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.

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What’s up yo. Picked up our new ride for the week (with an extra day bonus thanks to the upcoming holiday Monday) took her for a spin and went to one of our favourite parks starring this baby bunny.

I didn’t wash my hair yesterday so I wasn’t exactly feeling camera vogueing it up but whatever, real life and what not right.

I keep forgetting how brilliant this camera is.

A father behind us was having difficulty getting his daughter on her little bike with training wheels to make it up along this path you could tell he was embarrassed we were in ear shot, I almost offered to push her. Next time avoid wood chips dude.

I love old world leftovers.

And jungles. When will the hot weather come back though?

Got a little hot in my sweater like wtf did I bring this out for and naturally the boy has a go at it.

Oh so Euro, fine if you make fun of me it’s getting blogged.

Seriously that’s the pose? You’re like OJ pretending the glove doesn’t fit. I said you better not delete these pictures!!! Ha.

There she is, such a dream ride. Swankier than the last one which was pretty classy in and of itself. The Lincoln MKZ has a gigantic panoramic roof and if you speed up a little it closes (just partially) on its own for safety so your back window view behind isn’t obstructed.

The name of this colour is bordeaux. SWOON. My dad is in love with all aspects of this car and is awaiting me to hook him up with one next haha lol. I love the white/bordeaux contrast dad says it’s like a car from Britain with a similar custard and cream look, it’s so posh and not to be full of myself but seriously everyone rubber necks a Lincoln vehicle there’s just something about it, also the colour probably pushes the look at me over the edge. BF is the one who points out the gawking, egomaniac.

It’s usually men driving other nice cars who stare and appreciate the fineness of the Lincoln MKZ it feels like we’re in a special club with them. Owning it. Once I hit publish we’re going to hit the streets and go sight seeing, hit some back roads.

19″ lovely wheels.

Some sky action.

Great navigation set-up, or “nagigation” as we call it/I’m called. (whatever he is so much more of a nag) and love the THX II audiophile sound system plus sirius satellite and wifi, obviously. There’s also the interior disco lights which I super love, this time bf chose red (not for long though I’m so switching it to purple). Oh yeah the seats are AC too, feels interesting.

Swipe volume too so futuristic and the park/drive/sport buttons are all push too, crazy cool!

Adore the brown swirl walnut wood applique too, fancy mcfancy.

I want like one (or several) great backseat pics in there definitely in one of my heartbreaker dresses a la Dita.

The boys just took off in it so I could get some peace, we’ll probably drive up to the escarpment.

White dune perforated leather that’s all I gotta say, it’s nice to max and relax against it for a change usually it’s always black/grey.

It’s like all the fun of a convertible without all the fuss.

That’s a little shelf to my left for papers and misc. stuff, yay!

Went to the poacher for some grub.

It rained for a bit so we went inside to booth it up which is all I really wanted anyway I was so wiped out yesterday from working the Canadian Open on the w/e beginning Thurs.

Did not understand these extra spots in the booth.

One could in no way reach the table. Resisted urge to carve our names.

BF says this is very Dutch. Um no, Dutch is very this, as in British. Thank you come again. I ate his peas, he asked for carrots like the menu stated. It’s nice that we annoy and/or irritate and confuse all servers we encounter. That’s what they’re there for no? It’s also funny watching people trying to pretend they understand his thick accent.

It’s also a trip to take him everywhere I have ever been ever. My grandfolks had their Scottish dancing parties upstairs at the Arms, a club they also founded in Oakville BTW.

Hi it’s me again. That thing on my chest is like a sun blister, not a blemish (trust me I’ve tried to squeeze it haha sorry TMI) so now obviously I’m all is it skin cancer???

Was attempting to catch the sun on my face for a pic, pro tip.

If the man’s happy (and he is) then the woman is happy. Yeah it’s true happy wife happy life but it goes both ways.

Thanks so much for making our weeks again Ford Canada. Now here’s a little video cruising LakeShore, best street ever to scenic route it up avoid highway traffic by.

Discovered this tune while in Holland. Music in Europe is awesome, you have to have a pen or something handy quick though to write it down and they often play three songs in a row you dig then you’re like what’s the name of that song that goes blap bloop bloop blee dee deet duh deet deet again? Totally.

Oh I forgot we did a little shopping too.

A modern classic.

Dad/bf just came back from a spin, dad’s in love. BF says when you close the door it sounds like a “mercedes door” so quiet and streamlined, perfection. They’re non-stop talking about the car now.

On the way to pick it up.

The night before he ate that. Not surprised.

He got me this while I was working, haven’t tried them on yet I don’t want to be disappointed.

I look like an 80’s music video. OKAY PEACE BYE. Have a great Tuesday! xo rlw.

