Because I`m Bad, I`m Bad...You Know It!

I`ve told you before how dangerous I am... here`s the post ..        I Am Danger!

Well it seems I've done it again...holy terror that I am....

I'm going through the very complicated process of self representation for my own divorce.  On one hand, I'm glad you are allowed to go through this without the very expensive and not-guaranteed expertise of legal representation...however, the process itself is still overly complicated when you and the ex don't agree on everything.


I had a motion to file, which means I also had to have an affidavit of service to file which proves I served the defendent the motion prior to filing.  The affidavit must be notorized before I can file it.  Now if you go anywhere BUT the courthouse to have something notorized, there's a fee attached, and I'm basically broke.  The courthouse is 45 minutes away...so the challenge is, to get the notorizing done for free, THEN be able to take a copy of it for my own records.  Fun times.

So I packed up my paperwork along with a pen, paperclips, a stapler...you know, all the junk I figured I would need in order to get everything done in one trip.  Like I said, I'm broke...driving around isn't an option with the insane price of gas.

So into the courthouse I go.

Security is high at the courthouse.  It should be...Oshawa can be rough and it has it's fair share of upstanding citizens, if you know what I mean.  You have to put your belongings through the x-ray machine and walk through the metal detector.  Police officers are there watching everyone carefully, ensuring the safety of the people inside.  It's a good thing.  I plunked my purse and paperwork into the bucket that would run through the x-ray machine and walked through the metal detector dohicky.  No pat down required.

But the officer operating the x-ray machine didn't like what he saw in my purse.  I looked at the screen...that bloody stapler looked like a gun!

I giggled as he went through the contents of my purse...and he started to relax a little.  He asked what the box in there was...it was travel wipes.  He pulled out my staple remover with an eyebrow raised.  Opened my empty wallet.  I didn't bother stifling my laugh.  Hey...ya go through a woman's purse, best not have any expectations.  By the time he was finished he looked completely baffled, as well he should, but he was laughing along with me.  He thanked me for my patience and I told him it was exciting...no worries.

Then I told him I was tired of not looking like much, and would he mind telling everyone that I really am dangerous.

He laughed at me.

Hmpf.

Casting Votes in the Federal Election

Every time another election rolls around, we Canadians start to grumble.  We complain about the cost of the election, the ridiculous amount of money spent on obnoxious campaign ads that are nothing more than mudslinging contests.  We complain about taking time, yet again, to go cast our vote for another politician we don’t trust anyway. 

Elections Canada reported a 58.8% voter turnout at the October 18^th, 2008 Federal Election.  That is the lowest turnout since the September 29^th, 1898 referendum vote which had a 44.6% turnout.  In the 2006 election, 64.7% turned out and previous to that in 2004, 60.9%.  Better, but not much.

Call me simple, but wouldn’t the addition of the ability to vote online solve a few problems?   I’m aware that the immediate concerns are security and the ability of hackers to upset the counts.   Yet we bank online, we shop online, we submit our taxes online, there are databases utilized for policing and all levels of government and the list goes on.  So make it secure!   I think you’d find a significant change in those voter percentages if you saved the voters the hassle of going to polling stations.  If the polling stations provided computers to cast votes electronically the entire process would be faster and more efficient.  Re-counts not required.  Think about the green effects with the paperless system, the statistical reporting advantages, and the decrease in staffing requirements.  Most importantly, there would be more votes.  With all the advances in technology, why are we still casting votes with pencil and paper, and counting votes by hand? 

The Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada on the 40^th Election states that we spent $288.2 million for the election which includes a $57.9 million reimbursement to candidates and parties.  Eliminate the reimbursement completely and perhaps the candidates and parties would spend their campaign money more carefully.  Perhaps voters might even feel a little better about having to cast their vote again.  A little.

Those are my immediate thoughts on the process of election, which in reality make no difference.  The only difference I can make is with my vote, which will aid in putting a candidate into office where he or she can effectively hide behind their party without having to bother with thoughts of their own. 

Oooohhh...Now I Get It!

McDreamy follows sports religiously.....he always has.  Pretty much ALL of the sports...not just racing.  And at all levels too....from the world champions down to the college level.  He follows scores and watches games online and on TV.  I even picked up the sports package for our satellite TV so he wouldn't miss anything...cause I'm cool with it!

I love sports too...all of them.  Except maybe wrestling.  That's dumb.

Both McDreamy and I grew up playing sports....  He has always had his racing, but through highschool and university there was also football, golf, and roller hockey, ball hockey and hockey hockey.  In fact he was so good at hockey hockey that he earned a scholarship and continued on playing OHA senior up until a few years ago.  Me?  I did gymnastics for about 9 years, a brief stint with the Hamilton Swim Team...and then just about any sport I could play through school....track and field, volleyball, basketball, badminton and tennis.  Fun times!

It's something we have in common and we often go out to shoot some hoops or throw a ball around.  Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod would be proud! 

