Tag Archives: burlington

Iced out

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Bonjour mes amis, comment ça va? Ca va bien?

Another day, another pandemic adventure. Let’s take it from the top.

For those unfamiliars out there, this is the Skyway Bridge and it connects us to the Promised Land: Hamilton. It is windy as Hell when crossing it and can be quite treacherous so now here’s a quick story about that. One time a few years back on a very cold day in Feb, talking minus a lot can’t remember exactly but, it was frigid, and as we were coming back toward Burlington a van driving in the opposite direction’s roof carrier flew right off (because it was empty and the winds were so strong) so we braced ourselves because we knew it was coming right our way and going to land in our lane, specifically hit our windshield. It was mega-scary and there was absolutely nowhere to go. There were cars on either side of us and you could see them wavering a little bit and fully feel the intensity of the moment because everyone saw that thing flying the wind just took it. We didn’t realize yet that it was empty though and thank god it was and because it was so cold once that thing hit the highway it utterly exploded into shards of plastic completely shattering and obliterating it into nothing so all we could do was drive through the shrapnel just fine and dandy. It was hella-terrifying like something out of the Matrix sheer panic to instant-relief. I will never forget it…. like how cheap is a roof rack carrier for your skis and what-not that it shatters like glass upon impact with the road. It was that cold out and in hindsight we were so very lucky that it was I still have visions of it sailing up in the sky and a couple cars were able to dart by it before it was our turn for it to land directly in our path and then all this plastic smacking us in the windshield. Jesus.

We went to the ass-end of the beach for a laugh. I wanted to take post-apocalyptic-looking photos of Wild Waterworks which is obvi closed for 2020 and I hope they open again someday, I guess they were closed all summer. Wow I just realized it’s not even 2020 anymore.

This is a special place, kind of a relic. One summer, I must have been 7 or so, my mom and her friend Kim surprised all us kids by packing up a van and bringing us here. I skidded my bike into our driveway, yelled up to the kitchen window, and was like MOM LETS GO! (to swimming lessons) and mom’s head popped out and she says we’re not going today and I was hella miffed because I lived for that shit I would wake up at like 6am and sit on the couch with cartoons until swimming lessons that level of excitement.

But when I realised we were going here I LOST IT. I don’t even think we knew in the car ride, maybe we did, but once you see those waterslides as a kid your brain goes AHHHHH!!!!!! Total freak out. Their hours are stupid though because one summer we decided to go (as adults) and we killed time at the beach a bit then walked the hot deserted parking lot to WW and the girl at the check-in kiosk was like come back at 4 we’ll be open. FOUR O’CLOCK? Bruh how you gonna stay in business this way?

Wally World sadness vibes.

ya no u won’t. Seems like y’all been closed a long-ass time.

Mmm yum we’ll take all 6 I don’t even know what bottom right is.

Sad.

and now for the magical part.

it me.

Hey guys, how you is? Honkity honk. Does anyone know anybody who has ever eaten a Canadian goose? Just curious…

Walked down there on the snow it was very hard and crunchy, icy. Since I’ve rolled my ankles pretty badly a few too many times I have to be careful doing the dumb things that I like to do.

So the day before we were watching that fruit loop swim in the lake and basically all of that week it was majorly cold and windy resulting in the water hitting the rocks freezing over into Narnia. Ice storms yo.

So scenic tho.

Love the details. My mom has a few photos published in a Toronto Star coffee table book about the ice storm of 2000-whatever in Oakville. I think I was in Holland at the time but anyway she’s got a keen eye and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

I see you, cute little branches.

We have a trip planned for the weekend which we may likely cancel because of the weather conditions not gonna lie pretty bitter about it am very stir crazy right now and was looking forward to V Day weekend as am a suck hole and “I deserve it” lol goddamn Canadian winters.

Looks like some kind of dessert square edible.

Looks like some kind of dingdong.

Then we took a walk and happened upon this beautiful creation.

Love it love it love it.

The desire to smash icicles is strong but there’s not a chance in hell I’d ruin this beauty. Seasons in nature give us gifts to enjoy not destroy but the Devil in me definitely considered it.

Kissy kissy. NO I’m not fat or pregnant I’m wearing two pairs of pants and sweaters in that coat.

Just love to see it. It was warm in the sun this day but still chilly on your hands when you whip out your phone to take a picture of the fiftieth icicle installation that pops up.

