Midnight Marauder

I am working on a film in Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. I just went for a midnight beach stroll.

The film is for my degree show. It is very personal. So far, so good.

My Brother is Principal Tater

My brother, the illustrious Milo Shandel, just so happens to play a dim witted high school principal on a Canadian tv show called Mr Young. Until recently, I hadn't been able to see any episodes, but the premiere episode was just posted on Youtube!

Unsurprisingly, I find this program aimed at CHILDREN to be absolutely hilarious. Seriously. Slapstick gold.

Dearly Beloved Rock Out

I watched Dearly Beloved (awesome band) open for My Chemical Romance (terrible band) at Sound Academy in Toronto in December. They rocked. Couldn't be prouder of my friends.

The crowd was insane. I am pretty sure the people right at the front of the barriers were getting their ribs crushed. Some of the kids had been waiting outside in sub zero temperatures for HOURS to see the bands. A bit insane, but cool for the musicians nonetheless. And I got to drink as much sprite as I wanted in the band room.

Canada Part 2

The world's scariest Santa, my brother and his son in front of the world's biggest mailbox, me at age five, me after the Agent Provocateur Boxing Day Sale and me as a baby with my grandma. Tomorrow, Mexico.

Canada Part 1

I have been in Canada for a week. I have been vomiting for most of that time. It may have had something to do with the massive party I had the night before I left...typical me. Pictures will appear on the interweb within days, I promise.

I am in Vancouver now, staying at my mum's apartment, but before that I was in Toronto for a week seeing friends. It was also my sister's 24th birthday, and in typical Mercy fashion, we went cosmic bowling. God, that girl will ALWAYS be a little kid, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I also got to hang with my niece Taylor, and my friends Erin and Morgan and Rebecca. I was in dire need of an injection of friend love, which is what I got.

So now I am in Vancity, seeing family and gearing up for Christmas insanity. Here are a few shots that I took on my mobile phone device...for your viewing pleasure....

 This is an actual Banksy that was vandalised...twice...by different graffiti hooligans

 My beautiful niece Taylor

 This is my Mum's mouse pad...AWESOME photos of me and my sister looking gross. HA!

This is so awesome. It is a computer generated "drawing" of me and my sister. We got it at the Cosmic Bowling Alley. SO worth the four bucks. Ain't we pretty?

I guess this means I am God? God-like, at the very least...you know, cuz I can do the worm...like God...

Yay Canadia! Stay tuned.

My Ex Boyfriend is Famous

My Friend Gavin plays drums in a really awesome band called Dearly Beloved. They just released a new video that is in heavy rotation on Much Music (the Canadian version of MTV). This is a really big deal, as they only other artists on "heavy rotation" are people like Justin Bieber and Beyonce. The song is called Make it Bleed. 

Check out their Myspace for tour dates.

Happy Birthday Dear Sister

Yesterday was my sister Serena's Birthday.

She is a musician, and a very talented one at that. Check out her myspace here. 

It has been over a year since I saw her. She lives in New York city, which is not exactly around the corner from London. I seem to be able to see most close family members a few times a year (over Christmas at the very least), but for some reason a proper visit has alluded us for a criminally long time. 

We are both busy. I get that. And living in a city like New York or London can be overly exciting, overwhelming and hectic. There is always so much to do, see and experience that it can be easy to forget about those who are far away.

But is this crazy life really worth it?

This is a question that I often ask myself on my darker days in this town. Yes, for the most part I love my life here and it is endlessly exciting and filled with new opportunities and adventures. But I love my family, and it can be extremely isolating and lonely to be so far away. These are the people that will ALWAYS love me, that I will ALWAYS feel connected to, no matter how my life might change or what path I choose to walk down next. I suppose the unconditional nature of familial love can make it easier to then neglect said family members. But I think this might be bull shit. Even if I can't be near to my family as often as I like, they are often in my thoughts, and I will try to make a better effort to notify them of this fact, i.e. pick up the phone. 

So Happy Birthday Serena. I am proud of you and please know you are often in my thoughts and always in my heart.

More Friends, More Pia

Some photos from Bristol a few weeks ago. Oh ya, and one more of Pia.

