(A quintessential portrait of the Saskatchian species)
Somebody open the vino, pull out the chocolate reserves, and put all cameras away...Saskatch has been sighted. I am so excited to finally introduce you to one of my favorite gals on the planet. Ignore the fact that we're related (mother's sister married father's brother, so carry the one, subtract the incest, and voila! Double cousins!), this girl is hilarity in its purest form. Polite and professional magazine editor by day, Bridget Jones-disaster-waiting-to-happen by...err...the rest of the time, her reality never sees a dull moment. See here and here for proof. And if you get caught halfway through a sentence and don't know what she's talking about, it's probably a movie reference. We both tend to do this, and while some might call it a freakish tic, we call it an art form. I know, right? We are so MFEO.
Okay, first off, what inspired the start of your blog, Saskatch?
Some people call me Katch (much to my mother's chagrin). One fateful day at a Christmas tree farm, I was skulking through Douglas Firs and the name was born.
Your stories of travel get me almost as much as your Bridget Jones gaffes...what has been your favorite travel destination?
Kenya was an absolutely life-changing experience. Although, by the end of the trip, my guide, Tonie, was well versed in my lack of peripheral vision and knack for getting into sticky situations. One day, Tonie, two horseback riding guides (who spoke zero English), and I went for a safari on horseback at the foot of Mount Kenya. I was a little uneasy as they pointed out elephant dung (hello? Did you hear about that woman who was trampled by a rogue elephant at that very spot?! Of course, our guides would speak in Swahili and Tonie would translate, but for all I knew they were saying, "We are in grave danger of being eaten by lions or stampeded by elephants. No matter, onward!"). We encountered a water buffalo (funny looking animals with horns that resemble a '50s flip-do)...another stampede-happy animal that could easily kill you with its coifed horns. As I grabbed my camera to snap a shot of the buffalo, my horse shifted and my sunglasses fell off my face—I jerked forward to grab them and nearly fell off the horse. Tonie later told me he's never lost a tourist to an animal attack, but he was sure I was about to be the first—offed in the name of designer eyewear. That said, I also LOVED Las Ventanas in Mexico. My boyfriend and I were spoiled beyond belief—it took weeks to get over saying farewell to our personal butler. Or was that a tequila-induced dream?
And funniest (well, funny NOW) faux-pas?
Oh dear. Just yesterday, I had planned to go on a bike ride, but at the last minute decided to run instead. After jogging awhile, I realized I hadn't changed out of my biking pants—you know, the kind with a padded bum. As I was running and realizing that I looked silly, my foot caught on a tree trunk and I FLEW. I ripped my bubble-butt pants, gashed my knee, but popped up like nothing happened and hobbled the rest of the way home. One of my most memorable Bridget moments (or least memorable, depending on how you look at it)...As a co-ed at UC Santa Barbara (nearly a DECADE ago, god help me), I was the neighborhood margarita maker—I'd squeeze limes and blend made-to-order drinks until my fingers pruned and I tossed bottles around ala Tom Cruise in Cocktail. One time, my roommates and I threw a huge jungle-boogie bash, and I got to work mixing drinks early. I wanted our jungle juice to be extra tasty, so I sipped and sipped until I got it right. I awoke the next morning to find that I was still dressed as Jane of the jungle—my body paint untouched and the twigs in my hair coifed to a tee—with no memory of the party. Had I blacked out? Drank too much? My roommates informed me that I was sawing logs in bed before the first guests arrived. I hear it was our best party ever.
What's in your purse?
Funny you should ask. My boyfriend recently stumped me with the same question (although his was more like, "What the hell do you keep in there?"), so I dug around to see what I lug around all day. Currently: a Moleskin calendar book (with lists of my wishes and dreams—one cheese pizza just for me!), Caudelie Beauty Elixir, a broken wallet (it's cute so I just hold it shut when I use it), minty fresh CO Bigelow lip gloss, a red cell phone (verizon salespeople are persuasive), and my favorite jewelry pieces (I like to change earrings according to my mood).
