Merry Happy Ho Ho Ho y'all!

Hey all. (quick disclaimer - I do not own any of the pictures used in this post. I found them on the net.)


Well, it hasn't been the best year for blogging for me. Hell, it hasn't been the best year for me period.


My dad, at the beginning of the year, said that 2008 was going to be a bad year. And boy was it ever! I mean, some good things did come out of it - I got published, I'm still ALIVE, friends had babies, weddings are being planned - but overall...sigh.


I refuse to recount the disasters that occurred, because frankly, I think dwelling on the negative encourages it to return. So, instead, I'll just make this entry my wishes for you this year.



I wish you love. It doesn't get simpler than that. I know that everyone reading this blog has someone in their lives that they adore more than life, whether it be a significant other, a child, a parent or a friend. Don't dwell on the love you lack - embrace the love you have. Once you do that, then the rest doesn't matter.

I wish you friendship. True friendship, that doesn't judge, that doesn't waver, that doesn't fade. I know that we are all friends here, and yes, I would say that we are true friends, despite having never met in person. But I know that I can count on y'all to be here to listen and to give advice when I need it. From the very day I "met" you, it's been a no brainer. I wish our type of friendship for you in every avenue of your lives.


I wish you peace. There is too much violence in this world. I truly hope that none of it spills over into your lives. For those that have family and friends serving abroad, I wish for peace so that they may never have to endanger their lives again. In your homes, I hope that angry words never have to be spoken in haste, but that emotions stay in control.



I wish you happiness. As with violence, too much sadness exists. Most can be explained by circumstances, but some is man inflicting it upon man. For you, my friends, I wish that it never touches your lives. Laugh every day and remember that you are loved and adored. Every day you wake up is another reason to smile.


I wish you truth. Lies are terrible and can cause sadness. So I wish for you that every person you meet has the courage to tell you the truth, and you to them, no matter how painful, no matter what the cost.


I wish you health, both physical and mental. Above all else, this is so very necessary for a wonderful quality of life. I've learned that this year. So please, take care of yourselves. Eat right (indulge a little every now and then - after all, we are only human), exersize, and remember to enjoy.






I wish you compassion. So many people in this world have less than we do. If we did one random act of kindness for one person a day, whether that person is a stranger or a friend, imagine what this world could be.




I wish you hope. Never give up. As long as we can have hope, there is still good in this world.


And lastly, I wish you family. They will always be there for you, they will always love you. They are your safe haven, they are your support.





May 2009 be a better year for all of us than 2008. To all my friends, I wish all this for you.



I love you.








Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

HIIIIIIIII

Ok I know.

Bad Angell. *hangs head in shame*

Life is hectic, but it's also been exhausting. Frankly, I've been too lazy to be creative lately, which is no excuse for not at least letting y'all know that I'm still alive.

So - I'm alive.

I've got a lot on my mind these days, and I think that here might be the only place where people understand, cuz God only knows my family doesn't. Neither do most of my friends.

Since the heart attack, I've been taking stock of my life. Which is to be expected right? Of course it is. But I've come to some realizations. One of which is that I have always had someone to take care of me. If it wasn't my parents or grandparents, it's been a boyfriend or my husband. And while people have assured me that there's nothing wrong with being taken care of, I feel useless. I have this urge to know if I can do it myself.

I feel like I need to know if I have what it takes to do it alone - so to speak.

Rod & I have discussed separation. It's no big secret that neither of us has been ecstatic with the way our lives have been going the last five years. We've been growing further apart, and fighting all the time. But it's not that I love him any less, at least I don't think that's it. I just think our circumstances have dictated the way things have gone, and we've allowed that.

Now it's time to break out of it. But I think I need to do it by myself. I mean, I want to live in the city, not spend my whole life in the suburbs. I know that I would need a roommate, for more than one reason. One - because I'm not a millionaire, and rent is expensive no matter where you go. Two - I would be terrified to live totally on my own, because Three - I have a heart condition.

But a roommate would be just that - a roommate. It's not mommy and daddy. It's not someone taking care of me. It's just someone there in case something goes wrong. And yeah, it would be nice to live with a friend (or two if that's how it goes). And I think Rod & I might be able to build US back up. Starting again. Getting to know each other as the people we are NOW. Because we've both changed. Maybe, after getting to know who we are, we might realize that we don't fit anymore. Or maybe we'll find out that the people we were before aren't as dead as we thought, and that we still fit.

It's hard. My whole life I've taken the easy way out of everything. Quit school when it got to be too hard. Working for family because it was easier than getting a real job. Stayed with mommy and daddy because getting our own place meant less money to spend on ourselves.

And while working at the relationship would be work, it would be easier to stay and do that than to move out and work on myself.

Because most days, I don't like who I see in the mirror.

I spoke with my mom on this. She told me "Do you think that life will be easier without him?" And I wanted to scream at her "NO. Life will NOT be easier without Rod. It'll be HELL, but something's gotta give. " I know that life without him will suck for a while. But how can I ever respect myself if I don't do something that will challenge me? I've given up on a lot of dreams. I've tossed them aside because it was the easy thing to do.

Most people in my life, at one time or another, have called me a spoiled princess who knows nothing about how REAL life works.

Maybe I am. And if so, how can I ever contribute anything worthwhile to this world, or the people in my life, if I don't change? How can I ever truly make Rod happy if I'm not happy myself?

I'm lost right now. I don't know who I am, or what my purpose is. But I want to. I need to. I've been struggling with these thoughts for six months now.

Sometimes you have to get lost in order to find yourself again. And sometimes, like Dorothy, you find that happiness lies in your own backyard.

But she still got to see Oz.

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

Just a thought....

When every song you hear causes you to burst into tears in depression, confusion and lonliness....it's time for therapy.

Which would y'all recommend?

*retail therapy
*medical therapy
*mental therapy
*alcohol



Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

Wordless Wednesday - Nuff said....

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

Dona Nobis Pacem

Only Starlight

How beautiful is this day,

when everything familiar has changed

A crash is only thunder,

a spray only rain

No need to take shelter,

there's no threat of pain

How beautiful is this evening,

when time is not on my mind

The cage has blown open,

the wires unwind

No need to take shelter,

no reason to cry

Chorus
Holding on to the moment,

when I can finally breathe

Fighting for this daydream,

when I wake up in peace

How beautiful is this night,

when nothing else pierces the sky

There's only starlight

and the moon

No need to take shelter,

there's nothing to fight

How perfect is this night,

when the only sound alive

The whisper of a lover,

a baby's sigh

No need to take shelter,

no reason to hide

Chorus
Holding on to the moment,

when I can finally breathe

Fighting for this daydream,

when I wake up in peace

How precious is this morning,

when the iron wall has gone

I'm finally breathing,

a quiet unknown

No need to take shelter,

I'm finally home

I'm finally home,

the nightmare is over

I'm finally home

©2003 SOCAN (by Sara Marlowe)

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Feeling a little claustrophobic today....a little on edge....and a whole lot fenced in....