:)

But I don't follow all the sports...and truth be told, other that hockey, I get bored watching sports on TV.  I appreciate the athletic ability and all that...but I can't sit through watching golf or tennis on TV.  Basketball is okay to watch, but every game looks the same to me after awhile.  Football holds my attention a little longer when they come out with their Sneaky McSneakster plays.  Hockey is awesome to watch...it's fast and unpredictable....and it gets me totally wound up.   McDreamy has received 'the hand' on a couple of occasions when he tried talking to me during a particularly good game.  I'm not proud of that....just sayin....  Point is, the only sport I'll set out to watch on my own is hockey.  I'd just rather play than watch.


Until now.

McDreamy introduced me to the world of gambling and it's possible that I have been forever corrupted.  Now that would be a bad thing if we were talking about dumping money on bets....but I'm not talking about that kind of gambling.  Did you know that you don't have to pay to play?  I didn't!  But it's true!  It's true!!

Check out this link:  The Score


There are a bunch of contests you can enter for free!  You pick the teams you think will win and if you get lucky...YOU win some cashola!  Suwweet!

So all of a sudden, I CARE who wins in all these sports I didn't follow before!

We both entered the Bracket Buster Pool and are following the results of the NCAA Basketball Tourney.  We had to pick the winners of every game in all of the knock off rounds....eventually predicting the tournament champion.  You get a point for every time you are right.  Each of the 64 teams is ranked, and if you pick a team to win that has a lower ranking, you get extra points.  I suddenly find myself talking about upsets and long shots.

Whodathunk?

So here's me sitting beside Petri, picking college basketball teams I've never seen play and often never heard of.  I just looked at the rankings and based wins on that.  I figure if a #1 team is playing a #16 team...chances are good that the #1 team will win.  I'd get a little braver if a #8 was playing a #9 team, and I might pick the lower ranking team.  In one instance I picked a team because I liked saying it.  Gonzaga.

Gonzaga

:)

What can I say, I'm easily amused!

I'm doing okay so far with my picks.  Knock on wood I've got perfect picks so far in the Southeast Region....muahahahaa...   I've got a bit of a longshot that will pay in spades if they come through...will find out on Sunday.  McDreamy is all proud of me and stuff...hee hee!  Now we are both following college basketball with equal enthusiasm :)

To boot, today we've both got hockey picks and soccer picks too....BRING IT ON! We just discovered one more thing we enjoy doing together and that's just nothing but cool.

Ladies...this isn't exactly Dr Phil type advice, but if your hubby is parked in front of a game that puts you to sleep, give yourself a reason to care by making a few picks.  As long as you aren't spending money, it's all in good fun....and I have no doubt that you'll bring a smile to hubby's face.  Perhaps even a little shock...but we all like keepin 'em on their toes!

Butchering the National Anthem

Last night our beloved Toronto Maple Leafs faced off against the injury plagued Penguins.  6 points away from the playoffs, they can't afford to lose, but we were fairly certain this game would end in a shootout...which we never do well in.  Turns out we were right...again.  Why can't we be right about the lottery numbers?

But I digress....

The game really started out on a sour note.  A really, really sour note.  Check it out...



Don't shoot the messenger.


The anthems that would normally inspire pride had me wanted to jam pencils in my ears.

We opted to change the channel until it was over.

At least there were no words to screw up.  We'll leave that up to the professionals...you know, Michael Bolton, Christina Aguilera....  To me, screwing up the words is bad enough, but at least it's not 2 minutes of physical pain endured by the masses like the following...



Remember this inspiring rendition?



Just another reason why you can't buy your beer in the bottle at games. 



Shall we have a listen to the track and field legend, Carl Lewis?



And they disqualified Ben Johnson for drugs.

Not that I'm still bitter.





Have a listen to this...I've never heard of this "pop star"...but what do I know?



I love the guys in the background...  If you YouTube the entire performance, you'll have the pleasure of listening to her cough up a few hairballs too.  I'm sorry but I just couldn't post that part.  Even I have limits.



Now I did my best to find the shortest version of this...I do, after all, want you to come back and read again...



That's the spirit...if you forget the words, just make up new ones!!  Wicked awesome.  And again, the reaction of those witnessing the horror is priceless.  Is this really happening??

That's how I felt last night.  Gives a whole new meaning to 'adding insult to injury'.  Leaves you wondering how much worse the other acts that audition to sing the anthem at these games are, if they end up booking these .. um... musical inspirations.


Yup, the harmonica and guitar fiasco was pretty brutal last night.  But take comfort kids....there will no doubt be a new catastrophic rendition of our great nation's anthem that will make this version seem almost pleasant.

Almost.

Pride

Yesterday, I went to a Celebration of Life service for my Great Uncle Joe.  I didn't know him well...in fact the last time I saw him, I was just a little girl.  My only memory of him is how he and his wife, Dot, used to feed scraps right off their plates to their little dog Rocky...they loved that dog!


From conversation through the years, I knew that he was my Dad's favourite uncle...that he lived somewhere in Toronto...that he was a giant Toronto Maple Leaf fan.  Dad joked he was holding out for the Leafs to win Stanley again.

