TamaraBrooks.com

Nixon's brother is coming!

Some of you know my Siamese Seal Point, Nixon. I've posted his picture's on the left. Out of all the cat''s I've had in my life (and trust me I've had quite a few, 7 in total I think) he's my favorite.

Can you beleive some people think he's ugly? I get a lot of strange faces when people see him for the first time. People either love him or hate him. :) But, whatever, it works for me. His personality is second to none.

H& M's Downtown Vancouver opens Thursday! (May 22nd, 2008!)

I have not been paying enough attention to the Arts & Lifestyle section of the news lately. For that, forgive me, for I have sinned!

I just found out that on Thursday (yes, May 22nd 2008) H&M's will be opening a new flagship store in downtown Vancouver. Get ready for more reasonably priced fashion! Winners you now have some competition.

Not to long ago, before they had the Coquitlam store which was erected about a year ago, I would locate an H&M store whenever I travelled. For example, my twice yearly trips to Toronto always included a days shopping in Toronto so I could whisk through the fashionable aisles of this super-store. I was thrilled when it opened in Coquitlam but disappointed that it was so far away. But, that didn't stop me from paying homage via 'girls night' car trips out to the mecca every few months. (Besides, Coquitlam is kinda nice actually). They then opened the second store in Lougheed Mall. I was flabbergasted. How could they open a second location.. that was still not VANCOUVER?

I didn't get to see the Brett Dennen concert...

I was just too sick. It was a sad state of affairs but I had to skip the concert. I was really looking forward to it, but what could I do?

If you were interested, my friend has a great review of the Missy, Brett & Mason concert here in Vancouver on Monday night.

Next time, I WON'T be sick!

Drink for the cure!

I'm planning a new event for everyone to come to. It's called 'Drink for the cure!'. Sounds fun, non?

As you know, I'm fundraising for the Vancouver 5km Run for the Cure and I've been trying to think of creative ways to raise money.

I'm going to see Brett Dennen!

I'm going to see the lovable Brett Dennen on holiday monday at the Commodore ballroom! (He's playing alongside Mason Jennings & Missy Higgins as well, but Brett is the main attraction to me!)

I'm pretty excited, his music is so chill. I think his show will be the perfect way to end the long weekend. I forgot to get tickets and then they sold out. Luckily my friend Carol gave me the hook ups and managed to reserve two tickets for me to pay at the door. {Huge sigh of releif}!

I'll let you know how the show goes! (I'll try and sneak in a camera, haha!)

I may be joining a new social book club @ OPUS Hotel.

I'm thinking of checking out a new 'social bookclub' sadly I can't go to this months meeting but I will aim for the following session. I thought I'd post the details incase anyone else is interested:

Date: Monday May 12th 6-8.30pm.
Book: A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (Oprah's Book Club) by Eckhart Tolle.
Admin: Limited seating. $15 in advance, $20 (cash or cheque) on the door.
Where: The super-fabulous Velvet Room at the Opus Hotel. (350 Davie Street, Vancouver)
Valet parking as well as a parking lot kitty corner to the hotel

Interested? Register yourself here.

Need some good Karma?

I am participating in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, on Sunday, October 5th and I am asking for your support for a cause that is very important to me.

Help create a future without breast cancer by making a donation today! Donating online is quick, easy and secure. Your donation will be added to the critical funds raised by the Run, and will be directed towards research, education and awareness programs.

Thank you. I appreciate your support! I'm aiming at raising $1000.00. (Any amount is cool! 5$ 10$... 100$... whatever, I'll love you forever)

CLICK HERE TO DONATE!
(Over $20 will get you a tax donation receipt!)

Vancouver's Accelerator Program, here I come!

Today I (and my company's Syntric Design & October17 Media) was accepted into the Vancouver Accelerator Entrepreneurs Program.

So, what's the program about?
To qualify for the Accelerator Program you must apply before your 47th birthday and be the owner or founder of an operating business with gross annual revenues between US$250,000 and US$1 million. Membership fees are $1000.00/year USD & include the learning events ect.

In a series of quarterly learning events, Accelerator gives you tools, knowledge, and skills to grow your business to more than $1 million (US) in annual revenue.

2008 Vancouver City Chase! Tarantula's, UBC Ropes Course & Nakedness!

This past weekend my husband and I entered the 2008 Vancouver Mitsubishi City Chase! It was FANTASTIC fun. We will do it again next year. So, what was it like and how did we do??? I was 'in-it-to-win-it' but we sadly didn't.

We came in 56th or something like that out of 250 teams (Not bad considering we made some costly mistakes that I think were very 'newbie' of us, and probably would have cut maybe 20 minutes of time).

The day started out with a quick scavenger hunt to get your clue sheet. Stuff like:

Vancouver's Red Cross Celebrity Soiree

Last night I went to Vancouver's first annual Red Cross Celebrity Soiree! Don't hate me, but somehow, I forgot my camera. (Don't worry, I managed to find some.. see the bottom of the post). I know, I know, the epitome of stupidity. Lucky for me their was a huge amount of paparazzi-esque photo taking and I've already found some photos online.

I was the lucky winner in the silent auction of 4 tickets to Capilano Suspension Bridge and a gift certificate to India Gate restaurant. I'm proud to have supported the Red Cross in this endeavor.

I can't even blog about this.

I'm so pissed off right now.

MORE fraudulent cash advances have been made on my husbands new card. Same locations, same amounts and through the same mastercard company. (PRESIDENTS CHOICE FINANCIAL).

I highly recommend NOT using presidents choice mastercard & their services. Their help during these fraudulent times has been appalling. Their so called 'fraud investigators' are really bullies who try to make you pay financially for their security shortcomings.

Mastercard --- Presidents Choice. It's war. Our lawyer has basically promised us that you will go down.
F* you PC Financial.

Positive Vibes: 2008 Vancouver BMO Half & Full Marathon

This coming weekend is the (May 4th, 2008) Vancouver BMO Half & Full Marathon. I'm running in the half and I feel like I've had only good signs about what a great race it will be!

1. I run 21km distances every weekend now because of my half ironman training (see my training blog here), so the sheer distance should be a breeze.
2. The weather is cooperating. It looks like it'll be 13 degrees with cloudy periods and only 10% chance of precipitation.
3. My husband has miraculously solved his knee injury this week and is going to be able to run after-all.
4. My friend Carol, who's been training for the FULL marathon and had a set back with a serious shoulder injury, is going to attempt to run. (Originally her Doctor was against it but she's since been given the thumbs up! She has a great blog with lots of running related stuff. Check out her 'Pool 88 blog' here and her recent entry on accepting the challenge!