Thick vs. Thin…

What comes to mind when someone says thick vs. thin? This debate could be about pizza crust, books, or coffee. (thick Chicago-style crust with cheesy toppings or strong, thick Italian coffee). You could also be talking about gorgeous, voluminous hair, thick strong nails or luscious, thick eyelashes. There is even a thick method of advertising. For example in the radio business, buy ads on ONE radio station, and have them air everyday in the same 4 or 5 hour block of time, and pretty soon, you will become the most recognized business in your profession for the thousands of listeners that hear about you day after day. Contrasted by a thin method which would be more sporadic and less strategic.

Isn’t it funny that in most cases we enjoy & appreciate thick, robust things rather than thin, wiry things. But who decided what’s attractive & enjoyable? We generally agree as a society that thick eyelashes & thick hair are attractive but thick bodies are not. Generally speaking, thin bodies are more attractive to the opposite sex. We revere & celebrate the thin body. We put it on the cover of magazines & hoist it up as an example of how to be successful & get ahead.

The pressure to be thin in our society has gotten so great that women are going to extreme lengths like starvation & surgery to be considered beautiful. In fact I recently found a heinous website describing the top 100 ways to be thin including:

- drinking vinegar
- eating laxatives
- diet pills (that may cause heart problems)
- punching your stomach when you get hunger pains
- caffeine pills
- smoking to curb cravings

This twisted, shocking website described in detail how to hide your starvation in the quest to be thin. Haven’t we gone too far? Rather than making ourselves sick, tying ourselves into knots, and forming equally destructive habits like smoking on the quest for a thin body, can’t we be happy being thick & healthy? We could always pretend that someone decided thin, wiry hair and thick thighs & stomachs were attractive. Oh what a different world it would be….

Kendra Court
Gatherings Event Planning

I’m a coffee convert…

I recently started drinking coffee. I am in my mid-thirties and have managed to make it this long with the nasty habit of drinking coffee. I resisted the temptation in high school when several friends started the habit because it was cool. I pulled several all-nighters without the assistance of the wonder stimulant in University, while my roommates glided through the night with ease. And I have even resisted the professional temptations over the last 10 years in the corporate world while my colleagues were advancing & climbing the ladder over coffee breaks.

I prided myself on not drinking coffee. I wore it as a badge of honour at social functions as if I were doing something virtuous. Sometimes I would even state it loud & proud for all to hear, “actually I don’t drink coffee”.

So it came as a shock to me in the fall of 2009 that I ordered a coffee at Starbucks during a routine business meeting. I was dealing with a lot of personal and professional stress at the time and feeling quite sleep deprived. On the off chance that this beverage accomplished what it claimed to, I was willing to try it. “WOW”! So this is what everyone has been talking about for years. I felt brighter, more alert, and full of energy. I was ready to face this meeting with verve.

In the next few days I found myself ordering coffee each time I was given the opportunity. It was only once in awhile and my rationale was that it was a latte so it was mostly milk anyway. Then the weeks turned into months and I now drink coffee daily, full strength, plain black.

I suffered much ridicule from friends and family for my recent habit. Why are you drinking coffee NOW? You’ve lasted this long without it. I can’t believe you’re drinking coffee. It seemed as though I was getting criticism for engaging in a self-destructive behaviour. But then it dawned on me, what’s so bad about coffee? I assume the main reason for the negative press is the amount of caffeine. However look at the rest of the North American diet, there is caffeine and other stimulants in most processed food. Then take tea, I mean tea is touted as a wonderful alternative hot beverage. Don’t drink coffee, tea is much better…but do most people know tea has as much or more caffeine?

So I’ve accepted this habit for what it is, and to heck with those sceptics. I like the taste, I love how it makes me feel and it’s warm & confronting. Why wouldn’t I drink it? I’m a coffee convert…

Kendra Court
Gatherings Event Planning

I’m sitting here on International Women’s Day reflecting on how far we’ve come. There are groups and services that are dedicated to the advancement of women and typically they describe a very depressing story. These groups talk about the glass ceiling and how women aren’t represented adequately enough in positions of leadership. For instance at the most recent Women of Influence Luncheon the statistic was announced that only 14% of all available board seats are held by women. Meaning 86% of all directors on corporate boards are men. A stat that seems appalling in this day and age, however I pose the questions “have women asked to be in these board seats” and “do we advocate enough for ourselves and each other?” I realize that our male counterparts in business are making x% more than us, attributing to the inequity in compensation and advancement. It’s also come to my attention that in the arts & culture sector there are many inequities as well. I sit on the board of directors for Nightwood Theatre and a recent study by the artistic director showed how few positions there were for women in the theatre community. She also pointed out how few females are in positions of leadership (i.e. directors, producers). I’m sure if we studied other industries, we’d see a similar story and similar representation.

I’m sure we can all get caught up in the anger of this inequity and asking the proverbial question, WHY? However as I sit here on International Women’s Day, I’d like to take a different approach and CELEBRATE where we are. Just this past Sunday the first woman ever won “BEST DIRECTOR” at the Oscars, Katherine Bigelow. What an amazing accomplishment for her to win best picture and best director in such a male dominated industry. Another fantastic accomplishment can be recognized right here close to home. Mary Aiken has to be celebrated for creating a haven for women at the Verity Club. This is a supportive environment for women to network, mentor each other, and gain respite from the stresses of life.

I choose to celebrate today and think of all the good things that are happening for women both abroad and at home. If we want to pave the way for our daughters and grand-daughters, I invite you to choose celebration and NOT anger. I invite you to encourage your female counterparts, mentor young women when & where you can, and always advocate for those that can’t advocate for themselves. Let’s not get caught up in the negativity on such an incredible day...cherish being a woman and celebrate our accomplishments!!!

Kendra Court
Gatherings Event Planning

FastLane: Makeover your Business

Last month's event was held at Demalogica Institute at King Street West.
The theme was "Beauty" and guests explored many outlets that could assist them with first impression and provide with the knowledge and tools to look your best.

FastLane also featured two Speed Networking sessions - a service that was introduced to Toronto by FastLane. Much like speed dating , participants had seven minutes to begin a business relationship creating an opportunity to leverage each others’ success.

We'd like to thank all sponsors for their support: Dermalogica, Absolute Comedy, Aradia Fitness, Anthony Parazo Photography, Blo Blow Dry Bar, Château Des Charmes, Clothes Call, Dalish Cosmetics, Element, Fit Wraps, Massage on Wheels, Fruits and Passion, Nail Art, Oyster Bay, Sharp Reminder and Your Shop Girl.

Stay tuned! Check the website for upcoming FastLane events.

We hope to see you all at our next event on April 13th!
Renata Altrão & The Gatherings Team