I made the mistake of reading a magazine I was given at the LIFT EXPO & quickly became so frustrated my teeth clench. The 'Bottom line' of the article in particular...  How one should avoid Cannabis if they have a 'Mood Disorder..' & If you have tried everything else!?
Oh My Gouache  are you serious? Like what?  Pharmaceuticals?  
Like the ones that can cause a twitch that never goes away- read the symptoms- or the ones that are KNOWN proven to cause thoughts of suicide? Physical side effects, liver damage. Brain damage? 
I hang my head & sigh- I have to turn to the cover and think- O.k., Yeah, I'm pretty sure I just picked up a Cannabis magazine...   Phhhhht...   Arrrrrrghhh.
​Hyprocry all around the table it appears these days. In between the sheets & papers of the glossy magazine. 

Not something TY Magazine believed it. Free speech, possibly some of the last.
Are other magazines following the same? There is that a$$ mighty advertising dollar. It was wrote by someone in the USA who's interests are in Biological pest control...  It went on to state 'try everything else first'.  At what cost? AT WHAT COST?   $$$   I can imagine his opinion on Children & cannabis as a medicine.
I guess everyones trying to protect their ass as well.  At what cost.

Continue reading another article WOW - about CANADIAN legalization and Marketing.
"Cheech & Chong aren't going to cut it anymore" blah blah blah.  Sure, I'm in agreement - there is fabulous new marketing out there.  There is also sterile, cold and  BORING already. It all looks the same & it will all blend into one -  become almost confusing.  
I'll be very selective with whom I choose to let use my work. I know I have a style all my own as do many talented artists, not to mention our own creative ideas.  Look already, how many photos 'going into the woods.  A tree view from the ground up, cup of coffee.. it's IG of WEED & much looks the same already, perhaps others will mistake your company and use another- but it 'Looks great'. .  Yes... It will need to be very different.  
Constant creativity. 
Clearly they are NOT aware also  of the old attage- Everything Old is NEW again.
I wish I had my '80's crap' that I threw out.. that old stuff. lol is worth $$$
Lets see how soon Old is New again. 
BTW - I say 'they'  There is no 'real  person' to contact, no name.  It seems, for the entire magazine.

Here is the 'maple syrup' on this Moose dropping magazine & article get this:  
FOR this terrific Marketing Advice regarding LEGALIZATION in Canada- they can't find a Canadian Experct to consult with?  They had to consult with an AMERICAN  company? Really? 
 Do we not have any creative marketing people in Canada??  OR successful companies?
ANY ONE... Hello?    Phhhhhbt.  What a waste of painting time this morning was.
​I certainly won't be reading this gem again. Rude to many creative people on many levels. 

* Creative marketing - My son informed  later after I told him about 'what I enjoyed' - my favourite display was a  new company,  much talked about these days...  
They get a point for creativity - it was the  tiny balls that could be moved on velcro & the string that you moved on nails - very creative and encouraged conversation with EACH other... NO pesky sales person in my face & the guys on the bike making coffee. hee hee hee.  
I actually turned to a stranger and wanted to say:
"How often do you play with blue balls in Public?"      
Instead, I behaved and said...

" Don't you feel like a cat?"   he laughed & and agreed. ;)   

I doubt I'll be asked for an interview (whew). 

Back to California Dreaming, painting  & unclenched teeth.

With Love.
G.

Spinners... I have been hearing about them - good & bad. Clearly a topic of conversation.
The little research i did- there is a mixed opinion - professional about Spinners.
Do they help kids focus.  
I think they look cool, mesmerizing - colorful and I've seen glass artists are creating them now also. PIN had many DIY FYI on them.  Easy & difficult.  
My opinion.. spinner s have been around a long time, spinning meditation rings. 
Spinning prayer wheels (I have one on my desk) and is doodling not a type of spinning?
Kids have been doing it in class for -ever.
Spinners, it is my personal opinion after all I have ready - they would be quite the distraction and what happened to trying to focus old fashioned ways? creative ways. Spinning is just watching... I GET it. I don't agree with it.  I did see this on PIN while searching spinners and thought it was really cute and highly true:

