The Kat Kave

AUGUST SHOWS!

2010-07-31T12:47:00.000-07:00

HEY GUYS!

I've got some shows coming up!!

AUGUST 4th (WEDNESDAY)

with JENNY GALT, MARNIE MAINS and TRACES OF EVE!

9:00pm - RED ROOM
$3.50 PINTS

AUGUST 20th (FRIDAY)

with GHOSTBROTHERS and TRUE COLORS!

9:30pm - at THE BACKSTAGE LOUNGE (Granville Island)
We have ADVANCED TICKETS for this!
$10

I have been working hard with my band and the live shows are coming together really really well! I'm excited for these shows. Looking forward to seeing you there!

MEOW!

Kat Gillis

Fighting Cancer...

2010-05-05T14:12:00.001-07:00

I am feeling pretty liberated these days: I have spent a few months getting rid of what a good friend of mine calls "cancer" - just abusive and negative people/situations. It was very hard to really plant my feet down and fight off the leeches I've opened up to. No, I'm not victimizing myself, I think of myself as a very open and accepting person - which I find a very great thing about me. However I believe that I had to learn the hard way how to really solidify my boundaries and listen to myself when I feel uncomfortable about certain cancers that are draining my energy. And once you let the leeches in too deep, the harder it is to pull them off. But, it was a great fight to win. I am finding myself just really grounding myself, and taking control. I was not giving myself enough worth and that energy was being manifested by people who prey on that sort of thing. I was not myself, and it was showing in so many areas in my life - my teaching, my music, my apartment... you can definitely get blinded by it.

I now see so many great things for me, I am going to do amazing things and I am happy. I have SUCH amazing people around me now. I love them all to bits and they actually believe in me and want to see me succeed, as I want to help THEM succeed. There is no competition, there is no territory to be claimed, there is no ownership on each other - or unrealistic loyalties... just amazing support and admiration from AND for every person I have in my life right now. And there is love for what we do, not a desperation or a fear of failure. Just do. Walls will block us but with these amazing people in my life I actually see us just pushing through them and keep going.

So I guess I'm writing this to thank those people who have been there as I was fighting through the walls I have had in front of me and as I was struggling to rip those leeches off. You know who you all are! Heart.

Getting Real...

2010-01-20T16:48:00.001-08:00

January... supposedly winter. But I can go outside in my hoodie. No complaints there! I am in the studio as I am typing this while Dave is working on the guitars for the next track. It's going to be fun tune! I can't wait until I share it with you all.

Working with Dave has definitely got me shining a light on a lot of shit that I've been burying under the smile I show people. He sees the real stuff that goes on in your head. And the last 6 months have been very intense, and I have had to get real with a lot of lies that I've been telling myself. It hasn't been easy, but I've realized that the only way I can really relate to you - the listeners, my friends - is to finally tell myself the truth about a lot of things, even if it means admitting that I've made some terrible mistakes that might have hurt people. It's not easy, and you can start not liking yourself a bit... but it's the only way the music is real and authentic. I've tried to hide it, and pretend that I'm ok about certain things, but Dave will not take it. And he will tell you. Coz lies will come out in the music. It has not been an easy journey, but I am so thankful that I have met Dave and that he has been teaching me so much about what it takes to survive in the industry.

There will always be work to be done. And now I shall get back to working on this fun track!

Thanks again for being so supportive everyone!

Luv Kat

December coming to an end... and what an amazing month it was!

2009-12-30T21:56:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that 2010 is just around the corner. What a year! I'm looking forward to what's ahead. I've worked hard this year, and it's starting to show!!

I did an acoustic set with on December 23rd at the Backstage Lounge. It was a good time! Doing an acoustic set of "Busted" was definitely fun! You can see the live version of this set by visiting my YouTube Channel!

Christmas was quiet... and it was well needed. I spent most of the day just sleeping in. Then I got in touch with good ol' Davo and we met up for some Christmas Bevvies at his studio. Good talks. I'm very lucky to be working with such a passionate musician and real person. I'm looking forward to getting the new songs fleshed out with him.

I had the most random night last night! My friend, Jeff Laurin, texts me and tells me that Carly Rae Jepsen, a lovely adorable singer who was in the 5th season of Canadian Idol, is singing at a bar he books entertainment at - Checkers. I got all excited! I did a show with Carly before she went off to Canadian Idol. Such a sweetheart! When I tell Jeff that I'm going to come down, he asks me if I want to do a set!? So I got to share the stage with her! It was a lot of fun! Everyone had a good time, and Carly is such a fun girl on and off stage. We had a great time with her friends and band and I had a lot of good laughs.

I am definitely looking forward to what's ahead in 2010. I don't want to jinx anything... but I have some major goals I am planning to accomplish. I started creating the concept for the album back in 2008. I made the decision around this time that year that I was going to go in the studio and finally get all of my ideas out on the EP. And now, I don't see myself ending a journey, but I have prepared myself for a even greater one. This is just the beginning. The excitement is just making me want to jump out of my seat!

Well! Happy New Year everyone! I am definitely looking forward to it! Of course, I will keep you all posted as things unravel in the upcoming year. Thank you all for supporting me this whole time! :o)

Lots of luv

Kat

It keeps going!! Gotta love the holidays!

2009-12-20T22:57:00.000-08:00

So the show for Vancouver City Limits went AMAZINGLY well! Will Ripley and Erin Frances, my guitarist and one of my backup vocalist, joined me for an acoustic set and the chemistry on stage was amazing, and we had a ton of fun and the feedback was super positive! I got to jam with some fun musicians at the end of the night, it was great.

Some favorite moments of the evening:

* Will carrying my extremely heavy Korg Triton (we now call it the Tri-TON... as in 3 tons? Get it? Haha?) ... and while we were going through the parking lot, he started pretending it was a bazooka. Erin and I were killing ourselves laughing!

* Us trying to find the actual room we were playing in at the Vancouver Rowing Club. There were a lot of hallways, a lot of stairs... and Will was carrying the Tri-TON up and down the stairs... and him being all manlike and saying:"Good thing I worked my biceps today!"

* Me starting to talk about the story behind a song you will soon hear "What You Did" ... I started to get personal with it and Erin literally shook her head and did the whole "cut it out" sign on stage and I said:"Well then! I guess I'll just sing the song then!" - it got a laugh.

* Closing our set with "Busted" ... it brought the house down!

* Bringing up one of my students to sing. She was great!! Thanks AK!

* Trying to crash a private party upstairs that my student and her friends got to join... A lady, who was obviously the HR Manager, busted us. She was like:"Who the hell are you guys?!" and before I could get a word in, Will said:"The janitors" (Erin and I CLEARLY were dressed up like janitors!) ... and the lady was like:"Get the F^% out!" ... so we got kicked out. But my student and her friends... they ended up partying with them the whole night! Hilarious!

Again, thanks Bruce from Vancouver City Limits for asking me to do this show. I will definitely be doing it again! So much fun!

I have had not one day off from work, rehearsing, networking... I've been tired. But I'm looking forward to Christmas Day and Boxing Day... my two days off... I will do... NOTHING! :o)

I now have a YouTube Channel, I will be soon uploading videos of myself plugging away getting the album together and other adventures I embark on while I get Kat Gillis out there to the public! As of now, I uploaded a video for "Busted" ... just pictures and whatnot, this is for some of you who have contacted me and said they had trouble hearing the song on the other networks. So now you can hear it finally!

Thanks again for all the support everyone. More to come!!

Luv Kat

Busted

2009-12-17T00:37:00.001-08:00

I finally finished "Busted" with Dave Thompson today! Man it sounds sooooooo killer! I'm so lucky to have found amazing people to work with on stage and in the studio.

Busted can be found on

* MYSPACE
* REVERBNATION
* ILIKE
* FACEBOOK

Please have a listen and pass it along to your friends! You can retweet my current tweet on my Twitter Page. You can also copy this link on your networks. The EP is underway, and the more noise we can make on this the better!

Love you all!

Kat

See you Friday at the Vancouver Rowing Club!

Vancouver City Limits this Friday!

2009-12-16T10:10:00.001-08:00

THIS FRIDAY!!!

I'll be showcasing with some members of my band.

Check out their website for more information about Vancouver City Limits!

Click here for directions.

Be there by 7pm! And they have delicious dinner specials going on for $7! Mmmm. Dinner Specials!

No cover! Oooh! See you there folks!

Post Show Glow...

2009-11-25T18:35:00.000-08:00

Considering what it took to get this whole show together, I think my show with my new sound and new band went really well! Thank you everyone who showed up, for a Tuesday Night, it was actually pretty busy! I had a great time up there with the band, and I had so much energy! It was a perfect way to ring in my birthday, and I had a great support there. Now I'm dealing with post show syndrome - I'm not sure if this is what all artists experience, but you kind of go through all the details that you must work on for the next one... and you reassess. I met with my bass player, Dave and there is work to be done!

