Larger than life is your fiction...

What I'm Loving Right Now...

2011-05-14T18:50:00.002-07:00

Game of Thrones
I am completely enthralled with this new series from HBO... and I'm not alone! Entertainment Weekly has posted some impressive viewer ratings for the first four episodes (8.3 million viewers season-to-date, repeats/reruns are factored in).

The series is one of medieval fantasy, including sex, deception, action, mystery and DRAGONS?!? Well, okay no dragons yet but, their petrified eggs! Can you say Jurassic Park? And to boot one of the characters is a hot little number named Emilia Clark who gets naked quite often! There is also some hot eye candy for females Kit Harrington, Richard Madden, Jason Momoa and the sexy Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, just smoldering.

I'm so excited about this show and so HBO as they have decided to pick up Season 2! I've gone so far as to purchase the series of books A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin and I've been immersed in it since early last week, they are fantastic and give a lot more detail to the characters and plot.

This show has something special... cast? storyline? directing? cinematography? It seems to have it all. Although it sounds ridiculous to say the show's tag line "Winter Is Coming" since we're in spring and heading into summer but, who cares!? I might need to turn my air conditioning up, this series just keeps getting hotter!

Insert Tumbleweed Here...

2011-05-14T18:50:00.000-07:00

Well, well, what have we here? It's been way too long. My blog is resembling the picture above... now all I need are some tumbleweeds...

To Be Continued...

GENDER BLENDER 2010 + BAD MEDICINE = LIVER TRANSPLANT

2010-06-04T05:21:00.000-07:00

As if this weekend is here again! Such great times last year and now I'm on a new team with quite the reputation to live up to... They are known for their all night dance party and having the best set ups for site themes! I'm stoked and hopefully there will be a liver transplant waiting for me at the end...

Here's a taste of last year from this amazing ultimate frisbee tournament!
Gender Blender 2009

2010 BAD MEDICINE THEME: WIZARD OF OZ
I get to play the Wicked Witch of the West... how appropriate! Here's basically our site theme below!

MANTRA FOR THE WEEKEND: DRINK. PEE. REPEAT

One of those days...

2010-05-26T14:36:00.004-07:00

You know when you're in a hurry and you're stuck behind a city bus... in a residential area... a school zone at that... with oncoming traffic... and a barely alive 90-year old thinks that today is the best day to go for a walk... and at the exact moment the bus turns out of your way they pop out onto the road going a max of 2km/hr with their wonky walker... then suddenly they drop dead right in front of your car... and all you want to do is gun it past the body but you know that f*cking walker will ruin your suspension... yeah, that's kinda like the day I had today.

FML

Californ-I-A...

2010-05-12T12:25:00.002-07:00

Well my better half is off to California today, lucky guy! It is with mixed emotion I send him off for the next 48 hours...

Mixed because I'm excited and elated about this crazy opportunity for him but holding back because the outcome could mean another move, and not within Canada this time. Thankfully this is not for certain, as I think I would fight tooth and nail to stay in Toronto, but it is a possibility... and given the other factors involved if it had to be relocation there wouldn't be much choice. I tend to prefer choice.

I also prefer change but find I need some sort of stability, however minute it is. My best friends are here and my family, they are my rocks. I moved away for 4.5 years before but always with the understanding I would be back. Perhaps the notion of having to be in the same city for stability is false... I would still have those support systems but not as close. And who is to say how long this stint would be for, if at all?

However, I've always wanted to surf and love the ocean just as much as I loved the mountains in Alberta and as much as I love the lakes in Ontario. Nothing is concrete until this process is over but I do let my mind roam about being on a giant, sandy beach on a weekend and how sweet a Betty I would be on a surfboard...

My Top 3 California Dreamin' Songs:
Old Skool
My Generation
Brand New

Grow Up.

2010-05-11T12:34:00.009-07:00

I feel like a toddler. I feel like and 18-month old, socially delayed baby. I'm that kid who has had their most favourite, prized possession taken away and look out... because the tantrum that's coming on is going to be one hell of a fit.

Who is this awful parent that is taking away my beloved toy?

At first I had to share it, which I've never been at ease with doing, and that was difficult enough watching someone else play with my novelty right in front of me. Then to have it completely taken away, there must be a good reason... maybe this toy was dangerous, and it was removed to keep me out of harms way. Or perhaps playtime had gone on long enough and it was time to move on to another activity.

Either way, do these parents not know the arduous ordeal of trying to detach a toddler from something they are concentrating on, having a world of fun with and, in their own way, feel they outright own? Toddlers simply cannot comprehend the idea of sharing or having to separate from something they adore!