Anything that helps a child to focus and calm down naturally - I AM all for it.
Before pills - always.  
With all that is happening in the world, talks of bombs daily, Trump antics, stuff (terrible things)  no wonder they are spinning.
FIRST I'd suggest gently  ;)   pen & paper.. I bet there are so many little creative artists trying to get out.   TLC before anything, of course.
You all know I'm a huge fan of reading!  Reading was must when Storm was a baby and  I promised him when tiny- 'I'll buy you any book as long as you promise to read it- then I'll buy another.'  His first big book - 'Megladon' - a giant shark.  ;)  
In elementary school  he was reading 3 grades above the rest in his class.
They called me one day to tell me this. I was pleased.  ;)

With Love. 
g

'As I start this blog, I am reminded myself  of a 'man' who TRIED to intimidate me recently, why? I declined his advances &  he got NASTY.  What happens when men become insecure?  They cheat, abuse, hurt, beat, stalk and try to 'over POWER' the weaker (in their mind) of the human race - women.  This sort of treatment is on the increase - and easier to do - I'm sure a stalker is reading my blog now. They follow your facebook/Instagram social pages BUT he won't post or comment- they are cowards. 

The second you show any FEAR  cowards thrive.
F*CK that,  DO not tolerate  ABUSE in any form from anyone.
SPEAK up the second you are touched 'uncomfortably'. If someone won't get out of your personal space - ask them to 'MOVE Please.'  
The second they say anything you believe is un appropriate...
   ASK: What did you say to me?  & say it LOUD!!

NO job is worth it, it just progresses, until you quit anyhow. Been there done that.
SAVE the  nasty e mail you are sent, phone calls  & TEXT messages and SHOW them to someone.
ANYONE.   Take photos, record them if need be.  If they persist contact the police.  
Tell your dad, Tell your mom, Tell your brother... unless your brother is handy with baseball bats..  well, then again.  I do not encourage physical violence ever - unless you are being abused by someone who won't take verbal hints, sometimes the only understanding violent people have  is to be threatened with he same, when I was younger I had to have a friend go and "warn someone to back off.."  * he didn't - I still had to go to the police and court systems,   too many times we read how the police could/would not help until it was too late - instead of a violence report it becomes 'just another murder statistic.  Too often the police do not take 'it seriously',  - if they don't live it - it would be difficult to comprehend.  They are ALSO BUSY - arresting non-violent offenders for such things as... cannabis. 

There are many forms of abuse.. mental, physical.. several forms of control.
CONTROL. When someone physically hurts another- it is their loss of control.
It is proven - society today, because we witness so much- is losing empathy - seeing a woman beaten, brutally raped, is no big deal... turn on the television, go to the movies, WORSE, read the headlines: girl raped behind dumpster- golden boy is set  free.
Just headlines - just wait until it's your little granddaughter.   Will you speak up then?
Treated as no more than sexual objects, it's why I get so upset with these "lovely" young ladies - who don't understand the implications  -each post of their 'tits or ass' shoved in the cameras 'face' is also shoved in the faces of  not so nice strangers & encouraging MANY already out of control, frustrated men to act upon their - fantasies.  
Yes, they are out of control  -so don't fuel the fire, is what I'm trying to say.  
There is never an acceptable excuse for rape. Never.
It never has anything to do with 'how' women are dressed OR HOW much women have drank/drunk  in an evening. Rape is RAPE.
'No means no' and if she can't say 'No' then Presume:  'NO'. 

We have a generation growing seeing violence against women as an every day occurrence - growing in violence and confidence.  Internet grooming is on the rise - are we not warning our kids yet!? This should taught in CLASS as a part of life skills,  Grade one.
​Too young to teach them?  Predators - they don't care if your child is only in grade one- they like them even younger.

With Love
​Georgia 

1 in 4...   

Worried about "the Children' getting Cannabis? 
Cannabis is still costly, not as easy to get as the media portrays and really... who wants to share their quality bud with a kid?  Not me.  Not anyone I personally know.
​ALCOHOL on the other hand is cheap, easily available (most only have to go to the family bar) and comes in a variety of cool,  colorful, creative,  tasty &  fun flavours! 
Everything you can think of! Bacon Flavoured Vodka is available.