Wish I knew why...

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

ACK - three weeks since I've posted.....????

WoW. Sorry about that guys ....

*Pfft, like anyone actually reads this anyway? You've got an ego if you think that anyone missed you*

Shit. Seems like some of the voices from the Couch have made their way over here. VINNY - keep your voices in your head ok? I've got enough of my own. Right now they're all on vacation in Maui. LMAO.

Seriously guys, life has been handing me a shitload of crap, and it's been difficult to read most of your blogs, let alone comment. Same goes for email.

My mind's been seriously distracted lately. And I wish I could get into the why's and how's of it all, but suffice to say, it's been putting me in a place where I don't want to be. In a mindset I hate being in. But the pull of this is so strong that sometimes the effort to fight it isn't worth it, and I just give in to the melancholy and depression.

I'm going to be going to a councellor soon. I need to deal with the heart attack and the effect it has had on my life and my family and friends lives as well. Because while I hate being this way, THEY have to deal with ME. And there are days it's not a pretty picture. The world is going to hell in a handbasket, and there's no one to stop it.

I've tried to escape into writing, but the themes always wind up the same. It's so redundant and tedious that I had to stop doing that too for awhile. Slowly but surely I'm trying to get back into it though.

Which leads me to the only good news of this post that I can find. Tomorrow, November 1 2008, I will officially be a published author.

My short story is in the new erotic anthology titled FRENZY, from CLeis press. I write under the name Angell Brooks. And that is a reason to be EXCITED!!!!! (Psst - you can click thru to order it on Amazon.com *giggle* plug plug plug)

On another note, just when you feel that life has given you nothing to smile about, you see Animal driving down the street. This was on Sympatico's homepage this morning.





Police baffled at speed-driving Muppet


There’s driving like an animal, and there’s driving like an Animal. And police in Bayreuth, Bavaria are scratching their heads over someone doing the latter.

Animal from The Muppet Show has repeatedly been spotted speeding in an Audi with British licence plates, reports Ninemsn.com.au. Well, kind of.

Since Bavarian speed cameras are trained to zoom in on left-hand drive cars, and the British vehicle is a right-hand drive one, pictures show what appears to be the grinning plush toy of the frenetic drummer careening down city streets.

Upon examining the photos, a British newspaper suspects the smirking stuffed toy could also be Grover or Ernie from Sesame Street.

“Because this is a British vehicle, we can never get a decent picture," an officer told The Daily Star.

"The driver has obviously worked this out because he has placed a large puppet in the passenger seat. This may be an example of the famous British sense of humour, but it is still dangerous driving.”

Police have released the picture in efforts to locate the still-unidentified driver. The car was captured doing 155 km/h in a maximum 120 km/h zone.

Under German law, licence plates don’t carry enough information to prosecute the driver.

This all makes me wonder what’s next: will Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem be busted for trashing their hotel room? Or will the Sweedish Chef be caught in a dirty dining scandal?



Now, knowing that things like that still exist in this world, is a great reason for getting out of bed.

Seeing as it's Hallowe'en, I should be doing something fun tonight, but since we didn't bother making plans ahead of time, and Rod's not the type for last minute spontinaety (see, doesn't happen at all and I can't even spell it), I'm going to be spending tonight watching the newest episode of Ghost Whisperer, cursing Jennifer Love Hewitt's gorgeous curves and amazing wardrobe, and pigging out on all the leftover candy (and yes I know it's not good for me but tttthhhpppttttt. And that's that). Oh yeah, and wishing I was somewhere FUN. Like the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

For all y'all who are taking the chicklets and (what's our male version of chicklet) boys? out tonight, stay safe, watch out for flying spaghetti monsters, and don't eat all the candy!!

HAPPY HALLOWE'EN GUYS!!!

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

Wordless Wednesday: One picture's worth a thousand words

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

Walking for a Cure

Hey all.

This weekend marks the fourth year in a row that I will be doing the 5km CIBC Run for the Cure for Breast Cancer Research.

I'm not pandering for donations. BUT, if you wanted to donate online, they are REAL quick with the tax receipt. LOL.

Here's the link below - no expectations, no strings.

And if you have someone you'd like me to walk for, let me know and I'll put the name on my card or t-shirt (depending on how early I get up and get there to do the t-shirt LOL).


https://www.cibcrunforthecure.com/html/personal_page.asp?track=3112974&languageid=1


Thanks everyone. :D


Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

Ten years - my how time flies.

Well, my lovelies, today marks the tenth anniversary of the day I said "I do." For awhile there, we both never thought we'd make it to this date.

Did I ever tell you guys how we met?

Well, I had been out of a relationship with my ex Rick, for about five months. I wasn't interested in actually finding a boyfriend. I just wanted to play the field. I was dating two guys - one named Dave and the other named Steve - and having the time of my life.

In order to combat boredom, I used to call the party lines, and lie about myself. Like I used to say that I was five ten, and I had black hair and green eyes. You know, stuff like that, cuz I never had any intention of meeting any of these guys IRL.

Well, one night at the beginning of May 1996, I called the party line, and for some reason, decided to just be honest for once in my life. I left my description as curvy, five four, and the penchant for drinking beer straight from the bottle.

Well, I got more messages left for me that night than I had ever experienced. I guess sometimes men DO want the truth. I went under the name Angell (of course) and hubby was going under Hot Rod, which was a plus in my opinion, being that one of my favourite wrestlers was Rowdy Roddy Piper. We "danced" a little, and then got off the party line and spoke for four hours. Turns out his name WAS Rod...and he was a wrestling fanatic, loved hockey, and country music.

He told me that he was only a year older than me, but his deep baritone voice made me doubt that. And he asked if we could meet in person. I hemmed and hawed, but in the end decided that a third guy wouldn't be a bad thing. So I told him where to meet me the next night after his shift. I chose karaoke, because all my friends would be around, and, as always, there's safety in numbers. He told me what he would be wearing, and I told him what I'd be in.

I took great pains with my appearance that night. I straightened my hair, dressed in the lowest cut top I could find (I had less weight on me back then than I do now), and was all ready to be disappointed anyway. LOL. He worked nights, so I had all night to watch the door, and all night to be nervous. Around midnight he walked in, and I was able to spot him right away. I passed by him four or five times - you know, to check him out - before he found out who I was. And the way that happened was he heard my name being announced for karaoke.

After my song (12 years later I don't remember which one it was), I approached him, and we walked over to a table. When we sat down, the first words out of his mouth were "You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Wanna go to Vegas?"

Well, we didn't go to Vegas, but around our one year anniversary, we decided to move in together. The pic below was taken at his 25th birthday party.




And on September 26, 1998 - we said I DO (sorry this entry is being typed from work so no pics - I had the above one stored on Facebook).


