The Night of Free Stuff

So I went with my manager tonight to a CSR Appreciation Night provided by AXA Insurance, at the Westin Hotel downtown. CSR stands for Customer Service Representative (aka Account Manager aka people like me). We were sent invitations awhile back - 2 for our entire office - and at first I declined because I don't deal too much with AXA in my department. Fortunately for me, no one else was available to go, so I went.

All the invite said was to wear comfortable shoes and that the theme was a surprise.

Now, my first thought was 'Oh good Lord, we're going to have to do a scavenger hunt or they're going to make us do role-playing and work in teams.' and I was not looking forward to it. But some of the AXA reps were in our office this morning and my manager met with them; they promised we would have a blast and no expense would be spared.

So we left the office and got to the hotel around 5:40; invite said to be there for 6pm. We get upstairs to one of the Province rooms and there are snazzy hors d'oeuvres and an OPEN BAR. Oh yes, I went there first. Not a huge selection for drinks, but my cranberry & vodka was just perfect. We schmoozed with some other brokers that were invited and it wasn't until closer to 7pm that we started guessing. Based on some of the other CSR nights that AXA had done in other towns, we guessed a trip to the casino or the racetrack, or walking somewhere in the market for an activity.

Not even close.

If you're in Ottawa, you know that the Westin is connected to the Rideau Centre. (Stop thinking ahead of me and let me finish.)

They gave each one of us $100 in gift certificates to Rideau, and I'm thinking "What's the catch?"

NO CATCH. The rules were to spend it all and to spend it on yourself. That's it. Oh, and we had one hour.

No problem!

I booted it out of the Westin faster than you can say "I love shoes!" and was off to find, well, shoes. I ended up with a beautiful pair of brown leather ankle boots from Transit. Oh they are sexy as hell, I just love them.

So after that excitement, we all congregated back at the Westin to compare our purchases. A friend of mine bought a watch from Tiang Jewellers, another girl got a top from Lulu Lemon... everyone did very well. So we headed into the second Province room for our free dinner, which was absolutely delicious, more wine, dessert, coffee... oh! And another gift! It's this scented oil/candle thing from Fruits & Passions and I simply love it.

Now many of you might not appreciate this unless you've worked in insurance and have attended several BORING soirees or seminars. This was purely about the Account Managers. Normally they save all the good events (aka free stuff) for the broker principles, which is usually the president. But they wanted to show their appreciation of all the hard work we do and all the customer complaints we get, etc. etc.

I could not have asked for a more fun evening. Anytime I get to spend someone else's money is absolute heaven.

Now for the bad news: I think I have a sty on my eyelid. It's grossing me out.

And with that lovely thought in your head, I'll bid you goodnight :)

Movie Review: Happy Feet

Oh, where do I begin to describe the cuteness of this movie?

We went last night with friends Lee and Kari. Kari's only been previewing this film for about 9 months. She kept showing me the trailers online. I expected the movie to be adorable and I was right, but I did not expect to sit there literally smiling for almost the entire movie (except during the meant-to-be-scary parts). And laughing. And dancing in my seat. And mouthing along to some favorite songs. And squealing at the cuteness. And squealing at the penguins.

Voices were provided by Nicole Kidman, Robin Williams, Hugh Jackman and Brittany Murphy. The cutest, CUTEST voice was of baby Mumble, done by E.G. Daily who is apparantly a child actor. Never heard of him but oh the voice just totally did the character justice.

"What's wrong with your feet, son?"

"I don't know Pa, they're just happy."

Oh I cannot stop about this movie, I freaking loved it!

CNN apparantly reported that they thought parts of the movie had strong sexual innuendos. I think that's just silly. Mind you, I don't have children and watch whatever I want without specifically seeking out any possible sexual or violent undertones. I think they may have gotten the "sexual" part from the Elvis and artist-formerly-known-as-Prince songs that were used in the movie.

At any rate, I give the movie two full hands way up in the air, and several taps of the toes. I'd love to buy it on DVD and I would LOVE the soundtrack.

Sidenote: if you haven't seen March Of The Penguins, it is a documentary that I strongly recommend. Yes, parts of it are completely heart-wrenching and yes, you will probably cry. But it's a very enlightening look into the lives of penguins, which I think most people really underestimate. The lengths they go to for food, to reproduce and protect their future... It's the best documentary I have seen in my life so far.

Now that I've done everything penguinly possible to get you interested, go see those movies!

Buenas noches!

Two Scoops!

Sturdy Danny McGee was up his 59th tree.
He said, "I work as fast as I can!"
When he suddenly saw,
Two scoops of raisins in a package of Kellogg's Raisin Bran.

Well, he rushed to the ground, 'cause ol' Danny had found
What's important to a raisin fan.
Only Kellogg's puts
Two scoops of raisins with those nutritious flakes of bran.

When he got to the truck, Danny sure was in luck!
He was one happy man!
Only Kellogg's puts
Two scoops of raisins in a package of Kellogg's Raisin Bran!

So if you're laughing right now, then you know they've re-aired a really old Raisin Bran commercial from like 1985. I keep seeing it in the morning right before work and it's in my head all the live long day. Shaun and I have started making up "colourful" versions of the song involving everything from our dog Mikey to bodily functions (I know, I'm 5) and I seriously can't get enough of that commercial. I love the girl standing at the bottom of the tree when Danny rushes to the ground. She looks in complete shock and awe. Go lumberjack, GO!

Side note: a girl I used to work with knew the old man at the truck with the white moustache! He was a friend of her grandparents' and she went to his house! Holy brush with celebrity, Batman!

Random Photos

So I was looking at the photos we have stored on the computer and I came across some doozies. I think you'll enjoy a good laugh or two.

The first picture is of me in my first year of university (Water, Water, Water, Loo, Loo, Loo!) in the room I shared with a girl named Katie. We'd never met before university but she was a great roomate. You will note my poster of The Watchmen to the right. I was hardcore in love with those guys. Saw them in concert at UW and got all their autographs. Bitchin'!

The second picture is of me with some friends at a party in high school. Those of you who know me really well will notice two major differences: smaller chest, bigger eyebrows. *shudder*

The last picture is of me with the gals at my high school OAC formal. I'm second from the left, with big hair and far too much makeup. Oh well, we had a good time and I loved that dress. Of the 6 girls I'm pictured here with, I only still talk to two of them, which is kind of sad.

It's strange how we lose touch with people that we thought would always be in our lives. Some think that certain people drift in your life only for a short period because they are there to teach you something valuable.

Ladies, where were you in grade 8 when I desperately needed an eyebrow-wax? They were like two black furry caterpillars, I swear!

How sad is it that it's Friday night and I'm updating my blog? Oh, and I'm taking a break from cleaning?! Well, my parents are coming up for a visit tomorrow and I'm a little anal about having people over to an unclean house. Even if they are my parents and they weathered through me and my "Let's Leave All Clothes On The Floor All The Time" stage in my teens. Who knew I'd grow up to be a clean freak?

Until tomorrow...