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Here’s some more Canadian explorations with my Dutch little treat from last week. It’s nice to share with him the scenes of my various childhood crimes (an expression CHILL) and early adulthood stomping grounds plus now it’s my turn to tell the stories cos I got an earful over in Holland about all kinda of funnylarious wacky and wild adventures taking place all over everywhere we went.

This day we went to Future Shop to get a big monitor. What’s with dudes and big computer monitors right? Must be an IT guy thing.

Niece doesn’t wear these and mine are almost museum artifacts so yoink. I can fit into a seven.

Summer outfits are kinda Carrot Top. Cray. Man I got some eyeballs at the falls. It was a heat wave you are lucky I’m not wearing my Borat suit.

Went for a spin yesterday more on that later. NBD.

Didn’t properly cruise mom’s Facebook til yesterday oh looky loo Tracey. I drew that heart.

Mom said this was so Julian. She has a hyper funny friend from teenagehood and my BF does what he wants on impulse like a passionate mofo I love that. Sure everyone at Barangas did too.

Back to the falls. AT the time of this picture TONY HAWK was on the other side of the Niagara Falls omfg right. My friend Duncs pointed that out to me (also not to be confused with DUNCS MA DAD).

Whatever Falls. That nail polish was supposed to be green. WTF with me now.

This is a look at me dress lets just be honest. Dutch women whipped their heads at me in Holland and then did an I AM HONOURING THAT nod like they were making a note to copy it for later and I was like THUMBS UP at them. Can we all just walk around like a beach resort right meow thanks peace, your friend Laymi.

It’s nice that there’s a rasta banana featured here way to welcome our American visitors, great first impression there but I noticed the locals are pretty “real” so it flows. It’s like a carny town built to please everyone and an ultra ghost town upon immediate vacating thereof. Why am I writing this like a CSI report??

Did I blog this yet I don’t know, in it I talk about Shia Labeouf (whom I’m a huge fan of btw), the JO-ing us driver (capital REALLY DUDE?), lil bub and some keeping it real in the 60’s pics + video on life back then if you were alive and an adult. CHECK IT OUT.

The set-up.

Those shorts are from Holland, it’s hard to gauge what’s in fashion here cos I’ve been away in terms of neon are people doing it a lot here can we do a poll? I also like how my bf tried to tell me I couldn’t wear cougar or animal prints over there, it’s everywhere. Also Do you think I would adhere to anyone’s fashion rules over that of my own ever?

Still haven’t shown the back of this guy, long black zipper. I have several new things I haven’t worn yet it’s just too hot.

And instagrammed. Yawn.

My throwback. Hi K-OS.

I don’t know how to rotate flickr pics yet.

Hi Moose. Send that to Moose. A dutch guy obsessed with Moose, we got to the bottom of Moose.

I’ve been coming here since I was 2. Someone digs it. Yeahada. Oakville love.

Our stuff is a novelty to him.

These things still exist he’s like. Yeah man go for it.

Could my earrings be huger? Yes they could. Guess where they cam from.

Hi guys. Comin’ for you today. Maybe you’ll see me.

Our friends. Squirrels are a big novelty too they don’t really exist in Holland. Even table relish, that green sh!t is a Canada thing. I’ll keep you abreast of more curiosities you can feel special about as they come to me. Our cars are bigger too. Everything is bigger. Garlic. I keep getting exclamations of mundane things being AMAZING. Stop the world there’s three highway lanes kinda thing.

Oakvegas pier finally got that it was vertigo scary and dangerous to walk down it all burly-like without a rail I mean I grew up with it riding burly like that but still on windy wave crashy days and when you and your brother/friends like to play PSYCHE out pushing shoving there maybe it’s best to have a rail.

Or if your kid ran off it.

He’s so cute. Look waves. Swoon.

And his Euro picture poses. Look I’m at the/a club?

Sailboat jealous.

Zoomy zoom.

My monkey. Wonder what my dad thinks of all these nicknames he’s hearing. He thinks BF is a gentleman. HAHAHHA. Aw.

Mom loves him too, he makes her laugh. One time in Aruba we followed them to a shopping mall and were all in a store he grabbed a stupid looking green floppy sun hat and said in his crazy accent I AM SENOR FROG! Then he took a pair of shorts I had tried on and nixed and whipped them across the store like you would your underwear at the wall and my mom and I died laughing we were all sweaty tanned and wearing bathing suits it was hysterical Lois didn’t laugh though she wasn’t sure about him yet. I’m LOLing right now even writing about it. I went and picked up the shorts and hung them up after scolding him WTF don’t do that ahgahha he doesn’t give a f*ck it’s very attractive.

They start opening these guys up in the fall I think. I’ve been going since I was a kid.

Waiting for his mail. Think I’m going to update my desktop to this one.

Oh there’s your mail go and get it. Lazy.

A huge fuzzy bee was above me pretty much in a flower. I’m gonna put pause on this we’re going to the city remembuh. Have a nice one.

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