As all marriages do, we've gone through our ups and downs (lots of downs I can't kid you on that), but we made it.


And here's hoping for another ten (I don't dare hope past that LOL).


HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SWEETHEART!


Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

I know, I know....

Long time between updates. But it's been a little weird getting used to my new hours at work. For the first time in a LONG time, I'm putting in nine hour days in the office, and that's not including the hour or so I'm in there before my official "clock in" time. Rod's new job is working for another company in the same building, but he starts a half hour before I do, so we drive in together, which is great, but it means I'm up at six. For someone who's been sleeping in for the past four months, it's hard to get used to. But I'm doing it.

I did manage to get in one summer concert before the official closing of my "summer home" (aka The Molson Amphitheatre). It was a lethal 80's combo of Cheap Trick, Heart and Journey, complete with their new lead singer. It was incredible!! Both openers I didn't actually get to see, but I could hear them as clearly as if I was standing in front of the stage. Those Wilson sisters can still rock it out!!! Here's a clip from the show (doesn't do her justice but still sounds fantastic).



And then JOURNEY came on, and my supervisor knew I've been dying to see them my whole life, so she cut me early and let me go in. An old co-worker of mine came to see us and he decided to join me. So we each grabbed a beer, found a spot at the back of the lawns (and I mean at the very back - it was a sold out show - sixteen thousand strong), and enjoyed a kick ass show!!! This lead singer, Arnel Pineda, COMPLETELY KILLED! He's so damn talented, and very cute too. At least he's got the long hair and leather going for him. XP Check it out.



As for getting back to the rest of work, I'm taking it slow, and will probably only make it out regularly when hockey starts at the beginning of October. Which means I've missed out on the TIFF shifts (Toronto International Film Festival), but I can live vicariously through my friends Bhavna and Meaghan who went celebrity stalking this week, and managed to score close ups of Brad Pitt, Ben Barnes, Ralph Fiennes, Viggo Mortensen, and a few others that have yet to be posted or bragged about due to lack of sleep from stalking. LOL. I would have been stalking Jim Sturgess (yes, from Across the Universe, this hottie here).


fdlka;jf;kldajf;ofair

Oops, sorry. Got drool all over the keyboard. :P

I have been keeping up with blogs, but not necessarily commenting. Mainly because I've been reading them on my lunch break at work and clandestinely (is that even a word?) between phone calls when my boss isn't looking. Glad that everyone is still alive....I mean, you'd tell me if you weren 't right?

Oh dear....that was a bad joke....quick, someone toss me a cow, or some form of a muse....amusement would be nice....

*stifles groan*

Ok, ok! I'm going to bed now.

NIGHT NIGHT FROGGY.




Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

New Layout

And yes.

I know.

I need help.



Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

I'm in LOOOOOVE....

and once again, I know y'all are saying "What else is new?" and "Who now?"

Well, the WHO isn't just one person, it's a whole cast.

The WHAT, is the beautiful, charming, wonderfully insightful and incredibly produced movie, AND the music that goes with it.

I am in love with The Beatles, and Across the Universe.

On Saturday, I watched this movie for the first time. I had every intention of seeing it on the big screen, but I've found that when it comes to going to the movies, Rod would rather go to see the action flicks rather than a musical (read: chick flick). It's a good thing I didn't drag him to the movies to see it though, because he HATED it. I can't remember the last time he thought that a movie was such a colossal waste of time.

I, on the other hand, fell deeply in love, once again, with the music of the Beatles, and with the visionary behind this - Ms. Julie Taymor.

I came to know of Ms. Taymor through her work on stage - The Lion King being the most fabulous of these pieces. When I heard that she was the one responsible for this masterpiece, I knew I would love it, sight unseen.

The acting is brilliant, with performances by relative unknowns in their field. The vocals are ... well, there are no words. If I had to try and find one, it would be sigh-worthy. The story is different, but familiar, and of course, the music is nothing short of brilliant.



I was ten minutes into the film, when I turned to Rod and said "We can stop watching it if you want to. I'm buying it." But, being the sweetheart that he is, he suffered through the whole thing.

I am listening to the Beatles, singing the Beatles and crying when there's absolutely no need for it during the songs.


GO RENT THIS FILM. Seriously. And you'll fall in love too.

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

Untitled (as of now...)

I came here to be alone.
I’m not.

I can’t be, for alone is freedom, and that doesn’t exist.

Thoughts of you sing in my head
Rampage through my blood
You taunt my senses with your caress
Tease my soul with memories
imprint yourself in my eyes
so that everywhere I look
I see what we were

I came here to be alone
to be free.
So naïve to think
I ever could be again.


©Angell 2008


Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

AAAAND I'm back

And I'm all better!

Well, at least both blockages are gone. YAY for cardiologists - especially cute ones!!

Surgery was a bit of a nightmare. Doc wanted to go in through my right wrist rather than my groin because they went in through my right groin the first time (during the heart attack - no mincing around with trying to find wide enough veins at that time!). So they gave me a local - they want you awake through the procedure - so I wouldn't feel the incision, and then fed the catheter up the vein they were attempting to use.

I had been warned ahead of time that at some point I would feel like the "site" was burning, but that it would only last for about thirty seconds or so.

THANK BLOODY GOD, cuz let me tell you, it's excruciating.

And just to show that SOMEONE up there has a sense of humor (I really think it's my friend Ruth), at the exact time that my arm felt like it would explode into flames, Bruce Springsteen comes on the radio playing in the OR, singing "Oooh oh oh, I'm on fire."

Well, I couldn't help but laugh - and I'm sure that must have been a first for Doc, a patient going through an angioplasty LAUGHING on the table - and it totally confused them all. When they asked why I was laughing, I had to explain it to them. They got a good chuckle in as well.

But I wasn't laughing for long as it turns out that the artery simply wasn't wide enough to accomodate the balloon with the catheter, and they had to remove it. Going in through the left groin was the other option...

BUT....

I had to wait as an emergency came in and Doc was called to operate. So I had an hour to sleep before I was able to go in again. It went by very quickly, and having gone through the whole arm ordeal, I figured I would be prepared for when the dye got injected into my groin. Well, no one mentioned that the whole core of my body would feel like it was on fire!! I thought I wet myself for a second. Holy hell in a handbasket!!

Once the angioplasty was done - and it was painful - they inserted a collagen plug into the incision and applied pressure in order to allow it to spread. THEN, once again, I spent three hours with my leg totally straight. Wasn't allowed to bend it, and as for going to the bathroom - get the bedpan. Which I hate. They aren't pleasant.

Anyway, it's been four days and I feel tired, but knowing that no more blockages exist is a blessing. However, the bad news is that it's completely possible that my condition will keep me off roller coasters the rest of my life, which depresses the hell out of me, cuz anyone who knows me knows I love my roller coasters. But Doc says there's a possibility it might not. So we'll just have to see what the future holds.

So...I'm back. With a sunnier outlook and a better heart. And who could ask for more?


Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

So much going on

Hey gang. I know it's been at least a week since my last post. Things have been so overly hectic around here. Life has not been good in some ways.

Last Sunday, Rod's Uncle John passed away from a rare disease that turns out to be a cousin of Mad Cow. He'd been degenerating since February, but we weren't told to the degree, and they didn't know until two weeks ago what it was. His daughter had such a hard time with John's doctor - he was a total prick, telling her that he didn't have time to get John an appointment with the neurologist and throwing the papers at Heather - "You do it." he said. He made her do everything to help her father, while he did absolutely nothing except tell her to do his job for him. I was horrified when I heard that. It was only thanks to her hard work, and her research that they were able to figure out what was going on. He was initially diagnosed with dementia, (he had trouble remembering his pin numbers for his bank accounts and the answering machine, and who was around) and when the medications he was prescribed for that started making him WORSE, the doctor told her to up the dosage.

That was all.

Rod was devestated. When his father died, John was the role model/father figure that Rod had left in his life. My mother in law was a wreck, as John was her older brother, and always her rock. It was a hard, HARD week. And then we found out that John's "girlfriend" managed to appropriate $5000 from his bank account by taking him into the bank, feeding him the line that he forgot his pin number, and then taking his new pin and removing the money from it. There was no money in his account for his funeral because of this selfish bitch, and it had to be borrowed.

Rod and I have been fighting for the last three days on and off. I'm preoccupied with going into the hospital on Monday for my second angioplasty, and he starts a new job on the same day (which is tomorrow - DUH - I'm so spacey). They're going in through my right wrist this time, and it's making me so nervous - I mean, what if they fuck up? My writing is everything to me. I don't know how I'd survive if I couldn't. Verbally expressing myself is not my strong suit, unless I've properly prepared first.

And now I'm nervous - because I'm late.

It's the first time I've said it aloud since I realized it, and I haven't even mentioned it to Rod. Because I don't know how he's going to react. And I know I don't want to be right now - I'm not healthy enough. Forget the finances. Health wise - pregnancy might kill me. And I'm not saintly enough to say that the baby would come first in a dire situation. I'm not ready to die - not by any means. There's still so much to do in life y'know?

Since I've been off the pill, I've had really screwy cycles. So it could be stress induced. It could just be that I've forgotten when my cycle started last month (I thought I remembered, but now I'm not sure).

EDITED TO ADD: False alarm according to the test. WHEW. Now back to regularly scheduled ramblings.

So to say I'm going CRAZY is an understatement. Hopefully my recovery period from the angioplasty won't be too long and I can then GET BACK TO WORK. Cuz so far this is the shittiest summer EVER.

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

Who am I? Amy Winehouse?

I've been tagged! Go on....save yourselves....LOL. Kidding. It's been awhile since I have been blessed by Queen Mimi, and I took enormouse amounts of (self provided) pleasure in completing this wonderful *sigh* NEEDS meme.

The rules: All you have to do is Google your first name with the word needs behind it and post the results.

(I actually used my real name on this one.)

1. Andrea needs help finding stalker songs (yeah, my list is SOOOO 2001)

2. Andrea needs a profession in which she can express her inventive and idealistic side (Well DUH)

3. Andrea needs to read her Emily Post (cuz apparently my manners suck)

4. Andrea needs a brush (Ok, y'all seen my hair - does it LOOK like i can get a brush through it?)

5. Andrea needs treatment, not a death sentence (this one's a quote from my therapist...)

6. Andrea needs me close to her heart (welllll.....depends, are ya cute?)

7. Andrea needs all her wits and all the help she can get from the company's attractive operations manager to find and stop the perpetrators. (this makes my job sound a lot more fun than it actually is)

8. Andrea needs to take her game to a whole new level (yeah, cuz I can barely get past the first one )

9. Andrea needs a cute boytoy. (or two or three...)

10. Andrea needs to go into detox. (who am I? Amy winehouse?)


I would tag people, but I'm sure that Mimi's got everyone covered. On the off chance you weren't hit during her tagging spree, consider yourself tagged.

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

Seven Songs Meme - snagged from Trav (snogs to ya babes)

Ok, so not having a clue about what to write these days (as obvious since my last post was two weeks ago), I saw this wonderful little meme over at Trav's house, and thought I'd grab it for myself. So here it is. It's quite simple really.

List seven songs you are into right now.
Post these instructions.
Tag seven others.

Well, let's just open the Recently Played list on my iTunes and see what comes up.

1. Lips of an Angel - Hinder (LOOOOOVE this song)
2. Iris - GooGoo Dolls
3. I Kissed A Girl - Katy Perry
4. End of the Innocence - Don Henley
5. Under Pressure - Queen
6. Who Wants to Live Forever? - Queen
7. Boats to Build - Jimmy Buffet


Ok...let's see...hrm - tag seven others huh? Well, let's tag Dayle, Dana, Paul, Glinda, Anndi, Turnbaby, and Jules!!

(Now to see if they're all reading - tee hee)

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesdays - me with a couple of...um...Things

(I look like crap - wasn't posed because Thing 1 burped in my ear just as the pic was being taken. But still very amusing)

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

Happy Birthday Canada!!

Not a lot to say on today - our Nation's birthday.


EXCEPT.....

We up here in the great white north have a LOT to be proud of. For instance....


1. Smarties, Crispy Crunch and Coffee Crisp!
2. Shreddies, Clamato and Maple Syrup!
3. Canadian Beer, Rye and Pure Water!
4. Beef, Salmon and Lobster!
5. Apple Pie and Superman…by a Canadian!
6. Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe and Elvis…Stojko that is!
7. Guess Who, Tragically Hip and The Emeralds!
8. Celine Dion, Shania Twain and Amanda Marshall!
9. Michael J. Fox, Leslie Nielsen and Pamela Anderson!
10. The originators of Baseball, Basketball, Lacrosse, Hockey and Ringette!
11. Grey Cups have been around for 90 years with bigger balls,bigger fields and one less down!
12. Mr. Dress Up kicked Mr. Rogers' ass!
13. Tim Hortons kicks Dunkin' Doughnuts and Krispy Kremes' ass!
14. Our cival war was a bar fight that lasted a little over an hour!
15. Toques are cool!
16. We knew plaid was in far before Seattle caught on!
17. The Hudsons Bay Company once owned over 10% of the earth's surface and is still around as the world's oldest company!
18. The average dog sled team can kill and devour a full grown human in under 3 minutes!
19. We invented ski-doos, jet-skis, velcro, zippers, insulin, penicillin, zambonis, the telephone and short wave radios that save countless lives each year!
20. We all have frozen our tongues to something metal and lived to tell about it!

But most Important…

21. The handles on our beer cases are big enough to fit your hands with mitts on…OOOOO'Canada!


I will also add: Bob & Doug Mackenzie, SCTV, the greatest hockey rivalry in the WORLD (Leafs v. Canadians), Jim Carrey, Jeff Healey, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Hollywood North and WORLD HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS OUT THE WAAAAAAAAZOOO!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA!!