Fortunately, for toddlers, furious outbursts and conniptions are tolerated, expected and handled gently. Unfortunately it's not Lent and I'm not a toddler, nor do I really want to be, well not for more than a short period of time and within the privacy of my own space.

When you're an adult, you parent yourself through life and make your own decisions... and right about now would be the time I need to grow the fuck up.

When I Grow Up - Garbage

Decisions

2010-05-05T22:23:00.004-07:00

For someone who is "cognitively dissonant" it took all about 15 minutes one morning for me to extricate that label from my character. And having done so has been one of the most difficult things I've ever encountered.

However, the relief (despite the pain) has been enough to justify the choice, I'd only wished I had realized it sooner. By being indecisive and procrastinating on important issues you end up becoming stuck and paralyzing a portion of your life, it even debilitates your ability to function in certain cases. I became so focused on trying to make the right decision I ended up becoming crippled by too much analysis and the information I was gathering. Follow my head or my heart or my gut... how could I choose? I went on instinct at that exact moment in time. Just like that... I did it... it seemed very hard but simple all at once. I'm grieving for the path I left behind but am now more focused on the future I chose and am excited for the change and renewal. At times I'm unsure if I made a favorable choice but my courage to commit and my ability to accept my imperfection if I made a mistake is invaluable. I will get over this... and am better off for it.

Get Over It!

Decisions are unavoidable, you might as well decide to decide.

Cognitively Dissonant

2009-08-28T05:57:00.003-07:00

" Cognitive dissonance is an uncomfortable feeling caused by holding two contradictory ideas simultaneously."

Or so says my counsellor, Leon Festinger and wikipedia...

I cannot recall a time I have NOT been cognitively dissonant. However, I've never felt extreme discomfort in having two opinions, just pressure in the fact I'm in a constant state of potential mental change.

Psychologist, Leon Festinger's research showed that, when a person is confronted with challenging new information, most people seek to maintain their current understanding of the world by rejecting, explaining away, or voiding the new information or by persuading themselves that no conflict really exists. I like to think I'm always accumulating new information, to ensure I'm making a sound decision or I am at ease with my opinions... that is, when I can actually come to a decision, hence my current "label".

Dialogue is one of the strongest methods to produce cognitive dissonance... so you can see I'm already screwed? Learning what someone beside you is thinking creates new information and perspective, something I crave all the time. However, as much as I have an intense desire to know other's thoughts, I am also one to learn take those perspectives and then do something completely opposite of what is "expected", a disarming behaviour obviously.

One way to eliminate this "state" is to ignore the dissonant cognitions... kind of like have your cake and eat it too... which I am guilty of to a fault. Apparently, it allows for us to do things we wouldn't normally do and might view as wrong or inappropriate. If I could actually figure out if, rationally, I'm making a right or wrong decision, I believe I would care.

Cognitive dissonance is nonetheless considered an explanation for attitude change and that's what I'm going to stick with... for now.

In love with a King...

2007-10-03T17:33:00.001-07:00

Okay so while we were in the U.K. they were promoting this television show called "The Tudors" and since we had learned a lot about the British Monarchy on our honeymoon, I was pretty intrigued. I saw a few clips on tv while we were over there promoting the show.

Now I cannot lie and say it was only the Tudor Dynasty I was intrigued about, there could be a slim chance due to the fact that King Henry VIII is played by a gorgeous Jonathan Rhys Meyers ( not really casted as a true plump King Henry VIII)but nevertheless he is HOT. And Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk played by Henry Cavill isn't too shabby either!

I watched the (sexed-down for Candian broadcasting audiences) Episode 1 last night and I am hooked! No sex? We are so prude!

Although the series doesn't ring 100% true to historical fact, there is no doubt this steamy and sexy mini-series will be a hit...

Ahhhh,its good to be King!

European Paper Wasps in Toronto

2007-08-01T07:43:00.001-07:00

Son of a ....

Before leaving for work this morning, while I dozed sleepily in bed, Mike came in the bedroom and mentioned a wasps nest had fallen from our eavestroph on to our front step. He told me he put a bucket over the nest and not to move it. " Yeah Yeah" I said as I went back to bed. I got up around 9:30 am this morning, barely remembering what Mike said I took our dog out for a wee, and on the way down the stairs I noticed a black bucket and then remembered what Mike had said. I looked up and there were tons of these wasps looking for their home. Needless to say I am a nerd and did some searching on the internet, took a few pictures and realized we have European Paper Wasps...now I can't go out the front door until Mike buys spray to kill them. Ewww, they sure look gross with their dangley legs flying all over my front porch. Thankfully they're not very agressive...but they can still sting!