More importantly, what's in your fridge?
White wine (even though I prefer red. Who am I to judge my Trader Joe's impulses?), half-and-half for coffee, orange flavored sparkling water, Greek yogurt, eggs, and spinach.
I think I know the answer to this but...name your drug: cheese or chocolate? Caffeine or alcohol?
All of the above? I've grown to love cheese, but only if it's not too stinky-feet-esque. Chocolate and I have carried on a committed relationship for years—fraught with challenges and occasional heartbreak, of course. I don't think I could leave chocolate forever, but my mood after a binge is not pretty. So, that leaves me with caffeine and alcohol. Since it would be inappropriate to go on a "wine run" while at work, I suppose I am most devoted to coffee. But mama loves herself a nice tumbler of cabernet. Why must I choose? WHY?
You're all about the cozy but also the sun...what season do you look forward to most?
Definitely autumn—crunchy fallen leaves, Felicity sweaters, Halloween, and the anticipation of Christmas...almost too much to handle! Although, I happen to be writing this on a gorgeous 80-degree Santa Barbara spring day, so I must add that summer is a close second. The smell of jasmine in the air, barbecues, blackberry pie, farmers market, long beach days, and warm ocean water...
Favorite show on TV right now? Of all time?
Right now? 30 Rock. The Alec Baldwin-Tina Fey combo is solid gold. Of all time? The cheesy fembot in me hearts Mary Tyler Moore, but the JJ Abrams-moony-teen-of-the-90s in me lives and breathes for one show and one show only: Felicity. (The way they say, "Hey." "Hey." in that husky whisper gets me every time).
Favorite movie of all time?
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is my favorite for a few reasons... number one, the word "ghost" is in the title. Two, it's filmed on a blustery beach in a light and bright house with a widow's walk—myyy favorite. C, it's a love story...with a dead sea captain. And lastly, it's a black and white classic recommended by my (our!) Nana. A cozy, supernatural love story set on a blustery shore? We are MFEO. Get thee to Netflix and call me in the morning.
In another life, your occupation was ____________ .
I like to think I was a writer that drank whiskey and smoked ciggies while hammering away on my typewriter (tap, tap, tap, tap, DING). In this life, I'm more likely to imbibe in red wine and a bubble gum cigarette. (Incidentally, someone once told me I was a nun in a former life...HA).
Describe the perfect day.
Wake up early with my beau and make a big breakfast while listening to This American Life. Get outside for a long hike, then head to the beach for surf and sun. Meet up with my fam for an afternoon barbecue (the Big Chill soundtrack and margaritas are a must). Then, a cozy evening with my luvah (I had to get cozy in there somewhere).
Would you rather coffee with Oprah or cocktails with Ellen?
Holy Sophie's Choice! I suppose I'd have to say Oprah. Just ONCE I'd like to hear her say, "Saaaaaaaaaaaskatch!" And I'd take some of her advice on...well...anything.
What are you reading right now?
On Writing, by Stephen King. A gift from you, Deelish Dish! I started to read it awhile ago, but a little book called Twilight (then New Moon, then Eclipse, etc) impeded my progress, so I recently picked it up again. It's an unexpected work by Stephen King...I love it!
And lastly, what would be your last supper?
A huge bowl of Portuguese seafood stew brimming with juicy prawns, with crusty ciabatta dipped in garlic butter, and amazing wine (I'd like to impress you by naming a particular label and vintage, but anything will do), all followed by my mom's famous banana-rama-whipped-cream-cream cheese-angel-food-cake...And maybe some Norwegian chocolate.
Thanks Saskatch!
Amazing... I think i just laughed out loud about 5 times.
Posted by: samantha | March 31, 2010 at 12:29 PM
Loved this interview. Enjoyed getting to know your "super cousin" and checking out her blog, too.
Posted by: Nicole | April 02, 2010 at 11:36 AM
Ahh, one of my most favorite people of all time and sudo Auntie to my little guy
Posted by: Ashley | April 26, 2010 at 09:14 PM