Let's See if We Can Revive this Blog

Well, I suppose enough has happened since March of 2008 that I really should update this blog...if only to get one more post in before the end of 2008...which I believe would bring my yearly total up to about 5...which is quite pathetic. Nonetheless, better late than never.
Since it has been so long, I suppose I will just need to talk about recent stuff, as there is really no point in giving a blow-by-blow retelling of the last 8 months.
Well first and foremost (and the most exciting news if you ask me!), my lovely Kate has become a Canadian citizen. It has taken her over 4 years, probably over $3000 in fees/applications and a hell of a lot of stress but a few weeks ago she got sworn in as one of us.
Despite now having the right to vote, the right to run for office and the right to a Canadian passport, something tells me that longlegged Kate will always be English, with just a hint of Canadian. Very proud of you Babe.
Other news, we recently got back from New York City (my first time) and we had a ton of fun walking the city as tourists. I took Kate for her, um...21st birthday and all the photos can be seen (as usual) on our flickr page. This photo was my favourite as it was taken during a huge rain storm (seems like rain follows us everywhere after our Vancouver experience) in Central Park.In more travel news, we'll be heading to the UK this Friday for another fun holiday week or two with the in-laws. I honestly cannot wait to leave work on Friday, have a beer or two in the passenger's lobby and get Kate back on a plane home. Since leaving Vancouver it has been fantastic to see our family and friends again, but I would be lying if I said it hasn't been a stressful time looking for work, moving across the country, etc. So I think that kicking it back in Landbeach with my English parents (and John, Kate's bro) is just what the doctor ordered.
Which brings us to work and my new job. Now I say new, as it has happened since March, but I have actually been at this postion since August and have just now decided to get off my ass and blog about it. I am working as a producer/director for butterscotch.com . Butterscotch is an online video network designed for folks who find technology too techie. The site is a division of Tucows.com and I am lucky enough to work with some great people and some old friends. Andy Walker, Sean Carruthers and Amber Mac are all working on the project in various roles on a number of different shows including Lab Rats, The A-List, The Noob, Mr. Mobile (launching soon) , Miss Download, and On Deck. Please check them all out and feel free to give some feedback.
And finally, it appears hell has indeed frozen over and some how (at least for now) my Bruins are in first place in the Eastern Conference and are in second place in the NHL....absolute craziness. A friend recently asked me why I thought they were doing so well and I answered 'balanced scoring, solid D, fantastic goaltending and a ton of luck...all things that can dry up in a heartbeat'...so here's to a great 2009 and a big hope the B's can keep filling up the 'W' column.

Casey's Monday Night BoomShuffle

Long time...no post!

Hey all,
So perhaps it has been a bit long since I last updated this blog...oops. Hmm, stuff that is new...nothing really comes to mind...uh except Kate and I are now in Toronto (where we belong!), Kate has a new job and I couldn't be more proud of her. I am still waiting to hear back from a few options...so currently I am a kept man, but I don't anticipate that being for much longer (fingers-crossed). As Kate mentioned on her blog, we love our new apartment and being back. Apparently, it has been the worst February/March for snow in T.O. in a very long time...as you can tell, we both enjoy the snow over rainy Vancouver any day.
I don't want to bash Vancouver throughout this whole post (lord knows I had a year of doing that while in BC) but Toronto truly is where we belong...it is where our family (well half of Kate's) and friends are. Since arriving February 3rd...here is a list of folks who have made our transition back well worth it. These folks either helped us move in, had us over for dinner, had dinner with us in our new apartment or simply just met us for a drink to say "glad you are back".
- My dad and brother: I can't think of two other faces I would have rather seen when our plane landed.
-Peder and Patty Pedersen: These two held a kick-ass Super Bowl party the night we arrived and let us actually see the game (no TV in our house at the time). Not to mention everything they did to help us secure our wonderful apt. I won't mention who won the game:)
-Greg and Liz, Doon and Jane: Our first official apartment gathering...lots to drink, lots to eat and a little healthy Wii competition never hurt anyone! Fun nights with these four are worth the move back...period.
-Frank Linhares: Frank and his wife Sarah also came over for some eats and drinks (freaking Leafs beat the Bruins that night...but what is new of late?). Frank is a great friend and is, yet another, key player in helping us secure our new apartment! Thanks Frank...now get my PVR fixed!
-Monica Litonjua: A great friend who always brings over a huge amount of food and is always good for some hockey banter.
-Andy Walker, Amber MacArthur, Mike Lazazzera, Dave Ringer et al.: Amac organized a get together last Saturday for some TechTV alum and some CityTV peeps...and it was great to chill in a bar with old friends...Ringer didn't make it, but I did get the chance to catch up with him at a Digital Underground TV shoot.

Anyway, thanks to all our friends who have made our move back well worth it. After 4 weeks of being back, we have had far more fun than we did in 52 weeks in BC. I can definitely say we are both really happy and we still have a slue of people we haven't had the chance to catch up with yet...you know who you are! Here's to a great 2008 for Kate and I and to the Bruins NOT giving up more than 5 goals in a game for the next week or so!

Movers Came...20 days Till We are Back!!!

Hey all...Happy New Year and all that crap. Kate and I are back from the UK (see all the details from our trip on her blog- I am FAR too lazy to give a summary now)
After getting back into Crapcouver on January 8th, we had about 4 jet lagged days of finishing up our packing and prepping for the next 15 episodes of "The Lab with Leo Laporte".
We have 20 more days until we are back in Toronto, 15 more work days and 15 more episodes. After 600+ episodes of TV with Leo, it is going to be weird to wrap the last few shows. But it is a new year and new beginnings (and all the crap...yet again) so Kate and I are very excited about 2008.
For the next few weeks Kate and I will be camping out in our apartment and sleeping on an air mattress...loads of fun. Thanks to Vic and Marcy, we have borrowed a 19' TV from work so at least we won't miss any Bruins games:) Here are some shots from our pikey lifestyle for the next few weeks: (try not to get jealous )

Our New Apartment in T.O

Kate and I have found an apartment in Toronto, so don't worry kind friends we will not be crashing our your collective couches (thank you all for your generous offers!) It is 219 Fort York Blvd (pretty much Bathurst & Lakeshore...how's that for irony!) and we take control on January 15th...yee haw. The View from the balcony

The Living Room/Balcony view

The Kitchen.

The Kitchen area

More Kitchen/Living Room etc.

The Bathroom

The Bedroom

We hope to have friends and family over really soon for a housewarming party...well ok...not real soon, but soon enough:)

Back to Toronto

Hey all,
A little news from Harris/Abrahamland, Kate and I have decided to resign from Greedy Productions and head back to Toronto. It was not an easy decision to make, but ultimately we are not Vancouver people. The most fun either of us has had this past year was in October when we returned to Toronto to see our friends. Life is not all about just having fun, however it is about being happy and Vancouver just didn't make us happy.
I am very proud of the 165 episodes of The Lab with Leo Laporte we produced in 2007 (technically 180 if you count CFH) and I want to thank Leo for helping get my career to where it is today. As of the end of January 2008, I will have worked on 630 episodes with Leo and I am very proud of this feat.
Kate and I will pack up a truck and drive back to Toronto starting February 2nd (probably not the best timing weather-wise, but we'll take 'er slow and be safe). I can't wait to see the Bruins play in the Eastern Time Zone...no more of this 4 o'clock PT stuff and to see my dad's smile when we pull up the U-Haul.

Cool New Music Service....Boomshuffle

Found this cool site for creating music playlists...make your own Boomshuffle then rock out at work...check out my cool lineup: