Stamp Camp Mania!

What a fabulous day! It was billed as a "day dedicated for stampers to do what they love best - stamp!!"

It was that and oh so, so, so much more! Fun, lots of laughter, shopping, drama (thanks to Marissa unfortunately) and many friends dropping by.

It was a small group - Tina, Marissa, Lise, Jennifer, June and myself - also (at times) astonishingly quiet!

Much deserved thanks to Barb and Sarah for hosting such a wonderful day.
Tony contributed as tasty lunch (note to self: must ask for vegetarian sandwich option next time.)

As usual I packed waaaaay more than I could ever use. My main focus was to create multiple backgrounds for some upcoming commitments. I brought everything but the paper to create those backgrounds!

I did play with a Vintage Ephemera stamp set I purchased from Phillip from Lazar Studio Works. It stamps beautifully - you can always expect a quality product from this company. In fact, it might even be the first unmounted stamp sets I ever purchased.

The make and take by Sarah featured a new twinkling H2O product called Radiant Rain and the very fun featured stamp of the month 'Whimsy Flower" by Sunshine Designs.

June completed her ATC's for the next club meeting!

I had emailed Martha earlier in the day and asked her to stop by. I knew she was planning to work on several art commitments - so I was unsure if she could stop by. She happened to be in the neighborhood shopping for new shoes and then popped in to say hello.

Barb would like to start holding these every couple of months. I say bring it on!

The luxury of the written word

I was recently fortunate enough to obtain copies of past RSM articles written by Susan Williamson.

The only good part of my tedious daily commute is the fact that I can read uninterrupted. I finally remembered to pack these articles last week. I was enthralled. Seriously. She has a knack for drawing you in and generously sharing her experiences. Her pieces are well written, thoughtful, insightful (is that a word?) and inspiring.

I really enjoy her writing (RSM is a 'must' buy if she has written an article) and I am eagerly awaiting her upcoming book.

Artistic nudes versus well nude

The local ATC group's upcoming theme for July is "Hot Women".

I didn't think that I owned any images that fit this criteria. So I started searching the net, I do not recommend using the phrase 'hot women' in google image search. lol.

I finally ended up purchasing some digital images from e-Bay. My better half is highly amused by this recent purchase. He gleefully says I bought PORN.

I prefer to think that I purchased a collection of 'artistic' nudes (versus just plain nude.)

They arrived early this week - encased in brown and white paper wrapping. Yes, that's his laughter you hear. Well, at least I know customs didn't open it.

How I really feel about the TTC

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is my main source of transportation. Unless of course I am fortunate to have an actual car ride. (yes, you may insert the mental image of a dog hanging it's head out the window. Satisfied?)

You've only hear the bad.

I use transit almost every single day. I really can't complain about the service if I consider the entire picture.

The customer service department has been wonderful (and appalled) about the entire 'situation'. I am awaiting the resolution (in writing!). I feel a tiny bit bad about reporting him, even if he deserved it.

I'm still so angry that I'm tempted to actually write a letter to Adam Giambrone.

Wait wasn't I supposed to be saying something nice?

Here we go again

My son and I had a great time at the island yesterday. Really he would go every single day.

Getting there was a bit of a challenge. My son's left hand got caught in the elevator door at Broadview Station. (of course we were on the other side of the door.)

Thankfully I was able to pry his fingers from between the two sliding doors. We exited the elevator and I inspected his fingers on the westbound platform. Purple-red, swollen and scraped skin. Plus lots of tears.

I decided to take him back to the collector's booth to report the incident and obtain first-aid.

The TTC collectors response? Indifference. Our conversation went like this.

"My son just got his fingers caught in the elevator door."

"What do you expect me to do?" he replied.

I gave him a strange/annoyed look. "Do you have any ice?"

"Now, why would I have that?" he replied in a sarcastic tone.

I just stared at him stunned. "I'd like first-aid for my son. Do you have a first-aid kit?"

"Yes, I can only give you a couple of band-aids. I can't do anything else." he said shrugging.

Now I'm getting angry. "I'd like to file a report. "

"You can call 393-INFO on Monday to file a report."

"No, I'd like to file an accident report today."

"You can call 393-INFO on to file a report."

"That's it? Those supervisors over there at the streetcar platform can't help me?"

"No, they can't."

"Will someone answer my call at that number today?"

"Yup." he replied in a bored tone.

I left the station. I walked around the corner to the McDonald's where they were kind enough to give us ice and genuine concern for my son's well being.

I bought a yogurt to distract him while I applied the ice to his fingers (only moderately successful). I also called the TTC to report the incident. I was assured by Arlene that someone would call me on Monday morning to take my report.

My son had understandably tender fingers, but he seemed to be returning to his normal self. Now about 15-25 minutes have passed since we left in search of ice. We head back to the station.

Same collector. My son helps me swipe my metropass and I start to proceed with my son through the turnstile. The collector stops us. He now wants me to pay a fare for my son to get back into the station. (It wasn't an issue for this same collector when we entered the first time.)

"You want me to pay for my son?" I ask incredulously.

"Children over 2 need to pay to use the transit system" he responds with a smirk.

I am beyond angry. I purchase more children's tickets, deposit one and ask for his name.

"13552" rolled off his tongue effortlessly. I suspect it's been requested a lot.

Happy Father's Day

Happy (late) Father's Day!

An island kind of guy

We promised our son that he could go to the Island on Sunday.

He loves the island.

Without fail he asks to go every single week.

The little daredevil begged to go on the dragon roller coaster. And he liked it.

Me? Not so much.

Hanging with The Hive

Yup, we picked a name for our group. Finally.

Our 'official' name is The ATC Hive. Just so long as we don't get called the 'hives'.

Huge turnout tonight - I thought it would be a small group tonight. Go figure.

Susan W. was kind enough to consent to let me photograph and publish her ATC haul tonight.

Welcome Kris and Colette!

Participants for this month were:

Traders: Diana, Marissa, Barb, Sarah, Ludgera, Susan V. June, Kris, Susan W. and Colette
Observers: Martha, Daniza, Jolanta, Beverley and Cori

Due Date: 08June07
Theme: Italy
Supplies used - NONE. I did not make any. Bad girl! I regret it now - the ladies made some w * o * n * d * e * r * f * u * l ATCs.

Jacqui, Myrn and Joanne we missed you.