Edited to add: WHOOOOOOOPS. I did this last night so I was exhausted. Thank you to Dayle for pointing out that I was remiss in neglecting to mention these two incredible music acts that definately define Canada!!

RUSH

My baby - LAWRENCE GOWAN (but you can call him Larry!!)

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

Summer Breeze, makes me feel fine...

Well kiddies - it's officially summertime. And in my house, that means loading up the iPod or CD player with ALL Jimmy Buffet, and loading up the blender with Margaritas!!

Of course, for me, the main ingredient - tequila - is a mainstay all year round, but it's never more prevailant than in the hot summer sun.

So, when MSN decided to link to this wonderful article on today's homepage, I figured I would educate those NOT in the know about the many levels of tequila. So, pour yourself a cold one, lean back in the hammock, listen to the soothing steel drums on Jimmy's latest album, and learn about the wonders of this heavenly alcohol.

Taste Tequila

There's no time like the present to re-taste one of the year's most stylish spirits.

When it comes to tequila, most of us have some pretty fun (read crazy) memories. Unfortunately, the mere mention of the spirit usually sparks at least a few grimaces amongst friends. There are more tequila-induced Mexican-holiday-gone-wrong stories, never mind fraternity party mayhem, than most of us care to know about, or remember. But if any of the above resonates with you, keep reading, because if you haven't heard, tequila is making a serious comeback.

From Hollywood to Cannes, tequila is quickly becoming the spirit of the stars. To start off with, tequila comes in all styles and flavours; from the fresh and clean aromas, to the rich and complex tastes, tequila can be utterly delicious. So whether you're looking for a shooter or a sipper, get to know tequila once more, and start sipping in style.

Tequila History

Tequila was first produced in the 16th century and still finds its home in the Jalisco region of Mexico. The spirit is made from blue agave (pronounced ah-gav-eh), a cactus looking plant that is actually a member of the lily family. With soft blue hues and spidery arms, blue agave can take up to 12 years to mature. Once matured, the heart, or piña, is harvested, slow-cooked (to convert its starch to sugar), and then cut up and crushed to produce "agua miel", or honey water. Following fermentation, the alcohol is double distilled in a process similar to other fine spirits.

Tequila Styles

There are two types of tequila – 100% blue agave, and mixto. To display 100% blue agave on the label, regulations require that the tequila be distilled entirely from the fermented juice of the agave. Otherwise, for the mixto styles, the tequila contains as little as 51% agave juice, with a balance of other sugars and water.

Blanco or Plato (White/Silver)
This is an un-aged white tequila that has spent a minimum of 14 days in stainless steel tanks. As the name suggests, this tequila style is light and refreshing and often used for margaritas and mixed drinks
To try: Sauza Silver, Herradura El Jimador Silver

Oro (Gold)
Oro tequila is a combination of two ingredients: either blanco tequila blended with aged tequila, or blanco tequila with additional caramel so as to resemble the aged style. Smooth and a little bit sweet, this gold tequila is often used for shooters.

To try: Sauza Gold, Cuervo Especial Gold

Reposado (Rested)
Reposado tequila must be aged in oak barrels for a minimum of two months, although many are aged for up to 12 months in oak. A fresh taste accented with oak makes this a complex tequila great for sipping or in premium cocktails and margaritas.

To try: Cazadores Reposado, Patron Reposado

Añejo (Aged)
Añejo, pronounced ah-nyay-ho, is the "older" tequila which has been aged in small oak casks for a minimum of one year. Destined for sipping, this tequila shines with notes of caramel and light spice. Like a fine cognac, savour this tequila in a snifter glass.

To try: Sauza Tres Generaciones Anejo


Cool Cocktail

The Paloma

1 part Hornitos Reposado Tequila
½ part fresh grapefruit juice
¾ parts tonic
Squeeze of lime wedge

Simply fill a glass with ice, add ingredients and stir. Garnish with a twist of lime.


Whether you choose to enjoy tequila on its own or in a cocktail, hopefully this info gets you talking, and tasting, tequila once more.



Hey barkeep! Keep 'em coming! I'm ready to waste away...AGAIN.

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY - my favourite dads

Dad, Mom & nephew Ryan in front of Cinderella's Castle in Disney last August.

Dad, Ryan, my bro Jay (Ryan's dad) and my hubby Rod (not yet a dad but will be an awesome one) resting up from walking miles and miles through Mickey's Kingdom

Awwww - ain't it cute? Jay, Dad and Rod having a "moment" at lunch.

My grandparents with Ryan (and mom trying to duck out of the way) at the mall. Papa is 86 and just as stubborn as he was when he was half that age.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY Y'ALL!!!

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

Dona Nobis Pacem

Don't know why everything came out so blurry. I tried to fix it, but alas, was not able to. The quote says

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."

- Jimi Hendrix

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

Obsess much?

Ok, I'll admit it. Freely and without shame. I am obsessed.

I am obsessed with Pirates of the Caribbean.

I have watched the third installment, At Worlds End, at least four times in the last week - start to finish, front to back, and in one case, back to front.

I can probably recite Curse of the Black Pearl for you verbatim. I'm working on memorizing the other two. Rest assured if I had the money to, I'd be camped out at Disney's Castaway Cay for the next six months whilst I memorized every inch of the Flying Dutchman.

I have dreams where I am as beautiful as Kiera Knightly and I am the lucky girl who won the role of Elizabeth Swann. The incredibly lucky girl who gets to make out with BOTH of these delicious, mouth watering, wet dream inducing wonders of nature.

What woman in her right mind would turn THAT down? Certainly not me. However, we all know that I am no Keira Knightly, and I'm not ever going to have the chance to star opposite those amazingly sculpted Gods of the Seas.

So I keep watching, and I keep dreaming. What harm could this MINOR obsession cause? None right?

You keep telling yourself that luv....

Umm.. Just ignore the the voices....I try to....

I think I'll make my next movie party one with a pirates and wenches theme. All three movies - one blissful night.

On second thought - maybe I should make that my next Saturday alone. After all....who wants to share?

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

Still under house arrest

Ok, so that's not completely true. I am ALLOWED to leave the house - I'm just not allowed to do it alone. And legally, I still can't drive until I'm cleared by my cardiologist. At least that's the way I understand it. So, here I sit - surfing, watching tv, and doing light housework until my stress test on June 2. Hardly anyone calls, and no one stops by. I get emails. But that's about it.

I'M BORED. I'm so bored my brain has atrophied into zilch-ness. I read blogs (and I HAVE been reading them guys), but I don't comment. And sometimes the content doesn't even register in my head. I'm going stir crazy, and I can't even come up with a creative sentence or two to describe THAT. I have four stories on the go, including one that I was challenged to by my editor, and I haven't made headway on a single one.