I knew he was a veteran and always wore his medals.

I didn't 'know' him though.  I find it sad that families grow so far apart, and you know, I really missed out.  

During that half hour service, I learned so much about that man.  The service was conducted with such dignity, as the Legion honoured their comrade one last time.  It opened my eyes and filled my heart with pride.

As we entered the vestibule outside the chapel, we were greeted with Legion members who took our coats, shook our hands, and handed us a poppy to wear.  Two police officers in full dress stood at attention at the entrance to the chapel.  We quietly took our seats.

An old veteran stood in front of the coffin, gun ready, head lowered.  He didn't move a muscle until the end of the service, but stood strong and steady, never flinching, vigilante in his duty to protect the fallen soldier.

Among those that had come to pay their final respects were family, friends, fellow veterans and members of the Legion, and police officers.  We all stood through the opening prayers, reflected quietly as the solemn sound of Taps was played, and then we were asked to come forward and place our poppies on the velvet pillow that rested at the head of my Uncle's closed coffin.  It was the most dignified, respectful, humble goodbye I had ever witnessed.


We took our seats as the Salvation Army minister began the service celebrating the life of Joseph Philip Sbrocchi.

Uncle Joe served with the 22nd Canadian Field Ambulance when they landed in Normandy.  D-Day.


His spine was damaged by a bullet as German forces peppered Juno Beach with gunfire and mortars as 15,000 Canadians waded ashore.  He was one of the lucky ones.  Had that bullet hit him any higher, it would have torn him to pieces.

On June 6, 1999, Uncle Joe returned to Juno Beach with his fellow comrades.

This is the motocycle he road when he served.

This is Juno Beach.




God bless them.








On the 60th anniversary of D-Day, he met the newest addition of the Toronto Police Services Mounted Unit...a beautiful horse named Juno Beach, named in remembrance of the sacrifices made by all the brave men that day. 
 


Uncle Joe was among 425,000 Allied and German troops that were killed, injured or missing during the Normandy campaign.  I cannot, nor do I wish to, fully comprehend the horrors they witnessed, but I am so grateful, and so proud.

His giving did not end with the war.  He had a very special relationship with his step-granddaughter, who he raised.  He participated in many veteran day events, continuing to serve his community.  He was a humble man who loved and protected .. who stood as a shining example of what we should all aspire to be.

At the age of 88, Uncle Joe passed away, and is no doubt reunited with the love of his life, Dorothy, but his legacy lives on.

For the men and women that serve both in the community and overseas, I can offer only my humble appreciation and admiration.  I, for one, could not find the strength to do what you do, or what you have done.

To Uncle Joe, I wish I had known you, but I hope you know, that I am proud of all you have done.

REST IN PEACE

Am I Missing Something?

As is my usual morning routine, I was watching CP24 and eating my bowl of Oatmeal Crisp (it's not oatmeal!) when the news scroll flips over this: "Transgender woman sues LPGA for right to play".

I did what I usually do...I Googled.  Here's the story...

************************************************************************************

Transgender Woman Sues LPGA for Right to Play

Published October 14, 2010 | FoxNews.com

ADVERTISEMENT

Lana Lawless, a transgender woman who underwent a sex change five years ago, is suing the LPGA over their refusal to allow her into the league. 

The LGPA's "female at birth," requirement violates a California civil rights law, according to Lawless. The 57-year-old retired police officer is also suing three LPGA sponsors and the Long Drivers of America, which holds the annual women's long-drive competition. 

Lawless participated and won the event in 2008 with a 254-yard drive, but the organization has since changed its rules to model the LPGA's. "I am by all respects, legally and physically female," she said in a statement Wednesday. 

"The state of California recognizes me as such, and the LPGA should not be permitted to come into California and blatantly violate my rights. I just want to have the same opportunity to play professional golf as any other woman." 

Organizations such as the International Olympic Committee, the Ladies Golf Union in Britain, the Ladies European Golf Tour and the United States Golf Association do allow transgender athletes to compete. 

On its website, USGA states, "In the event that a player has had gender reassignment surgery at any point after puberty, that player must provide certain documentation to the USGA in accordance with the procedures set forth below." 

Lawless wants the LPGA to change its policies to admit transgender players before play resumes in the state of California. "Transgender is at the forefront of civil rights," said Christopher Dolan, Lawless' attorney. "Transgender people have been pushed into the dark for too long." 

The LPGA's CVS/pharmacy Challenge began in Danville today. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

**********************************************************************************

Hmmmm

So it gets me thinking...

She was born a he...and professional athletics are divided by gender.  Now as a female who was relatively athletic a hundred years ago, I have never taken offense to the division.  In my limited experience,  men are, generally speaking,  bigger, stronger and faster than women...it's only fair to the athletes to measure their physical skill and strength by gender.   

