Put your music player on shuffle, and write down the first line of the first twenty-one songs. Post the poem that results. The first line of the twenty-second is the title.

He’s 5 Foot 2 & He’s 6 Feet 4
Crawl through the darkness, fear all that don’t, fate is a gift
You were the mother of three girls so sweet
What? well fuck you…bitch
No, no, no, no, don’t phunk with my heart.

Ooh, now let’s get down tonight
It won’t do
Pardon me while I burst
On my way up north.

Everyday all of these crimes are committed
I feel you creeping, I can see it from my shadow
Come to decide that the things that I tried
I’ve been so many places in my life and time.

The good times are killing me. Here we go!
It ain’t no joke I’d like to buy the world a toke
Well he lit you up
Pride can stand a thousand trials.

Will someone please call a surgeon
There’s another world inside of me
I pray for rain because I’m trying
This here’s a tale for all the fellas.

Kind of funny! Especially the 4th paragraph to me. Hah. What do you think? Can you name any or all of these songs?

But I know what you’re really here for. Oh, boy, do I! You loaded up this page in the hopes of seeing a majestic, nay! a magical! top ten list from yours truly. And I shall not disappoint my readers, no! I shall fulfill their every wish, their every whim, because that is how wonderful I am. How good. How kind. How… blah, blah, blah, amirite?

I could go on and on about myself. I do it a lot. I have already done it a lot in two paragraph. Have I ever! So I’ll stop. I’ll stop so you’ll keep reading this. Instead, I will present to you:

Emma’s Top Ten Favourite Blog Finds of 2009! Da-da-da-da!

1. Clients from Hell

The latest fad in the advertising/marketing blogroll. Clients from Hell is “a collection of anonymously contributed client horror stories from designers.” Funny and frustrating all at once!

A recent post which is definitely LOL-worthy:
Last night I was sleeping and Jesus came to me in my dream and had this image in his hand. He said that he has blessed this image and this image only for the book. If I use any other image I am going against the will of our lord.

2. Behind the Seams

One of my favourite new fashion blogs, BtS is a blog created and updated by Trang, a truly beautiful and fashionable girl. She lives in Florida and sporadically posts what she’s wearing, DIY projects or reviews on collections. She recently won Stylelist & Bluefly “America’s Most Stylish Blogger” contest, beating out several other contestants.

Unfortunately, she does not allowed downloading or reproducing images so I will respect that and not post a picture here. But if you want to see the winning outfits for this contest, check out this entry. Congrats, Trang!

3. AdJoke.ca

AdJoke.ca is an advertising blog that was created by Tyler Turnbull and Paul Crowe in 2007. I have had the pleasure of working with both Paul and Tyler at Publicis Modem here in Toronto and I can say that I’ve seen first-hand how brilliant these boys are. Don’t let my bias distract you though, this is a great blog, filled with hidden gems, strong opinions and good commentary.

Tyler even wrote a great article, The Top 10 Badass Brands of 2009, upon my suggestion. Thanks Ty!

4. Generation Y Comics

Where would we be without a little friendly plugging? Generation Y Comics is a comic strip created by my good friends Matt and Bryan and it is kinda? autobiographical. I can’t tell. I mean, they do have a mutant, giant turtle as a friend… Either way, it is good times, trufax!

Local Torontonians will recognize such gems as TD Bank in the background or the Alice Fazooli Stella specials on Thursdays. And what comic is complete without a little Farmville joke?

5. He Loves Me Not

As many of my friends will attest, I like talking about relationships. So naturally, I really like Sarah’s blog “He Loves Me Not” which details her trials and tribulations with personal relationships. This girl has been through a lot in the last year, including finally breaking free of an emotional and physically abusive relationship with an alcoholic and drug user. As a reader who has been following her for a long time, I am so proud that’s she’s moved on and is healthier and happier for it.

It’s definitely not the cheeriest blog around but it’s real and my heart goes out to her for all she’s been through. Keep moving forward Sarah, and don’t look back!

6. The Uniform Project

If you haven’t heard of The Uniform Project yet, let me introduce it to you!