I can't do any heavy lifting, so that leaves out laundry and most housework. I can't walk on my own in case I experience chest pains - at least until MY STRESS TEST. This is what's going to kill me - the stress BEFORE the stress test. And that test is going to take five FREAKING HOURS. I hope to God they're not expecting me to stay on the treadmill that long. I just did an exersize stress test for my cardiac wellness program yesterday and I was only able to stay on it 8 minutes. Of course, they increase the speed and incline every 20 seconds, so that makes it a bit different from my treadmill here at home. Plus I was in lousy shape before this attack occurred.

Of course, it's all for my health, and I realize that. But I didn't realize that having so much time on my hands was going to be so boring. You know we all have those days when we're sitting at our desk at work, and we think of a dozen things at home that need to be done that we could be doing instead of being at work. I had those days often. Now I have been home all this time, and only two of the projects I've been wanting to do got done because of the limitations on my movement. So once I get back to work, I'm going to have more of those moments, and it's going to drive me batty.

I'm also thinking of quitting my job. Not my security job - which I love more than any other job I've ever had before - but the boring day job. Truth of the matter is, it's not paying enough for me to invest in my future, and I need to be somewhere I can move up in the company. Right now, there is nowhere for me to go. So I started thinking of where I'd want to go with my life, and all I can think is that I want to TRAVEL. My best friend is the same age I am, but has been with her company for ten years. She is single, she owns her own car, and now her own condo, and she's been halfway around the world and back again. Currently, the biatch is in Poland, after being in Scotland. (And I say biatch with all the love in the world - we've been BFF's since we were five). I should have followed her lead in high school - not worry so much about being popular and instead go to class. SIGH. Ah well, hind sight is always 20/20 ain't it?

I think I might have gone overboard on my sleeping pills last night - I don't think I needed the two that I took. One probably would have been sufficient. But I'm not sleeping - especially since I've had to give up weed. My brain never shuts down, and I'm always thinking. Most nights it's 2am and I'm still staring at the clock. So I took two pills cuz I didn't sleep the night before. Now I'm completely groggy and it's taking forever to write this entry.

I should probably lie down.

Until later kiddies. MWAH - giant smooches and snogs. Love you all.

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

Fishnets and corsets and muscles....OH MY

WARNING: Contains adult content. Paul, I have to apologize now honey.

This is a clip of The Rocky Horror Show from CanStage's production last year. The guy playing the lead is a wonderful actor named Adam Brazier. Adam and I worked together - so to speak - when he was appearing as Skye in Mamma Mia at the Royal Alex many moons ago (seems like a lifetime). I know that Tim Curry is the original Frank and that NO ONE can do it better than him, but this guy is sexay HOT in his fishnets and corset. This is Tim's signature song - Sweet Transvestite. It's the second best version I've ever heard - Tim's being the first (and Paul, honey, that's why I had to apologize. LOL).



Ladies, get out the drool bib....

ENJOY!!!!

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

AARRRGGGHHH - again....

Don't know if everyone else is going through this or not, but Hotmail is having serious problems y'all, so I can't get to your messages.

*grumble grumble*

That sucks when you're at home and you're secondary form of entertainment is your email.

On a more interesting note, I had THE MOST wonderful and bizarre dream about myself and Monsieur Hicks last night (sorry Dana baby - you weren't there). I shall attempt to reconstruct and recount if possible.

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

You never expect it to happen to you

Well, all the warning signs were there. My weight was up, my cholesterol levels were ridiculously high, and my activity was non-existant.

So it should have come as no surprise when on Monday morning, my left jaw and left chest were in a lot of pain. I thought it would just go away and proceeded to get ready for work, as I always do. My cousin knocked on the door, and off we went. All the while, the pain hadn't abated, and it certainly hadn't left. I mumbled to her something along the lines of getting the paramedics to check me out when I made it into work that night for the hockey game. But when I got to work, I realized that something was very, VERY wrong and I had my boss call the ambulance.

Sure enough, I was having a minor heart attack. It was so serious that I didn't even feel any embarassment when they lifted my shirt and exposed my disgusting flabby midriff. All I could do was cry and beg and plead with them to save my life. During the ambulance ride, my oxygen came out twice and it caused me to panic. When I was wheeled in to emergency, I was put immediately to the head of the line. My father was the first to arrive, being the only one I was able to contact. I could have had my boss call Rod, but there was no one to take his class, and there would have been no way for him to show up immediately. So when dad showed up, I handed him my cell phone and asked him to call Rod at work, and one of my best friends Terry, who was scheduled to pick me up at work to take me to the hockey game. Soon, I was wheeled into a room, where my clothing and jewelery was removed and I answered the same questions over and over again.

After seeing two doctors, I was taken into surgery where I had a procedure called an angioplasty done. They made an incision in my right groin and inserted a tube up to my heart. They injected a dye to see where the blockage was, and then when it was found, a balloon was inserted into my artery and inflated to press the blockage against the artery walls. Then two mesh metal tubes were inserted into my artery to ensure the blockage wouldn't retract. Unfortunately, the incision made in my groin didn't close up properly and resulted in a hemotoma - I think it means the blood just kept circulating. Anyway, it resulted in a disgusting, swollen bruise which is incredibly painful.

By the time I was wheeled into my room in CCU, I was on morphine, nitroglycerin, and gravol. I was doped up and just SO thankful to be alive.

I've had well wishes from friends, and enemies that have said that while we weren't getting along, this was not something they ever would have wished on me (thank goodness huh?). I've had beautiful bouquets of flowers, wonderful wishes sent and friends sending all the love possible. My family is a fabulous support system, and they're all doing their best to make sure I stay on the straight and narrow.

But I still feel empty. And I don't know why.

But I was also terrified. No longer. I'm determined. I'm focused.

I'm not only going to get thinner, I'm going to be healthier. I will be stronger. I will be the best I can possibly be.

I'm only worried about one thing. What happens when the "newness" wears off? What happens when I get frustrated because I go back to WANTING to eat crap? Right now none of that appeals to me, but right now I still have the massive brusie on my leg to remind me of exactly what happened. What happens two or three months from now, when lethargy kicks in again and I don't want to cook, or exercise? What happens then?

I know everyone says that they'll kick my ass if they see me with crap in my hands, but I can still drive myself - or at least I'll be able to in a month. What happens if my will power collapses? What happens then?

I know - one day at a time. It's all I can ask for - it's all I can do.

And while I never expected it to happen to me, it did. So, if you are in the danger zone, PLEASE stop all detrimental actions immediately and head for the nearest vegetable stand. While it's ok to indulge once in awhile....make healthy your new habit. Please.

I couldn't stand for any of you to go through this.

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

Message in A Bottle MEME

Well, I was tagged for this inspirational meme by the originator Wavy (or was it Mimi?) Anyway, it's a good question. If you could leave one message to the world, what would it be? A favourite quote....a song lyric.....a joke.....

