Words from Stacey Hardie











On February 1, 2008, Laura Bernstein and I put together and ran a Winter Gala where all proceeds went to McMaster Children’s Hospital. We sold 270 tickets for the event but due to the winter storm gala outside only 200 were able to make it. From a fabulous silent auction, ticket sales, 50/50 draw and door prizes draw we managed to raise $6300. The event was held at Carmen’s in Stoney Creek. We had live bands as well that provided our entertainment for the evening. They were Leaving Sangster and The General Lee. They were great! The night was a huge success and we would like to thank our families and friends for their love, support and help throughout the gala as well as to local businesses that provided us with wonderful donations. It was fabulous night



Mac versus PC: Who will win in the PR ring?

Mac versus PC has become a familiar question that has crossed many Public Relations students, prospective students or even Public Relations practitioners. Which is better, a Mac or a PC. Being an almost graduate to the Public Relations program at Niagara College, this question is still finding it’s way into my head and I still cannot decide what computer is better for a public relations student in the program or a current practitioner in the field.
I am a PC owner. I love my PC, know my way around it and thought I would never be a Mac user. But that is soon changing.
As the year is quickly coming to an end, I have sat back and charted out the pros and cons for each computer system. I find it quite ironic that the one question I hoped to be answered at the beginning of my journey through this program is still haunting me today.
The first tick within the Mac column came when all of our computer classes are based around a Mac computer. Although we use the same programs as a PC, things proved to be different throughout the class. For example little things like “ctrl s” on a PC had now become “apple s.” Though proving not to be entirely different from a PC, I was lost. I had to learn a whole other computer slang just to do the simple things in class.
A Mac also offered different programs. Pages for example proved to be more a diverse program when it came to creativity and designing. I ended up preferring to use Mac just for the Pages program for certain projects throughout the year.
I found the Mac compact and easy to carry around. It was very light and easy to fit in any schoolbag. The Internet connection was very easy as well. Within a click of a button I was online. Whenever I brought my computer with me, well let’s just say I have yet to connect to the Niagara College server. Mac has their wireless connection already included within the system. So instead of lugging my heavy PC around, I would find myself at the open access Mac Lab.
The last project we have to do for our computer’s class is designing our own web page. I have never before learned how to build a website so trying to take the knowledge from computer class, which uses Macs and transferring the knowledge to my PC seems pretty much impossible right now. I would much rather continue to learn web page skills on a Mac.
I remember the first time I ever saw a Mac and I was amazed how different it looked. I was completely lost as soon as the dock or in PC terms, menu tool bar, disappeared. Had they ever heard of a right click? I loved my PC and that was that. A Mac seemed to be too technical for my PC brain and me.
I guess it all started when my boyfriend, who loves Macs, purchased one and I began to find my way around his. All of a sudden it seemed like a whole new world. I began to know more and more about a Mac, which definitely helped in computer class. I also learned from him that virus’ have never been a problem.
When the time came to purchase my laptop, I chose where I was most familiar, a PC. I was happy with my purchase until the first two weeks of school when I found myself a little lost in computers. I thought I knew a lot about computers until Paul Dayboll’s class.
“I start you off at the very beginning because many people get lost within the first two weeks and you realize you really do not know very much about computers. I teach you everything from the very beginning.” Says Paul.
He was right I was lost. But not only was I lost because I never realized there was so much to know about computers and programs such as Microsoft Word, I was also trying to become familiar with a Mac computer.
I believe when it comes down to one or another for the program, I recommend a Mac for the program. I believe a lot of stress could have been avoided if I had purchased a Mac computer. I believe that most people within the Public Relations field work on a Mac. I have come to realize that Mac wins hands down. I have more recently found myself more familiar with a Mac then a PC. Next on the agenda, purchasing a Mac. So when it comes down to who will win in the PR ring, hands down, Mac. I recommend purchasing a Mac if you are enrolling in a Public Relations program.



{March 18, 2008}   My Writing

I love to write poetry and songs. It has been a hobby of mine for awhile now. Samples of my writing will soon be posted here.http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=337451&id=507822158



After so many years of my life being in school it is finally coming to an end. In two weeks I will be done my grad program in Public Relations and begin to venture out in the world. Let me tell you I have never been so scared but excited at the same time. This past year has been extremely busy with school, there is never a dull moment. I have had many cups of coffee and proud of the work I have accomplished. I never thought I would be ready for the real world let alone finding what I wanted to do with my life. I am glad I have found PR and I am looking forward to finding a career in PR.
I have enjoyed this program so much. I have learned so many useful tools that will help when I get a job. I have never had so much hands-on training. Thank you Niagara College!