I'm tired. It's been rewarding yet exhausting. But I am ready for more! Must get my cables back though so that I can plug the keyboard back in to work on new stuff.

Next up? Gonna head back to the studio to finish up a new song with Dave Thompson. More shows in December: I will be singing with The Pages at the Backstage Lounge on December 1st, I'll be doing a small trio gig at the Vancouver Rowing Club on December 18th for Vancouver City Limits, and finally I'm back at the Backstage Lounge on December 23rd with the band.

Thanks again for the support everyone!

Kat

Backstage Lounge November 24th

2009-11-19T23:31:00.001-08:00

I have been really bad at updating my blog, sorry guys!! I've been really busy getting my band together for my show on November 24th at the Backstage Lounge!!

Yep! Full band! New Sound! I'm totally looking forward to this. Be there by 9pm! At midnight, I will be celebrating my birthday! Woohoo!

I did update my Myspace Blog so check it out!

I'll make a better effort at keeping this blog up to date. Thanks everyone! See you at the Backstage Lounge!

Another summer has passed... WOW!

2009-09-20T16:59:00.000-07:00

It was been a while hasn't it everyone?? Good to see you all again!

So. Rent ended about three weeks ago, and I have gone through a brutal withdrawal process. Symptoms vary, from dreaming about the show, to breaking into "Take Me or Leave Me!" ... Or counting in the band and realizing that I was in front of my colleagues at work. I have gotten the odd look or two, it was different when I was surrounded by like-minded people and randomness was a MUST! I definitely miss them. I was on the North Shore the other night, and drove by the Presentation House and got a bit sad. But, now I have time to myself. I am enjoying the time to write and have peaceful evenings in when I don't have to worry about how I will be getting home from North Vancouver. It took me a bit though to get back to writing, because I would be writing and then all of sudden the melody sounds like something FROM Rent! ...

Detox... Detox...

Now I am taking a bit of a chill out as I readjust to a life without Rent. It's been weird. What is normal? Haha! I am going to go back to working with Dave, and going to get back into making some awesome music. I'm looking forward to it, to get back into the world of creating my own stuff and bring my vision to life.

This year has been such a rollercoaster. But I've been told that this is quite the ride, and you don't get off that rollercoaster while it's still going.

And now, I think I can finally put my hands up and not hold on to the railing.

Here goes!

2nd Stage...

2009-07-22T11:24:00.001-07:00

So the summer has been quite the trip! Rent rehearsals have been intense but good. The audiences will be blown away by the cast's talent. Make sure to get your tickets everyone! You can call the Presentation House at 604.990.3474 or you can visit their website HERE.

As most of you know now, my album has taken a turn around a different corner. I have started working with Dave Thompson on my tracks. It's been a breath of fresh air. He's very passionate about finding honesty in music. In the amount of time I've spent working with him, I've learned that you cannot front the feelings you're trying to bring out in your song. However, while I've dove down deep to link my lyrics to the truth and the essence of what I'm trying to tell my listeners, I have uncovered many feelings that I have yet to find peace with. I've spent time writing songs and not finding the resolution to the songs, mostly because I'm stuck in a weird loop and never walking away from some dark sides about me...

Yeah, deep hey?

This is good guys. I'm on a path of self discovery while working with Dave. He doesn't put up with any bullshit, and he pushes me and kicks me in the ass to move ahead. Not necessarily to forget about what happened in the past, but to find peace with it. "

"You already told me about that shit happening to you. Now what Kat? You still gonna talk about it? Keep reminding yourself of that pain? Or you gonna think positive?" (I would say that those were Dave's exact words... but not really, he speaks with more... urm. "Eloquence". Yeeeah. That's it!)

My writing has definitely changed, I'm not constantly writing about how someone screwed me over again, or that I wish things were different... Some great material is coming out of this. We are also going to rework the songs that I have already, and gonna make it fresh and true to my sound.

That's another thing! Working with Dave has helped me find a real SOUND! Something that is true to me and my music. It's awesome guys! This has been a great summer, and I'm very excited about working with Dave. And that my music is going to show some true colors!

Other than that?? Hmmmm... Elvis is still as huge as he can ever be! And my patio is awesome and waiting for a party to happen! Don't you think?

Peace out!

RENT in VANCOUVER!

2009-06-05T13:05:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!! Wow!! I'm so excited about this summer! Everyone, I am pleased to announce that I will be helping out with the music in Vancouver's Fighting Chance Productions - RENT!

I went to the first rehearsal yesterday, our read through/sing through, and I am floored with the amazing talent we have in the cast. The voices are soooo amazing. I can't WAIT to start working with these guys. We will have a FULL BAND, and we will have shows going on all throughout AUGUST! I'm so excited!

We even had a cast hangout the other night, and I'm happy to say that these are a very sweet and fun group of people. I'm very lucky to be working with such a great cast this summer.

Check out the following links!!

OUR FACEBOOK GROUP
OUR BLOG
OUR TWITTER PAGE

Tickets on Sale - June 2nd, 2009
Only 100 Tickets Available per Performance!
Get Yours Soon
PHONE: 604-990-3474
WEB (SOON): http://www.phtheatre.org

Ticket Prices for All Performances!
$25 - Seniors/Students
$30 - Adults
*Indicates a "PREVIEW" Performance - all tickets $20.00

Cleansing...

2009-05-25T03:31:00.000-07:00

I have had a couple of days to recoup from the show on May 21st at the Backstage Lounge. Mainly, I will admit, from having a tad bit too much wine. I discovered that bands at the Backstage Lounge get drink tickets. I did not know this, but someone from the other band did. This was not a good idea. I learned this the next day. :o) I will make a public apology to Jesse Matheson and his tasty Midnight Snacks for my drunken bantering with them while they were on stage putting on a fantastic show to close the night! *sheepish look*

This show had a lot of symbolism to me. It was very emotional on many levels - the meaning of it, the organizing of it, the heart I put into it, the pain that came out of it... I had to make some hard decisions when it came to this show, and really these decision reflected on some hard decisions I needed to make about myself. Because of these decisions, I dreaded and anticipated the night of the show... To others, it was just another Kat Gillis show. To me, it marked the beginning of a clearer path in my journey, the end of a very strenuous time for me, the weeding out of the horrible seeds I've allowed in my life.

The turnout that night was better than the last time I did a show at the Backstage Lounge, still not amazing, still sparse, but better... but in the end, that didn't even matter to me anymore. I was just happy when the night was done... because it meant that the chapter of bad people in my life was closed. I can now move on without any remnance of them.

I know that writing about this might seem a bit much to some. But honestly, I felt the need to write about this publically. I have been writing about it in my song book, just writing without stopping... letting all my pain out from the last few months. But what has happened to me with the people I let in my life has left me here with a lot of hurt, betrayal, anger, confusion. I'm also disappointed that I did not listen to my instincts, because I knew that they were crying out, telling me to walk the other way and not believe that these people were genuine. I think writing about this right now is my way of healing, I want to share this with you, and hope that I do connect with someone out there who has felt this way. It's my way of cleansing... so bear with me.

I am looking ahead and I will have a more level head when it comes to making my choices. This summer is going to be amazing. I am helping out with the music to Rent in Vancouver. I am recording again. I've got good things ahead.

I know that what I went through was painful, but it definitely has painted a clearer picture of who I want in my life. The positive I surround myself with will strengthen me and push me to keep pushing harder. I have definitely sharpened my instincts. This is life. We learn from everything and everyone around us ... even if it has us hurting for a while.

Thanks to everyone who did show up at the Backstage Lounge, Jeff Hawker, being one of them, my friends from the Five Point, Michelle... and even Kelly Golby, the one who booked me at the Backstage Lounge, he doesn't show up to shows that often, so it meant a lot to me when he did show up to watch me. The support I had that night was very much appreciated.

Of course, thank you for always supporting me. I will be working on Rent a lot this summer, so some updates on that will definitely be coming! I am also working on the next track with Daniel at FaderMaster, so that's definitely exciting!

Thank you for bearing with me as I let this out. I needed to write about this!

May 21st - SPRING FEVER at the BACKSTAGE LOUNGE!! A few ways to get a DISCOUNT at the DOOR!

2009-05-18T19:22:00.000-07:00

MAY 21ST is the SPRING FEVER show with myself, Kat Gillis (http://www.myspace.com/katgillis), Jesse Matheson and his Midnight Snacks (http://www.myspace.com/jessematheson), and Werewolves of Creston (http://www.myspace.com/werewolvesofcreston) at the BACKSTAGE LOUNGE (1595 Johnston Rd. on Granville Island)!!

Doors open at 9:00pm, I will be there with the bands, probably having a nice glass of Cabernet Sauvignon to calm the nerves. I will start my set at 10pm. WOOHOO!