In May 2009, The Uniform Project pledged to wear one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion. There are 7 identical dresses, one for each day of the week and every day, the outfit will be reinvented, with the help of layers, accessories and all kinds of accouterments, the majority of which will be vintage, hand-made, or hand-me-down goodies.

The Uniform Project is also a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement that is revolutionizing education in India. At the end of the year, all contributions will go toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for children living in Indian slums. So far, $50, 943 has been raised which translates to 141 kids in school.

Not only is this a great cause, but the fashion is awesome. It’s so interesting to see the same thing worn every day but how many different looks can be pulled off with it. Please go check it out!

7. Things Marketing People Love

So this blog has been dead for a while now but while it was hot, it was hot! Buzz words that marketers love to use were posted to this Tumblr over the period of a few months. Funny to see things you may have (and I am guilty here) used in conversations with coworkers or clients.

8. Digital Buzz Blog

A great resources for the latest and greatest in the digital world. Digital Buzz Blog features “the latest digital ad campaigns, hot new websites, interactive marketing ideas, virals, industry news, social media, insights, and other great digital trends from all over the world.”

Contributors range from Australia, Turkey, and the US and cover a wide variety of topics. Want to impress someone on your knowledge of the latest in the industry? Head over there and take your pick of posts. You’ll look better for it. Just remember to source. ;)

9. Starting Over at 24

This blog has been a little bit quiet for a while, but I’ve got it in here because even if it’s not being updated, going through the archives is definitely worth it.

As the about section describes this blog: After 6 years of dating only one girl, I found myself single at 24 (now 26) and tackling the dating scene for my first time. These are my adventures, my mishaps, and stories of triumph… Lordy it’s rough.

There are some pretty hilarious posts here, including my favourite: To Don Quixote Pt 2 of 2 aka one of the worst dating stories I’ve read probably ever.

10. The Renegade Agency Confessional

Last but not least! we have The Renegade Agency Confessional. An ad agency in Baltimore, they definitely have some great posts and are a good resource for any wee ad agency wannabe. I’ve talked about them before and you’d do yourself a favour to ad them to your blogroll.

Two recent posts of theirs I really enjoyed: It’s beginning to look a lot like McChristmas (a great picture of the number of McDonald’s in the US) and Nothing like an A-hole with B-roll (a great find – a YouTube video all about B-rolls). Check them out!

And there we have it! My Top Ten Favourite Blog Finds of 2009! I hope you find some blogs in here that pique your interest. If you have any you’d like to share, leave them in the comments! I’ll be more than happy to check them out!

Happy holidays everyone! Here’s to a brilliant 2010!

So I’ve decided to do the Year in Review meme that’s going around. This is one of my most personal blog posts I’ve ever written here. Please be gentle.

1. WHAT DID YOU DO IN 2009 THAT YOU’D NEVER DONE BEFORE?
Visited New Zealand, Thailand, Fiji, and San Francisco!!! Skydived! Snorkeled on the Great Barrier Reef. Ate kangaroo and camel. Was so violently, violently sea sick for 2 hours straight. Swam with dolphins. Made a date with someone and then didn’t show up (oops?). Had the best burger of my LIFE. Went on a LOTR tour aha. Hiked a glacier for 8 hours! Took Thai cooking classes. Did bamboo river rafting. Spoke Thai. Hiked a 3 day hike in the mountains outside Chang Mai. Showered under a waterfall. Saw a man eat a cooked rat (ugh). Saw ladyboys. Met someone traveling. Saw a dingo. Did 4 wheel driving on a beach.

Went to my first Tweet-up! Met some amazing, amazing people in the Toronto Tech community who inspire me daily with their passion and brilliance. Was unemployed for a long period of time. Took a job and was depressed about it.

Fell apart completely due to a broken heart and put myself back together.

An unforgettable year.

2. DID YOU KEEP YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS, AND WILL YOU MAKE MORE FOR NEXT YEAR?
Last year I said: “I’d like to go home to Toronto and enjoy my friends and boyfriend. Start really putting some roots down there. I would like to lose the weight I am slowly gaining in Australia. I also really want to start focusing on my career by getting a job I really enjoy and working hard at it.”

So, in 2009, I did go home and enjoy my friends, definitely started putting some roots down, and definitely got a job I really enjoyed.

For the coming year: I want to do something that makes a difference, however small, in this world. I want to lose some weight, but am happy with where my fitness is, for once! I want to continue to meet people who inspire me on a daily basis. Surround myself with good people. I’ll let the rest figure itself out. :)

3. DID ANYONE CLOSE TO YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Hmmm. Not that I can think of.

4. DID ANYONE CLOSE TO YOU DIE?
No, :).

5. WHAT COUNTRIES DID YOU VISIT?
Australia! New Zealand! Thailand! Fiji! The US! Part of Canada. It was a GREAT year for traveling.

6. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE IN 2010 THAT YOU LACKED IN 2009?
Better control of my finances, honestly.

7. WHAT DATES FROM 2009 WILL REMAIN ETCHED UPON YOUR MEMORY, AND WHY?
January 7, 2009 – The day Ex broke up with me.
April 20, 2009 – The day I arrived back in Toronto permanently.
June 29, 2009 – The day I started my job at Publicis.

8. WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR?
Getting my job at Publicis!

9. WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST FAILURE?
Spending TOO MUCH MONIES on things like clothes and eating out. Need. To. Stop.

10. DID YOU SUFFER ILLNESS OR INJURY?
Sprained my ankle pretty bad, surprisingly. I was in physio for a good month with that. Couple of colds and a sprained groin (aha). Nothing more serious than that.

11. WHAT WAS THE BEST THING YOU BOUGHT?
My kitteh (#CrazyCatLady)!! Tickets to Thailand, hostel in Fiji, my boots in San Fran <3! My new camera and iPod! Train tickets to Montreal.

12. WHOSE BEHAVIOR MERITED CELEBRATION?
My family and friends. <3 So much mad love. Everyone I’ve met in the Toronto Tech community as they are giving, giving people who make me smile on a daily basis.

13. WHOSE BEHAVIOR MADE YOU APPALLED AND DEPRESSED?
Appalled is a strong word, I think, for anyone I know.

14. WHERE DID MOST OF YOUR MONEY GO?
Traveling, rent, food, clothes. Sooo much food and clothing, omg.

15. WHAT DID YOU GET REALLY, REALLY, REALLY EXCITED ABOUT?
Thailand! New Zealand! Fiji! San Fran! Seeing my friends and family again! Surprising my dad with a trip home for his birthday in April. Getting my job!

16. WHAT SONGS WILL ALWAYS REMIND YOU OF 2009?
Poker Face – Lady Gaga
Dylan – Emmy the Great
Don’t Stop Believing – Glee Cast
Bad Romance – Lady Gaga
Help I’m Alive – Metric
Kids – MGMT
North London Trash – Razorlight
My life Would Suck Without You – Kelly Clarkson

17. COMPARED TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR, ARE YOU:
I. HAPPIER OR SADDER? Sadder, probably. Just because I was all “OMG I’m in loooove” at this time last year.
II. THINNER OR FATTER? Fatter.
III. RICHER OR POORER? So much poorer. Still paying off my debt from traveling.

18. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU’D DONE MORE OF?
You know what? Every year I say: “More napping.” But dude? I wasn’t working for the first half of 2009 basically. I’ll let you know I got quite the number of naps in. I wish I had done more of… not eating? I feel good about most other things.

19. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU’D DONE LESS OF?
Buying too much food and not eating it. Eyes > Stomach.

20. HOW WILL YOU BE SPENDING CHRISTMAS?
At home in Halifax. It was so nice to have a Christmas again after not having my traditional family one last year.

21. HOW WILL YOU BE SPENDING NEW YEAR’S?
Last year, I spent my New Year’s Eve on a boat, in the Sydney Harbour, watching the world famous Sydney fireworks. Nothing can compare to last year’s. Nothing. Looks like maybe a house party will be happening.

