My favorite things: Laughter

What's better than a good 'ol fashioned, do it 'til you crying and your face hurts laugh? Nothing. I dare you to disagree. My greatest friends and best relationships have been with those whom I can bust a gut laughing. If I'm not laughing within the first few minutes of meeting you, we probably won't "click". Nothing personal, I simply need to be given the right to laugh long and hard, even it it means laughing at myself.

Videos are a perfect way to share and re-live your favorite funnies. Watch a few of my favorites below. There's something for every taste.

Enjoy....and keep laughing.

~ K ox

Meet Dug - Up



Ricky Gervais and Jon Stewart on The Daily Show

Rolling a Reliant Robin - Top Gear - BBC



Hugh Grant Dancing in Love Actually

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: Steve Carell

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: Steve Carell from Between Two Ferns

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My favorite things: Cookies

~

I love cookies.

The End.

P.S. This week I will be taking part in a serious-as-hell cookie bakeoff with a group of my greatest friends. Points are awarded for taste, originality, and overall holiday style. The prizes aren't substantial but what's really on the line is pride. I need your help finding the BEST holiday cookie recipe. Post your favorites here or send them to me via Facebook or Twitter.

Ginderbread yoga people by Patti Paige of Baked Ideas.

Update (Dec 16th): And the winner is....not me. Well, that's not exactly true. My cookies won the "Most Creative Cookie Award" but alas did not grab the most coveted prize of placing No. 1 overall. My cookies tied for second, not that bad for only my second time entering the contest. Watch out next year, dear competitors. I'm coming back stronger than ever and with more icing sugar.

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My favorite things x 2: The Montreal Canadians & the Heritage Classic

Only in Canada will you find 45,000 people whilling to sit outside on a bitterly cold February day to watch a sporting event. I'm one of them.

Unfortunately, I wasn't on the ball keeping up with ticket release dates. %$#@!!!

I've missed out on getting tickets to see my home team the Montreal Canadians play in the 2011 Heritage Classic in my current home base of Calgary, AB. In the spirit of the season, a girl can still wish for miracles. Anyone wishing to sell their tickets for a resonable price (obstructed views not included) can contact me here or via info@kimmcneilyoga.ca. I promise to provide fellow nearby seat holders in-between period yoga sessions to keep the body loose.....and coffee with Baileys.

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My favorite things: Pets

I don't have kids so having pets is the closest opportunity I've had to parenting. The similarities between parenthood and pet ownership don't elude me though: the messes, the tantrums, the numerous dollars spent on weekend visits to the doctor, er, vet. Being responsible for other little beings is something not to be taken lightly.

Like parenthood, I wouldn't give it up for the world. My pets make me laugh and teach me important life lessons like unconditional love and acceptance. Plus there's the "Don't get attached to material things and cry over the seatbelts and headrest your dog just ate" lesson.

This Christmas I'm thankful for having my pets to keep me warm and fuzzy on the inside and out.

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On a serious note: There is too much violence in the world

Allow me to stray from the usual favorites things list with a wish for the future.

Today marks the 21st anniversary of the École Polytechnique Massacre. I remember reading the headlines of the event in the Montreal Gazette as a young girl. A photograph included with one of the articles has stuck with me ever since: a school custodian taking down a Joyeuse Fêtes holiday decoration from the walls of the chaotic school cafeteria in the aftermath of the massacre*.

My holiday wish is for this type of cruel act to never repeat itself. I realize how naive this sentence reads but I can think of nothing better to write as I revert back to the thoughts of the 12 year old girl I was back in 1989.

To the lost women: May you forever rest in peace.

*My apologies if my memory of the photograph is skewed. I haven't since been able to find the photograph in newspaper archives to verify what I remember. I'm afraid it's because the complete content of the photograph is too painful and was removed out of respect for the families of the lost women.

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My favorite things: A shiny ring

No, not THAT kind of ring. I'm talking about the gorgeous rings designed and hand-made by my good friend and Murano glass artisan Sofia Fuga of Vetro Fuga.