Now, I know that it's a tough time financially for everyone, and admission IS $10. However there are a couple of options for you to come at a discounted price - exclusive to all Kat Gillis Fans!

*** Go to http://www.katgillis.com and scroll down until you see the poster for our show on May 21st. Save it on your computer and print it out - show us your printout at the door and you come in for $8.00!!

OR!

*** Come to the door, I will be there with a Less Than 3 Entertainment Promoter, if you say to one of us "I've Got the IT!" (Yah, a line from my song!) you come in for $8.00!!

OR!

*** Show up at the door with a printout of the poster OR say "I've got the IT!" ... If you are there WITH 4 of your friends, then your group comes in for $5.00 each!! So 5 people for $5.00.

Again, THANK YOU! I look forward to seeing you at the show!!

CIAO!
KAT GILLIS

One step at a time...

2009-05-11T19:59:00.000-07:00

I'm super excited! I finally got my vocals done for the next track on my album. I had to wait almost 6 months to finish it. I had to put it on hold because I got bitten by the recession bug and shifts got cut back, then I broke my foot, so couldn't work at all. So needless to say, I was broke as *BEEP*. But finally, I went in today and got my vocals finished.

I'm definitely learning the value of patience. Though I have to admit, it's so hard! I'm so driven for this album, I'm so excited to share more of my music to everyone out there, but the process of getting the album done depends on so much detail and I won't settle for anything less than perfect... neither will the people I'm working with. So it will take time. But one thing I've definitely learned from being patient - once you reach that goal, it feels soooo great!

So. Yes. Patience. The vocal tracking for this song is done. Will wait for the final mix. Then... let's get cracking on the next track!! C'MON! Let's goooo! hehehe!

A little introverted these days, but needed to do so...

2009-04-20T10:01:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone!

This month of April has been quite... quiet. I have not been playing much around town, which is good right now 'coz I needed some time to write and work on the concept of the album a bit more. It's been good to just take it easy.

I will be finishing my next track of the album in May, it's in production right now, and I'll be going in and doing vocals for it soon. Then I will be doing pre-production for the following track. It's such a long process, and a lot of work. But it's definitely worth it!

Anyways, this is going to be short little blog for now. But please visit my links and show some love!

I am now on TWITTER!!! Follow me - http://www.twitter.com/katgillis

My official website -http://www.katgillis.com

My Electronic Press Kit - http://www.sonicbids.com/KatGMusiK

My Reverbnation Page - http://www.reverbnation.com/katgillis

Thanks everyone. I will update you soon once things get rolling with the current track in production and when I start working on the next one.

Take Care,
KAT GILLIS

April, Spring Time, Time to Write...

2009-03-30T12:36:00.000-07:00

So things in March have been busy busy busy! I had a show at the Media Club, a radio interview at CFRO, a show at the Backstage Lounge, Open mics up the Ying Yang... it was great!! I had a lot of fun and thank you for everyone who asked me to perform, who performed with me, and who listened and took some time to check out my music!!

So April is just around the corner, and I am finally finishing a track at FaderMaster with good ol' Danny B! It's a pretty huge song, I think this is the biggest production I've done on a song. It'll be awesome! I'm stoked to work with Danny B again, and I know that the song is going to sound crazy!

Just the other day I was at FaderMaster laying down some sick vocals for Surrey Soul s, a hip hop duo residing in good ol' BC. It was a LOT of fun! And I think Danny B and I came out with some sweet hooks and hauting harmonies. It'll be a hit! Ha! I'm really stoked to hear the final product!

Other than that, I have decided to lay low on the performance side of things, to focus on writing and on the concept of my album a bit more, I've grown SO much this past year and am finding my voice and what I want to bring to the public. It's exciting, a little scary... Scary because I'm going to be truly letting you all into my world and showing you who I am... but exciting 'coz I'm so comfortable with who I've become and what I've gone through and I'm not afraid to share it with you all!

So, yes I will be laying low, but I still need to be singing at some point! So I booked two intimate shows at Lugz Coffee House at 2525 Main (@ Braodway) on April 18th and April 19th.

*** April 18th will be with Emma Cook - upcoming folk artist
*** April 19th will be with Adam Gibbs and Jeff Hawker! Two incredibly cute and fun performers in their own individual way!!

I look forward to seeing you there!

That is all for now! Thank you so much for the love and support. I will be definitely updating my website often with pics and blurbs this month to not lose touch!

MUAH! HUGZ!
KAT G.

http://www.katgillis.com

Marching Ahead!

2009-03-04T16:52:00.000-08:00

I have to admit Blog-World, when the going gets tough, the tough gets going! It seems to be a lot of people's story in 2009. Hanging on. Hanging on. I am keeping my head up and learning from every experience that has come my way this year...

Though things are rough, I am extremely thankful to have some shows and even a live radio appearance this month! :o) Check it out:

*** MARCH 10th ***

I will be at the MEDIA CLUB for the VIOLET FEMMES VOL. 2 CD RELEASE PARTY
Doors open at 7:30pm - Show starts at 8:00pm
It is $8.00 in advance and $10.00 at the door!
Check out the VIOLET FEMMES WEBSITE!

*** MARCH 15th ***

I will be featured LIVE at 102.7FM CFRO COOP RADIO! I will be on at 9pm. I will be interviewed, some of my songs will be played, AND I will be performing live! It's really exciting! I will be joined by Emily Roop from Cheek and Geoffrey Alexander from Benson Wild!

Make sure to tune into 102.7FM in Vancouver at 9pm! If you are not from Vancouver, you can listen to me ONLINE or you can tune into StarChoice Satellite Channel 845!

Remember, it is 9pm Vancouver Time. So 10:00pm Edmonton Time... Midnight for Toronto and Ottawa! I'll give a shout out FO SHO!

*** MARCH 19th ***

I will be singing at the BACKSTAGE LOUNGE with my friends Cheek and Benson Wild!
Make sure to make it before 9pm!!
$10.00 at the door!
I have a few surprises up my sleeve this time around... some new players joining me on stage, some new songs... Oooh lala!

*** MARCH 21st ***

I will be at the STRATHCONA SPRING FESTIVAL along with many other amazing bands and live acts!
The Festival is located next to the STRATHCONA COMMUNITY CENTER on Keefer Street.
The Festival starts at 2:00pm, and my set will be at 7:30pm!
Come celebrate the first day of spring!

Well Blog World... that is all for now... it's been a tough go so far for me in 2009, but it is making me quite a tough little lady! AW YEAH!

See you out my friends!!

The Journey continues :o)

2009-01-22T23:29:00.001-08:00

The gig with Cheek and Benson Wild was a huge success! It was a blast to sing and play with these guys and we packed the place (well as packed as the Wired Monk can get!). We are stoked to play many shows in the future. We have one coming up on February 12th at the Wired Monk again, and then another one on March 19th at the Backstage Lounge! Please come out and enjoy some fun songs about nothing but good times!

Onto other news, I am happy to say that I have booked my first Commodore Gig!!! I'm super excited!!! The date and details are to follow, and I'm hoping to bring on Cheek and Benson Wild along. Stay tuned!

It was a tough time with the recession going on. I had to pull back from recording and all that jazz and get back on my feet. One thing I've noticed is that I'm way more positive than I was last year and that much stronger ... I don't let anything get me down anymore. I was able to put my head down and keep doing gigs, kept writing and found a band! I am now getting caught up and I will be able to get back to recording at FaderMaster and help out with the next Vancouver City Limits Festival at the Beaumont Studios. I am also going to go back to helping Pam Southwell with the release of the Violet Femmes Volume 2 CD and her indie label RPW Records. It'll be so good to get back into it. Yay!

So... basically, I'm going to keep going... and the more things get tough, the more I push to succeed. I have a strong drive and will to keep the music alive and to keep inspiring. I know I'll be able to get heard and I'll make it.

New Year Comin' Round!

2008-12-22T15:11:00.000-08:00

Things change so much in a year. I look back on how I was, who I was associating with, what I was doing around this time last year, and things have changed so much, but they keep getting better.

Someone was asking me last night what will I do different this coming year, I don't think I'm going to do anything different... I'm going to keep doing. Things are happening, slowly but surely. This time last year, the album I wanted to work on hasn't even started, and I had no idea what direction it was taking, and now I have a clearer picture of what the concept is, who I know I can work with, what my voice is, what my 'musical personality' is... it's all coming together slowly. That and I'm performing and I'm LOVING it! I have a couple of shows in January that I'm working on... and I am excited that I'll be performing with the Vancouver Based Funk Band Cheek in March 2009. We are hoping for earlier shows so stay tuned!!