{February 20, 2008}   How to treat a bartender

1. Our names are NOT “Hey” or “Yo”, nor do we respond to whistles or banging your bottle or glass on the bar! If you ever do get your drink you can be sure we will serve everyone else at the bar before we decide to serve you.

2. Mouth closed, money out! Just because we look at you, doesn’t mean we’re ready for you! Just because we haven’t looked at you doesn’t mean that we don’t know you are there. WE KNOW YOU ARE THERE!

3. If we are making drinks, do NOT say, “When you get a chance.” When we get a chance, you will know!

4. Never….ever….”EVER”…. touch the bartender!

5. DO NOT tell us you bartend too! We’ll know if you do or don’t by the way you conduct yourself!

6. There is NO SUCH DRINK called ‘Kettle One and Vodka’!!!

7. If you order a “Diet Rum and Coke” instead of “rum and Diet Coke”, we will look at you like the drunk idiot that you are!

8. DO NOT start the order off with, “GIVE ME A STRONG DRINK!” You are guaranteed to have the WEAKEST DRINK EVER!!

9. DO NOT say “I’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU” if you don’t know what that means! $1.00 tip is NOT taking care of us! I REPEAT!!!! LEAVING ONE DOLLAR ($1.00) IS “NOT” TAKING CARE OF US!!!!!!!!!

***10. We don’t care who you are or who you know – the guy before you hit on us too… and the guy before him and the guy before him… We’re bartenders, –WE’RE NOT GOING HOME WITH YOU!!!!!

11. Waving your money at us just annoys us – We know you’re there and we’ll get to you when we get to you!!!

12. NO TIPPIE, NO DRINKIE! (Go back and read rule #9 again)

13. Do not COMPLAIN ABOUT PRICES!! Jesus…….if you want to act like a big shot and order an expensive drink…..don’t ruin it by complaining about the price. Order something cheaper next time.

14. Yes, there IS alcohol in it! If you can’t taste it, you’ve drank too much and I should cut you off! IF you want me to put another shot in it, you will pay for it.

15. NO SLEEPING ON THE BAR! if we wanted to see you sleep we would go home w/ you. (Read rule ten again)

16. Don’t ask me to name EVERY beer in stock. You know what the hell you drink so just order it and stop wasting my time. I’ll tell you if I don’t have it.

17. If you are ordering food, don’t ask me to read the menu to you. I am not your personal assistant. If you can’t order your own food than don’t leave the house.

18. If you do tip us well and we buy you a drink, DO NOT announce to the WHOLE bar that the Bartender “hooked you up”…You will never get another free drink again!!!!

19. Please do not tell us your personal “stories” b/c we don’t care and quite frankly….we just don’t have the time. Just give us your order and tip us in dollars…not with paper roses or old valentines day candy.

20. Don’t come to my bar and act like a big dog just because you are wearing a suit. Chances are I make more than you do and have more fun doing it so take a step back, relax and get over yourself.

21. If by some chance you’ve mustered up the courage to pass your phone number over the bar without my asking, flattered as I may be….I still may not call you so don’t get all pissy and give me dirty looks on future visits to my bar.

22. DO NOT assume that we are allowed to give a few drinks away because not all bars are the same. And certainly DO NOT ask me for a free drink because you tipped me well. As much as I appreciate your generosity……..I can assure you that your tip will not be enough to pay my bills for the month.

23. DO NOT ask me the price of every drink before you order. The only question you’re allowed is “Do you have any specials?” Order what you want to drink. It’s early, if you find that choice was to expensive for your taste, you have plenty of time to adjust your next drink choice accordingly. Note: Beer costs less than hard liquor. Domestics cost less than imports. Anything you’ve learned to drink from rap videos or Hollywood movies is usually priced out the ass so either bring a lot of cash to the bar or stop trying to be a high roller. OH, and IF U DON’T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO TIP ALONG WITH PURCHASING THAT HIGHLY PRICED DRINK……U DON’T HAVE ENOUGH FOR THE DRINK. PERIOD YO!!!! You know who you are.

24. When ordering a mixed drink, the liquor comes before the mixer. Don’t order a cranberry with vodka! It is vodka and cranberry.

25. When you finally get our attention do not turn around and then ask your group of friends what they want. We will walk away and make you wait until you are actually ready to order and that would be nice. We may make you wait longer!

26. Just be respectful and I’m sure you will see a difference in your bartender’s response time. I know it’s hard for some of you to understand what that means. If you still don’t know, go back and read this whole thing over and over until you grasp a firm understanding of the concept. Thank you!!!! Now go have a good time.