I shall be taking the back door out of the house today and this evening I will watch from inside as my fearless fiance destroys the rest of the nest....at dusk of course since that is when they are least active. I feel like quite the entomologist today...

It ain't over 'til...

2007-07-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

Well, like the big nerd I am, I stood in line last Friday night at midnight to get the last and final - gawd I hope not - installment of, author extraordinaire, JK Rowling's literacy frenzy; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

It was absolutely insane at Bayview Village Chapters and to my surprise there were almost as many "adults" there to pick up the book as there were kids. The anticipation of this book had been eating away at my nerves all week, since I had fallen in love with the series shortly after 2001. After a unanimous countdown to 12:00am the line was moving and I was about to receive my book. I was quite impressed with the efficient manner in which Chapters conducted the transactions, I think I only waited 35 minutes to get through the line and get a copy of the book. I made my purchase and ran quickly out of the store, as not to hear any one's comment while they were reading the very last chapter in line - by the way WHAT is wrong with those people? I then went to Timmy's and got a HUGE ice cap and drove home to embark on the final tale of Harry Potter. I settled into our leather couch and just stared at the cover. I so didn't want this to be over, not yet.

I devoured the book, I couldn't stop...until I fell asleep on the couch only 150 pages in. I woke up Saturday at 10 am and feverishly raced through the chapters. At 4:30pm on Saturday I was done. It was over. For some reason I was exhilarated but at the same time felt a great sense of emptiness by the finality of it all.

I immensely enjoyed the last book but couldn't help thinking during my reading some parts seemed to be rushed. Would it have been more polished if she had waited a year to publish it? Who knows? Most of the plot questions were answered, even if they were done so very simplistically, there was a bit more information with regards to characters and character development which I loved. Overall I have no qualms, I loved it and am at a loss to find something just as entertaining to read. Who knew adults would become so enamoured by a "kids" book.

So a definitive end to Harry Potter and the classic literacy legacy JK Rowling's has set. And with that the fat lady's singing is still ringing in my ears.

Dear Gawd...

2007-07-12T07:17:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe the wedding is less than two months away...

How did this happen? And when the hell did I start hating attention to detail?

We have been engaged since November 2005, and I was on top of EVERYTHING immediately! All the big stuff was planned ( location, florist, photogrpaher ect) and I felt that this was all going to be a piece of cake - hey, I like cake!

Now with less that 2 months to go it seems I've skimmed on a few details...nothing major but, enough to get that adrenaline pumping again and make me have some sort of temorary mental disorder. For the past few months I have done absolutely nothing in preparation, I felt quite apethetic about all the planning and kept pushing it off. Although it didn't seem too out of the ordinary since I am a huge procrastinator either way. Now my MC is asking for an outline, I'm being told I need a critical path for the day of, I still need to check in with my father about his role in the wedding ( which is going to be brutal at its best).

I have come to realize that I do in fact love planning, I love coming up with ideas and thinking of ways to do things.

But when it comes to details...let someone else do it, because I hate it.

Happy 140th Birthday Canada!

2007-07-02T18:53:00.001-07:00

I had to work on Canada Day. But I made the most out of the rest of the weekend! We started our weekend going up to Ali's parents Lake House on Saturday. Rundle was very curious of the water and was barking and running up and down the dock when he slipped in. He looked more like a submarine, his face sunk and his butt bobbed...then he figured out how to doggie paddle and was having a great time swimming! It was a beautiful day spent with wonderful people.

On Sunday I had to work...which did suck but it was a fun event overall. Then we decided to take Rundle to the fireworks... not such a great idea. We didn't know that the fireworks were going to be set off right beside us. Needless to say Rundle "helped" us find an alternative spot, where he lay down right beside me and asked me with his big brown eyes " when is this over?"

Today we spent most of the day resting and trying to get things figured out for our honeymoon...it is a neverending process.

But back to Canada Day...I am so thankful to live in a beautiful country like Canada, and after seeing "Sicko" in the theatre this weekend it makes me think, we aren't perfect but at least we aren't the USA. So Happy Birthday Canada!

Weekend...

2006-12-03T15:49:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe the weekend is already over?! Where does the time go?

We went to check out a live taping of the Rick Mercer Report on Friday night with our friends Dave and Ali. It was quite interesting to see the show "live" or most of it anyways. Rick was funny and this week's upcoming show will be hilarious! My friend Kim was actually at the taping too, and I sat right in front of her! I guess it was just something "different" to do on a Friday night. Watch for the Peel Police K-9 segment, it was my fave from the taping.

