Meet Frippy Bird!

Today I’ll be talking about Frippy Bird, yet another one of Hampy’s friends! What Frippy stands for is something that is elusive, just when you think you have him, he flies away! He’s a bit of a mystery, you can never really catch him, and he’ll always remain elusive! He’s certainly a strange one isn’t he?

So can you think of any stories that Frippy Bird makes you think of? Stories of elusiveness, of things you can never really catch but are always chasing? I think a great symbol of Frippy in real life is the Northern Lights! You never know when or where they are going to appear, and some people put so much effort into trying to find and see them! They’re so amazing to see, and the chase is certainly worth what you see in the end! Here’s a picture, aren’t they amazing?

So what are your elusive stories? Did you manage to catch what was elusive in the end? Did it make you feel Hampy? Post them in the comments section below! I’m sure we can get some great stories! :D

A Day in The Kitchen With Hampy

Hi everyone! I had a small gathering with a few friends over the weekend and I saw it as a wonderful opportunity to make some of my favourite “comfort foods.” I love comfort food not only because it’s healthy, but also because it’s delicious! As an appetizer, I put together a Caesar salad made with Lo’s special dressing made with real ingredients. Following the salad, the main dish (which I think is the star dish!) was Mammie’s (Lo’s mom) meat tomato pasta casserole with yummy cheese oozy throughout the pasta and meat (you can add as much as you want). Ragfuss got a little treat as I put a little water with the drippings of the saucepan and poured it over his food. He went nuts! Lastly, a meal is never complete without dessert. I baked my very own banana loaf based on Lo’s sister Nelz’s recipe, which I served right out of the oven. It was moist and flavourful. With just a touch of butter, it was absolutely amazing! My guests were raving about the meal all night long and were begging for seconds! You can find the recipes of these dishes on my website, and you can even submit your very own recipes! Remember, sharing recipes is as fun as making them!! Hampy cooking! http://www.hampy.ca/hampy/hampyrecipecentral.html

Time Heals All?

There is an idea behind all hurt that time will heal the wounds and the pain will ease. However, is this true, or does it just help us move forward?

Holding onto pain from emotional hurt only harms yourself. Finding something positive to set your sights on prevents emotional suicide and damage to every other relationship in your life.

Time does heal the wounds which are created by these events, but it does leave behind a scar that allow us the opportunity to reflect on it, forgive where possible and move on with our lives, hoping the next event will be happier.

If someone dies the hurt does not become “easier” just livable. It is important, no matter how hard it is to move forward and value life. Death affects all of us, and no matter how hard we try it cannot be stopped. Time cannot heal the wounds caused by death, but it can give us the opportunity to honour and value the life that has been lost.

Time never stops for us. Bad things happen, we learn from them and we can teach from our experiences. Wisdom comes from mistakes, without mistakes we never learn.

Focus on something that makes you “Hampy” and take you mind away from what drags you down. Nobody says it is easy, but it can happen.

Hampty Grampty

A new character has been created for my author’s next book. His name is Hampty Grampty and symbolizes one of Lo’s former college professor. Her reason for calling him like this because of the first day she met him in her marketing 101 class, he advised the students that his nickname was “Humpty” (due to hair loss at a young age, which he had a great sense of humour about). The association “Grampty” is his newly found role as a grandfather, and no doubt “hampy” about that. A mastering of a mix on names. Lo wanted to pay tribute to this gentleman, named Brent in real life because he believed in her talents since she was 18, continued to give her encouragement, and truth be known, really wanted to see the character she created in that first year of marketing courses come to life. So now, with his belief and Lo’s determination to follow his advice; look at me, I became famous! Trust in people, like Hampty Grampty’s belief in Lo, is something amazing that can be really helpful, don’t you think?

I am glad that I will have a new comrade in the next books. Do you think we are going to be friends or do you think he will try to steal my thunder? Truth is, there is room for all characters in life. J And what did you think about the previous blog: “the importance of true friends”? I’d really like to hear from you.

Introducing Ragfuss!

Today I’ll be talking about Ragfuss, Hampy’s dog! Hampy and Ragfuss first met when Hampy moved to the countryside. Ragfuss showed up at Hampy’s door, and he was lost, cold and wet. Hampy took him in, and let him sleep in front of the fire.

While Ragfuss was asleep, Hampy prepared a meal for both of them. He enjoyed the company of a Ragfuss. From that day, the two were great friends, and they spend a lot of time together! The great thing about Ragfuss is he’s really loyal. He’s a reflection of all the dogs that the author has had; he’s loving, kind, and as I said, loyal!

So, what do you think of Ragfuss, and his friendship with Hampy? Wasn’t Hampy really nice to take him in while he was in need? It’s great to hear such heart-warming stories like these; they really make you feel Hampy! Have you got any similar stories from your life, which you’d like to share? Post them below in the comments section, and maybe we can all help make each other feel a bit more Hampy! 

Hampy Halloween!