27. Do NOT string-order your drinks. Tell me what you want… your FULL order, if I forget, I will ask YOU. If I come to you with your 2 little drinks and you say, ” and can I get…” NO, you cant. I am busy, there are other people waiting, and you should’ve told me the first time I asked you what you wanted. Now you’ll have to wait.

28. Do NOT ask me for a free drink on your birthday. Do you go to the grocery store and ask for a free loaf of bread too? Do you go to the gas station and ask for free gas? If I want to buy you a drink, I will if I feel like it. NOT just because its your birthday…

29. When you say, “I tip at the end of the night.” or ” I’ll take care of you later.” we already know you’re going to be a cheap-ass and not tip at all. Nice try.

30. (Referring to #1) Even if you DO know my name, yelling it across the bar will not get me to serve you any quicker. As a matter of fact, it will probably annoy the piss out of me and will once again result in you waiting longer.

31. If you want the other bartender to serve you, don’t ask me to get them for you. If you’re standing in front of me, that is most likely my station and no, I wont go get them for you. Walk your happy ass down to the other end of the bar and get them yourself. I might throw in that you’re probably not as special as you think and now you’ll probably wait longer, because I could have served you.

32. (Refering #4) Do NOT lean as far as you can over the bar, in case I didn’t see you. I see you. Really, I do.

33. If you use a credit/debit card, do NOT make me continuously run your card through for just one round. Open a tab. When you close it, be sure you are not going to want anything else. I am not going to run your credit card all night long each time you just want “one more round.” Also, cash tips are always better! Thanks.

34. If you spill your drink because you’re drunk, then NO, I’m not giving you another one. You don’t need another one if you cant hold on to the one I just made you. Also, if you tell me, “someone threw my drink away.” well too bad! You shouldn’t have left it unattended anyways!

35. If you want to buy a drink for “that girl over there” then I hope you know what she’s drinking. I don’t. And no, I wont go find out, or leave the bar to serve it to her.

36. Last call is LAST CALL! No, you cant stay after everyone else has left. You’re not the only friend I have, nor are the first person to ask. Just leave before you get yelled at, or I do!

37. If I am nice enough to call a taxi for you, you better be outside when it gets there. Enough said.



{February 20, 2008}   Loving Miss Marilyn

So I guess you figured it out by the category that I am a huge Marilyn Monore fan.  I love her.  I have idolized her for years.  I think she is a classy person.  I have posters of her everywhere!

Biography of Marilyn

Marilyn Monroe personified Hollywood glamour with an unparalleled glow and energy that enamored the world. Although she was an alluring beauty with voluptuous curves and a generous pout, Marilyn was more than a ’50s sex goddess. Her apparent vulnerability and innocence, in combination with an innate sensuality, has endeared her to the global consciousness. She dominated the age of movie stars to become, without question, the most famous woman of the 20th Century.

She was born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles, California, to Gladys Baker. As the identity of her father is undetermined, she was later baptized Norma Jeane Baker. Gladys had been a film cutter at RKO studios, but psychological problems prevented her from keeping the job and she was eventually committed to a mental institution.

Norma Jeane spent most of her childhood in foster homes and orphanages until 1937, when she moved in with family friend Grace McKee Goddard. Unfortunately, when Grace’s husband was transferred to the East Coast in 1942, the couple couldn’t afford to take 16-year-old Norma Jeane with them. Norma Jeane had two options: return to the orphanage or get married.

On June 19, 1942 she wed her 21-year-old neighbor Jimmy Dougherty, whom she had been dating for six months. “She was a sweet, generous and religious girl,” Jimmy said. “She liked to be cuddled.” By all accounts Norma Jeane loved Jimmy, and they were happy together until he joined the Merchant Marines and was sent to the South Pacific in 1944.

After Jimmy left, Norma Jeane took a job on the assembly line at the Radio Plane Munitions factory in Burbank, California. Several months later, photographer David Conover saw her while taking pictures of women contributing to the war effort for Yank magazine. He couldn’t believe his luck. She was a “photographer’s dream.” Conover used her for the shoot and then began sending modeling jobs her way. The camera loved Norma Jeane, and within two years she was a reputable model with many popular magazine covers to her credit. She began studying the work of legendary actresses Jean Harlow and Lana Turner, and enrolled in drama classes with dreams of stardom. However, Jimmy’s return in 1946 meant Norma Jeane had to make another choice- this time between her marriage and her career.

