A Child of the 70's

It may be misleading to say I was born in the 70's considering I was only technically there for 28 days. Majority of that time was spent sleeping, I'm sure. However, I thought it would be interesting to know what was happening around the world the year I was born. Here are some random tidbits from the year: (side note: how awesome is the word tidbits?)

1979

• The Pittsburgh Steelers win the Superbowl. The Habs win the Cup. The Seattle SuperSonics win the NBA finals. Pittsburgh Pirates win the World Series.
  
• School shooting in San Diego California. Brenda Spencer opens fire in a school, killing two staff members and 8 students because "she doesn't like Mondays". I didn't know school shootings, by a chick to say the least, happened back then. And because she doesn't like Mondays??
  
• It snows in the Sahara Desert for 30 minutes.
• New Orleans cancels Mardi Gras because the Police Department went on strike.
• Joe Clark is the Prime Minister of Canada. Jimmy Carter is the President of the United States. Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female prime minister of the United Kingdom.
• The first execution using the electric chair takes place.
  
• US President Jimmy Carter is attacked by a swamp rabbit (um. yes. a swamp rabbit.)
• Ray Washington, who is the co-founder of the "Crips" one of the most notorious gangs, still to this day - is murdered.
• Michael Jackson releases his first album. It goes platinum, selling 7 million copies.
  
• ESPN debuts.
  
• For Better or For Worse comic strip debuts.
  
• The 'One Child Policy' is implemented in China.
• McDonald's introduces Happy Meals to its menu.
• Mother Teresa wins the Nobel Peace Prize.
  

I started to look at who else was born in 1979. Keshia Knight Pulliam was one of them. WHAT? Rudy Huxtable and I are the same age? SHUT THE FRONT DOOR. I had no idea. Other people who were born that year: Kate Hudson, Heath Ledger, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Marian Hossa, Claire Danes, Pink, John Krasinski (awww), Sara Bareilles....

Things that I THINK probably also happened in 1979, but can't say for sure:

• The birth of my sister's 'Middle Child Syndrome' is launched.
  
• My father presumably gets the vasectomy he missed 9 months prior. (Ta Da!! HERE I AM)
  

I feel like I just did a school project. I found this interesting though. I hope my fellow 1979-ers enjoy this as well!

Happy Holidays!!

As my week is finally starting to wind down, I'm lying in bed enjoying a cozy, quiet night. Christmas is always such a busy time of year, but I'm not complaining. I love how Christmas brings people together. Time spent with family and friends is the best part.

Here's a quick glance of just a few things that made my Christmas a happy one.

(1) A Country Christmas Hoe-down.

We all know I love to dress up for Halloween, so dressing up for Christmas party is that much better. I love themed parties!! Plus, Sheri and her husband posted these 'Wanted' signs all around their house of people who were at the party. Love it.

(2) Letters to Santa.

This is the letter my niece Jana wrote Santa, her 'greatest hero'.

Don't you just want to squeeze her?

(3) Personal gifts. Part of Christmas is giving and receiving. While I appreciate all gifts, every once in awhile you get a gift that makes you feel a little extra special because you know it was just for you. I received two special gifts this year.

First, this ornament from my roommate Vicki. When she first moved in she introduced me to Entourage and got me hooked. Now, it's kind of 'our thing' and I love that she bought me this tree ornament:

Secondly, this popcorn blanket my sister handmade. We, along with our friend Lisa, LOVE going to the movies. She special ordered this material and made a blanket for each of us. We often find the theatre to be chilly, whether it is a cold winter night or over air conditioned in the summer - so she made the blankets small enough to fold up and fit in a purse. Perfect!

While all the gift giving, receiving, visiting with people and eating of delicious meals is what makes the holidays what they are - my favourite part of this season actually happened at work. Our staff pooled together and bought gifts for children at our local food shelter who are much less fortunate than many of us will probably ever know. We all have what we need and I am proud to work with a team who recognizes that and comes together to help those who don't. Seeing the huge pile of gifts stacked on top one another and later seeing pictures of the children with Santa and their presents made me happy and remember what Christmas is all about.

