October 2006 Featured User

Blonddgirl777

(Editors note: Additional information and questions added 10/2/2006)

Chelle: Where were you born/raised?

BG: Montréal, Canada

Chelle: Tell us a bit about yourself in a short biography

BG: I grew up as a quiet child but my teenages were pretty Rock & Roll. Hanging out with 2 different crowds, the heavy metals and the alternative/mods. I listened to all kinds of music and dressed all kinds of ways. I managed to get 2 degrees; one in "Human Sciences" and one in "Fashion Merchandising". I also have a certificate in "Fashion Design and Technical Pattern Making".

I met my husband in a club at age 23 and we've immediately got that "sparkle"... we hung out (as friends) for about 3 months. Then, he asked me if I was interested in moving to Los Angeles with him as he wanted to pursue a drummer's career. I said "I do". We left and lived there for 1 year. Then (since we didn't like it), moved on to San Francisco and stayed for another 7 years. San Francisco is my very favorite city. I worked there as a costume designer specializing in corsetry.

We made good friends there and enjoyed every moments we lived (good or bad). I will never forget those experiences... It was the best time of my life!

But the musician career was not going where we'd expected and he wanted to study "Electronic Engineering" to ensure a decent future. So we moved back to Canada, choosing Toronto because the tuition's on schooling are a lot less expensive and the student loan/scholarship system is better...

The years in Toronto where not easy on us as I had to move back and forth from Montreal (for MY work). We hated living in Toronto... we think of it as a "second class American city". Definitely not for us! So we came back to Montreal, with our old friends and family.

We had planned to move back to San Francisco after his degree but then the Republicans came in with war and for now, the U.S. is not an appealing place to be. Our California friends tell us to "wait another term" at least... At some point, they where the ones to want to move here. But they are way to comfortable where they are! They are all pretty well established so why in hell would they move here? L.O.L.

So now I am 5 months pregnant (it's a boy!) and even if the doctors told me to "take it easy" for the rest of it, they approved that we are going to visit Belgium in 2 weeks. We love to travel together. We do pretty much everything together, that's how it's been since we've met and that's how we both enjoy it! Appreciating each other is a fundamental for a marriage to last... we are both lovers and buddies. Now, we'll be parents for the first time! We are still debating on names...

My career is taking a slow down but I intend to go back to it in about less than a year after the kid is born. It is very important for me to accomplish myself professionally!

Oh and you wanna know why the 777 (I use that all the time)...???

Because I was born 07/07/67 at 7:30 PM, weighing 7 pounds and some...

Now my son is due (according to that calendar thing) on February 07-07

But no, those numbers haven't been lucky for me to win the lottery!

So that pretty much sums it up (short and sweet)...

CJ: Are there any natural disasters in Montreal? Earthquakes, floods, etc.?

BG: There was a huge flood in 94 and a disastrous ice storm in 96 but I was living in San Francisco when it happened.

Chelle: Do you have any brothers/sisters?

BG: One 35 yr old sister

Chelle: Married? Kids?

BG: Married for 15 years, expecting a first child in February... it took us that long to "be ready" and make that decision...

Chelle: Congratulations on the baby! Are you hoping for a boy or a girl? Do you have names picked out yet?

BG: Well...THANK YOU! I like Melody for a girl and Gabriel or Ian for a boy. No preference in gender...

Chelle: Hobbies?

BG: Arts & Crafts, Decoration, Music. I also really like travel... for work, I get to do that a lot and in October I am going to Europe (for pleasure) with my husband. We lived in California (my husband and I) for 8 years and are planning to go back living there when the kid is at school age...

 
Chelle: Do you play any musical instruments?

BG: I learned/played piano for 6 years as a teenager and I took singing too. My hubby is a drummer (used to be in a band)...Music is very important in our lives.

CJ: Ever been to an auto race?

BG: Yes, a friend of mine owns an Indy formula car and took me to a practice race in Santa Clara (or San Jose, can't remember), California. I also got to sit in the car (but not drive it) and see how it feels...

Chelle: Complete this sentence. If I won a million dollars, I would _________.

BG: If I won a million dollars, I would share with my family

Chelle: What is the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you?

BG: To have the tech support at work discovering I've been watching porn!

Chelle: Uh oh! Did you get in trouble? What site were you looking at?

BG: Actually, I didn't really look at porn itself...Here is what I wrote about that, on DLR.com once:

One day, I was at work and during free time, we were allowed to do whatever we wanted; internet, chatting, personal E-mails etc...So of course... I had to visit D.L.R. Army and check my posts...

But 2 days after, I found out that the damn computer had managed to download every single picture on the site (even the ones I didn't look at) porn, shit-eating people, EVERYTHING!