These decadent oversized cocktail rings are a colaboration between Vetro Fuga and Serafino. The 1 3/8" ring comes with a stone in black, herb with gold leaf, aqua, red, and clay. The only problem? Which one to choose...

Lesson learned: Large rings are strictly for après-yoga and are not conducive to practicing Sirsasana.

P.S. If you want one of this stunning rings, let me know. I know the designer.

(Note: You can't have one until I choose one for myself)

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My favorite things: Anything by Renata Morales

I don't consider myself a fashionista. On a good day I'm lucky to leave the house wearing yoga pants without dog hair. But I digress.

I discovered Renata Morales in the December 2010 issue of Elle Quebec. Excellent timing as I was looking for inspiration for my annual Christmas party threads. I then did what any normal girl would do: I searched her on Google.

I had no idea Renata was a fellow Montréalaise until visiting her site. It's no wonder I took to her clothes so quickly. Her Fall 2010 collection is truly something special. Modeled by the stunning dancer, Mistaya Hemingway, the clothes have a whimsical feel reminiscent of another of my Montréal-born favorites, Cirque du Soleil. Unfortunately, you can't buy pieces by this Montréal atelier in Calgary. I was assured when I emailed Mademoiselle Morales' Customer Relations rep she would make something for me to order. *wipes drool off her face*

Alas, this lonely yoga instructor can't afford her pieces...yet. But a girl can dream, yes?

Who is your favorite designer and why?

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My favorite things: Vanilla goodness

I was fortunate enough to have been taken to a swanky restaurant for my birthday last month. The last course of desert was offered with what I would said was the best thing to hit my lips in a long time: Navan Vanilla Cognac. I felt like I was being wrapped up in a warm blanket. Scrumptuous.

Maybe not the typical holiday gift request from a yogi but I can assure you you'll love it. All I can hope is that I've accumulated enough good karma points this year to have a glass of this delicious goodness offered to me this holiday season.

Lesson learned: Yogis especially this one can adore cognac.

What's your favorite sinful holiday drink?

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My favorite things: Preloved slippers

You can never have too many pairs of slippers especially ones which is made of recycled sweaters. Preloved make the cutest and most cozy slippers around and they're eco friendly. Because they have soft, flexible soles they're perfect for when you're parciticing restorative yoga, meditating, or while in Savasana. In Calgary you can find them at my favorite boutique Shisomiso.

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#58 There's no time to make a holiday list

Every Christmas I receive the same dreaded email from my boyfriend's family with the subject line "Time to send us your lists". Dreaded because I NEVER have a list ready nor am I ever close to having it ready. Every year I go through the same thought process: "I know they'll be wanting our lists soon so I had better get a jump start on mine so it's ready in time". It never makes a difference. My boyfriend and I are always the last of the family members to send out our lists. Luckily he's as big a procastinator as I am. It's a Christmas miracle we ever receive anything from his side of the family at all! I do rather appreciate their ability to send out their own lists early however as it makes it that much easier for me to get my holiday shoppping done on time. But I digress...

Partially I think it's a good thing I never have my list done. I'm usually so busy with teaching that I completely forget about writing up a list of my wants. There are more important things to do like helping the world have flexible hamstrings.

Then there's the flip side of the coin. I feel just a little bit selfish that I make my family wait to do their shopping. I know how inconvenient it can to brave the shopping mall at Christmas . I'm sure there's a positive correlation between shopping closer to the big day and the chance of you clubbing another shopper with your bag. I know for my family's sake I should get them my lists on time.

This year I thought why not share my list with you? In the days leading up to Christmas I'll post about my favorite things. Some of the things I already have and love, some I want, others I plan to give, and others still won't be 'things' at all. Check back soon to see my list.

I'd love to hear about the things you love to give and receive. Plus, I could really use your help with writing up my list.

Cartoon credit: toopthpastfordinner.com

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