Recording on the album shall resume in the New Year. Yay! I'm excited. There are going to be a few changes... I'm starting to reflect a bit more on the whole package of the album and I might change the direction a bit... it's all part of creating. And I've grown a WHOLE lot this past year, so my vision has evolved a bit and I'm definitely getting a better grasp on what I want for the music. :o)

I shall be working over the holiday season... this will be the first time I'll be doing this. Not celebrating the holidays. But the way I look at it the money is going straight to the album and whatnot so it's all worth it.

Happy Holidays everyone! See ya in the New Year... and let's keep the music alive!!

December and Kitty Kat's KrAzY busy!!

2008-12-01T15:09:00.000-08:00

And I love it... :o)

I did a show at the Wired Monk last Thursday with some wonderful artists:

* TÉA
* Chantel Upshaw
* Colin Bullock

I was extremely happy to share the stage with these talented people. Definitely humbling... I'm just getting back in the scene, and I am so inspired to keep working on my show and getting things better and better for my live performances! It was a bit scary opening for these guys... getting up there and looking around and being the ice breaker. But I'm taking what I can from it and pushing forward. I have to. This is the one thing I just can't let go of!

Yep. The Stage is addicting. Singing is addicting... Music is addicting.

So I'll be back at the Wired Monk with Ambre Rippon and Adam Gibbs this Thursday. Leah, who runs the place, is SOOO sweet and I'm really happy I met her! Thank goodness for places like these.

And the show goes on!

More Bloggedy-Blog...

2008-11-17T20:12:00.000-08:00

Living in Vancouver has definitely been a ride. Things are constantly going from one direction to the next... and just when I'm gotten a grasp of what has come my way... I get something else thrown my way where I'm like:"The hell?! How am I going to deal with THIS now?!"

I think I may have asked for it. I don't just settle... I push for more... I keep going for what I want and if I don't feel good about something, I do something about it... I don't let it slide or think that this is the best it's going to get. I guess that comes with constant changes as I keep pushing for bigger and better things. However the harder I push, I get to deal with even more complicated situations. But I'm too stubborn to say:"Ok, I'll back off" Is that wrong?

I guess I have high expectations of myself... but at the same time I believe that I will be able to achieve my expectations. I don't want to look back and go:"Ok... I slowed down... but I wish I didn't give up."

Call me a dreamer. But at least I'll keep trying to get EXACTLY what I want.

Was at the studio this weekend... working on another song for the album. I met one of the Assistants that is training at Fadermaster ... Spencer... and he's officially my most favorite person!! He definitely made the work fun!! If you don't believe me, then have a look at these videos...

Contemplative

2008-10-26T18:01:00.000-07:00

life is just a journey of managing the bad and hopefully getting in some good in between it all

A friend of mine said that today... I guess in response to how I've been feeling lately.

Writing songs, getting shit out, can sometimes stir up the shit even more and make me feel a bit down and melancholy. But when I get in that state, I just sit at my piano and let it out... and I feel centered again... then I reflect on what I just wrote... and back I go again.

It's a pretty crazy journey right now. I am creating and writing and I love it - but I guess it's not out there yet for everyone to hear... I know it will get there, but I have this desire to inspire and share my journey with everyone out there, and hopefully connect with mostly everyone and help them through their journey. Being who I am can be a bit lonely, and I tend to go inside myself and lost in my thoughts ... and in one way, it can get me sad, but then on the flipside I write an awesome song about it. A lot of songs are reflecting things that have happened in my life. Not all good. Then this great thing comes out of it, a song. I would play it for a friend or two and it would be one of the most amazing songs they've heard...

It's definitely something that keeps me going in this crazy journey. I know somehow I'm connecting to people with my songs. And it pushes me to grow even more and find other ways to connect... I'm already planning my live shows, when I get things going with the band, it's going to be more than just coming to any normal show, I'm definitely animated when I'm up on stage and I'm a different person up there so the shows are going to be something else I'm going to use to connect to people.

That's why it's been lonely... I don't really connect with people normally - through talking... LOL! But I guess that's why I am still doing music, it's what keeps me grounded somehow and I know that people that do hear it are somewhat knowing who I really am.

I've had a hard time showing who I am normally in a typical social setting. It's weird... I guess it's because I see so many people tangled in their social fabric and they are not real. And it's hard for me to be real in return. Or when I am real and honest about how I feel, it makes them feel weird and they don't want to deal with someone who's wearing her heart on her sleeve. I feel like sometimes people are in their state of "happy" and not really dealing with what's inside. But then again, some people don't really have an outlet like I do.

I just want to be able to connect with everyone one common ground - that ground to me is my music. I feel I've been struggling with having that true connection with someone or anyone, and I feel that this way - through performing, singing, playing my piano - will maybe have someone see the real me and see that I am something more through the social fabric.

I've been contemplative lately, as you can tell, and I know it's because I'm going to have my first gig as the main act at the Wired Monk and it's all my original stuff and I'm basically putting my heart on a platter for everyone. And I'm nervous. I just hope that I'll connect with at least one person in that audience. We'll see...

Show Schedules!!

2008-10-14T10:04:00.001-07:00

Vancouver City Limits/RPW/Violet Femmes

2008-10-01T02:16:00.000-07:00

After a couple of days of recouping, I can take some time now to talk about my latest involvement!

I recently got asked to help out with RPW Records, an indie label just starting up. Pam Southwell has been kind enough to give me a shot. And I'm looking forward to it because I want to learn as much as I can whilst recording this album - getting the ins and outs of the business, and soak in what I can to help me move forward. I'm pretty stoked!! RPW Records started a compilation CD of women artists called Violet Femmes, Volume 1 has made a big impact in the indie scene... and Volume 2 is on its way!! (I'm trying to sneak in one of my tunes in this one. *snicker*)

When Pam got in touch with me, she mentioned that she got a new office at The Beaumont Studios which is a few blocks away from my place. The Beaumont Studios started a weekly Monday Night thing where they feature local artists and they share it on their YouTube Channel - Vancouver City Limits. It became a quick success, and they decided to throw an artist and music festival in September. Pam mentioned to the lovely staff there that she will be working with me and I used to do some event coordinating back in the day, and then I got a call from Bruce Gerrish asking me to lend a hand! I was really excited to get involved!

So I jumped in and helped out and I am proud to say that I was part of the Vancouver City Limits Festival!! We blocked off the parking lot of the studio, had 2 stages, one inside the studio at the Theatre, and one outside. We had 15 acts, some of them being Adaline, Chantel Upshaw, Adrian Glynn
, Orchid Highway, Mud Dog and Tea ... that's just scratching the surface of the amazing talent that performed that day. We had mural painters, face painters, balloon twisty-doers, a beer garden, food from the Red Square on Granville, and even tarot card readers. It was truly something else! While people were performing you could leisurely walk around the studio and look at the art and even buy a painting or two if you chose to... and the live music was being played through the speakers around the studio, so you didn't miss anything! It was a fantastic event, everyone was there to just enjoy what Vancouver Artists and Musicians had to offer. It was a huge success, and we will be doing another Festival in the spring! WOOHOO! :-) (Trying to sneak myself in there too... hehehe!)

Other than that, I'm awaiting the final product of a new song I recorded at FaderMaster Studios. Then afterwards going to go back in there and track for a new one.

The journey continues...

Another summer has passed...

2008-09-13T16:07:00.001-07:00

And we are back in blog land with the latest updates from Moi.

After a summer of going through studio withdrawal, I'm finally going back to finish another song. Thank goodness. Not being able to move forward with the album just made me, well, depressed!! I would write at home and whatnot, but it's not the same as going in the studio and creating and turning my songs into awesomeness! Things have gone in the way though - which happens in life. But that does not make it less frustrating and discouraging. So for those who have been supportive and kept me going and put up with nights of me sobbing and losing hope - thank you. It has been a real hard summer on many fronts, and writing music and having those key people around have helped. :-)

I guess I have still worked on the album in different ways. I am working on getting gigs in the next little while. So that'll be an exciting fall. I have a sweet new job which is paying me way more than the previous one, which will help pay for the album and anything I need to keep pushing it to succeed.

More to come... cheers...

Here's a pic from Jen's Photo Shoot. :-)

Eventful weekend... to say the least!

2008-06-22T22:03:00.000-07:00

Busy busy busy!!! Getting ready for a shoot is crazy fun!!!

Got my hair and makeup done by Emily and had a great day of shooting hot photos with Jen. It was so much fun. We went to Stanley Park and shot under the lighthouse for a few hours. The wind totally worked with the new black wavy hair and the fabrics. Then we went to West Van to shoot a more closeup type of shoot. On the way though we stopped in various spots of Stanley Park and took some shots of me in the greenery. I even lied down in random places... surrounded by spit bugs! Hahaha! Glamorous! It was great fun!