Another fun thing about hiking and taking walkies is the other people who you pass and get to eavesdrop on and I am certain we give them a run for their money but it’s cute to pet their dogs and hear their chats and various dramas. I have always been curious about humans and sizing them up.

“Get a picture of me standing in this hole.”

Just when you think yer done you pass by this ridiculosity.

Okay not saying we invented it (but I kinda am) all these people started following suit when they saw what we were doing so I watched them take turns posing beside it knowing that icicles periodically fall down and make scary glass-breaking collapsing sounds so each photo pose results in a picture of terror and I stood there pretending I was none the wiser.

Beautiful.

A bunch of shit shattered loudly while taking this one I would NOT want to get hit on the head with any of that nonsense hell no. We also fed a squirrel some nuts which was a major highlight GUYS I am going nuts!

Do you understand why I cry about missing summer all the friggin’ time now? We should be drinking Sangria from Barrangas here instead of this stupid winter walk lol.

Santa was motoring it and grooving along nicely.

Now that is some enduring beach grass I have the same picture of this spot but in the summer time.

You know your bf is a hick when he puts his gloves down and you don’t know where they went.

We went for another walk at La Salle afterward but you get the point there are only so many photos of swans I can post or take.

Have a good one y’all TGIF not that it matters anymore!

Here’s a cheeky pic from skating the other day too.

and one more dramatic selfie for the road xoxo Raymbo

Ice world

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I took MANY pictures of this so forgive me if I slightly duplicate-post one (or two).

And, there it is again more closer up. Was trying to get the ice off the rocks which is hard to do if you know anything about photography, back-lit, back-lit, nein nein nein.

And from above. We went for a nice walk the next day much further down the beach and those icicles were next-level which will be my next blog post WHICH will occur much sooner than the expanse of time between the last one and I am not even gonna promise that you can just wait and see it MFs.

Some ding dong, I bet he is Russian. He decided to Polar Bear dip himself in these subzero temps waters. I mean, my hands were badly frigid when I had my mitts off so I can only imagine what Scuba Steve was feeling in there and luckily he was wearing a wet suit replete with the… head part. It was ridiculous. People were concerned and I think he actually made the news the day before because people were so freaked out by it. Like they say cold showers are good for your system, this bro took it to a whole new level.

I’d do it for a cool grand and even then have reservations but this guy is living his best winter life for free. Someone came upon us on the shore and said oh is your friend coming around there? We could see his wavelengths ripples appearing I said no not our friend but what a LUNATIC!

bf got a sheet of ice from one of the rocks we were going to do an IG boomerang of him smashing it but it all crumbled in his hands and fell between the rocks before we could film it hahaha. It was nice to see people copying us as we left, smashing ice and rocks on the ice. Forever young.

We walked on some of this ice beneath the bridge and I obvi got spooked out and abandoned the idea. Love me some hometown graffiti always.

One post at a time but this one just gets me jazzed about the next one I’m gonna do. Can you believe at the height of my blog fame I would post 3 times daily and then make time for discourse in the comments it was like THE place to be.

Try and walk over that.

and the man of the hour… like why not just walk to shore? is the difficulty degree the point of it all? What are you training for?

Just brilliant. Kudos. Anyone not understanding how cold it is in Canada right now and particularly last week it’s kind of a Polar Vortex so the absurdity of getting in this water right now for a wee cheeky swim is is majorly high.

This is James Bond-level shit.

More ice tra-la-la.

We have the same view from our balcony just a little further down a ways. View-splaining.

I am tellin’ ya mate this was a cold time. We did a hike with our friend earlier in the day and were on our way home but decided to do a quickie look-see because you can only stay inside so much. The answer is snow pants or double pants if you’re gonna get thru winter. I hate the cold. HATE IT.

Someone adorable is a smooth glass collector-placer in these parts I found many piles of glass set-up the water is constantly flowing and smoothing over the garbage glass people chuck about and nature does its work and someone makes a class statement about it. Use what you’ve got eh.

One more picture snap for the road.

and one more pic of me with a pink hair filter on for fun.

Plus a dramatic picture of my Nana who just turned 90. Bless her.

xo your pal raymi

insert blog title

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Good LORD it has been awhile, “sorry” and you don’t care either way yo hello what is up? I guess we’ll do some sort of wrap-up catch-up now then.

It’s a gorgeous one out there today gonna fire this off super quick then hit the town. It’s going to be even hotter on the weekend. Righteous!