Track and Field measures the skills, strength and speed of individuals.  Just for a quick comparison, Canada's Donovan Bailey still holds the record for 50m sprint with a time of 5.56 (held since 1996...yay for Canada and our friend Donovan!)  The woman holding the record since 1995 for the same 50m sprint is Irina Privalova from Russia, and her time was 5.96.  Here's a link if you are curious http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/records/  Go ahead and do the comparison...the men are consistently faster, jump higher and further and throw things further.  If these are indeed the best of the best, then I'd say it's a reasonable source to back me up.  Right?

I know there are exceptions as always...but if we removed the gender division in physical competition, would it be fair to the women?  I don't think so.  

So if a man has surgery to become a woman, should he be able to compete against women?

I'm fairly certain its not the reproductive system that makes the difference in athletics.  In fact, I'm quite confident its the muscular system.

So she's ticked off that she can't play in the women's league.  Maybe that's because she should be competing, in all fairness, against the men.

So am I missing something?

The Downtown Beauty Shop

Ah..the beauty shop.

Well...we certainly don't call it that anymore..now it's a spa or salon...

Styles change...but women don't.  We do enjoy our time together, getting all gorgeous :)

A short time before I actually moved into the condo, I was walking past my building, showing The Short One where I'd be living...when I noticed the salon operating out of my building at street level.  Right next to Tim Hortons. 

....insert choir of angels....

La Jolie Femme. 

The first place I went to after I had officially moved in.

They do hair, manicures, pedicures, facials, massages...they do it all baby!

Here's the link...plug, plug, plug...La Jolie Femme

But it's not just WHAT they do is the ladies themselves.  They remember your name and they hug and kiss you and they absolutely dote all over you as they pamper you...and I do like to be doted upon :)  What can I say?

Last night I went in to have my hair done.  I was greeted with a big hug and warm smile, as usual.  Nina put me in a chair and I started chatting with a young girl who was sitting beside me.

And this is actually where I'm going with all of this.  Women are women are women...and The Beauty Shop doesn't change, no matter what the year or the location. 

You would expect a bunch of snootball hoity toity nose-in-air women in a downtown spa.

....but oh no...

The young girl was gorgeous..  She had moved to Canada from Polysesia about 3 years ago.  A young mother of 2 babies..her husband has a nanny come 3 days a week to give her a break and she always visits the ladies at La Jolie Femme.  She has no other friends...isn't that sad?  She had brought some Collett Cards and we all giggled as we took turns reading predictions. 

My new young Poynesian friend kissed me goodbye when she left.  How cute is that?

Another lady about my age came in .. turns out she lives in the suite directly above mine!  How about that?  She's an avid shopper with a fantastic sense of humour...There's a store she keeps going into though she vows each time she's not going back...because she can't spend less than $1000 in there. 

Good gawd

She was sporting a new pair of flip flops adorned with a massive pretty jewelled flower..and she let one of the girls try it on...  We talked ex-husbands and kids and hair as Nina applied colour to her roots.

Then she grinned her pretty grin, pointed a finger at me and told me not to leave until she was done her massage as she was led into the back.. 

This little gem of a salon is like girl heaven..we all relax, enjoy one another, laughing and giggling!  When we leave, we leave relaxed, happy, beautiful, and with new friends.

It's true...the nanny scenario and $1000 shopping sprees are signs of lifestyles beyond what most of us have, but they are just people.  Women, that love to be pampered, to laugh and have fun...and they get lonely and need time with friends that care, relate and understand, just as much as every other woman.  The local beauty shop provides just that.

Women are women are women

:)

Fairy Butts and Meatballs

Saminator has such an great sense of humour.

A couple of years ago, that clever little boy looked in a mirror when Dad pointed at it.  Dad said "look at the monkey!"  grinning at his own joke.


"All I see is an Incredible Hulk" said the cheeky 4 year old, without cracking a smile nor missing a beat.

Atta boy!

On Sunday we had dinner at my parents' place in Hagersville.

That's Hay-gers-ville, not Hah-gers-ville...for all you big city folk.

:)

Mom served a fantastic smorgasboard of culinary delights.  Among them, was a casserole that had penne noodles, tomato, onion, mushroom..and chick peas, there was salad, meatballs, sausages....it was awesome!

However, the now much more mature 6 year old Saminator, had never seen chick peas before.

"They look like bare butts!"

He's right...they do. 

Mom suggested parmesan cheese would make them taste better and he sprinkled some on.  He gave the lid of the cheese shaker a lick with his tongue before setting it down.

And recieved a mild scolding...that's pretty gross dude.

His little face dropped a bit and I leaned over to whisper..."you are right, they do look like bare butts.  Little fairy butts..."

He giggled and picked up his fork.  The cheese didn't help...he simply doesn't like little fairy butts.

That's okay.

I still like the imagination :)



Funny...smart...creative... 

My little man.

Nothing beats watching your little ones grow!

It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time

OMG it's so good...

What is it about peanut butter and jam sandwiches?    Brings me right back to lunchbox days..that squished delight that smelled like bananas because mom happen to pack a banana too...

Kinda gross actually

But it stirs up several sensory memories from childhood.