When we were done the shoot however, we were about to hop in the car in West Van and then right in front of the fire department, a huge car collision happened. A smaller honda hit a bigger truck off the road! It was shocking... Jen and I went straight over with water. When we got there we noticed that it was in front of the fire department so we knew that help would be on the way right away. When I was going over to the lady in the truck, we heard the other woman in the honda come out and say her daughter is in the car... It was so scary. Luckily it turned out fine and everyone was ok. But it was quite an eye opener. And I was little shaky on the way home with Jen.

I am better now. To say the least... it was eventful!

MYSPACE and Other shameless self promotion

2008-06-16T19:25:00.000-07:00

Yo yo!

Check out the new MySpace with the songs from the demo up. Produced by Daniel Byrne at FaderMaster Studios

CHECK OUT MYSPACE!

Also, I'm on ILIKE!

June 22nd I'm doing my first photo shoot with Jen Echols! and being styled by Emily Roop!

It's exciting. I've been fake and bakin' in hopes to get a nice golden tan, but I'm getting freckles along with that. Darn it! Just kidding, it's fun!

Lessons Learned... but moving forward :-)

2008-06-14T15:32:00.000-07:00

Someone said to me not too long ago to have no regrets... it's funny 'coz I find those kind of people seem to do the same stupid thing again and again. I am one to go:"Wow... THAT was dumb, I know I'm never doing THAT again." But I guess to each their own. I have definitely learned a lot working on the upcoming album, and a lot you might have heard about already, some you'll get to hear a bit about it in the album. But it's been good, a great experience, I'm learning a lot about the whole music business side of things, about people, about me... *insert chorus of cheesy violins here*

The demo is finally done. Going to get it mastered. But I will have some edits of it up on MySpace soon with a new look and everything, consider this your preview! Next week, photo shoot. The week after that, starting to build the actual website with some of pics from the first part of the photo shoot. Then in July, back in the studio to get'er done!!

Will be announcing the new MySpace Page this weekend. Working on it as we speak... or type? Read? Whatev!!!

K HOLD UP!... This ain't Hip Hop!

2008-05-18T22:39:00.000-07:00

Yes... I must admit, I have actually put a line like that in my album. It's pretty wikked, I'm happy with the way things have been going. Things are coming together!! I have my first photo shoot for the album in June with Jen Echols and I got my hair stylist Emily Roop in on it getting my hair all PERRRDY for the shoot (she's been doing my hair for 3 years now, so I'm stoked to have her involved!)

Getting ideas for the website in place. Going to Edmonton for a label meeting. It's been quite a journey... discovering more about myself... Every layer of myself comes out in a song somehow, it may not be lyrically but a piece of me does come out. Then once it's there on the table I look to find another layer of complexity there that I start writing about. Didn't realize how much I was covering up. Well, some stuff was hard to sing about but it's been good for me.

More to come...

BLAAAAH!

2008-04-22T01:09:00.000-07:00

Word up Homes!

So... how to put the last year or so in a few paragraphs. Word.

Let's just say, I finally put everything aside and I'm working on the album with some peeps I'm truly happy to be working with.

For the production of the album ... FaderMaster Studios

For the photos/presskit ... Jen Echols

People from Toronto are starting to put things together to help me bring my project to life... YAY!!!! I'll update as more solid things come my way!

PEACE!

Le Sigh...

2008-02-23T23:44:00.001-08:00

It's been tough. Balancing some real key points in my life. But I'm feeling good. Real good. I'm hoping that I will be able to share a bit more of what's going on, but once I get something a bit more concrete then I will share. Don't you worry! :-)

A proud daughter...

2008-02-02T15:31:00.000-08:00

We all were in a moment of doubt and we were thinking:"Where am I going in life?" and sometimes some of us filled up with regret. We didn't get that particular degree. Or we should have maybe stayed in school. We acted a certain way that alienated us. We lose ourselves, believing that we have made choices that were "wrong" and life would have been better if we didn't even make them... I definitely sailed that ship, docked it, only to hop back on it again... losing myself in thoughts of self deprecation. We all have been there.

My mom certainly was there. She definitely had her days that she regretted not pursuing her dentistry as far as her two sisters have. She gave it up to raise three crazy kids. Between the two career moves, she definitely picked the hardest one out there. Raise the family. Especially with kids like us... (or maybe it was more me, I know I was definitely a nightmare on First Avenue in Ottawa.) But she did it, she raised us, and we may not be super heroes now, but I do believe that she raised some pretty funky kids. I remember her going through a lot of hard times before I moved out to go to school... and she sometimes wished she kept going with her dentistry. Her sisters are living in San Diego making loads of money. We kept reassuring her that she has nothing to regret, she has three awesome kids to be proud of. She held her head up high, always positive, singing all the time and laughed a lot with us. We were happy that though she wished she stuck to her career, she still looked at the positive.

Things were lining up, dad planned to retire finally and they bought a new place in Ottawa. They were ready to be a couple again (ew... sorry... even at my age I'll always cringe... with every ounce of daughterly love I have!)

Then life takes another turn...

Mom saw an add for a new position at a college of dentistry to teach. Mom submitted a resume out of the blue. My mom's always like that, she has a great "why not" attitude. Then she got the call for the interview. At 61, my mom wasn't sure what to think. She went in... and the dean who interviewed her asked her to be in charge of the dentistry program there!!! She gets to teach kids there and plan out a whole program for the school. She just went from stay at home mom to woman in charge of a program!

My mom called the kids and we all were sooooo stoked and so proud of her!! She's never looked at life negatively even at its worse of times. She's accepted that she wasn't going to be a dentist anymore. She was happy, then life rewarded her like this!!

I think I wanted to share this because mom's been such an inspiration for me. She's been through a lot with dad and the kids and now, even at 61, she's going to shine even MORE than before! I hope that this story has inspired you as well. She's even started to add her students on facebook!!!

My mom is SO cool!

A series of changes... abrupt but nice

2007-08-17T10:56:00.000-07:00

Well it's been an interesting time that is for sure!!

After being abruptly let go from work (yeah, LOOOOONG story which I would be happy to share via email if anyone is interested), I have had time to enjoy my time off until I start training for new jobs next week. Yay for severance pay (again, will be glad to share!)

I actually experienced what it was like to just hang out at home and do things just for me. For almost two years I was working making everyone's life easier, and didn't have enough time to care for myself. And now I have that pleasure. I can sit and focus on me. It's good.

So what's next? Well been writing more tunes, auditioning for a band this weekend to do shows around the city, new jobs, new beginnings. The summer is coming to an end, it went by way too quickly, but I feel like the end of the summer is like a fresh start. You can use the fall to focus more on yourself.

Anyhow, that is all for now.

Hello World!!! I'm back!!!!

2007-08-04T15:05:00.000-07:00

HELLO AGAIN!

Well, I'm back on Blogworld... been a fantastic summer so far. Great friends and good weather! Scavenger hunts, beaches, parties with friends, new beginnings... loving' it! I've also been getting great friends from afar visiting and it's good to get in touch with them again. My best friend Michelle is coming to visit soon and that'll be sweet! I'll definitely be posting up some stuff on that. For now I should get ready for work... yeah!

I love the summer!!!

Boohurns... Part 2

2007-05-01T11:09:00.000-07:00

I don't know... these could be a few signs...

1) Everyone around you has an attitude problem.
2) You're adding chocolate chips to your cheese omelet.
3) The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans.
4) Your significant other is suddenly agreeing to everything you say.
5) You're using your cellular phone to dial up every bumper sticker that says, "How's my driving? Call 1-800-###-####."
6) Everyone's head looks like an invitation to batting practice.
7) You're convinced there's a God and He's male.
8) You're counting down the days until menopause.
9) You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.
10) The ibuprofen bottle is empty and you bought it yesterday.

Boohurns...

2007-05-01T10:54:00.000-07:00

Weird... weird mood... I'm restless, wanting to be busy but not wanting to do anything at the same time. Want to just sleep this day away but don't want to miss anything at the same time. I'm a bit down. I don't know why. It's a curl up on your couch with a hot coco day. Although I'm drinking tea, that works too. I want to just cuddle up with that special someone and mope while he tells me everything will be ok. I'm just feeling down I guess. I hate it when you just feel down for no reason. Nothing bad happened at all. I have great things going on. I feel stagnant. I just finished school and now I have nothing to do. The piano is just a few feet away from me... but I don't want to touch it. I could sing for a bit. But I would rather just be on my blog right now typing about how I have nothing to do. I want my family here... I want to be with my brothers and my mom and dad. But they are all in different places of the world. I'm sad. I'm lonely... why lonely? I have someone in my life who constantly makes me laugh and I know cares for me. I don't know. For some reason I just don't feel special today... *le sigh*

Mope mope mope...

Oh wait, it's PMS.

Putting my hands up in air to feel the breeze...