Sweet deal around the corner from us going on right now def grabbing again before it expires for good. It’s nice to take a night off from cooking too. Starting to make the same crap all the time it gets tiring too.

The party light came out Halloween night super trippy fun dance party playing lots of records.

This was THE scariest thing ever he jumps out at you all these amazing terrifying installations I’m talking PRO-level my GOD you must check it out next year these people are nuts like a whole row of them compete with their crazy scary houses it was bananas. Tarantulas on censors jump out at you oh man I hit the roof hahaha.

Made the randomest of costumes it came together alright we were hanging in our friend’s backyard and the temperature legit dropped and we had run out of firewood too these are thermal pants but started to get chilled to the bone which is why today’s hot weather is super interesting!

Got burritos crushed them by the lake on another cold as hell night windy spooky too cold to hang around too long though we try.

That wind off the lake bruh boy she strong from here on out I am going to just tell you the temperature of each picture.

Cute bunneh.

oh noes the feets ahh I die. Mike said you could pretty much just touch it so I was like okay but then the bunny definitely did NOT want that haha nice try.

Love it. All that sparkly Christmas extra-ness yessssssssuh.

Like obviously someone needs this in their house.

This is me blinking in Christmas land.

So many people messaged me about this place asking where it is what it is I am like bro can you handle it it’s Christmas old lady heaven in there plus farm animals AND a restaurant supermarket.

Omg I love this no shame or irony whatsoever.

*faints*. I think it’s the collector side to a person, the desire to possess trinkets and what-not.

I picked these up a little while ago they’re dead now am thinking of what I want next flowers cheer and class a place up, no?

Distorted because had to zoom in to capture all the lights-action. A phone upgrade would resolve this issue.

This one is my fav. The owner came out cos we were all milling around the property she said we scared her it was funny but I was also like well your front lawn is a horror show people gonna flock. Speaking of horror show, how bout that election hey? Yikes.

Dave Chappelle and Letterman. SO GOOD.

:)

That’s Barfy. We love him quite possibly her, I dunno I get boy vibes but he reckless so maybe then he’s a woman? Lol who knows. He’s been MIA the last couple visits so I hope all is good.

So fab.

Okay cashing out my chips now I bid you adieu we’ll meet again soon have a good one xo!

Raymi in the Sky with Diamonds

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Ready for cloud watching geekery? I only say that because I don’t want to offend the old people by saying cloud porn oops too late. People will literally get mad about everything anything if you let them.

and now there is a Raymbo. Remind me to take a picture of my Raymbo Brite custom heels and the back story is bananananananas too.

Some wild sky gazing things going on up there lately, storms, crazy winds blowing it all around, gorgeous sunsets seeing them from high up or in various other settings we so happen to adventure upon.

One girl on twitter saw a mushroom, while another…

saw a frog. Cuuuuuute.

Ships don’t lie.

Ghostbusters sky. I make that reference a lot.

Thank you Kathy. If you can believe it, Minx sent me a check years ago to get Minxed and blog about it that is how I met Kathy and we bonded, girl did we ever. She found some of these in her kit and mailed them to me. I was like how do I even do this without you? She sent me the video of Diane Keaton doing her own Minx manicure during quarantine faaaaaaaaabulous woman. So I put a few on yesterday, I need a better file and shall share once I refine this art. Also, raymi the minx + minx nails, are you kidding me how could they resist?

Sentimental model airplane field so much sky activity but no model plane geeks to be seen this windy-ass day. We wandered over to the dog park and got psyched about a future bike ride up here for picnic and walkabout boy, dog people sure are weirdos! This guy said you can’t come in without a dog (being a real jokester there) and we realised he was screwing with us and he got a big kick out of his comedy. I could spy an Irish Wolfhound from the model plane airport those things are so big but yeah, dog people man. Far out.

Dork tables. I accidentally said it once and now it’s what we call them. Can’t wait til we show up and people actually be flying planes here. A guy was taking a break in his city garbage truck though it’s a nice spot to hide but like aren’t you on the clock bro? We didn’t snitch just on my blog here in secret haha.

We spent an evening here when it was cold during the beginnings of the pandemic so that is why I am precious about it but also it’s an excellent spot no. yes. The security showed up by the end of our date (back in March), we realised there are cameras everywhere so they saw everythiiiiing. A guy simply rolled up, politely stayed in his car as we got our shit together and out of there. It’s something we still laugh about. So like, they saw us playing frisbee and football, eat a roast chicken off the back of bf’s car, have a loud car speaker-phonecall with my mom, other stuff etc.