The smell of the ink from the old style copies the teachers would run off.  Remember those?  They were more purple than black and the smell was unmistakably chemical.  That had to be good for a kid...

We survived :)

The sound of kids hollering and playing, skipping ropes tapping the ground, balls smacking gloves or swooshing hoops.

Feeling the hot sun..and not feeling the cold water..

Gawd I miss being 10.

Few worries, lots of play...

Although...it's kinda still the same.

I do work in a big 'ole dirt pile, and building a water treatment plant is kinda like Legos.

Today the fitter superintendent had a birthday so I brought an ice cream cake.  The Work Brothas sang him happy birthday and they shared.

It was nice.

Picture that a minute...

When we were kids we'd all spin around in circles until we fell down, dizzy as hell.
Now we just partake in adult beverage consumption.  It's similiar.  Less energy required.

Tomorrow we're all meeting after work to play baseball...expect full report Thursday...

I suppose when you start examining things, there's not much difference.

In fact, I might as well face it...all I do is count things and colour all day....

And eat peanut butter and jam sandwiches.

Play nice, share and smile often kids.

Don't Stop Believin!!!!

The group is Journey...the song...'Don't Stop Believin'

A singer in a smoky room....
Smell of wine and cheap perfume...

That's all it took.......you are singing it now too aren't ya.....come on...

heh heh heh....

It was downstreaming on my computer..and I hollered at Work Sista...laughing at the memories it brought back...

We sang this song at the top of our lungs, alongside the crowd gathered around the piano man at The Redhead..in Chicago.

THAT was one hell of a weekend..

And as we reminisced about our little last minute trip to Chi-Town, it was decided that that Friday was hands-down the best day of the weekend.

It started with leisurely morning...followed by breakfast....followed by SHOPPING (sung with biggest loudest opera voice...which makes it even more fun than just plain shopping).

We were walking up the busy sidewalks, giggling and chatting up an excited storm...pausing only when distracted by people who amused us.

Like the two young black girls that were behind us discussing their plans for the evening.

"I ain't goin to no lame-ass white bar!"

We giggled.

I think we hit every store down Michigan Ave.  And I'm fairly certain that I put a few kids through university.  The smoking credit card is usually a good indicator.

Work Sista however, had purchased nothing...nadda...zilch.

All that poor girl wanted was boots and a coat.  So once we unloaded my load of treasures at the hotel, I took her hand and told her that we weren't leaving Chicago without new boots on her feet.

And I meant it.

We went back down Michigan Ave, scouring every shoe store in sight. 

Finally, there they were.  Her boots.  A soft glow surrounding them.

Well not really...but I'm fairly certain I DID hear a choir of angels....

She asked for a couple sizes, unsure of which one would work...and settle for the smaller size.

Dayamm ma gurl looked hot in dem boots!

She left wearing them..carrying Ninja Slippers in the boot box.

We dumped the slippers back at the hotel and decided it was time to eat. 

Arm in arm, we sauntered into the streets of Chi-Town, lookin for grub.  And perhaps a beverage or two. :)

We came across this little pizza place...Pizza Uno...sitting on a corner of I forget where...  Down the steps we went, into the cutest little Italian restaurant.  We ordered a couple of personal size pan pizzas, and .....

OH MY GAWD

Best pizza ever!!!!

The crust was the perfect thickness, and sweeter than what we are used to here...almost like a Bisquick dough....  Toppings piled high and cheeeeese heavenly cheeeeese....

The Work Brothas seem to think it's impossible to shut the two of us up...but it's not ma friends....just shove Chicago pizza at us....

Orgasm in a pan...

Sorry mom

Appetite's more than satisfied, we left the restaurant and stood at the intersection, wondering what to do.

Across the way a little sign glowed at us...The Redhead....a picture of a piano under the neon red scrawl.

We looked at each other, shrugged...and walked over.

It was indeed, a piano bar. 

The piano man sat at one end of the bar...the 4 sided bar ran the length of the same side of the room, surrounded by tables.

We parked our asses at the end of the bar, closest to the piano, spinning around noting the small crown that sat in front of the piano man, chatting casually and singing along.

Cool

We surveyed the rest of the room from our respective perches, noting that every single person that worked here was beautiful...men and women alike.  That was odd...but very cool.  No complaints. 

We shrugged, spun back around and came face to face with Gorgeous Tarbender.

And smiled our biggest smiles.

We told Tarbender that we were from Canada.  Which means, just don't let the glasses get empty.  He gave a cute wink as he told us his name and asked us to holler should we need anything.

Yay for us!

We drank.  And drank.  And drank.

The crowd grew..and everyone, I mean EVERYONE sang along with that piano man as he played songs from 70's, 80's and 90's.  Songs we all knew by heart....

Like Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'

:)

(See eventually I bring it back home)

At some point I remember turning back to face the bar...only to come eye to abs with the Gorgeous Tarbender who was reaching over our heads for something..  I slugged Work Sista in the arm..not taking my eyes off that perfect Six Pack.  She turned, and her eyes grew wide as they focused on the same image I was staring at.  I'm sure we looked attractive from the other side of the bar...sitting there with our mouths open, staring at the Tarbender...