2007-04-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

What an interesting month... Things have definitely taken a turn in my life. And really it's all for the better. I have never been so challenged before. No one has even made me take a closer look at myself and realize that maybe the way I do things can be improved - not that I'm being asked to change... not at all - but I never knew that someone could indirectly encourage you to make some positive changes within yourself. I have learned so far that I do have choice on how I react to things... and I'm learning that I have been quite an impulsive and sensitive person (not the best combination), always looking for the negative in things and only NOW I'm taking a closer look at that and realizing that I need to enjoy the ride more. I have been so focused on what has gone wrong and I need to focus more on what's going on now... and I'm lucky. Very lucky. Thank you so much. I'm very happy now.

My Inner Sexy Cartoon Chick

2007-03-17T12:11:00.000-07:00

I agree completely with this one!!!

Happy Saint Patty's Day everyone! While you are all out enjoying green beer, I will be at my pub kicking out Drunken Canadians for thinking they are Irish and for some reason that gives them a right to grab my ass and kiss me... take that lucky charm and stick it up your heiny!!!

It's gonna be a great night!!!

Cheers!!!

Urban Ninja

2007-03-06T09:27:00.000-08:00

Woah... can you imagine being able to do this shit???

After a weekend of playing Nintendo Wii

2007-02-21T15:54:00.000-08:00

I was all against it... the whole two controller deal and moving around with your character. My argument, since the Nintendo Wii came out during the Christmas holidays, was:"Playing video games is supposed to be relaxing!! I don't want to start jumping around and shit! I'm on my feet almost 8 hours a night at work!!! YEEEESH!!"

Well, after being introduced to it this weekend... I am, of course, hooked!

Remember when you were a kid (if you were born in the early 1980's, yes, I've gotten old enough to refer to my year of birth as a close to extinct generation... *le sigh*), and Nintendo FIRST came out?? You would get Super Mario and Duckhunt as a package deal. Well, I think the Wii has given me a nostalgic feeling bringing me back to those days. Why? Well, I remember playing Super Mario and everytime I would make Mario jump I would move my arms in the same direction Mario was jumping - thinking that the constant movement of my arms with the hands on the controller would "help" Mario get to that one block ledge. LOL! And I also remember being completely into Duckhunt standing with my gun and moving around to get all the ducks. I even remember trying to shoot the dog that would laugh at me when I missed... why couldn't we shoot that dog!?!

Well, with the Wii, you can do all these child-like movements but do WAY cooler things!! And the whole addition of creating your own Mii character... Tres Cool!! I'm loving it!! I have played all the sports games and I'm totally losing myself in Twilight Princess. The speaker that is built in one of your controllers makes using your bow and arrow addictive!

And for those men out there who need a little trimmin'... trust me, a few days with a Wii and you feel a workout. You even get the Wii Sports games to give you a fitness test!! LOL!! My biceps hurts man... I'm ready to take on any fool tonight at work!!

No! Really... I mean it worked for this guy:

*CLICK TO ENLARGE*

I could have passed Math...

2007-02-18T10:04:00.000-08:00

If you're REALLY not happy with the way you look...

2007-02-15T15:18:00.000-08:00

Go to Zwinky's! It is a new revolutionized way to communicate with your peers! Yes, we have MySpace, we have Facebook AND MSN Messenger ... time and time again I tell myself that I do not need another internet website to self promote myself and post on the World Wide Web about how bad a day I'm having... so bad that I simply can't pick up the phone anymore and say:"Hey {insert name}... let's go for coffee, I've had a bad day and need to talk about it." No, no, no. Instead I post a blog about it.

To tell you all honestly, if somebody asked me in person why I'm having a bad day, I wouldn't be able to articulate myself as well as I do when I write in my blog... that's because the internet has raised me into a moron when it comes to public speaking. (the word "DUR" comes to mind for some reason) I don't need to speak anymore, I can just say:"Go visit http://katmobile.blogspot.com and you'll know why..." and heck, while we're on this topic, let's talk about how we can't even deal with confrontations anymore in person. No... we seem to wait until we're on MSN and wait until you hear that oh-so-lovable bell tone that tells you someone signed in, and you frantically run to your computer (you have left the tap running and didn't even dry your hands from washing your dishes). You grab the mouse, open up the Messenger and scroll to see... is he? Did he?? YES!!! He's on!!

Ok you need to talk.

Shit! What do you say...

Ok just type something... you do...

He didn't answer...

What's his deal?

You wait...

Wait some more...

WTF?! He signed off!?!?!

Bastard, fuckin' bastard!!! How could he DO this to you?!?! You are MAAAAAADDDD!!! He knew that you were going to be online. So now you've decided that he's a jerk and doesn't deserve your time. His loss, right??!!

Have you not thought about calling the poor bastard?!

Poor, poor bastard.

AAAANYWAYS! That was a nice tangeant!! But seriously dudes, go check out Zwinky's. Not only is it another way to communicate with your peers, but you don't even have to find a good picture of yourself to impress that guy you're so pissed off at because his computer broke down and couldn't answer back on MSN (you would have known this if you called him you know!), NOPE! You get to CHOSE what you look like, you get the option of Female Hottie, Male Hottie, Male Cutie and Female Cutie... and man, they are ALL cute really! So you don't have to worry about taking a pic of yourself from your webcam at the right angle to display online. You can even change the shape of the eyes, the hairstyle, the skin tone. SWEET!
Now the fun part starts, you get to dress these decoys of you up!! You get a whole bunch of shirts, jackets, hats, boots, shoes to chose from! And it covers more than one demographic too. You can chose goth clothes, raver clothes, prep... etc... nice, way to be wordly!!!
And JUST when you thought that you had enough, you get to chose a pet and an accessory that shows what you do as a hobby or a living. I chose a microphone... I wanted to have a microphone, a laptop AND a video game console, but you can only chose one - DAMMIT! I wanted to show that I was a WELL ROUNDED person!

Anyways... after playing around with this site for a bit, signing up and whatnot... This is what I came up with :

Pretty accurate no?? Now parents don't have to worry so much about their kids online, 'coz they can now have cybersex with other cartoons like these ones and if their partner ever goes 'stalker' on them they won't really know what they look like. Way to fool them! (What I.P address???)

And yet again I wasted yet another afternoon online instead of finishing up my homework for my seminar tomorrow morning.

Did I not say that the internet made me a moron???

Have a good one!!!

Happy Singles Awareness Day!!!

2007-02-14T11:12:00.000-08:00

So us singles are looking to this day with scorn. Some of us are even displaying attitudes of bitterness and contempt... why?? Well here is why:

For all those couples out there who have today, and TODAY ONLY, to decorate their lovers bedroom with roses, heart shaped candy and heck, let's even take some of those roses and rip off their petals and shower the bed with them ... then later, when your lover comes home and sees that you have killed a rose or two to decorate their bed to create the mood to copulate, you two will make out a little and as you both fall onto the bed... you quickly wipe those petals off onto the floor while you are both taking your clothes off. What a waste of a rose to just simply create a mood, only to vaccuum it all up when you're done in an hour (or less, if you're THAT bad!). What happened to the days when the mere sight of your lover made you want to take off your clothes! Now you must go to the extent of buying chocolates and roses, LOTS of them for this day especially to prove your love. The more you buy for that one your love, the better your love for them is!...
Oh oh oh! And let's NOT forget the fact that the lady has bought expensive lingerie to wow you with! It might have taken her, oh let's say, 3 hours to find the RIGHT undergarment outfit for you... only to last a mere few seconds on her body then you quickly rip it off and it too ends up on the floor with those rose petals.

My take... Valentine's Day is a waste of time, energy and money! So much pressure to prove your love to one another! I know some couples who have opted out on the celebration of Valentine's Day. I applaud them for doing so. They claim that they don't need that day to prove they love each other. I ALSO know of someone who went through the trouble to book off a tiny plane to fly his girlfriend to some island nearby to be all romantic and shit. Yeeeeesh! (Loser)

Ok ok ok, I'm sure if someone did that to me I would be a little blown away. 'Coz it IS pretty cool. And I'm just enjoying being all bitter right now. But honestly, what would blow me away even more is if someone did that on some other day, not any particular day, and he would have done it 'just because'. Spontaneity is far more cool. If you can come up with that on a whim one day out of the blue, and show that you haven't put so much pressure on yourself to prove your love to me on a specific day - you just did it because you wanted to do something cool for me, then THAT would give me that WOAH feeling. No stress. Just a random act of romance. Now that's far more impressive than the thought of you running around stressing out a few days before today, wondering if you've bought enough stuff to prove that you really, really really, love me.

Upon doing a fun research on Valentines Day, I have come across a few interesting historical facts about this economical waste of a day:

* In Ancient Rome, February 14th was Lupercalia. The term came from the greek word lupus, meaning wolf - the connection was when the she-wolf nursed the two romans, Romulus and Remus, who later traditionally became the founders of Rome. Priests of a cult called Luperci would travel to the cave where legend said to be the place where this she-wolf reared Romulus and Remus. They would sacrifice two goats and a dog and scatter the blood in the streets to bring fertility and keep wolfs away from the fields.

