profile

One of my favourite parts of my job is an incredibly easy-yet-fun feature called eVent Profile, where I take a person out of the arts/entertainment community and ask them random, crazy questions about themselves - things that you NEVER ask people in regular conversations. I just love hearing their responses. Generally, about 10 questions go to print, with a picture of the person. Since I'm in the throws of procrastination right now, I've decided to answer ALL the questions in the bank. My hope is you'll think it's so much fun that you'll answer, too. If not all the questions, at least the ones you like the best (come on, I've been getting zero comments lately!):

Nickname ... Lorich, Lozza, Ahn LoRi, L-A, Pats, Aunty.

Sign ... I'm kinda partial to the "Curves Ahead" sign, although I also have a soft spot for "Turtles Crossing" signs.

Pets ... One, Sarah Vaughan. She's got a stubby tail and the neediest eyes you'll find this side of Ethiopia.

What's in your CD player? Right now, Sarah Harmer. We just talked this morning.

First record bought ... This is where things get embarrassing, but there's no point in doing this if I don't tell the truth. It was Scott Baio (blush blush, cringe cringe). I think it's still kicking around somewhere in my mom's basement, along with Wham, Duran Duran, and Cyndi Lauper.

Last CD purchased ... What? Purchase a CD? I get them for free, from the record labels! Oh, but I did buy my friend in England Rufus Wainwright, Want One, for her birthday this summer.

What are you reading ... At the moment, Why I hate Canadians, by Will Ferguson (it's been a long, slow process because I never get the time), and The Song Beneath the Ice, by Joe Fiorito.

What's on your bookshelf ... Books. Loads and loads of books, an ivy plant, a stack of Real Simple magazines, some music, photo albums, a triangular rock I found on the top of a mountain at Kicking Horse Resort (near Golden, B.C.), a sparkly golden candle and a snuff box that was my grandfather's. Oh, and a little framed painting (print) of a boy with a rabbit.

Favourite artists ... Where to begin?? Rossetti, Milais and Burn-Jones top the list, along with Waterhouse, followed by Mucha and Macintosh, Toulouse-Lautrec and Klimt. Making up my own, private collection of two, I have a special fondness for my zu Putlitz and Poirier.

Style tip ... A hat turns every outfit into an event. Failing a hat, a scarf will do.

Describe your personal style ... Eclectic. It might be conservative pinstripes one day and Bohemian chic the next, followed by cargo pants and t-shirt. I like clothes and shoes and accessories that infuse some personality.

Elixir of health ... water and coffee, water and coffee, water and coffee, repeat ad nausium.

Most prized gadget ... My cell phone. It's a calculator, it's my alarm, it delivers IMs, lets people get ahold of me, has video games for when I have a wait and has the coolest, 1940s retro-ring (which is what really sold me on it) that everyone loves. Oh, and it has a unit converter, too, but I haven't used it yet. Ditto world time.

What do you take issue with? Arrogant people.

Most annoying thing people ask me ... 1. Is that what you, like, do for a living? 2. Can I read that over before it goes to print? 3. Should I wear my sleeves up or down? 4. Quoi? 5. Is't not too late?

Trends you love ... Low rider trousers. I'm paranoid about my really high waist, and low rider or hipster pants create the illusion that I have a normal-length body. I'll cry if they every go out of style.

Trends you loathe ... This whole, girly pink thing. Hate pink. Pink is evil. Especially fluffy or sparkly pink (see Lasenza girl).

Favourite day of the week ... Saturday. It's the one day I do not do any work whatsoever. I reconnect with my family, God, and do things I never otherwise have time to do but love so much, such as paint, play the piano/lute/violin/guitar, explore and, oh yeah, sleep!

Favourite nighttime activity ... Going out for a meal or coffee with a friend, or a small group of friends, and just talking about bollox. Concerts are also good.

Best thing about bedtime ... Getting into my Own Bed, and swallowed up by goose down quilt and pillows, and just letting sleep overtake me. I have a very deep connection with my bed.