What a couple of geeks....

Meh...

It's all good. 

It was a good night..my gawd we laughed.

At closing time, we left, walking arm in arm...doing this little leaning walk thing we do...

We stopped somewhere on a a bench along the river for a breather.  Her new boots were a little stiff and her feet hurt....

Then we carried on...back to the hotel.

I put on pj's and fell asleep immediately.

Work Sista did not get that far.

Remember those new boots?  In the smaller size?

They were too small.

And she couldn't get them off.

She leaned over to pull those beautiful boots off..but they wouldn't budge.

Out of breath and completely exhausted by both the effort and the long day ... she pulled her jeans down to the top of her boots, lay back on her bed and passed out cold.

Just like that.

At some point, she woke uncomfortable (go figure), and resumed the battle with the stubborn boots.  She leaned over and pulled and pushed..and still the boots remained.......She stopped to get her breath..  At this point she was prepared to cut them off if only there was something she could find that WOULD cut them off.  Poor Work Sista was terrified she'd be trapped forever in boots and the same jeans... 

Gritting her teeth with the grim determination only my Work Sista could muster, she leaned over one last time...and she did finally manage to yank those bad boys off.

She slipped into her cozy pajamas and crashed.

I missed the whole thing...fast asleep.

Fun times :)

I love my Work Sista!!!

PS...the next day we swapped the boots for the bigger size.....

it goes on and on and on and on.....

Getting The Heck Outta Dodge

You know that chick in the horror movies that hears a noise and goes to investigate?


Not me.

Hell no...my ass is outta there!



So now there's the G-20 coming up, here in Toronto.

We'll be hosting the heads of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Financial Stability Board, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the International Labour Organization, the World Trade Organization and the United Nations.
The G-20 includes 19 countries – Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America – and the European Union.
 
That there's some important folk.
 
They've decided to host this little tea party right downtown...the lake a couple blocks away...surrounded by our financial district, the Roger's Centre...the CN Tower.
 
And my building.  My home.  Me casa.
 
yee frickin haw
 
We're flying in the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP, local police.  We're building walls...sticking snipers on buildings, putting boats on the lake...  so I should feel safe, right?
 
Fuck that shit
 
(sorry mom)
 
Maybe 911 is still fresh in my mind...maybe I'm watching too much TV...I dunno
 
But aside from the fact that I'll need special security clearance just to WALK home (can't drive, streets closed) ...  aside from the fact that this is basically a huge pain in my rump...
 
I simply have no faith in my government.  On any level.
 
First off, I'm amused that we are spending money we haven't got in order to host a summit on economics.
 
Secondly, we've chosen a location that's nearly impossible to secure and offers a gazillion opportunities for terrorists to infiltrate and reak havoc.  Let's face it, anyone with a political agenda had plenty of heads up should they have decided to actually move in to the area a month ago, so that they are already here with access to do as they please ...the frickin boneheads can't even keep a secret.  They could be here already.. they could attack from the water.. the sky...the damned trains.... the underground....  Shitballs almighty, there could be bombs already planted in all the underground paths for all we know...
 
I just have this image of the Marx Brothers doling out directions to the men and women expected to keep everyone, and everything safe.
 
And Pinky and the Brain sitting in a cave somewhere, laughing maniacally as they rub there hands together.
 
Bottom line...
 
Call me paranoid, call me chicken, call me a traitor...I don't feel safe..and I'm getting the heck outta dodge until it's over!
 
Fuggedaboutit!
 
 
 
 
 

Danger Is My Middle Name

I stand a towering 5'4".  I weigh in at a staggering (eff you ain't telling).

Raised in the the rough side of .. um... Hicksville ...  my street senses are finely tuned.

Okay, I'm full of crap.

I'm not very big, and my personality is very, very small town.

I smile a lot, talk to everyone and get laughed at when I'm actually angry.

In the words of Katie from Horton Hears a Who ... "In my world everyone is a pony, and they all eat rainbows, and poop butterflies."



But I had a moment. 

Once.

It was a sunshine filled morning and I was driving the long stretch of country road between my house in Bealton and my folks' place in Hagersville.

Ordinary enough.

I had been talking on my cell phone and lowered it casually when I saw the police cruiser approaching from the opposite direction.  I glanced in my rear view mirror, and saw him turn around to come back and follow me.

Crud.

I put my cell phone in my purse, check my speed, and put on my most innocent, angelic face.

He followed me into town.  And put the cherries on.

Summanabitch he HAD to wait until I was in town where people I knew would see.....

He was in his late 40's and approached my window from a distance.  I rolled it down, and grinned my 'yes officer, thanks for the friendly visit' grin.

"Where you going?"  Says he.

"My parent's house in town here" I point.

"Where you coming from?"

"My house in Bealton" pointing a thumb behind me.

He talks into his radio, and 2 cruisers pull up across the street, and a third cruiser pulls in behind him.