Sorry I lost steam. Ta-ta for now. T G I F.

bloviate, blog & breathe

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Hi guys I’m back! What day is it, ohhhh it’s Monday. Cool cool ‘nother day in paradise coupled by heatwave which is supposedly breaking into a lightning thunderstorm later on to level out dat goddamn heat.

Oh my god ADD be strong let’s get through this, brain you can do it. Had to literally tell my bf don’t talk to me like I am here but I am not haha. Everyone in my family has ADD it has been a life-long possibility for me that I have largely ignored but I see it in all of us and it’s the British way not to scandalize or address but yeah, there it is.

I guess it’s obvious and present in every blog post that I write because you literally have no idea where this is gonna go nor do I and that’s fine I just take a deep breath and dive in. It’s a Kerouac thing not to humble-brag but I am related to that guy and you can kinda tell how mad I am and if you knew who he was I guess you can make a correlation. I have been in a love affair with writing since I was a kid and why did I stop, so many reasons.

You know what is also hard about blogging? Aside from the fact that I’m taking myself off of other channels to be here? (Oh the struggle) but again I digress.. the choosing of pictures is what throws me because I over-obsess and my style-choice of how I am showcasing things here, I know nothing else? It’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks, ew I said it. NO not ew, because I am proud of this I distinctly recall being 19 years old during the (first) height of my blog fame something I should actually speak about what that was like, I’ll put a pin in it for now but holla holla that’s a goodie.

I always have these negative mean things in my head when I am writing here it’s every mean thing I have heard people say about me and boy there are doozies, that is another roadblock BUT f that shit because haters gonna hate you, just don’t let them trip you up.

I tend to hold on to it for a bit before I erupt and let them know how wrong they are. How they have mistreated me but I know that people fight the battle when the war is already won so it be what it be and that is why they lash out. It typically has more to do with them, not you, but still they try to mess with your life and can succeed. I do not ever forgive it. I stand in my power and my worth and how dare you. I just have experienced a lot of meddling lately it has been exhausting and hurtful. I am still wicked pissed about it and the anger is nowhere close to cleared yet.

Every piece of negativity that you put out there 100% will come back to you. Cruelty too. If you feel low, then stop the grudge you are holding on to. The hate. Let it go because all you are doing is hurting people but mostly in the end it is you you’re hurting most and nobody needs that dysfunction anymore. Some people are trying to be happy and live harmonious lives without conflict there is enough going on in the world for plenty to eat and they’ve had enough. Demonizing people and painting a bad picture of them to suit your own needs is no one’s gain. Cruel intentions are quite unbecoming. Thank you for the flowers but where is the apology. See: worst birthday of my life.

However, speaking of ADD previously… I’m currently helping my man with a golf ball FB Marketplace post and flexing my skills and for some reason mobile wouldn’t work to upload the listing but now we’ve got it sorted from my desktop I am happy I can help and make use of my copywriting technical skills. I am grateful to be blogging here and now too booboos… anyway he’s setting up his dream stereo system right now too which deserves its own post.

When people embrace their passions, like me blogging for instance, then you help one another and bring each other up – that is how it is supposed to be. You can’t rise up if you’re squashing yourselves or being squashed. I have always been a read-between-the-lines sort of blogger and anger is distracting so this is my therapy doing this. I need to get it out to move on and when I have been disrespected so rudely why should I not get my turn to speak my mind.

Now, actually moving on but if the person who all that was meant for read it, good. I am willing and waiting to have an open dialogue with you at your leisure but if not, cool then. I just find alienating people only continues the abusive, toxic situation. I have heard everything you said about me. I’m not being afraid to write here anymore because of people’s judgments. Period.

Speaking of that too, do you know that the woman who has cyber-stalked, harassed, bullied, and terrorized me for 15 years is actually finally behind bars??? See. People been messing with me all over for a long time and now I can speak out about it.

It’s a massive story but again I had to just “ignore it” forever but I always kept my eye on her and BOOM she has priors. When you are a blogger on the web, influencer, you will attract crazy people. My friends who are also in my scene have all gone through it, being trolled and harassed in so many horrible ways!!! I never breathed attention into it here too much in order to minimize it although over the years I am sure you have seen me go off about it when it boiled over too much for me to handle and all you guys could do is watch, no one could properly help me. I have had a sick woman emulate me, torment, attack me on-and-on for 15 years, drag me through the coals and gaslight me. If you saw her channels you would be sickened.