The Pia Show

My lovely and talented mother will soon be gracing television screens across British Colombia with her new documentary series entitled, what else, "The Pia Show". This lady is smart, beautiful, funny, ditzy, and ALWAYS entertaining. Check out the show if you happen to live in that part of the world.

Oh ya, here is the press release:

PIA SHANDEL RETURNS TO TV
FRIDAY NIGHTS ON SHAW.

Local media veteran to premiere half-hour
series called P!a.

VANCOUVER, BC - September 24, 2010 - 10:30 pm marks the premiere of 'P!a', a new format interview/documentary series which will light up Friday nights on Shaw Channel 4. A provocative talk show host, political specialist, journalist, actress and seasoned television veteran, host Pia Shandel will present a personal and passionate side of local celebrities, revealing their true feelings on the issues of the day.

A trailblazer in the Vancouver arts and media community, Pia Shandel is returning to television with this new show. "It bothers me when celebrities are told not to speak out about issues, just stick to the script”, states Shandel. “The most perceptive, articulate and sensitive people I know are artists...and I, for one, want to know their take on the issues that affect us all."

Stars like Bif Naked, William Davis, Janet Wright, Joy Coghill, Leon Bibb, and Jackson Davies are joined by local Vancouver celebs like Bruce Allen, John Fluevog and Nikki Renshaw in a weekly tapestry of insight and colour on topics as varied as Being Black in Canada, Cruel Shoes, or B.C. Food Trends.

Expect the information to be powerful, the point of view personal and the perspective revealing.
For a touch of the absurd, the outrageously funny Patrick Maliha adds his over-the-top comedy to each episode with 'The Maliha Minute'. All set within a state-of the art virtual environment created by indie producer Go2 Productions Inc.

Catch Pia as she brings all her passion and experience to this exciting new television series 'P!a' , Friday nights at 10:30 pm on SHAW, Channel 4. Be a friend of the show on Facebook and follow Pia on Twitter
For further information visit – www.go2productions.com

 What a total and utter BABE!

Back to Life/Reality

I just got back from a much needed trip to my two hometowns, Vancouver and Toronto. I love London and all, but there is something about holding my squirming four year old nephew in my arms as we get chased by angry Canadian Geese that makes me want to pack it all in and move back to the pacific northwest.

I saw my mum and brother both act in plays. It was awesome. Go see the Buddy at the Stanley Theatre in Vancouver if you haven't already. 

Look! Photos!

Take a Hit and Keep On Going, Ladies

My sister, Bobbi Pinn, member of the Pillow Fight League based in Toronto. Check these girls out, they seriously kick ass.

Shadow of my Heart

To further my obsession with my mother, here are the first three parts of an amazingly bad and amazingly awesome movie she was in called Shadow of the Hawk. She is the hot blond babe by the pool in part 1, and she is in the party scene at the end of part 2 and beginning of part 3. After that she isn't in the movie, so I never bother watching parts 4-10. But don't let me stop you from doing so. And just in case anyone reading this lives in Vancouver, she is currently acting in a play at the Arts Club until June 6. Check it!

Who wants to stalk Pia Shandel?

Some people will do ANYTHING to catch Pia Shandel. And I am pretty sure I know why. Cuz she's awesome!

I love my mum.

I miss my Sisters

A few days ago, I went to the White Cube to see the Candice Breitz exhibition entitled Factum. Click the link to read about it, so that I don't need to paraphrase....

The show was pretty fascinating, albeit too lengthy to watch every piece in it's entirety. What struck me was the twins parallel desires to remain connected to their twin, while at the same time asserting their differences and individuality. The thought of having a twin sounds incredibly appealing, yet wholly terrifying....to me at least.

It made me think of my cousin Vanessa, who lost her twin in a car accident when they were 19. I can't imagine the pain of losing someone that you are so intimately connected to that you even share the same genetic code. It must be like losing am irreplaceable part of your self, of your identity. How do you feel like yourself after losing that person? How would it change you?

On a side note, the piece was shot in Toronto. Not only that, but one of the twins is actually dating a friend of mine. Canada really is the smallest place ever.

Go see the show.

Heart Exploding

I am absolutely and completely over the moon in love with my nephews. I present to you Hagan Alexander Oddy Shandel and (the newest edition) Cormac Sebastian Oddy Shandel. My heart is bursting.