* A Greek Historian, Plutarch, commented on Lupercalia:

Lupercalia, of which many write that it was anciently celebrated by shepherds, and has also some connection with the Arcadian Lycaea. At this time many of the noble youths and of the magistrates run up and down through the city naked, for sport and laughter striking those they meet with shaggy thongs. And many women of rank also purposely get in their way, and like children at school present their hands to be struck, believing that the pregnant will thus be helped in delivery, and the barren to pregnancy.

* On St. Valentine's Day in 1349, roughly 2000 Jews were burned to death by Christian mobs in Strasbourg. These mobs, led by nobles who owed large sums of to Jewish moneylenders, blamed the Jews for bringing in the Bubonic Plague.

* Saint Valentine refers to one or more martyred Saints of Ancient Rome. The reason for the martyr : for being a Christian.

Hmmmmmmmm... and from that we get cinnamon hearts, heart shaped chocolates and cupid!

Now wait a sec... arrows to your heart... to create love??? HUH?!

Have a good one!

Inner Thoughts of the Scary and Damaged...

2007-02-03T16:38:00.000-08:00

Argh... I'm so annoyed with people. Ever since I have started living the single life (which has not progressed to anything spectacular, let me tell you)... I'm having a closer look at who's in my life right now and I'm just sick and tired of the fakeness that happens around me. Or of people who say they are there but they just don't really reach out... they just say that and when you finally decide to open up they make the whole situation about them. They say stuff like:"Oh. Welcome to my life a week ago... blah blah blah (tell me a 20 minute story about them that basically removes focus on what I wanted to talk about)" or "Well, I totally know what you're talking about." "Really?" "Well, not really... but that's life. You'll be fine." AAAAAARGH!
At the same time, I just don't want to talk to people because all I'm thinking about these days is how I don't know who I am these days because for the first 5 years of my 20s... I was in a marriage-like relationship, defining who I was in that relationship. I have no clue who I am without Andrew sometimes. I think I do, but I fall back and realize that I am even more confused without him. So pathetic I know! No one wants to hear this shit, no one wants to listen to me talk about it. So here you go Blogspot... enjoy... Grey's Anatomy puts this feeling in two very distinct categories with which I indentify myself with quite well... The Scary and Damaged as well as the Dark and Twisted. Hooray for McTherapy!

Running on Caffeine Fumes...

2007-01-27T15:16:00.000-08:00

Yes I have been really bad lately at posting a new blog. Mainly because I have no life right now. I go to school during the day from Monday to Friday... then I work nights Wednesday to Saturday, and I work Sunday Brunch. So I'm one tired chikkita my friends!! Really tired. I have no days off. And I was just talking to my manager last night and she's in dire need of help with the new restaurant opening up on Commercial Drive so I have offered to help whenever I can. Which was probably not the best choice for my health but after seeing her stress so much last night I just need to help her out 'coz I know what it can be like. Whenever I do have moment to myself, I sleep, to restore my energy for either work, or homework, or heck, simply because I have nothing left. The constant flow of caffeine running through veins is starting to lose it's effect... whether it'd be tea or coffee... it's just not working anymore. So sleep... must sleep.

I'm also trying to organize my move to Toronto. Yes... I am moving to Ontario. It just makes sense right now. My parents are nearby, they will be in Ottawa, and after being there over the holidays I realized that it's probably best that I am close by because I was hit with the harsh reality that they are not going to be around much longer. Their health is starting to catch up with them too. I also have so many friends from different times of my life that seem to have all congregated in the big smoke, and that is another bonus. Also I want to go back to school for Sound Production, and the schools in Toronto are half the price than here in Vancouver. I won't be moving until the summer, so I do have some time... but I have to admit that thinking about it now does add a little stress along with going to school and working full time. I might need a month away or something before I actually move. Just to recoup. We'll see...

It has been tough being back to Vancouver. Mainly because I had no time to rest at all. I came back on a Friday night and was back at work on Saturday and had to go to school on that Monday. Yeah... thrown right in there!!! There's just so much to process and I'm trying my best to be positive out of all of this, it's so hard. Sometimes I just want to stay in bed all day and just sleep to forget everything. Not a healthy thing to do, that's for sure. But wouldn't it be nice?? Just to sleep and when you wake up everything that you were worried about before you escaped to slumber-land disappeared. Ah yes. That would be nice indeed.

Well, speaking of which, gotta get some things done before I head to work. And here I go again.

Pieces falling into place

2007-01-11T16:58:00.000-08:00

I don't want to jinx anything... but I feel as though after a few years of wondering where I was going... who I was... I'm finally getting a plan going. And it's not just random, impulsive ideas or feelings that I'm reacting on, but solid goals that I do believe I can achieve. Well that's one scary part, the other scary part is that things seem to be lining up TOO well to help my goals materialize. Maybe it's because I've actually found that fire again that I thought I lost a long time ago, and I'm pushing myself again to achieve, maybe it's fate or destiny or whatever you call it finally calling... Whatever it is, it's great but frightening. I haven't felt this alive in a long time! However, I'm fucking scared 'coz I remember when I DID feel like this before and I would see my dreams shatter right before my eyes and I would feel helpless and stupid for not knowing better. That sucked. And it took me such a long time to feel ok after seeing what reality can hit you in the face with.

Still, it would be so stupid to turn away from this fire inside of me just because of fear. So hallmark I know. But it's like the old Kat is back, just a new and improved version... we'll call her version 3.0... The freakin' extreme Katmeister.

LOL! Ok now I'm just a nerd. Gotta go to work!!

More to come!

VIVA LA CUBA LIBRE!!!!

2007-01-09T19:27:00.000-08:00

I finally got some pics from New Year's Eve in Toronto. It was an awesome night, I must say! Got to see some old friends from MTA... and we had a Cuban Theme going on. I turned out to be my friends' Cuban pimp as I brought in guys from the party upstairs and introduced them to some friends at our party. The purple fedora helped I think!

I think the whole night just got me thinking how lucky I am to have these people in my life. We had a great time! We all realized that we all knew each other for 8 years now. Crazy how time flies! We recalled old memories and shared some new stories and couldn't stop laughing the whole night. Even on New Year's Day, we kept sharing stories and kept laughing in our PJ's.
I have to say it was probably the best New Year's Eve I've had so far! I miss you all already and can't wait until we're all together again!!

HAPPY DOUBLE 007!!!!

Back in Vancouver!

2007-01-06T00:14:00.000-08:00

Wow... two and a half weeks went by SO quickly! But I had a great time. I did however come down with quite a nasty cold, which I guess inevitably happens when you are on vacation and always going out!

I will tell the tales of Toronto when I get my camera fixed... for some reason it won't turn on at all anymore. But I will fix it up and get some pics to go with my own Toronto Adventures!!

Now to get some well deserved R&R... in my OWN BED! SO EXCITING!!

HAPPY DOUBLE 07!!

2007-01-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

Well... it's been a while hasn't it?!

I apologize to you for not posting anything for a long time. The moment I arrived in Toronto, I was extremely busy catching up with old friends and helping the people I'm staying with fix up their new place. I barely had time to check email! But these next few days before I return to Vancouver my friends are all back to work so I have time to sit, relax and, well, BLOG!

First off... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I hope everyone had a fantastic New Year's Eve!!! We definitely had a good one in the city. I have not laughed so much in a long time I must say. We had a house party and a bunch of old friends showed up! We laughed at old stories, told new ones... created more at the party! Good times, good times!!

Toronto is such a big city, I have been contemplating moving out here to pursue sound production for television, I just have to get over the whole intimidating factor of the city! In Vancouver, you can pretty much recite the different neighbourhoods by memory, in Toronto... you have neighbourhoods within neighbourhoods! With sub-cities, sub-divisions, subways... AH! You have downtowns in different parts of the West End and the East End! And there are no mountains, the concrete jungle honestly just keeps going! People travel out to Scarborough (my friends call it Scarberia!) to work, the travel time between Toronto and Scarborough on the subway (a common commute) takes about the same amount of time it would for me to get to Victoria from Vancouver. Or from Victoria to Nanaimo! And people do this everyday to work. WTF MATE?!?!?! And the beach that my friend Evan took me to is nothing compared to Wreck!! (naked people aside). I mean you at least have a secluded beach surrounded by mountains and trees at Wreck. The beach that I saw here had traffic lights and cars RIGHT next to it. ABUH?!

I dunno, if I do end up moving here, I might get used to it. But I like the fact that when I wake up in the mornings in Vancouver, I can see mountains. Now I know how you felt when you were at Mount Allison, Tang. I completely understand!