I started getting nervous and as I was trying to find a way to get rid of all that, a (male) co-worker walked in and saw that. He said: "Shit, are you watching porn?" and I replied: "No, no, I just realized that those obscenities just happen to be there!" and he looked at me funny and said "Yyyeah rrright!" Since that computer was brand new and I was the only one with the code, I really looked stupid but what could I say? Then, since I really looked innocent, he said "Ho, it must be the tech guy...you know, when he's alone here in the evenings..." And I said: "That's it, it's HIM! That guy is such a geek anyway..." and my co-worker sorta believed that scenario.

A month later, him and I went on a business trip, we smoke a joint and he asked me again: "Was that you, that was watching porn on that computer?" and I still denied the whole thing.

That was sooooo embarrassing!

Chelle: Whoa, wait a minute, back up....Is smoking joints on business trips standard procedure in Canada? LOL!

BG: Ho, absolutely not!!! L.O.L. In fact, it was the first time in my life that someone pulled that on a business trip (or at work period). Also, it was because we where inside Canada... so no custom officers to check his luggage. I really enjoy Marijuana as recreational but I couldn't possibly smoke and work!...Although some people do...

Chelle: When did you first discover VH?

BG: At 15 years old, in 1983

Chelle: How long have you been involved in the VH online community?

BG: About 2 years

Chelle: Which sites do you visit regularly?

BG: Rotharmy.com

Chelle: Have you met any of your online VH friends in person?

BG: Yes, I've known "Franksters" for over 15 years...

Chelle: How do you know him?

BG: He is one of my husband's childhood friends. We hang out quite often since he lives 5 minutes away from us. I really like that guy!

Chelle: Is fashion design your "day job"?

BG: Yes, it has been for over 14 years. Lately I've been contracting out since it is "in style" for employers to do that (no benefits to pay, no liabilities etc...) I like it better because I get more free time and independence altogether.

CJ: Who would you like to design an outfit for, both female and male?

BG: Madonna and Dave. Stage clothing and costumes are fun!

CJ: What would you suggest for DLR, both in his VH days, and now?

BG: He should get married and have kids!

CJ: Is it okay to wear white after summer ends?

BG: I don't but I also think that people do whatever they feel comfortable with, as far as clothing.

CJ: Do you wear what you design?

BG: Sometimes, but rarely what I design for work.

CJ: Where can we see some of your work?

BG: In Canada; Sears (stores and catalogue) and independent boutiques. In U.S.A; Macy's, Bloomingdales, Lords & Taylor, Sears (stores and catalogue) and independents. Very commercial stuff.

Chelle: I'd like to see pictures of your designs. Are they online somewhere?

BG: Some well known brands I designed for were "Wonder Bra ME" (Canadian editions); http://www.wonderbra.com the seamless collection, Gottex Silver (swimsuits), DIM lingerie (for the Canadian market): http://bianca-lingerie.com/home.asp , "Christina"(swimsuits) http://www.swimsuits.com/brands/christina.html Club Monaco (retailer). Ho and check out: http://www.darkgarden.com/ a S-F based corset shop (YOU will really like that). I worked there for a couple years... I miss it a lot! That was my best job ever...

Of course, I didn't design every single item on these sites but quite a few.
I also worked as a product manager and merchandiser in some cases.

Chelle: Wow! Cool stuff! Can you get me a discount?

CJ: Favorite piece of clothing owned?

BG: A long, black fishtale latex skirt my husband bought me at "Demask" in Amsterdam.

CJ: How many outfits in the closet?

BG: Waaaayyy too many!

CJ: Are you really blonde? And what is your blondest moment?

BG: I was born with white/blonde hair and stayed that way up until my teenages. Then I started to play with chemicals in my hair and got darker and darker. Now, I am a medium dark blonde with streaks of highlights.

CJ: If someone from this board were to visit Montreal, would you show them around town a bit? Where would you take them (What are the must see attractions from a tourist and local point of view)

BG: It would be my pleasure! I'm always interested in meeting cool people (especially VH fans!)...

There are 2 kinds of things I would do. The nature part, up in the Laurentians mountains and the Eastern townships; in the fall, the colors are absolutely spectacular and we have sceneries and sites that people around the world love to visit every year.

Also, the nightlife; MTL is known for that. It's like a see and be seen kind of scene (no longer my cup of tea) but it's worth doing...

Besides, we have old gothic architecture (the city was founded in the 1600...), a basilica, a replica of Paris' Notre-Dame cathedral, cobble stone streets etc... and a one of a kind gastronomy. I would absolutely go to Quebec city, the oldest city in eastern America! Our French heritage mixed with the English's makes that city very unique.