Norma Jeane divorced Jimmy in June of 1946, and signed her first studio contract with Twentieth Century Fox on August 26, 1946. She earned $125 a week. Soon after, Norma Jeane dyed her hair blonde and changed her name to Marilyn Monroe (borrowing her grandmother’s last name). The rest, as the saying goes, is history.

Marilyn’s first movie role was a bit part in 1947’s The Shocking Miss Pilgrim. She played a series of inconsequential characters until 1950, when John Huston’s thriller The Asphalt Jungle provided her with a small but influential role. Later that year, Marilyn’s performance as Claudia Caswell in All About Eve (starring Bette Davis) earned her further praise. From then on Marilyn worked steadily in movies such as: Let’s Make It Legal, As Young As You Feel, Monkey Business and Don’t Bother to Knock. It was her performance in 1953’s Niagara, however, that delivered her to stardom. Marilyn played Rose Loomis, a beautiful young wife who plots to kill her older, jealous husband (Joseph Cotten).

Marilyn’s success in Niagara was followed with lead roles in the wildly popular Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (co-starring Jane Russell) and How to Marry a Millionaire (co-starring Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable). Photoplay magazine voted Marilyn the Best New Actress of 1953, and at 27 years old she was undeniably the best-loved blonde bombshell in Hollywood.

On January 14, 1954, Marilyn married baseball superstar Joe DiMaggio at San Francisco’s City Hall. They had been a couple for two years, after Joe asked his agent to arrange a dinner date. “I don’t know if I’m in love with him yet,” Marilyn said when the press got word of their relationship, “but I know I like him more than any man I’ve ever met.” During their Tokyo honeymoon, Marilyn took time to perform for the service men stationed in Korea. Her presence caused a near-riot among the troops, and Joe was clearly uncomfortable with thousands of men ogling his new bride.

Unfortunately, Marilyn’s fame and sexual image became a theme that haunted their marriage. Nine months later on October 27, 1954, Marilyn and Joe divorced. They attributed the split to a “conflict of careers,” and remained close friends.

Marilyn was ready to shed her “shallow blonde” image by 1955. It had gotten her into the spotlight, but now that she had the opportunity and experience, Marilyn wanted to pursue serious acting. She took a hiatus from Hollywood and moved to New York City to study under Lee Strasberg at his Actors’ Studio. In 1956, Marilyn started her own motion picture company, Marilyn Monroe Productions. The company produced Bus Stop and The Prince and the Showgirl (co-starring Sir Laurence Olivier). These two films allowed her to demonstrate her talent and versatility as an actress. Marilyn received further recognition for 1959’s Some Like It Hot, winning a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy.


On June 29, 1956, Marilyn wed playwright Arthur Miller. The couple met through Lee Strasberg, and friends reported she made him “giddy.” While they were married, Arthur wrote the part of Roslyn Taber in 1961’s The Misfits especially for Marilyn. The movie co-starred Clark Gable and Montgomery Clift. Sadly, the marriage between Marilyn and Arthur ended on January 20, 1961, and The Misfits was to be Marilyn’s (and Gable’s) last completed film.

At the 1962 Golden Globes, Marilyn was named female World Film Favorite, once again demonstrating her widespread appeal.

Sadly, in a shocking turn of events on the early morning of August 5, 1962, 36-year-old Marilyn died in her sleep at her Brentwood, California home. The world was stunned. Marilyn’s vibrant spirit and beauty made it impossible to believe she was gone. On August 8, 1962, Marilyn’s body was laid to rest in the Corridor of Memories, #24, at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California.

During her career, Marilyn made 30 films and left one, Something’s Got to Give, unfinished. She was more than just a movie star or glamour queen. A global sensation in her lifetime, Marilyn’s popularity has extended beyond star status to icon. Today, the name “Marilyn Monroe” is synonymous with beauty, sensuality and effervescence. She remains an inspiration to all who strive to overcome personal obstacles for the goal of achieving greatness.



{February 19, 2008}   Public Relations

I am currently at Niagara College in the Public Relations Program.  I really enjoy this program.  It is exactly where I want to be.  I am almost finished the one year course and looking forward to finding a career within this field.  I have learned so much in this program.  The courses I have taken within this course are media courses, public relations fundamentals, grammar and writing, marketing, plus an internship.  I can’t believe the year is almost over.



{February 19, 2008}   Hobbies

My hobbies include writing, which you can find some examples under “my writing.”  I also enjoy singing, playing piano, traveling, and shopping.  I also enjoy hanging out with my friends and my family. 



{February 16, 2008}   Hello world!

Hello there and welcome to my blog.  Its all about me and its all about fun!  Check out my different categories and enjoy!



et cetera