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween and got lots of candy! I sure did! I had to hide my bag or else Ragfuss would have gotten to it and there wouldn’t have been anymore left! This year I had a difficult time deciding what to dress up as. I had silly ideas such as a turtle, a bumblebee, a prince and even Harry Potter! But a few days before Halloween, The Wizard of Oz was playing on the television and I really enjoyed the song “If Only I had a Brain,” sung by Scarecrow; it was really catchy! In that instant, I knew what I wanted to be, Scarecrow! Check out the picture below of me in my costume! It was nice to know that in the end, he is given a brain and is considered a very sharp individual. He is even appointed to be the kin of the Wizard’s place. He is an inspiration to others that anything can happen. People shouldn’t underestimate you because of the way look or your intelligence. Everyone is unique, each in his or her own way!

Publication of Hampy book

Hey, guess what?

My author just published a book about me! It is called: “Hampy” and cost only 20$. Some of my adventures are described in it and you can learn more about me, my dog Ragfuss and Frippy bird. The book is dedicated to children between 6 and 8 but grownups can also appreciate it since the message is for any age! There are also two more coming in 2011!

Laurie and her followers are starting to make me become a celebrity!I am on Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, and many more sites, where I actually am the moderator and share thoughts and ideas about how to make this world a “Hampier” place. I’m so hoping she will bring me to the Montreal book show in the next years. Montreal is my birth place. In developing the awareness of my book “Hampy, Introducing Hampy” through social network, word of mouth, or events with the presence of the author, I could easily become as famous as “Boule et Bill”, or even Barney.

But in your opinion, which methodcould be the best solution to sell the books? Do you think Amazon.com could be a good way? Should Laurie (also known as Lo in the comic strips where I get to converse with her and also ask her for what I like) follow the traditional route of finding a publisher? So far she’s been doing it herself and I think that is really cool. She told me she learned a lot from this process. But the more help you can give her, the better. Lo believes in mentors and feedback. So, your thoughts?

Animation Today

While man's greed for bigger faster and stronger continues to fuel, technology has left our pasts to seem even more historical.

Technological advancements have a strong effect on perception and production. What seemed so real yesterday on our TV screens, can seem quite ridiculous today. Even our TV screens yesterday seem quite ridiculous in design today. So how can one tell an old story using modern day instruments? The faster our advancements are, the more challenging it becomes to revert to an older setting.

Animators try to manipulate shapes to make them seem as realistic as possible. The standard for animation productions today for kids, has become 3D. Children are not exposed to the same type of drawings we are. Although when we see older cartoons or movies they seem outdated to us, for kids that might not be the same. Their perception to media is not as experienced as ours.

It is essential to help children extend their media perception in order to understand the differences in quality, image, and use of each form of media.

Hampy tries to delivery an old school representation of the children's book through the eyes and fingertips of an extraordinary woman would like to share her experiences with us.

The drawings represent true manual art form, and help aid the authenticity of this production.

We look forward to future additions and hope many parents can see how important this book can be to help their children broaden their imagination.

Trust yourself!

If you are like Hampy, you dont like like talking in front of people... Why? Because you do not trust yourself enough. Then you have to be more self confident! Here are several types that can help you to improve this:

1/ Do not avoid people eyes! You have to look at them in the eyes. Communication is not only verbal!

2/ Try to make a profit with your fear! If you are nervous, do not panic and stay in a corner. Use it to go to talk with people, to move, to laugh. Recycle your fear!

3/Link with others. Talk with people, even if it seems hard for you, go ahead. Everyone is nervous when they have to talk with someone they dont know!

4/Dare. Dare doing things that seem impossible for you. Discover new places, have some new experiences, and you will become more able to adapt in unknown situations!

5/ Do not imitate others. You are unique, look for your own way of expressing.

6/”I am the best”, say to yourself that you are the best, that you CAN do it. Even if the positive thought do not always give results, it does not cost you anything to try.

7/ Affirm yourself. Yes, speaking low is not a sign of self-confidence. But it helps to affirm yourself. And it’s certainly more efficient than talking with your hand in front of your mouth.

8/ Stop trying to reach impossible objectives. Your lack of self confidents might come from your feeling of failure. Be realistic, cut your objectives into several small parts, it will help you to reach your goal, and be reasonable.

9/ Use your mistakes. We all make mistakes because we all are not perfect. Try to use your mistakes to move forward.While doing this, you can improve.

10/ Do sport. and try to engage people who are at the same level as you. You will enjoy the taste of victory!

Good luck to everyone guys, it is not always an easy path to find ourselves!

My Vacation!

As you all may already know, I was on vacation, traveling around and exploring! I wanted to share with you all my time at Niagara Falls. It was my first time visiting the place and it was amazing! The view of the horse-shaped falls was quite a sight from the ledge up high, but it was a beauty from below as I took a trip on the Maid of The Mist boat. I got drenched, but luckily Ragfuss wasn’t there; he wouldn’t have liked getting wet. I roamed on the street busy with attractions. I went into the Movieland Wax Museum of the Stars, The Fun House, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum. I ended the day at the Fallsview Dining Room where I enjoyed a plate of herb linguini and to top the night off, I enjoyed a slice of warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream! I stayed the night at the Sheraton on The Falls and I had the most stunning view! The bed was very comfortable and I had the best sleep in a very long time. I didn’t want to leave, but I had to come back home to Ragfuss. I missed him very much.