I am so thankful that she is in jail now on $50,000 bail no one put the 10% ($5000) up to get her ass out of there she is that heinous and all it took was someone else for her to harass and threaten holy smokes. I am still triggered and sensitive about it so will discuss at a later date kk it is still on-going.

Day-to-day life is pretty chill, we is happy. :) I have rolled my ankle twice though playing sports with bf so now we don’t do that it really needs to heal, lesson learned. Walking, hiking, biking is what I can handle maybe the odd toss of lacrosse but football and frisbee is too dangerous because the competitive athlete comes out and results in my ankle literally folding and it’s traumatic plus sets us back. My ankle crumpled a second time because the first time thought it was better but not really healed yet and I was running backward to catch a spiral and hit a divot in the grass – boom. Dunzo. My right ankle ballooned up like a ball. I have teeny ankles and well I gotta pay more attention. I have pain flashbacks still it’s quite scary but I did it to myself so I am not looking for sympathy only just gabbin’ with you.

And so we went on this walk in this cute little part of a trail when I was still newly afflicted we went light and easy but we had a great time and were considerate and cute to each other blah blah wildflowers everywhere… I have been feeling guilty about being happy lately, feeling nervous about it I am protective of it very much so. How terrible is that? Like, it’s “not fair?” I am not talking BLM well maybe a bit but mostly from all that other shit I made mention of before like when you say you’re happy people take it away from you or try to they really do which is sickening and mentally ill of them if you ask me.

Pride comes before a fall but I am not prideful I am grateful and know the difference between a low and a high and always find a silver lining in times like many people should cultivate the fine skill of self-preservation, stop, smell your roses.

This made me laugh and reminded me of a time we had to park in a field in Holland like an over-flow lot and the grass was so thick and tall but all the cars there are tiny ridiculous Euro things and you drive in to like an everglades-effect and you slam your door shut on all these tall grasses.

Went for a me-time spin on my bike this day I have a lot of memories of this pier and the waterfront in Burlington in general and consider it a happy place. I’m a people watcher so it always brings the goods. I scratched a lottery ticket made a couple calls which resulted in ME being the watched one lol then rode home to bf’s dinner made for us. Happy day.

Airing out things that bother you with having a platform to do it on I gotta admit feels freeing in a way unlike any other, sometimes scary the “power” but if people have made you feel so small, insignificant, and inferior for a long time why be afraid to call them out why should they get away with it?

Chickens come home to roost.

Another milestone is getting into shape again and feeling more confidence in myself, my body, my spirit, my all and there isn’t anything wrong with that I am still very much annoyed at the nasty things I have heard. I do not trash other women. It’s gross to me when I hear others bash me, like, you should know better. If you want to feel validated in your shittiness then yes, you have done damage. To us both.

Onwards and upwards, have a great week y’all.

Never be afraid to be happy, that is the take-away.

hike up your life

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What’s up beauties, are ya ready to vibe out to some relaxing blog? kk sames.

You seem stressed have a glass of relaaaaaax.

Keeping it slow and low out here in burbia like I like it. We cranked’er up a notch in Toronto for an afternoon a night and an afternoon so I could break out my summer wardrobe… my duds I packed away in a box and stored up above in my apartment layout for a season and it is nice to be reunited with my fashions. I have enough out here but wearing the same outfit-style all the time more or less when you’re a peacock and your bf’s stuff is all around you, you get cagey and you cannot adequately express yourself style-wise.

Actually we are both a bit’a fashionistas but tend to ‘err on the side of “garbage” normcore a lot when we’re alone lol so hot.

He has this pair of khakis that when I ask him to hold my phone it falls through a hole in the side-pocket and hits the ground. They’re actually my favourite. We embrace the skid life. Literally doing any and every thing we can to entertain and amuse ourselves.

Toronto gave me anxiety to be honest all of Thursday up until the afternoon then I was fine. I did apartment viewings for a unit in the building both days for my friends, whom are also my landlords. More on the viewings later and I had anxiety because my neighbourhood there is off the chains: summertime and living there is C R A Z Y. The Window News never disappoints let’s be honest but anyway I have a crop of friends who live on Front and we always light it up at Sugar Beach when it’s summer, so that we did. Tashina picked us up in her convertible and we blasted on down. Bf noticed the crew already there and party was a-go.