Other than that this weekend was pretty slow, we watched the Leafs lose on Saturday night * sniff, sniff* and then just goofed around with Rundle today...here is a pic of him.

He is getting so big! On Tuesday he will be 15 weeks old. He is a great pup so far, he listens well and does most of his commands. No if we could curb the biting we would be stellar. It's strange, when he is with the other puppies in obedience class he let's them rip on him and chew his leg, tail, ear, whatever! He has yet to bite back...maybe he just saves it all for mommy and daddy? I cannot wait for those little razors to fall out of his mouth, we are going through band-aids like no tomorrow! I know what Mike is getting as a stocking stuffer this year...and maybe some fast-healing polysporan too!

SHE'S GONNA BRING SEXY BACK!

2006-11-08T06:26:00.000-07:00

I know this is completely irrelevant and insignificant but I am SOOOO happy Britney Spears has filed for a divorce from Ferderjerk! YAY! Let's bring on the comeback!!! For more dish on the dirt go to: http://people.aol.com

Here Brit pops in on Letterman Monday night, noticably sans wedding ring! She looks Great!

BRITNEY'S GOING TO BRING SEXY BACK : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeGaw3hcV3g

Halloween 2006

2006-10-30T22:09:00.000-07:00

We had our Halloween Party last Friday night and it was a blast! Everyone looked so awesome in their costumes!!! The food was excellent and there was a lot of alcohol! Here are a few pics from the evening:

Sally O'Malley " I kick and I stretch and I'm FIFTY!"
& Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer

Phillip & Grace " My mom says I'm a Hyper-Hypo"

The Spartan Cheerleaders Arianna & Craig " Taco, Burritto, what's hangin' out of that SPEEDO!"

Mary Catherine Gallager " SUPASTAR!" & Gene Frenkle " I got a fever...."

Robert Goulet " La,da,da,dee,da,da,dahhhh..... Goooulet!"

Thanks to all my friends who drove ALL the way to the T-dot from Waterloo!!!!

William & Coco visit Rundle

2006-10-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful afternoon! My cousin Alison came over with her minature schnauzer Coco and her beautiful, almost 4 month old baby William. Coco and Rundle checked each other out and Coco was a bit unsure at first. Rundle needed a NAP and badly so he went upstairs to his crate and then cam eback down to play with Coco. Alison and I had a great afternoon ( trying desperatelt to figure out how to work that die cutting scrapbook tool - no luck here!). William was awake almost the whole time and I was able to snap a few pictures of his sweet little face!

I, I, I'm just a Biting Machine...and I won't bite on nobody but you...

2006-10-23T06:51:00.000-07:00

Well tomorrow Rundle will be nine weeks old! He is a rip roaring biting machine right now! I cannot wait until he gets his second set of shots, then he can go chew on some puppies and be chewed on! ( Rundle was a singleton, no littermates so he practices his biting on Mommy and Daddy!). I think that is why puppies look so cute, it's their survival technique with humans! *laugh* Here he is in the rain saying " Mommy! Get me out of this icky rain! Arooo!"

Other than than Mike and I spent the entire weekend at home and it was great! Just us and Rundle! Although by Sunday night I had a HUGE glass of red wine and Mike had a few beers while Rundle slept on his back, paws splayed out! Mike and I are getting ready for our SNL Themed Halloween Part this weekend, we are going as the Spartan Cheerleaders...."Taco, burrito, what's coming out of that speedo!" It should be a load of fun!!! Anyhoo, the devil incarnate is sleeping so I am off to get ready to take him to the vet! Should be interesting, I know that I cannot put him down on the floor, so I'm sure he'll be squirming around and nipping! *laugh*

Here is a pic of Rundle with Daddy!

2006-10-18T10:13:00.000-07:00

Well I finally got my wish of five years for a Bernese Mountain Dog.

ODE TO RUNDLE:

Rundle.Here you are.Finally.Mine and no one else's.You bite me.Youhave accidents on the floor.You smell strongly of dog.You get muddyoutside.And then run across the floor while I desperately chase afteryou with an old towel.You nip my hands.You nip my feet. You nip mypant legs. You bark loudly.Did I mention you bite?.You ignore thecats.You sigh blissfully when you lie down.You look up at me withadorable puppy eyes.You are the cutest bundle of fluff.You sleepsilly on your back, legs splayed.The pads of your paws are soft andpink. You are warm.You give Daddy and me lot's of kisses.You have awonderful spirit.Did I mention you smell like dog?.I love you.