Whatever it is, here's your chance.

And since the Queen herself has tagged just about everyone in the blogosphere....I won't tag anyone BUT, will say that if you haven't done it yet, you should.

**Start Copy Here**
Here are the rules:
You are about to send a virtual Message In a Bottle across the Blog Ocean. Leave a message in the sand or on the bottle. Write anything you wish. Be a pirate or a poet. Serious or silly. Anonymous or not.

What message would you like to send out to the universe?

Message In A Bottle Meme

1. Compose a message to place in your virtual bottle
2. Right click and Save the graphic below
3. Use a graphics program of your choice to place the message on the picture
4. Post the meme and these rules on your blog
5. Return your "Message In a Bottle" to Mimi via email ~ mimiwrites2005 at yahoo.com, and then head to her site and leave her a comment that you're done. IF YOU WANT YOUR MESSAGE TO BE ANONYMOUS PLEASE SAY SO.
6. Tag a minimum of five people - or your entire blogroll - to do the same. Notify them of the tag.

Your virtual bottle will remain afloat in the blogosphere ocean for all blogernity (That's a Mimism for blog + eternity.)

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

DAMN YOU......!!!

*shaking fist at the sky*

Whom am I cursing out? Well, where to start today....

A) Warren. He works with me. He's a moron. He knows nothing, but for some reason, is a good sales person. So the boss (re: owner of the company, NOT the general manager who has to deal with him every day) loves him. His job is safe, and my job is to put up with him. It drives me nuts and on a daily basis, I am FORCED to put up with his stupid mistakes. Yes, I realize I could quit, but without another job, that's just stupid.

Which brings me to ....

B) whomever the genius was that decided we needed money to live. I HATE MY DAY JOB. I hate days - mornings suck ass and heaven help my kids when I have them -they're going to be vampires. If security paid better, I would definately be doing that full time. It's not saving the world, but you know, it's a job I really enjoy and love doing. Personally, if I could find a way to make money from home in my pyjamas (and that doesn't involve porn - so Matt, Bond...and the rest of y'all, get yer minds out of the gutter), I would do it. In fact, if I could find a way to make money reading blogs, I would SO love that. Because....

C) there's too many damn good blogs out there for us "bookies" (you know, like foodies only with books). Not the Vegas kind, so don't be calling me to place a bet on the Sens beating the Pens (well, it ain't gonna happen anyway). I LOVE to read, especially humorous, intelligent, heart warming content....oh all right. I love to read pretty much anything. As I've been heard to say several times, I'll read the the nutitional information onthe side of a ceral box if nothing else is available. I'll read my books over and over and over until they're dog-earred and need replacing. And I spend most of my down time at work reading blogs. So, finding a job where I read GOOD stuff all day long would be great. One where I read good stuff all day long and do it from home would be amazing because....

D) there's not enough damn hours in the day to plan and execute great dinners, do laundry, clean the bathroom, and manage to spend quality time with the hubby, not to mention do the security thing three or four nights a week. And then there's the having to visit the grandparents once a week, which isn't bad and I love them, but they're 81 and 87 respectively and they're SLOOOOOWWWW to do anything. So what should be a two hour visit turns into three or four sometimes. :S I'm also in the middle of three or four writing projects and I have a number of things that need to be done that are supposed to be at the head of that long list. :S And this all leads to....

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHH.

Me screaming and running around, arms flailing like the Tasmanian Devil on crack, my head spinning around like I'm Linda Blair, and my husband standing there clutching a syringe with 50 cc's of valium, and hawk handling gloves on so to protect himself from injury or harm.

Dear Lord...that kicks in quick. SIGH. I need help.

But first, I need sle......................zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

A Cause for Celebrating

Ladies and gents....I've got fabbo, boffo, socko, stupendous, splendiferous news!

I am, once again, a licensed security guard!!!!

I know, I know, I bitched and moaned in three very LONG rants about not being a guard, and how long it was going to take to get my license back.

WELLLLLLLLLL.....

Turns out the Ministry decided to re-evalutate what charges were important and necessary to receive pardons for before renewing a license, and they decided that the charges I have against me weren't enough to keep myself and other guards from working. So they sent me the application a few weeks ago, and I immediately sent it in.

I didn't want to say anything until I had my license in my hand, but earlier this week, it arrived!! I will be able to work again at the job I love!!

And to top it off, I really think that a lot of the problems Rod & I were having (which I couldn't post here because of well...anyway) are working themselves out, and we're in a good place.

I couldn't be happier, and all I can say is thanks to all of you for the support and friendship you gave me back in November when it all came down.

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

And under the title of DAMN - I wish I'd written that....

I was in the States this past weekend with the family, and I had a few coupons for Borders. Anyone who knows me knows that I love books, but hate paying the high prices here in Canada for them. With the exchange rate being amazing, I bought a few of them. Two were erotica (of course - one was B is for Bondage, an anthology edited by the always brilliant Alison Tyler, and another, Dances with Werewolves,written by Niki Flynn - you can catch a great interview with her here). But the one "normal" book I bought is called Cathy's Book. I don't know - maybe some of you have seen it around. This is the cover.

Normally, I don't buy what would be considered "young adult" material, but there was just something about this book that jumped out at me. It had peaked my curiosity the last few times I'd seen it so I decided what the hell, let's buy it and see if it's really as good as my instincts tell me.

Well, it's all that and more.

The author, Sean Stewart, has created an interactive adventure, complete with phone numbers for the characters that actually work, and websites that the reader can go to. ( Cathy herself even has a myspace page. ) He is apparently famous for breaking that "fourth wall" and involving his audience.

IT'S BLOODY BRILLIANT.

For those with pre-teen or teenage girls, I recommend purchasing it for them, allowing them to read it and then stealing it from their bookshelves. The plot deals with immortals, murder, theivery, deception, and two bull-headed teenage girls who get caught up in the middle of the whole thing.

I began reading it on the journey home today - mainly when we had crossed the border back into Canada, and I didn't put it down until the end. As soon as I was done, I had to call the numbers, I had to visit the websites, I had to be involved SOMEHOW in this wonderful, imaginative piece of art. The inside is covered in "doodles" and Cathy's "notes".

I found this brief article on the Publishers Weekly website, which has got me excited, to say the least.