"Um....what are we doing here" I ask, fighting back a giggle.

"You are driving a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle seen leaving the scene of a crime.  A lone woman in a grey vehicle, suspected carrying arms"

"Really?"  I said "How exciting!!!"

I clapped my hands together and laughed.

He laughed when he said "I don't think it's you, but we have to go through the motions to be sure.  Do you mind if we search your vehicle?"

I looked over at the young officer who stood outside my passenger side...canine unit.

"Wow, really?"  I laughed..."sure!  Geez, I didn't know I was so scary!!!"

He sighed and shrugged and blushed a little...

As the canine unit officer poked around my back seat I said "boy am I ever glad I just had the car detailed!"

I giggled. 

He didn't.

Plththtth

They wrapped up their big search of the mom mobile...car seats and all...and the original officer apologized and thanked me.

"No worries, it was going to be a dull day!  Glad to have a little excitement!"

I laughed all the way to my parents' house.

After all...YOU may think I don't look like much....

......but I AM danger!!!

Four cruisers to handle me....be afraid!!!!

Ahhhh....Fresh Meat

The new guy started this week. 

MUAHAHAHAHAAAA

I returned from the loo to find him sitting in my chair going through a file.  He looked up with the most sheepish look on his face.  I couldn't resist.

I gave him the "wtf" gesture, palms up, and told him to get his ass out of my chair.

He started to fumble his way through an explanation and I cut him off...

"It's not a fucking library man, what are you doing?"

Outright panic as he gathered papers.

I started laughing and told him I was giving him a hard time...

"Take your time brother I need a smoke anyway"

But I scared him a little.

heh heh heh

Earlier today he asked Work Sista and I where someone was.

Now, keep in mind, neither one of us are secretaries or whatever the politically correct title is anymore.  So it's game on when a dude sees a bra and makes an assumption.

We both looked at him and told him the truth...we didn't know.

He stared at us with the "shouldn't you know" look...disapproving frown and all that.

"Yeah, we just work here buddy.  We don't have the secret password to the Clubhouse.  We think we figure it out and they just change it on us".

He kinda got that one ..

"They gave me 'Pink Petunias'...should I be concerned?"

"Maybe brother".

It's all good.  He's learning.

The other new guy is a little slower...and I think he's afraid of me.  I said as much one day and Six Foot Scary whispered that Skinny new guy is afraid of everyone. 

That kind of takes the fun out of it.

Skinny stood in front of me and asked me to fetch him a file on his second day.

insert eyeroll

I pointed to the cabinets behind me and told him to have at at.

"Well (dramatic pause for effect) ...what do you do when (topdogs) ask you for something?"  he says, insult laced with that not-so patient 'teach the dumb office beatch her place' tone of voice.

"They don't ask, they just help themselves."

I swallowed the "they know better" that almost came out.  He doesn't know better after all.  He, like the other new guys, assumes that if you have ovaries you must be there to serve those with balls.  Some dudes don't think hard enough to imagine some of the ovary carriers have a few more credentials...  But I cut them some slack.  It takes a lot of concentration just walking upright. 

:)



At least Sheepish has a sense of ha-ha.

And at lunch today, he earned Kudos.

We had pizza brought in for a going away party for Six Foot Scary and Eyeballs.

The usual banter and insults were flying - it was hilarious...often extremely inappropriate, but hilarious.  At the butt of most jokes was the Italian Stallion who is the self appointed class clown. 

The Italian Stallion was bragging about his ninja like qualities (he is a big dude and most definetly not ninja-like) when Sheepish pipes up and says "only an Italian ninja would wear a fluorescent orange vest". 

Holy mother of mother's comin outta left field.

"When did you fuckin start?" says the Stallion

Lawdy we were dyin with the one liners...what a hoot.

That's the business...this is the atmosphere...and this is how we treat the fresh meat.

We break em quick.

:)

A Date With Two Young Men

I don't know what normal is for most mothers, but normal for me has become a series of moments that inspire feelings ranging from pride to utter horror.

No bloody wonder I'm nuts.


Saturday morning I whizzed through Toronto traffic and made the trip down to the metropolis of Bealton to pick up the boys. 


(whizzed through Toronto....metropolis of Bealton...heh, heh, heh...I kill me!)


I reached my destination at 9AM and found them in their pajamas watching cartoons.  Red had a mouthful of green 'breakfast' liquorice.   


Sigh


I wanted to take them shopping before ball hockey at noon, so I began the process of getting them away from the TV and dressed immediately.  Promises of new hoodies from the cool store and a trip to the sports store sparked interest momentarily, but its pretty hard to compete with the Madagascar penguins.


And they had the Nerf launchers out too.  I got shot in the ass while hugging the Saminator.


Game on.


Red handed me my own weapon of mass destruction and skipped over to his hidden stash of 'bullets' so that I could defend myself.  It's only fair.  I pressed the yellow foam bullet into the barrel, cocked that bad boy and shot Red in the belly.  He fell dramatically to the floor with a giggle.