What's sexy ... It's an attitude - being intense about something you really care about. It doesn't have to be a sexy issue, it's the passion and focus that's put into it. Also, genuineness and truth.

What makes your heart beat faster? Going 130 km/hr down Westside Road on only two wheels.

Taking risks ... is part and parcel with living. Walking out the door in the morning involves a risk. But then, so does staying inside. Danger can find you anywhere you do or don't go, so you might as well forget about it and live.

I worship at the shrine of ... Heather Mallick (Globe and Mail columnist).

I'd love to spend the day with ... My nephew, Liam. He's interested in so many things and he's getting old enough now to start forming his own opinions. He's a fascinating person and I can't get enough time with him.

Where do you eat ... Where don't I eat? I love to eat out and try new restaurants all the time. Not chains/franchises and definitely not fast food (ever). I'm also partial to Costco, where they've got enough free samples during the lunch and dinner hours to fill you up quite comfortably. And you never know what you'll find next.

Favourite meal ... Hands down, my grandma's lasagna. I have yet to find a restaurant that can compete with hers. I also love her cottage cheese perogies - again, only she makes them her way.

Favourite restaurant anywhere ... Oh, this is tough. There have been so many that I've loved - Polo's and Ponti's in London, The Terrace in Kwangju, Sophie's in Vancouver, Granny Bogner's in Penticton . . . but I'm going to have to say The Laughing Moon in Kelowna, because that's the one I frequent most - almost every Sunday, for coffee, orange juice (the most amazing and frothy, anywhere) and a giant, power muffin.

What do you drink like a fish ... water and coffee, water and coffee, water and coffee, repeat ad nausium.

When I splurge on myself ... I go on a trip - the destination is secondary, as long as it's away.

What can you never get enough of ... water and coffee, water and coffee, water and coffee, repeat ad nausium.

Current crush ... Well, since it's grape harvest time, I'm going to say my good friend Ehren Felser.

Five items you can't live without ... Laptop, cell phone, digital camera, bank card and passport.

The easiest thing to say is ... "Hello." I say it all the time.

The hardest thing to say it ... "I L*** you." I don't say it, ever. Someday I'll post a discourse on that.

Must see TV ... It used to be the Osbornes, but now even that doesn't hold my attention. Television bores me - I'd rather be doing anything else. Living, I guess you could say.

Home is ... an office, a gym, a guest house, a music studio, a safe place, an escape, a sanctuary.

Recent discovery ... I have walls. Who knew?

Recently bought ... Cat food for Sarah, trail mix for me, just this evening at Superstore .

Favourite flower ... I have three: tulips, peonies and poppies.

Best thing about autumn ... Leaves and colours, and crisp, juicy Mac apples straight out of the orchard.

Favourite board game ... Trivial Pursuit (but not the British, best of the '80s version). No, sorry, hands down it's chess. Thank you, K (the kat one, I mean), for reminding me.

What's on your mouse pad? My finger. It's a laptop.

Favourite magazine ... Real Simple, and Macleans.

Favourite smells ... Coffee freshly brewed, lilacs in the spring, Oscar de la Renta as worn by my grandmother, the sea.

Best sound ... The sound of a camera shutter.

Favourite number ... 1407. Let me know if you work out why.

What's under your bed? A long, plastic container full of clothes.

What's beside your bed? A hat box that serves as a makeshift bedside table, and an enormous pile of books.

Favourite way to get around ... I like to ride my bicycle, I like to ride my bike. I like to ride my bicycle, I like to ride it where I like.

I hope one day to learn ... French and Korean, fluently.

I'd love to master ... the lute. Or even the guitar. Judging by how things are going in my lessons so far, that's not going to happen any time soon.

I've become good at ... Finding a million different meanings for every little thing so that in the end I have no clue what the answer is but I have a tremendous headache!

I'm bad with ... Math. I don't have my Grade 9. And, yes, I'm profoundly proud of it.

Famous last words ... Everything's going to be alright (shortly before it's not).

Most likely remembered for ... walking to my very own drum beat.