I spend the majority of my time hiding in a cupboard eating chips quietly, so my children don't ask for any. But for a career? I'm a momma and a comedian. Mostly in that order. [Jasmine also curates the Knockoff stand-up at the Brisbane Powerhouse every Friday]
Why do you do it?
Well, when a mommy and a daddy love each other very much... oh, comedy? Ever since I was a little girl I have spent every spare minute I have trying to make people laugh. When I was 12 my mom got me singing lessons for my birthday (I was trying to be a triple threat: acting, dancing and singing – I am currently barely a single threat). I knew my singing was so bad that I spent all the lesson just trying to make the teacher laugh. It was the first time I paid to have an audience.
What do you love about the city you live in?
Brisbane has the best weather hands down. When Brisbane gets cold it's like a beautiful Canadian summer day. Also it has the only Costco in QLD, which is the number one reason why we moved to North Lakes from Calgary. Whenever I get homesick for Canada I go to Costco in shorts and buy bulk toilet paper.
Where did you go for your last holiday?
Because my husband is Australian and I am Canadian our entire relationship has been spent going to whichever country we're not living in as a 'vacation'. And living with your extended family for a longer period of time is never a vacation. BUT at Christmas when we stopped in at Disneyland on our way back from Canada it is my ultimate happy place. I told my husband last night when I die I want to be sprinkled in Pirates of the Caribbean. I rode that ride nine times in one day.
What's your favourite item of clothing? Why?
Pyjamas because it means I'm about to go to bed and bed is my favourite thing ever. Or it means that I'm watching a terrible reality show and eating popcorn and have nothing to do. Living the dream.
What was your favourite TV show when you were a kid? (If you've got kids, what's your favourite show to watch with them?)
My favourite TV show when I was a kid was 'Bugs Bunny'. My favourite movie was 'Labyrinth' and 'Princess Bride'. I was a real '80s girl. Now the best show I watch with my sons is 'Avatar' and 'Legends Of Korra'. We also like the new 'TMNT' on Nick; we're halfway through the third season.
If you could travel back in time for a day, where would you go?
I think I would go to The Met to watch Robin Williams live taping of his special. Or a live taping of SNL when Gilda Radner was on.
If we were coming over to your place what would you cook us?
I'd probably make at least 100x more food than was necessary because my brain insists I'm my Romanian grandmother who knows that food is love. If it was winter I would make a slow-cooker roast with roasted potatoes, honey carrots, beans and homemade gravy.
I'd force you to eat the pumpkin pie (which is the food of my people that for some reason Australians haven't discovered yet) and then I would look at you expectantly because if you don't love my pumpkin pie I might glass you (Canadians are very protective of their pie cred). If it was summer I would get some steak and salad and spend the whole time complaining that it's too, damn hot to eat and then try to eat some ice cream before it melts and my sweat mixes with my tears.
What's the best lesson you've ever learned?
Failure is the only way to get better. Keith Johnstone and Dennis Cahill at Loose Moose Theatre tried to teach that to me 20 years ago, but it's only just sunk in.
Tell us one thing about yourself that nobody else knows.....
Sometimes when my sons aren't home I go up into their rooms and hug the stuffies [sic] that they have slept with since they were babies. Don't tell anyone you'll ruin my rep!
Are you happy with your work/ life balance?
I'm happier than I've ever been with my work/ life balance. I feel like 36 is a great time because I'm too old to care about most dumb things, but I'm still young enough to care about the important, dumb things. I am home for my boys every day before and after school and then when I'm out at night they get some fun Daddy-time and I get to be doing something just for me that I love.
How do you define success?
I'm privileged, so I get to say happiness.
What's your spirit animal?
It's got to be a black bear. They're fairly solitary animals who are fiercely protective of their babies and spend a lot of time eating, so they can sleep through the winter. #lifegoals
