hook-ups to by pass the line, but as soon as we got into it a bouncer came and said we could go straight in (one of the benefits of being female..woohoo!) Schmooze was actually incredibly fun and was jam-packed with people. We opened up a tab and were told that we needed to spend at least $20 on it. Now in Toronto, that's like maybe 2 drinks at a normal place.....so after we'd gone through at least 8 drinks....I ordered 2 more and asked to close my tab and the bartender came back and said that we had only spend $10. whaaaa? Anyways, we were taken hostage by our tab and couldn't leave for a few more rounds!! I have no clue what he was charging us.....or NOT charging us...We then headed over to the Fifth (since Fez was flooded the "Boot" was moved there) The entire bar was Softchoice people and was out of control. Yes....these are the people that I work with: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mellymel_alvares/album?.dir=/3200&.src=ph&.tok=phCNheEBOzMU8DmB the night ended with very sore feet (hence the sleeping on couches photos which security told us isn't allowed at the club)...but yummy Burrito boys!

The rest of the weekend was spent at the Outdoor Adventure show. All my rafting buddies from the Ottawa river were down so it was great to catch up with all of them. I have to make a point to at least head to the river a couple times this summer to party it up with them. The show was really really bad for me.....i want to travel again!! 'specially coming back to the craziest monday at work ever. I think I finally sat down for lunch at about 4pm today!

It's been quite the jam-packed week. We had a kick-ass Ultimate game on Tuesday where we beat the other team 24-12. So we're sitting in a solid 3rd place....and once we beat the 2nd place team next week we'll take over that spot. Slowly but surely...

Wed night was the MMA Christmas party. Played some Whirlyball and then headed to Shoeless for drinks and loads of pub crap. Man...it tastes soooo good going down. And then once it's down you don't feel so hot.

Thursday night was dodgeball and we almost took out the 1st place team, but cracked in the end. My pinky finger is still not functioning form 2 weeks ago....so that's starting to worry me. Maybe cuz since i've sprained it I've played 2 Ultimate games, 2 dodgeball games and a full day of boxing!

Tonight Lu and I are hitting up Schmooze for some after-work martini's and then it's the Softchoice "Hoot & Boot" Party. The hoot part is that everyone is going to Hooters for dinner. But Lu and I have decided to opt for martini's with the after-work crowd....rather than wings with the barely-dressed crowd. We're all meeting up at Fez for the "boot" part....which is where you've gotta get down on the dance floor. 'bout 50-60 people are expected to be booting it so it should be a good night.

Rest of the weekend is me at the Outdoor Adventure Travel show. Little business (maning the MMA booth) and more pleasure (buying outdoor gear and checking out outfitters) I'm a bit worried that I haven't purchased a new car yet....and I'm going to be around all these great outdoor travel companies....

so it's official. my car is a write off. So my lease is obsolete. Which conveniently removes the one piece of real world commitment I have. Softchoice is a wee bit worried with me getting a payout and no longer having a “tie me down” …..wonder if my travel agent is free today.

Last night was pure Ultimate night. My friend Dave needed an extra girl to sub on his team, so I agreed to add a 6:15pm game to my night. It’s funny since their team is actually in the same league and division as us….so our DIRECT competition. My team actually beat them a couple weeks back….and they are in fifth place….so I figured they aren’t too much of a threat and I’d help them out. Good way to get the inside scoop on the competition too….keep your friends close….and your enemies closer! Muhahaha. So we ended up winning the game….but I totally sprained my pinky finger when I slammed into this girl in the end zone. So I rushed home for some Advil and icing before my 9:30pm real game. By the time I reached the game I could barely bend my finger! Anyways the long story short. They were a kickass team….really athletic. And we ended up only have 1 guy sub so I think they wore us down a bit. We lost by a couple points, but I’m sure with full force in the future we’d take em. I did my first big dive in the end zone catch last night. Why not add a nice bruise on the butt to go with the dysfunctional finger? It ended up being a point…since my cheek was the first part to land…and landed in bounds. Too bad we were playing on concrete.

So I’m planning on heading to the Auto Show this weekend. Since I’m once again in the market for an Auto. Anyone wanna come along? If that doesn’t pan out….next weekend happens to be the Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show….hmmm…

Trying to mix business and pleasure and regular life is pretty tricky. I have to hit up all these cities in the next few weeks to set up Softchoice customer loyalty events. LA, San Fran, Seattle, Houston, Atlanta, DC & NYC. But I'm trying to make sure that I don't miss any Ultimate Frisbee games on Tuesdays…and keep to some other Tdot commitments. Then also maybe squeeze in some visits with friends in Seattle…& family in SanFran…and maybe my cousin's graduation in Vancouver. Not to forget the fact that Adam in DC said he'd never speak to me again if I don't come on a Friday night and stay and party with them. Plus for every trip I actually need to stay in town long enough to check out multiple event venues and meet with the sales team. We need to figure out a way to stop time. I'm going to start working on that one…

Weekend was good. After a late night on Thursday busting a move at Schmooze, I opted for chilling and watching the Olympics on Friday night. Saturday Marsh came into town and we did some afternoon shopping, lunch with the grandma and then headed out at night. Luen had some people over for drinks and pizza, so we hit that up first. Then it was off to Danforth Bowl for Kevin's birthday. The place was amazing! It looked like someone's old '70's basement and had about 8 lanes. A quirky couple run the place, and since we took over the entire place, they let us play our own music and cause complete ruckus all night. 5 pin is a lot harder than I remembered, but I did manage to pull of a couple strikes!