There aren’t any bathrooms down by that beach though so you have to get creative and it is disgusting the only two areas everyone uses for a toilet. This Covid life is so degrading in many ways but I’m outdoorsy with ample outdoor whizzing experience… I even got my mom on board – ladies, just always BYOTP and you’ll be good.

I just think it’s hard existing in the city or any urban setting during the summer you truly feel trapped in a concrete jungle I feel for the people I do. I am the people but I always have a base I can flee to in the burbs or made sure of it well yeah being the only one of my particular tribe to also ride the rails in the city but as for now I am “over it”.

Time seems to have flown by since April. I spent the worst birthday of my life alone thanks to covid and some meddling of others suffice to say, but yes it’s June now and that’s all behind us but I remember everything, every detail, because a lot of living has been packed into that time since before now.

It’s been domestic bliss more or less shaking the cobwebs out and adjusting to new dwellings which has been fun coupled by anxiety. The thing is, everyone is going through some form of shit right now. We have seen behind the curtain of errrryone’s bullshit and there is no hiding. Deaths, closings of businesses, BLM having a well-deserved huge moment which I will also be addressing – this was supposed to be a fluff post as in, a breather-log so as to not say all the things I really would rather air, got me? Y’always do.

Nature is religion to me right now and I feel as though I have waded through enough hoops of hell to get to this place where I am at. It’s hard for people to be happy for themselves or for others but also to just enjoy what you’ve got your ample privilege like it’s hard to just be happy with your day? Really? You are so fortunate maybe you have a bit of money in your pocket it’s summer now finally yeah the world is sincerely going to shit at the moment but look at the bright side if there is one. Be grateful. Gratitude isn’t that hard it’s just you’ve become hardened. It’s hard to appreciate what’s right up in front of your own nose and why nobody knows but, just live your truth as best you can and look around you. You have more than you know.

People are at their happiest when they are doing what they are meant to be doing. Like right now I’m happy because I am doing this and my bf is happy because he is scrubbing a bunch of golf balls. You do what works for right now, you putter and you come together, you may fight but you just keep doing you and if you’re lucky you become symbiotic and there’s a flow.

I am re-reading my favourite book right now Rule of the Bone I may have spoken of it before here but I am sure there’s newbies who I do not expect to dig back although I am always delightedly surprised when readers are like oh yeah I remember that. Or dream about me.

Anyway, Rule of the Bone is by Russell Banks and there is a lot of Rastafarianism wisdom in it I found it in my library in highschool and was instantly shook. I also read the Darling by the same author and I recco both to you but yeah to re-acquaint myself with this literature I see my true self again and the girl I was when I first found it and how the world has changed since, it has aged well but it accurately encapsulates an era of grunge and also includes a motorcycle gang and triggering sexual misconducts too, yikes.

The best parts of it however is when the protagonist goes to Jamaica and before that when he’s living on a school bus in an abandoned field and meets his Rasta buddy I say no more except you really get to nail down your Patois when you are reading this shit and your skiddy dialect altogether and as a writer, personally, I need to read it’s like breathing in and out – to write you need to read you need your salt and you need your pepper too.

I feel like I have been consuming way too much and have read the entire internet I need to come back to creating content again but mostly for me (not for you no offense), but yeah of course part of me is interested in seeing where this goes and who cares who knows I mean if you’re gonna do it just do it and shut up right haha.

People would say I punch you in the face with my writing and then punch you again with a picture okay maybe I just said that about myself and am paraphrasing like if they even say anything about me at all I also am always just practicing comedy here too and if you’re not in on the joke or get it you can go into a hate-reading mode it is nothing new to me like why does she do this or that? Maybe just appreciate that I do it at all and stop questioning it because I have asked nothing of you.

A rock pile near our friend’s place no can’t divulge the co-ordinates my mom has adorned my nana’s garden with the rocks she finds but has since let-up a little on taking them because they are for all to enjoy. One of the silver linings of this pandemic is the creativity you get to experience via others finally geeking-out and flexing those parts of themselves right??? yes.

Aw my heart.

Wow, great uhh, address. Lol.

Can you believe I waited this long until posting a selfie? I am “making a point”.

I love this donut so much thank you for injecting some kitsch in to Burlington thanks a bunch for really reals.