22. DID YOU FALL IN LOVE IN 2009?
I was in love at the beginning of 2009 but spent most of the year trying to figure out how to fall out of love. :-/

23. HOW MANY ONE-NIGHT STANDS?
None.

24. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TV PROGRAM?
Dexter. Californication! How I Met Your Mother (OMG BEST SHOW EVER). Jersey Shore, you know it! House. Mad Men. ANTM. How could I forget 30 Rock! Grey’s Anatomy. The Hills. The City. Glee! Big Bang Theory!!

…Ok I’m done, I swear.

25. DO YOU HATE ANYONE NOW THAT YOU DIDN’T HATE THIS TIME LAST YEAR?
No!

26. WHAT WAS THE BEST BOOK YOU READ?
EVERYTHING BILL BRYSON WROTE. I basically devoured about 15 of his novels when traveling this year. Brave New World. England’s Mistress: The Infamous Life of Emma Hamilton. A book I can’t remember the title of that was about a town that confined itself during the plague.

27. WHAT WAS YOUR GREATEST MUSICAL DISCOVERY?
Well, I knew about Lady Gaga before but dude. I discovered just HOW AWESOME she is this year. Girl is fierce.

28. WHAT DID YOU WANT AND GET?
Awesome travel adventures. An kick ass job I LOVE.

29. WHAT DID YOU WANT AND NOT GET?
To not spend this year getting over someone? More monies.

30. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE FILM OF THIS YEAR?
Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince (because I’m a Harry Potter nerd, shurrup). VIcky Christina Barcelona. Up In The Air. Avatar.

31. WHAT DID YOU DO ON YOUR BIRTHDAY, AND HOW OLD WERE YOU?
I turned 24. I went to The Boat the night before with a bunch of friends and danced my tail off. I got street meat at the end of the night. My roommate made me birthday cupcakes with Kanye on them. <3 Hung out with kitteh.

32. WHAT ONE THING WOULD HAVE MADE YOUR YEAR IMMEASURABLY MORE SATISFYING?
If Ex hadn’t have broken up with me. It really started the year off with a huge level of suckitude. It was a long, painful, confusing, depressing, hope-sucking process. It took me way, way longer than I expected to get over him. I mean, I understand his reasoning for why he broke up with me but his reason doesn’t mean I could reconcile it as my reason.

It’s hard falling out of a love with a man you think is amazing and expected to be with for a very long time. Very hard. But I’ve finally arrived at that place. It’s liberating. I actually feel strong enough to enter into a real relationship again, should I chose it, which I can’t say would have been a truth for most of the year.

I can’t even remember what it feels like to love the parts of Ex I loved. It’s good.

33. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL FASHION CONCEPT IN 2009?
Kind of all over the place, really.

34. WHAT KEPT YOU SANE?
Friends, family, my personal journal.

35. WHICH CELEBRITY/PUBLIC FIGURE DID YOU FANCY THE MOST?
David Duchovny, no doubt about it.

36. WHAT POLITICAL ISSUE STIRRED YOU THE MOST?
In Canada: Net neutrality.

37. WHO DID YOU MISS?
Friends, my family. Summer of 2008.

38. WHO WAS THE BEST NEW PERSON YOU MET?
Hmmm! So many! My Twitter friends, as a whole! <3 My new coworkers too.

39. TELL US A VALUABLE LIFE LESSON YOU LEARNED IN 2008.
You will survive this. Just keep putting one step in front of the other and remember to breathe.

40. QUOTE A SONG LYRIC THAT SUMS UP YOUR YEAR.
I have three! Let me show you them!

I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance.
- Bad Romance // Lady Gaga

If we’re still alive
My regrets are few
If my life is mine
What shouldn’t I do?
I get wherever I’m going
I get whatever I need
While my blood’s still flowing
And my heart’s still
Beating like a hammer
- Help, I’m Alive // Metric

The memories fade
Like looking through a fogged mirror
Decision to decisions are made
And not bought,
But I thought this wouldn’t hurt a lot.
I guess not
- Kids // MGMT