Photos from the night: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mellymel_alvares/album?.dir=/cf51&.src=ph&.tok=phWmJaEBHVGytdMe

We hit up Greek town on Sunday afternoon for a little family Valentines day brunch, since Marsh will be in Waterloo and I have Ultimate that night. Feta is the way to my heart.

So I'm limiting my online talk about Ultimate to a maximum of 1 line. We won this week and are now in a strong 2nd place hitting up the 1st place team next week. That's it.

The weekend was great. Our all-you-can-eat Sushi adventure was a great success. This place was amazing...and i think we spent almost 3 hours there! (Mostly drinking tea and chatting) I bailed on the clubbing night at My Apartment. Somehow standing in line in freezing rain lost to a nice glass of red wine and a movie!

Tonight we're hitting up Schmooze after work for some Martini's.  It's the MMA party and I get to be the MC for the night. You know when I get the microphone it's trouble...

urrrggh. I just want my car back. They still haven't figured out whether they wanna fix it or write it off. No idea why it's taken so long to make that decision. But I just want to put this whole thing behind me.

On a funner note. I know that's not a real word, but I'm using it anyways. Last night's goodbye party for Kev at the Drake was fun, I had to bail on it early to go to dodgeball, but the regular crew was all out. Plus any night that includes the Drake's Spicy Tuna rolls….is going to be a good one. It's sad to lose Kevin on the team….but starting up his own Design Firm is going to be a kickass opportunity for him.

My dodgeball team ended up losing by 1 point. For some reason I'm really not into the game yet. But then again I didn't really like Ultimate when I started that…and now look at me! I did learn the 5 D's of the Dodge last night, so I'm slowly picking it up. We also lost our first Ultimate game on Tuesday….mostly since only 2 guys showed up for the game, and we had to play a girl as a guy…which when you are covered by some huge guy really makes catching anything in the end zone pretty impossible. But that's really it for losing this season…I've decided not to allow it anymore.

Why has my blog turned into a sports reel? I think I'm becoming too Jock for my own liking. I actually do have other things going on in my life….hmmm…yes….other things…give me a couple days to come up with some.

There's some things in life that you have absolutely no control over. Things that happen...that paralyse you temporarily..leaving you to realize how priceless every moment of every day is.

I was in a car accident last Thursday. I was driving, my 83yr old grandma in the passenger seat, my mom, dad and sister in the back. Pretty much the entire world to me was within the 4 doors that was slammed into by a car trying to make a quick left turn. The short of the story. He was charged by the police for the unsafe turn. And everyone involved walked away without a scratch. I'm still waiting to hear from the insurance company, but they think that my car is a write-off. I was pretty shaken up and in some ways still am. Seeing the police, ambulance, glass, metal, tow-trucks....it all was very overwhelming. But after a busy day at work, so much love and support, a tasty butter chicken lunch, and a great full day outdoors, I'm finally feeling myself again. There's still tons of crap I need to get sorted out, but I've put the loss of my new car behind me. When people say to me "the most important thing is that you and your family are OK" it just seems like the thing to say in the situation. But it's more than that. It's ALL that matters.

Saturday's Dog Sledding trip was the best medicine. The sun was shining, the sky blue, and 40cm of white snow blanketed the farm we were at. It was great to play in the snow all day. From the crazy fast dog sledding, to the peaceful snowshoeing hike, to the ice-sculpting, to eating chilli and drinking apple cider in the barn...to chilling out in the igloo...it was great to get away from it all. Photos of the day: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mellymel_alvares/album?.dir=/9916&.src=ph&.tok=ph4GAVEBLt_1B93L

In typical Lu and Mel style. We hit up Yorkdale after the trip for a peek. That's all I have to say about that. I then rushed home and got dressed to go to Alia's engagement party. It was quite the wild time. About 75 people in her basement, full out with a DJ, Karaoke and full roasted-pig! The best part was they divided the party into 2 groups...the brides side and the grooms side. You competed all night on Karaoke songs, dancing, little skits about the bride and groom. Needless to say with my families talent and competitiveness the other side had no chance.

Busy week ahead. Ultimate, Dodgeball, Kev's goodbye party, Sushi lunch with the girls...