Cathy's Key: If Found Call (650) 266-8202
by Jordan Weisman and Sean Stewart (Running Press, May)
The backstory: When Cathy's Book: If Found Call (650) 266-8233 pubbed in summer 2006, it offered readers more than just a mystery—the book came with an “evidence pack,” including receipts, documents and other items as well as phone numbers and Web sites readers could use to obtain additional clues. According to Lisa Clancy, associate editorial director at Running Press, the publisher's access to suppliers (for its Running Press Mini Kits) were very helpful in putting together the interactive elements.
What worked: Despite a flap over product placement (Procter & Gamble struck a deal with Running Press to referenceCoverGirl cosmetics in the book), Cathy's Book became a bestseller; more than 100,000 copies of the hardcover are currently in print. “It was the first book of its kind to incorporate those elements into the story,” said Craig Herman, v-p of marketing and publicity at Running Press. “It helped to get the reader deeper into the characters, and in terms of plot, it engaged them and took them places they wouldn't ordinarily go on the straight printed page.”
The new story: Cathy's Key arrives in May, and will include new Web sites, phone numbers and evidence, including a Chinese coin, hospital ID bracelet and other items. Because the book is ostensibly written by Cathy, there are no plans for the authors to tour, though they will attend BEA, ALA and regional trade shows. A third book is scheduled for spring 2009, to coincide with a paperback edition of Cathy's Key.

I'm seriously psyched for this. I might considering pre-ordering through Amazon or what not.

But seriously guys? GO GET IT.

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.

Freestyle Fridays: Music Shuffle Meme and more...

Ok, so to start, this wonderful meme is going around and I might have done a similar one before but I shall do it again - cuz it's just too much fun. :D

The rules:
1. Put your music player on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER WHAT. (This is in capital letters, so it is very serious.)

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
Snow in July (Garth Brooks as Chris Gaines)
Ok, I don't want the snow we have in winter, so why would snow in July be ok?

2. WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Who's Cheating Who? (Alan Jackson)
Ok, I absolutely REFUSE to comment on this one....unless we're referring to the fact that the grapevine usually ends in my ear....

3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
It's Too Late (Carole King)
Well, I'm married so what does it matter? :P

4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Closer (NIN)
Ummmm....I'll leave y'all to draw your own conclusions...

5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Star Collector (The Monkees)
Well if that's the case, can I start my collection with Taylor, and Davy Jones, and Orlando Bloom....

6. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Forever Young (Rod Stewart)
Y'know, sometimes they just nail these things on the head...

7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Heaven for Everyone (Queen)
Awww guys....shucks, I love y'all too.

8. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
Cyberbabes (Lawrence Gowan)
Ummmm - ????

9. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Love Makes You Believe (Lawrence Gowan)
Yes, yes it does

10. WHAT IS 2+2?
The Hunger (Nelson)
Sure, we'll go with that.

11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Rockin' the Paradise (Styx)
Makes perfect sense since she was the first one I went to concerts with - and yes, we have been known to rock a place down once in a blue moon.

12. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Don't Give Up On Me (Glen Burtnick)
Well, we never want the ones we like/love to give up on us do we?

13. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Only Want to Be With You (Hootie and the Blowfish)
Yah, that's about it (one of them at a time)


14. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Last Man Standing (Jimmy Buffet)
Well, that's about the gist of it.

15. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Save Me (Dennis DeYoung)
Ummm. yah. no comment.

16. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Up! (Shania Twain)
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA.....

17. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Can't Buy Me Love (Michael Buble)
Welllllll......sure why not? I guess that's the next one right?

18. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
What About Love? (Heart)
Well, if I didn't answer that in life, I sure as hell can't answer it in death!

19. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Red Red Wine (UB40)
Again, it's scary how they get some of these right.

20. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Goodbye Roseland (Styx)
Yep, that's where I'm gonna live

21. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Fire & Rain (James Taylor)
Some of them are hot, and some are just wet to put out the fires.

22. WHAT SHOULD YOU POST THIS AS?
Someday (Sugar Ray)
Sure, why not?

Not tagging anyone, if you see it and want to do it - go for it. :D


Next!


I'm so sick of this damn PC world we are living in. Heard on the radio this morning that one of our councellors in Toronto (one who actually works FOR the people), is in hot water for using a racial slur during a speech about illegal immigrants. Wanna know that the supposed slur was? He used the term ORIENTAL. Yep. Not sure what word he was supposed to use instead, but somehow, that general non-derogatory term, somehow managed to offend someones delicate sensibilties.

Like COME ON PEOPLE. I can understand if he used some of the terms that have been listed in Wikipedia but he didn't. Have we gotten so PC that we now have to carry around a dictionary that lets us know what words and terms we can use in public so that NO ONE gets offended? And who would produce this book? Because you know that if one ethnic group were to provide it, somehow, in some way, it would piss off the rest of the world. I am so fed up it makes me want to offend EVERYONE. And frankly, I wouldn't care right now if I did. In fact, as soon as I can come up with a paragraph that will insult EVERY group out there, I will be posting it. Let the chips fall where they may - this BROAD has had it.




I watched the elimination show on American Idol last night for the first time this season. We said a (cheerful) goodbye to Danny, Luke (ok not so cheerful), Asia'h (again, not so cheerful) and Kady (we all jumped for joy at the loss of another TLLB). Personally, I think the damn show takes too long - although I was happy to see Blake Lewis perform. Still love that man. And I know Dana knows where I'm coming from. Of course, he's no Taylor.....THUD.
:: picks self up::
Sorry about that - been awhile since I've thudded....and of course I forgot my mat....


Wow. Am I making sense to anyone today? Cuz right now I'm seeing double of everything, and the stuffed Kermit on my desk is dancing to Bon Jovi - did I get enough sleep last night?


More caffine - I think that might be my solution. That would be great if it was the solution to every problem wouldn't it? Of course, that might result in coffee shortages, and you try telling a Canadian that they're out of Timmy's coffee....you would definately need riot gear. Personally, I'd be hiding in the nearest Starbucks - they wouldn't look in there.


Good news on the license front - security one that is! I got a letter last week from the Ministry saying that they've taken time to review the charges that prevent myself (and others) from renewing their licenses and have removed the theft under charge. That means I'm getting my license back a WHOLE lot sooner than I thought - like possibly by the end of the month!! I'm so incredibly stoked that I could cry. I've only told a select few people tho - so let's keep it under our hats. SHHHHHHHHHHHH!


Rod's been sick this week, and to top it off, they haven't booked any work for him. So, I guess it's ok because he can get better, but it sucks because we're going to Buffalo next weekend for a shopping trip (good call Ma - book a trip to the states during March Break - there won't be a wait at the border - noooooooooooooooooo not at all.....*insert rolling eyes emoticon here*) and that'll affect the amount of shopping we get to do. Oh well, we don't need much anyway. It'll just be nice to get away for the weekend with the family.


On a final note - I will be going to see We Will Rock You once again. And in case I forgot to post it the first time around, please check out this hottie.

Yvan Pedenault is the lead as Gallileo Figaro, causing women young and old to swoon every time he opens his mouth. His vocals are just incredible. And the young woman playing Scaramouche is a lovely girl named Erica Peck, who auditioned for Season 3 of Canadian Idol, but didn't make it through to the top 10. It's a fantastic show and if it's playing ANYWHERE near you - run, do not walk, to the box office.


I think that's all for today kids.

Stay sane inside insanity ~ and never forget your towel.