~As we embark on a brand new year tomorrow I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year~

May 2011 be filled with laughter, smiles and sweet moments

surrounded with the people who are important in your life.

Favourite of the Day: The girls team I help coach played in the finals of the annual Christmas Classic Hockey Tournament tonight. The game came down to playing 3 on 3 in double over time. Our team scored and we won the tournament. Our girls played their little hearts out all week and I was proud of them for winning tonight. It was awesome.

Why I'm not friends with Oprah

A few years back, when I was an avid VHS recorder-of-shows, I found myself in the market to land on Oprah and become her best friend.

I used to watch the show "Nip/Tuck" (had a crush on Sean McNamara) and would frequently program my VCR to tape it. One day while reading the classified ads on our local website, I found an ad from a man who missed the most recent show and was desperately looking for someone who taped it. I taped it.

I really thought it was hilarious that someone actually posted a classified ad for this. I can appreciate someone who is that devoted to a television show. I decided to call him. I knew I could have been opening up my life to a whole world of crazy, but I decided to risk it. If only for the fact that I would hope someone would do the same for me.

I called the number. His wife answered. I asked for "Mike". He wasn't home. Clearly questioning why some random girl was calling her husband, she asked why I was calling. That's when my face turned red. He was a goof for posting the ad, but I was goofier for responding to it and I suddenly felt really ridiculous.

Me: "I am just responding to the ad he posted online"
Her: "Ad for what"
Me: "um.......a recording of last night's Nip/Tuck."

dead silence

Her: (mumbling to herself) "you've got to be kidding me" I could tell she was embarrassed by her husband. With hesitation she said "Okay, I'll pass on the message"

Soon after, he called me back. He was SO happy I called. As luck would have it - he lived very close to me. His children went to the school that is near my house. We made arrangements for me to leave the tape in my mailbox for him to pick up when he dropped his kids off at school. When I returned home later that day I found a new blank tape in my mail box and a lottery ticket attached.

Mike and I continued our 'friendship' throughout that t.v season. We never actually met. I don't know what he looks like. I don't know his last name. We continued to record shows for each other and exchanged tapes in our mailboxes. The odd time, he would leave a lottery ticket.

I fantasized that one of the tickets would bring me millions. Then I'd give him a million, of course. I knew my story of giving a million dollars to the man I'd never met would get me on a first class flight to Harpo Studios. Oprah would think I was pretty awesome and next thing you know, I'm playing Foosball with Stedman while she pours us more wine and laughs.

But (sigh) - back to reality. I did not win the lottery and have accepted it wasn't meant to be. Nip/Tuck ended and life went on.

I hope Mike has since gotten a PVR. I bet his wife hopes so too.

The Way I Am

I have recently become slightly obsessed with Ingrid Michaelson. She is awesome and totally cute. Her popularity grew after being featured on an Old Navy commercial and more than once on Grey's Anatomy.

I initially learned of her through the song "The Way I Am". I can't post the video because it's been blocked, but please click on this link if you're not familiar with her. However, do not click on this link you if are my friend and your name is Aaron OR if your name is not Aaron, but you hate clowns.

You can hear the song "Keep Breathing" in this scene between Meredith and Christina. I love the end when Meredith just holds her. She doesn't say a word and she knows she doesn't need too. How perfect is this song for this scene?

Only me....

Saturday night my friend Julie and I celebrated our birthday together. See?

Because it was our birthday, a lot of people bought us 'birthday shots'. I may have had too many. No, actually, I know I did and I can say this with confidence because I didn't recall any conversation with any cab driver on the ride home. However, yesterday I came home for lunch to find a new message on my answering machine. From a cab driver. A CAB DRIVER. I wish someone were here to witness how hard I laughed about this. It is awesome on so many different levels. Here is the message:

After hearing this, I've come to the following conclusions:

1) We had a discussion about health care in our city.

2) He has a great concern about health care in our city.

3) I shared with him I do not have a family doctor.