What did you try first?   A sip of alcohol or a puff from a joint?
Be honest. What do you think most kids will try first?

Oh MY GOSH.. so, I researched 'ways to consume alcohol' and even watched a few youtube videos.  How desperate are some kids/people for a high? What does this tell you?
Drugs are NOT the problem, mental health is. 
Worried about your kid having a puff - PLEASE - pay attention, they are doing far worse with ALCOHOL  > NOW<  and it's not funny. Inserting a vodka soaked tampons to get a buzz so you don't get caught?  Ouch, what's that doing to lining of the vagina?
YODKA soaked gummies at school?  An existing problem long before cannabis gummies. Easier to make too, imo.
Booze filled cupcakes at recess... I bet it's happening right NOW.
I watched a kid snort whisky. WTF.. while his buddies laughed.
He looked about 16.  Mom?  Dad?  Have you not explained about brain damage?
Perhaps explain possible repercussions of such actions later in life..as their brains start to disintegrate.

See the brains pouring our the ear of the kid EYE BALLING VODKA?
IT's TRUE that is what will happen if you drink VODKA through your eyeball!!
Am I FEAR mongering- I F*cking HOPE so! 

Worried about Cannabis?
Check the bar.
Cheers.
​
OH- For all that do not know: OUR TTC started random drug testing 'Toronto TRANSIT system' and  TWO people tested for being impaired'. WOW. 
Responsible for the safety of hundreds of thousands daily.
CHEERS.

Cannabis...    Stop the fear mongering. Start the educating.

With Love
g
​<><

How early did you have your first sip?  Come on'  it's just us...  tell the truth.
Mine could have been earlier, I don't remember.  Chances are, it was.
I do remember getting drunk at 15  on 'Screwdrivers' with my older boyfriend 'Ken. Marintette'.  I was returned home after a work Christmas party - Wooo Hooo, Ho Ho Ho! The next day my step dad informed me: I threw up in the closet & passed out on the living room sofa. He looked after me,  helped washed the vomit out of my hair, made me  food to eat and gave me 'lots of liquids. My mom took photos and was too pissed to speak to me. lol I still remember the photo. Billy was a hang over expert.  Much experience

That's it.   WE are our kids 'Gate Keepers", what do they see us Doing? Drinking? Saying? 
My step dad arrived in my life in my early teens, he was a good man who drank way TOO MUCH every day until he became ill, I had already witnessed my share of drinking before he came along,  growing up my mom & all family (with the exception of an aunt)  drank. 
My grandma drank 'black velvet', she lived directly across from the once famous "Oakwood Hotel"... Even then  watching the adults  'ENTER' 'all dressed for the evening of drinking & dancing' & I couldn't wait!!  This was always followed by watching an evening of drunks falling down & out the  'EXIT' OR being thrown out! OR  a fight in the back of the Oakwood was a very common event.  
Alcohol..  in one was or another, I was CONSTANTLY exposed to it.
Since before my birth.   It is WORSE now for children. 

Turn on the T.V. or it's delivered to our mailbox in a lovely HIGH GLOSS magazine right from the LCBO, and is often  in our newspapers - wait for the summer fliers! I wonder what NEW drinks await. How man NEW flavours  will be introduced to the market? Cheers!

This idea came from the BOMBAY RECALL.. well not really- I was lying in bed '3.p.m. refresher' and thought 'I can't think of this! What do you want me to think about?!'
The image was in my mind instantly. Exactly as you see it. 
No more thought needed 'I passed out cold. lol  
After all that hard work - I was exhausted. 

How many people were effected & did not even realize it?  Car Accidents?
Physical accidents?  How many pregnant moms said - 'I'm going to have just a couple.., what damage does a 'couple do? IT does effect the baby. 
DON'T be selfish,  DO NOT DRINK when pregnant.  
The baby has NO CHOICE, do NOT force it to drink.
Use a little cannabis IF you must... Best of all-  use Nothing at all.  
Each little life deserves the best possible start.

With Love
​g