Pretty sweet have a bud who lives so close to us with a backyard set-up like so.

My chalk art was trying to do tropical sunsetting I googled it was aiight but a bit hot messy in the end we all drew a bunch of stuff love this bike path very much so.

haha our car’s reflection.

I got yelled at over the bullhorn we still make fun of it just let it roll off yer back everything is comedy pretty much right now.

This was a surprise location hike there’s lots to explore out here.

Alrighty, my fingers are tired and it’s a heatwave it’s time to do the thing, live the life — this has been great. To be continued I will be back with more.

As always,

your pal Raymi

oh and ps. if you need a lot of golf balls for a good price, get in touch lol.

Eastview Homes, Raymi style.

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So like everyone knows I’ve been hanging out in Burlington these days cooking, hiking, and riding out isolation with someone special and overall my life is pretty good considering there’s a global pandemic messing with society. Long story short I am busy living it up like a retired Renaissance woman and literally haven’t opened my laptop in months… but now that I have I’m thinking why not more blogging?

I put the word out looking for cool gigs but there isn’t much happening these days. Everyone is online. My laptop is closed but my phone is glued to my hand. I’m kind of glad to not be in Toronto during all this but I’m there in spirit – I support the #BLM insurgency in all forms.

Last week a friend called and asked me to help him do a video for an Oakville Burlington home renovation contractor which I was happy to accept but didn’t know what to expect.

I said sure I’ll give ya a link let’s do this!

This is Keith and he specializes in renovating split side homes. He seems like an all-star handy man and with my expertise of directing and coaching him on camera, we worked our way through the script and got’er done. I passed on my tips from years in the field.

Talking on-camera while delivering lines and trying to look flawless, sound flawless, is a lot harder then you’d think. The night before we were watching some show where the host is simply talking while walking, using his hands a lot too and it was seamless enough but I remarked on how hard I knew that was to do. For me personally, I am at my best when I’m unscripted but many times you ramble on too long and it can come off sloppy.

Remember the Brady Bunch? Well, they had a split level home, two bedrooms over the garage. Except the house they used in the establishing shot didn’t have a garage. If you add up all the interiors, I’m told there isn’t enough actual house for the whole Brady family — I love these geeky facts. That island kitchen and the couch room, the big living room they never used and the father’s den – that’s the whole first floor. You’re telling me eight people slept upstairs? What about Alice? She could have been in the basement or maybe she lived off site lmao. Anyway, in reality they needed a renovation and home remodelling and probably more bathrooms.

Those are the types of buildings that Eastview Homes renovate best so they say; each box is like an uncut gem and they find the best light and add windows and work around that. That’s their big secret by the way.

Day started at ten am which was civilized. They had watermelon slices and apple-fritter pastries but I declined. At first my job was to help run lines and then I was to hold reflector dish but then we had too much daylight and I had to hold a sunshade. Then we kind of evolved beyond all that and just made Keith stand in the best light. Then my job became light hunter.

Also I was blown away to notice the house next door to one of the sites I had spent a week painting with my mom’s painting business the summer before, as in last summer and THAT mes amis is a tale for another time… the day we wrapped the gig the owner got us loaded I’m talking two cases of wine pool party and ants in the pizza I was uber’d back to Toronto because they made me miss the train and I had a date I wanted to see which in hindsight I should have just stayed LOL.

The kitchen builders’ name is Remi and that’s his son. First thing the cameraman did was kill their music and then he complained about their taste in music. This caused Remi to talk excitedly about Pink Floyd which he declared was his favourite. That stopped the conversation. Dark side of the moooooon forever bruh.

The sound on the camera was a concern and we worried Keith wouldn’t be loud enough. Then too loud. The mic picked up everyone talking in the background, lawnmowers and helicopters. It was a nice day and everyone was home and outside enjoying the morning. Kids on bikes came by with their grandpa wearing a mask. They left. Our shoot was too boring for them.

All in all it was an enjoyable, hilarious, and knowledgeable time. I like being outside, wearing pink hats, bickering with my colleague and helping businesses out. We did two locations then it was over and so this is the blog. Done and dusted.

Now, here’s the video. Great job Keith!

TTYL Everyone, your pal Raymi.

heard u were lookin for me

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Hello its been awhile. Thirteen days, to be exact. Which is a short while if you consider my infrequency yadda yadda ya. I’m ready if you are.