4) I gave him my phone number. (WHAT??)

5) Four days later, he was still thinking about this discussion.

6) He thought it was okay to call me at 8:02 am (He clearly doesn't know me).

Maybe some people think it is creepy that he called me. I think it is AWESOME. The cab company should advertise that their drivers really do care about their passengers.

Sometimes my life cracks me up.

Favourite of the Day: 1) Tomorrow I will be 31 and I am okay with it. 2) My sister sends me the funniest emails ever.

Gobble Gobble

You ever wonder who was the first person to think of making stuffing? How did they came up with a plan to shove some food up a birds ass?

I had previously said that it is on my Bucket List to make a complete turkey dinner. I've now changed my mind. I have no desire deal with a turkey, giblets or shoving anything up it's butt. (Don't get me wrong, I"ll eat it if someone else cooks it)

Seeing as it was American Thanksgiving last week, I also thought about how many people spend the day watching football.

Double whammy.

I can't think of two more terrible ways to spend a holiday.

The 6th and Final One

I made my first pot of homemade chicken noodle soup.

In related news, I made my last pot of homemade chicken noodle soup.

That's right. Never again. It tasted pretty good, but cooking that chicken was disgusting and my kitchen was turned upside down. I'll take soup from a can any day, thanks.

Here I am getting ready to touch the chicken. Ya, that's right - I wore gloves.

I don't have the receipt for the cost break down. It may have been damaged by the punk kid who tore my car apart.

I am ending the 7 day challenge now. It has taken me 15 days and I made 6 new things. I'm content with that. Does it make me a quitter? Perhaps. But I invented the challenge and I'm the only participant - so I'm cool with it.

Favourite of the Day: Road tripping with the ladies tonight! I think were nuts to tackle the Yankee's on Black Friday but I'm excited.

At the rink today....

In the dressing room before hockey, I overheard this conversation take place between the girls I coach:

"What is all that noise?"

"That's the boys next door in the shower"

"Oh man. I've heard stories about hockey boys in the shower. *pause* It isn't good, guys. I'm serious."

............AND that's my cue to intervene and quickly change the subject. I had no idea what was about to come out of her mouth but I wasn't going to get into any part of that conversation.

Horseshoe in my Arse?

Someone broke into my car last night.

I discovered this today when it appeared a tornado made its way through the inside of it. There were papers and things strewn about. The console and glove compartment were open and everything had been rifled through. My heart sunk. I had a lot of good 'loot' in there.

I had gift cards from Tim Hortons, M&M's & Cineplex in there. I left my wallet in there, which contained $35.00 cash and my credit card. My passport was in there. I had a $20.00 bill in an envelope in there. To top it all off - my extra set of car keys were in there. Doh.

You know what was stolen? Nothing. Can you believe that? I don't know if someone was watching over me, if its karma or maybe I had a horseshoe in my arse. Either way, I am thankful. Thankful to whomever may have scared them off and thankful I don't have the headache of dealing with stolen cards, passports or you know - cars. Seriously, they could have just taken the keys and driven off with the damn thing.

If you would have asked me this morning if I had locked the doors last night, I would have answered with 100% confidence that I had. I always do. Or not, so it seems.

I am well aware of what a giant meathead I am for having all that stuff in my car in the first place. Consider it a lesson learned.

By the way - if anyone reading this happens to be around my dad, lets just keep this little incident to ourselves. While my dad is well aware of the bonehead moves I make, he would not be too pleased to hear this one. Thanks.

Favourite of the Day: Well, not getting robbed. Plus, Claudia and I went to Gran Festa for lunch and I had the most amazing sandwich on the planet. It was grilled chicken, spinach, figs and brie with a roasted apple spread. Mmmmmmm.

Random Thought

Lately 'sippy cup' is the funniest, yet dumbest word in the world to me. I guess the name itself makes sense but I would bet a 4 year old invented it.

I've been hearing it quite a bit lately and it's becoming funnier and funnier.

SIPPY CUP.

HAHAHAHAH.