Well, I am returning to Vancouver on Friday. I think I'm ready to come back too. The time spent away was definitely worth it! However I'm ready to end this trip. It has been a great break that's for sure.

More to come...

Walking Down Memory Lane...

2006-12-21T18:43:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Kat's Boulevard of Ottawa Memories...

It has been quite a surreal time so far. I finally got a chance to walk down my old neighbourhood (the Glebe if you ever get to venture to Ottawa). I checked out the street I lived on (First Avenue and O'Connor)... and I even walked up to the house I lived in when I was a teenager. Wow. I have lived in so many places after that house - Amman, Jordan... Italy... New Brunswick... then British Columbia! I have not stepped foot in Ottawa in so long, so to see the place where I spent a lot of my teenager growing pains gave me a huge rush! Of what?? Not sure yet but I'll pin it down as I explore the city more.

While I was on First Avenue, I looked down a the sidewalk, looking at the writting the kids wrote when the sidewalks were being repaved. And I noticed something that made me laugh - it was my name and my brother Sean's!! We wrote our names down in the wet pavement back in 1998 near a driveway in our neighbourhood. Living in so many different places can really make you forget the small silly things you used to do as a kid that helped you become the person you are today. I didn't even remember writting that all until I actually looked at it. I even remembered the fight Sean and I had that day, I think it was about me playing too much Sega Genesis (an older video game console) and Sean didn't get to play all day. Ha ha ha!!!

After that, I took a bus downtown to check out the good ol' parliament building. I've forgotten how overwhelmingly huge that place is!! And it definitely looks really cool at this time of year because they light up the whole building to make it look pretty Festive for the Holiday Season.

I then walked down Elgin Street... and more memories started coming up. Mostly about a real bad ex boyfriend I had when I was 16 but I'll change our focus on this one park that my dad used to take me to when I was 3 years old. There's nothing special about it really, just that THAT was the place my dad took me to play with the other kids. Weird. I went in the park to see if the slide my dad always took me to was there, but it was changed to a safer, plastic slide. Hehehe! Ah well, still good to relive those memories!

One turn down memory lane was meeting up with some old college friends who live here. We had a great time catching up, but really it was like we just saw each other yesterday. We hung out for a few hours... and had to try to make it back home in the freezing rain. On the way over to meeting them, I fell down twice because everything was covered in a sheet of ice! I was proud to say that I did not break the bottle of wine I brought over to them though!

The final turn down memory lane was visiting my old high school, Canterbury High ... that I have not seen in about 8 years, with my high school best friend, Kinga. Just walking around the school itself and looking around, we were able to remember the smallest things from a certain corner. We even looked in the cafeteria from outside and remembered the EXACT spot where we used to sit. We looked at the stairway where we used to pass notes to each other in between classes. We remembered how I helped her cheat on a Math test and my formulas were COMPLETELY wrong and the teacher gave both of us detention (we NEVER got detention. Yeah that was funny!). And even after all this time, we still are friends. Which is awesome 'coz I kept travelling around and I lots touch with mostly everyone from that high school.

Well, Christmas is now here. It's going to be mostly family time. I cannot tell you guys enough how happy I am to be here. Just to be with family, see the places that I used to go as I was growing up... I honestly have forgotten a lot of who I was, and to be reminded of how I grew up really centered me. And well, I can honestly say that I turned out pretty awesome! LOL! Just kidding! It's been a great visit! The only thing is that I didn't get to see my brother Sean... who's in New Brunswick right now. I miss him. He's a good kid! But soon enough we'll all be together! 'Cosz the 4 of us is awesome, but we are missing one big part of it!

Have a great Christmas guys!! Take Care!!

Kat Growing Up... Check it out!

2006-12-21T11:35:00.000-08:00

I am now in Ottawa... so good to be here. Let me tell ya!

I first arrived and went around looking for my dad. Well, then a familiar voice caught my ear:

"Katrina! Where's my daughter! (insert Filipino sentences here) Katrina!"

It was my mom. I have not seen her in 3 years guys. I found her in the crowd - a short (4'10) Filipino woman. She was a few feet away from me, but since I now have reddish long hair, she did not recognize me! I was like:"MOM!!! I'm RIGHT HERE!!!" She looked over, and had to actually take a good longer look to realize that it WAS me! She shrieked (more in Filipino) and it was an amazing reunion!! My dad was there laughing. My mom kept saying:"My goodness! You keep getting more beautiful!!" (Hahahahaha!! Riiiiiiiiiight. Moms always say that!) Even as we waited for my luggage, she kept saying really loudly:"That's my daughter! Isn't she pretty?!" (I've forgotten that moms can be slightly embarrassing... but a good ego stroke is never a bad thing!)

When I got to their place, my little brother, who is now 20, was sitting on the couch and we had a good reunion. Laughing about how short I am compared to my 6'3 tall little brother. We chatted a bit but he has an exam today so I did my best not to pester him too much.

I have not done too much since I arrived last night. Today I relaxed and looked through some old baby pictures of me. COME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF!!!

Later on this afternoon I'm going to walk around my old neighbourhood (the one I grew up in when I was a teenager) and relive some memories. Tonight my little-tall brother is going to take me out. SWEET!

More to come!! Bye for now!!

Waiting to get on the plane...

2006-12-20T07:39:00.000-08:00

You would think that I would be patient enough to wait until I get to my destination before I use the internet... hahaha! I guess not!! I had to post my first blog of my trip of course! I'm going to board my flight going to Ottawa in about 20 minutes... I couldn't sleep last night. I was way too excited and anxious to get on that plane!! I don't know how I'm keeping my eyes open, probably running on pure excitement. I can't believe I'm going to see my mom... and my little brother!! It's going to be SWEEEEEET!!!

I hung out at the Five Point last night (surprise! surprise!) and gave out the last of my Christmas cards and presents. Had a couple glasses of wine and went home to try to get an early night's rest. I was too wired though! I couldn't sleep! All I'm thinking about now is getting to Ottawa and seeing the familiar sites I have not seen in 7 years. I can't believe it! However I might be too exhausted... and I might just pass out after hugging my mom for a few hours. And gawking my younger brother who is now 20! 20!?!?! What the hell is going on here?!

Alright... gotta calm down. Breathe... Breathe...

AAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! SO STOKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Victoria!!

2006-12-18T18:42:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I went away to Victoria... I was going through a real tough time breaking up with Andrew (whom is still an awesome friend of mine. Thank goodness!!) and dealing with the trials and tribulations of being a 5 foot tall bouncer at the Five Point (having people tell you off 8 hours a night can be quite mind testing!) so needless to say, I needed a break for sure! I got see my good friend Julie and an old friend Dave. The time away was definitely needed... and deserved!! I got some Christmas shopping done, saw Happy Feet and above all else I got to RELAX!

A visit is never complete without a Kat Pose...
... Or even a Julie Pose!!

OH THE LOVE!!! (and... a nice view of Kat's glutimus...)

Chasing Cars...
JUBAKAH!!!

Like MySpace isn't enough

2006-12-16T15:07:00.000-08:00

I blame my good friend Michelle (www.michdish.blogspot.com) for getting me into this. I do blog on MySpace (check it out at www.myspace.com/katgillis) but I figured that I'm an artist who loves nothing more than talking more about herself in more websites than one... YOIIIIKES!!!

Hehehe! Hi All!! I'm Kat! I'm residing in Van City. Working as a hostess and a 5 foot tall bouncer at the Five Point Restaurant... this however funds me as I struggle writing music, expressing my feelings through the keys of my piano, singing and dancing like there's no one around in the clubs downtown! (Dancing is so good for the soul)

I love my friends and making new friends. I love bringing coffee to my co-workers Sunday morning after a long shift Saturday night. I love love... I love being there for anyone that needs someone... I love making people laugh... I love being sarcastic... I love a good banter with friends... I love coming up with one line shutdowns, though I do dish it out, I can also take it with a good stride! Although I am a joker, I do make a point of letting my friends know that I'm always there for them no matter what! I wear my heart on my sleeve, I'm pretty honest... sometimes too honest. But I do believe that if you can't take the real me, then you don't have to... and that's fine. I usually go with the flow, and find myself to be a pretty forgiving person, however I do NOT let people take advantage of that aspect of me.

Urrrrrm... YEAH! There's more to me. But that's a start.

The reason why I started this blog is because I am FINALLY going back to Ottawa after not seeing it in over 7 years. I was born there... and after much traveling with my family due to my dad's line of work, I spent my mid teens there (a very freakin' crucial part I must say!!) and I pretty much call Ottawa the place I grew up. After being in Ottawa with my family for a week, I'm heading to the Big Smoke they call Toronto to be with some pretty wikked peeps!! I can't wait!!! So stay tuned!!!

Thanks for finding me yet another net addiction Culligan!!!