Two of my favorite things: Imogen Heap & Grey's Anatomy!

For Christina xo P.

Another First... Skin Challenges!

This past year has been a tough one dealing with my skin... Pimples that just don't go away. Having survived my teenage years unscathed this was fairly traumatic... While I attempted to solve the problem I spent oodles of money on cover-up, cure-alls and creams!

MAC of course for foundation... and my new FAV - Benefit! Who has a product called "Lemon- Aid" which is a yellow based cover-up that when used with the tip of a brush handle can pinpoint a magical dab to completely disappear your red spot! That said, I must admit, each time I applied these products I feared I was making it worse... So began my adventures in medicine.

It began at my GP's office... She took one look at my chart (not my face) and said, "I see you are hmm... (which is when he gives me an eyebrow) this is just what happens." She advised me to use a mild soap such as Cetaphil for 4 weeks and see how that works. Hmm... no miracle cure here!

Needless to say I ditched that advice and took the advice of Jessica Simpson and joined the Pro-Active team. I must admit I had used this before... almost a decade ago, while I was going through my divorce I had a bout of psoriasis and this product did wonders in clearing up my skin. That said, now I found it way too harsh. I called their "hotline" and was told to reduce my usage to once a week and build up to it, but even that made me feel like I was stripping the first layer of my skin off and not in any way reducing the intended blemishes.

My next attempt was seeing a private dermatologist: Dr. Aliastair Carruthers who started me on a Retin A product called RETISOL-A which comes in varying strength 15 & 25 percent. This made my skin feel great but did not address my pimples. Oh, and did I forget to mention that he suggested that I get some botox while I was addressing my aging skin - aargh!

As fate would have it, I found myself next flying back and forth between Kauai & Vancouver and my skin did not react kindly to the on again, off again sunscreen and air conditioning torture - something I rarely had to deal with in Vancity. My breakouts worsened and my cover-up got stronger. Now I had ramped up to Dermablend a product designed to conceal birthmarks etc. I was getting serious now.


One day I was visiting my parents and my Dad asked me what was wrong with my face! Don't you just love that? I explained I was having some "issues" and that I was working on it and he starts to freak me out by saying he once had similar issues - but upon further inspection discovered they were skin cancer, though he phrased it as, "pimples that went nuclear". He gave me a name of his dermatologist (who it turns out is now retired) but I went to his replacement and he said - NO PROBLEM - the words I had been waiting to hear for months! Then he pulled out this long needle and started walking towards me... Yikes, I froze as he grabbed me by the chin and injected steroids into each pimple - what he called "papules" and once done told me I was all set. Wow, was it that simple? No, of course not... as I was hopping off his table he said, "Oh, I should tell you, there is a 50/50 chance your spots will become divits. DIVITS! He said DIVITS - what the heck was this? Don't you think he should have asked me before he poked me full of steroids if I was open to having DIVITS?

Well... in the end 1 out of 4 spots became a divit and within 3 months it filled back in. That ALL said, the spots - no longer "bumps" that resemble pimples, remain red, and you will still find me using my Lemon-Aid. I'll keep you posted if I come up with any other miracle cures!

Now I know what they meant in the Sex & The City episode when Carrie was looking back through an Album at her youth - and she said, "Gone are the days of even skin tone"!

Wish me luck... If I find a miracle cure, you will be the first to know ;P
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Chris & Bev's Theme Song...

If you haven't been to a "It's Good to Know People" Show... You don't know what you are missing! xo P.

Wall Centre - 29th Floor...

Female in Focus - Linda Sanche Interview

Join me for There She Goes in getting to know Linda Sanche, the Director of the National Hit: The Shopping Bags! Read how knowing what you want and persistence can take you where you want to be…

Where are you from?
“I moved here from Edmonton Alberta, with my - then boyfriend - now husband, and have lived in BC for 15 years. We considerate it home.”

Where do you call home?
“East Van. One Block East of Fraser... We bought a fixer-upper a few years ago… Still fixing!”

Did you go to University?
“Yes, Graduated with a BA: Majored in Psychology and Minored in Sociology.”
Linda loves to learn and each directing experience gives her the opportunity to do just that. Learning from different people and different situations keeps her stimulated.

What was your path to becoming a Director on Shopping Bags?
“I Graduated from the BCIT Journalism Program… Started producing in radio, than graduated to television. I have now been in TV for 8 years, beginning as a researcher, then an associate producer and now have been freelance directing for the last 3yrs. I began with Shopping Bags as a segment producer. The show has been on the air for 5 seasons. This is my first full year directing."

When you wanted to take that next step, how did you go about achieving it?
“I let everyone around me know what my short and long term goals were and then started taking tiny steps in that direction.”

What was your Career’s Defining Moment?
“I took a leap…” Linda risked leaving her full time permanent position producing radio when she was offered a 6 week contract on a pilot as a researcher. She never looked back… one job led to another. Which proves, taking a chance, is never a wasted effort!

What are the pros and cons of being a Freelance Director?
“The flexibility is great, depending on the job; I can often work from home. I have converted our second bedroom into an office, though I often have a work space provided. On the down side, when your contract is up, you begin the search for the next. Though every new experience provides the opportunity to work with new people and learn new things.”

What would you say is your strength?
“Being Adaptable.” With each different project, Linda encounters new working environments and new coworkers, having the ability to get along with everyone is a benefit.

What challenges have you overcome?
“Self Doubt.” Having the confidence to continue when you are unsure, has been an inspirational common thread with our Female in Focus interviewees.

What do you love about your job?
“Learning new things all of the time! Plus we meet so many people on the show… We get glimpses into their lives and their fields of expertise. It’s very interesting and informative for everyone involved.”

What are your future goals?
“In the immediate future, I would like to develop my own projects. I am passionate about one-off documentaries. Beyond that, one day I imagine going back to school to get my Masters.”

What do you love most about your life?
“My relationship with my Husband. I am proud of that.”

Describe your perfect day?
“Well not being a morning person I would love to sleep in… Wake up to a big cup of tea, and curl up on the couch with a good book… Spend an afternoon reading followed by a nice dinner (I love food) with my husband.” Bliss…

Who inspires you?
“People who make a difference – like Terry Fox.”

What is the one thing you have learned that you can contribute to our subscribers?
“Not to care so much what people think.”

This was a great interview! I felt like Linda and I were friends by the end of our call. P.
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Zihuatanejo, Mexico...