I felt like I was in the mood to blog yesterday and today but now here I am and uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Hey is that that “cell phone charger” purse everyone made fun of Kim Kardashian for not too long ago? I think it is or something thereof and now I want it… so small and compact, for all the clubbing that I do not do.

One Christmas, two ago, I showed up to my Nana’s wearing this and my mom was wearing a red plaid shift dress too. We have had this happen many times over the years it’s a cosmic like mother like daughter thing, with no prior planning or talking, it just happens.

This post is just an old fashioned smattering. Blogging for the sake of blogging. Blog and telling. Honestly, the good things that happen just from pressing publish here sometimes y’all might just try it for yourselves huh? Talk less shit and do more shit.

How to make friends: buy some.

Hi girls.

Bedridden all weekend basically movie after movie bender. We went out for Mr. Greek Sunday early night and it was DEAD. The soup sucked. The salad, okay.

I don’t mind the post apocalyptic vibe after watching infinity end of the world movies this weekend. This setting would be trashed if that were real. I know they hooked it up with Dollarama decorations as there was one in the parking lot and I used MY BRAIN.

Looked normal but was bland. Needed soup all the same ah suppose.

Not the best foodie photo in terms of subject.

On my walk home the other night. This store always has a cute display alack I’m not into clutter I have enough but I appreciate the artwork. We are drawn to things that remind us of things we once experienced or owned, another time period.

I’m blessed I don’t have a sweet tooth. I love photographing sweets though, decadent, colourful, darling confectionaries that they are. I can’t walk by a Fortino’s bakery showcase without getting whiplash on my phone camera arm capturing those bad boys fast enough. Stay tuned on this though I just recalled something I have coming down the pipeline for y’all regarding dessert.

I think this is the Kylie lipstick app. It’s basic. I dun curr.

My NEXT post will be about the ADVENTURES OF RAYMARIE. Get it? Marie and me? BYE BRANGELINA.

Big appreciator of the Burlington sunset game. It’s always gorgeous from the vantage point of this parking lot. It is the best I don’t care how much suburban shit is in the way.

Oh hi there you’ve been indoctrinated into the Burlington town club :).

I do it’s true. It stems from year’s back during my early hey day of emo selfies gazing into the lens trying to out-stare myself. I am the subject, I am the artist gazing back at. Some people have resting bitch face, me? Stoic. Because my mind is sizing up everything before me, calculating shit I is busy guy. I also admire the vacancy a la editorial aesthetic.

I love Toronto. You get to go on a magical Christmas adventure everywhere you turn.

Last week Monday and now she’s back in Mumbai honestly one of my greatest lesser known lowkey pals, cos of that whole doesn’t live here thing but we’re all huge fans. Come back soon!

Nostrils check. jk. I was just so tired-looking this day it seemed to be the only flattering angle to get me at. I worked at wework this day because a mystery package arrived of beautiful psychedelic lipsticks and sometimes the universe is like Raymi here, you need some more disco in your life and you are like yasss bitch!

This lipstain stays on hours so I don’t have to feel naked lipped like I normally am. It’s all in the details.

Yesturrrrrrday and I am okay with that.

Always take several variations of the same picture so as to ensure pissing off everybody.

Got these for my Dad lol. We should live in a society where we get paid for a brief review of every item we ever buy as to always be making money back. I’m not wrong. Like, if you wanted to know my thoughts about either of these things? You gotta pay for that even if it’s a shit review you get paid oh the things I would say about this grilled chicken pasta lean cuisine CRAP A LA CRAP right now. There is my brief review now put $1 into my account thanks bye hahaha.

Nana’s tree on fleek. Always is. Oh but if this tree could talk lol.

Sure I’m down you know it.

Work hallway.

Wedge salad I can still taste, think about, and will eat again.

This is the other bathroom at work it took me a few weeks to even discover. The other one is hella drab so I was like SWEET RELIEF when I discovered this one.

Oh hi there she is!

We shared mussels, the special. Two orders. Patrick from work was there too. It was a very chilly night.

And yes I was as I feel like I do nothing mostly, which is fine I don’t feel the burning sensation to show a non-stop cocktail party lifestyle full of fabulous shit I much enjoy the mundane simple pleasures blah blah but I do like to go out a wee bit to balance it out, the cold weather makes me feel claustrophobic from hibernation at times which makes Toronto ideal because there are just so many various pockets of entertainment for you to explore when you start climbing the walls.

Alright I get it, you get it? Have a good one!