I reloaded and aimed at Saminator...who's eyes were glued, unblinking, at the large screen...mouth slightly open.


I shot..and the little rubber end hit young Homer in the neck, thwap, and stuck.  That was cool.  Saminator laughed as he yanked it off.


At least I had his attention.


Eventually the war game ended, the boys were dressed and we were on our way to the stores.  They were somewhat behaved as we made our purchases (after all..it was all for them), and we decided to go to Boston Pizza to visit The Short One and have a snack (and COFFEE) before ball hockey.


The boys bolted into the restaurant, barely managing to remain in the "To Be Seated" zone when I asked them to hold up.  I need to get their brakes checked.


Their sister greeted us with a big beautiful smile and the boys were off in two shakes to pick a booth.  We were in one when Saminator decided to run into another one.  I just gave him 'the look' and asked him to get back here.  The Short One whispered that someone from their head office was there so she'd have to be very formal.  I shook my head in understanding and said a quick prayer that the boys would leave the restaurant in the same condition it was in when we arrived.


Coats off, Red beside me and Saminator across from me, we ordered a snack and drinks.  We managed to get through the half hour with only a few requests to Red to get out from under the table, and a few looks at the Saminator when he stood up to fire his TecDeck across the wall.  That's a successful restaurant trip.


Then it was time for ball hockey.


I'm going to save you the play by play simply because there were too many wicked moments to count!  Saminator started the game by swooping over to the ball and running it past the other teams' defense to score with a cool little toss into the top corner.


Oh yeah...


He then moved back to defense, later taking the goalie position where he didn't actually have much action.


Cuz the RedMan was on frickin fire.


SIX goals ma friends.  SIX!!


The other team didn't have a chance as Red whipped the ball away from frantic players and maneuvered in, around, and through the other players until he got to the net where he'd fire in a shot.  After every goal he'd come running down the arena to get a fist five and helmet tap from his grinning mom.


My favourite play happened at the net.  He actually faked a shot bringing the goalie diving down to block a corner, then Red calmly pulled the ball back and shot over the grounded goaltender.


Like...where does the dude come up with that stuff?


My heart just thumps reliving the moment.  Kid rocks.


I drove back to Toronto to the sound of snoring in the back seat.


An hour after arrival, the kids decided they were hungry.  Now.  It was 4:00.


Time for our date.


Ever been to The Spaghetti Factory on Front Street?  If you haven't, go!  Highly recommended!  Lots of interesting decor, food is fantastic and you don't feel financially raped when the bill comes.  It's ahhhhite!


The hostess led us through the restaurant to our table.  I pulled the chairs out for the boys and pushed them back in for them.  The floors are covered with cushiony carpet that makes sliding chairs impossible...


They were each given 5 crayons bundled together with an elastic.  An elastic.


Sigh


We ordered chocolate milks and coke and discussed menu options as the boys untied their crayons and began working away at the paper place mats.  Spaghetti and meatballs all around.  Bonus!


Chocolate milk arrived in glasses with two straws.


'Please don't blow bubbles.'


'No...don't slurp.'


'You are not a walrus..please take the straws out of your mouth.'


Eventually I just took their milk away and they returned to colouring, briefly.


'yes, you have a big foot, now get that big floppy thing off the table.'


'Don't lean back in your chair, it's gonna go over.'


'No, really, it'll go over.  Sit properly.'


Dinner arrived and was enjoyed.  Butcha gotta have dessert.


Ice cream for everyone!


Sweet...


Leftover spaghetti cleared away the boys had to entertain themselves.  And if you take an elastic, and pull it between crayons like this....


'Put the elastic down before it flies off and hits someone.'


Two little lightbulbs appear just over the horns on two little heads.


The 'Ibroughtyouintotheworldandicantakeyouout Look' appears and the light from the light bulb momentarily dims.


The elastic turned into handcuffs.  They discovered they could handcuff themselves with wrists in front or behind.  Red explained he was going to jail.


'For what?'  Says me


'I was bad.'  Says him


'What did you do?' Says me


'I stole something.'  Says him


'Oh dear, what did you steal?' Says me


'Popsicles.' Says him


It's a tough world folks.


Handcuffs got boring and they tried pulling the elastics back between the crayons..(give them credit for not giving up easily) but their mother was on to them.


Saminator though it would make a nice necklace but that didn't fly either.


Who was the brilliant mind that thought that would be a good plan?  Bundling crayons with an elastic and giving them to kids at a busy restaurant?


In hindsight I should have let 'em have at at it, just so I could shrug at the distraught staff and tell them they shouldn't hand out elastics to kids.  I am kind of curious just what the little monkeys would have come up with, given the freedom to explore the possibilities...

Ice cream finally arrived, was eaten...bill paid..and we bolted before they discovered anymore fun uses for elastics.  

End of date.

Restaurant still standing if you'd like to check it out :)


We were home by 6:30, played a bit, bathed, and watched a movie.  We were all in bed by 8:30.


Not terribly surprising.


It was a good day though :)  And I am proud of those kids...despite the moments of shock and horror.