I hate today.

I need to vent about how much I hate today.  

Let's start at the beginning.  A few weeks back I looked at my schedule and made note that the kids I coach had a practice this morning at 8, and I had my own game to play tonight at 7pm.  I was supposed to work from 8am-8pm so I would have missed both.  I decided to book the day off.  I felt like a good coach and a good teammate for doing this.  

So, I went to bed early last night knowing I had to get up early today to drive completely across town for the practice, which I had to run by myself because none of the other coaches could make it.  (Note: Running practices by yourself really sucks)  So, I get there and there are THREE kids there.  THREE.  Parents are supposed to let us know when they aren't coming - no one did. I was so rattled I forgot to give the kids the Valentine treats I had went out and bought for them. 

Then, after spending the day getting nothing accomplished, I drove to the same rink, completely across town AGAIN to find that only two other players from my own team showed up for my game.  Great.  We forfeited the game.  

Then I went to yet another rink to do scorekeeping for mens league. During the first game I watched a guy blow, what I've now learned is called a snot rocket, all over the place - which isn't anything new. (This completely repulses me, as I've said before).  But this particular rocket was extra gross and the guy had snot all over his beard and I actually gagged when I saw this.  

In the second game, I forgot to start the clock once and this guy sarcastically says to me "oh, don't worry, I understand - Running the clock can be very difficult".  A few minutes later, I was trying to fix the heater in the bottom of the booth when apparently this same guy got a penalty. The ref did not tell me this.  So when I sit back up, this douche bag asks me when his penalty is done.  Obviously, I have no idea since I didn't know it happened.  And he chirps me again; "Wow, I see you're struggling with this really difficult job you have".   

I BOOKED OFF FOR THIS.  I hate today. 

HAPPY FREAKIN' VALENTINE'S DAY. 

Favourite of the Day: Ya, right. 

Red and Gold Forever

They've started construction to tear down my highschool. I shouldn't be sad about this, but I am. I graduated from highschool 12 years ago and guess how many times I've been back inside it since? ZERO. So, it's not like I'm going to miss strolling through the hallways reminiscing of the good ol' days. I'm not. I guess I'm sad about the lost opportunity, had I ever chosen to do that.

I know some people set foot out of highschool and never look back. But I am not one of them. I look back on those five years with a smile on my face. (And if you're American and reading this...I am not an idiot...Ontario had 5 years of highschool back then).

Think of who you were that first weary day of grade nine as you nervously tried to find your way, then think of who you were the day you wrote your last exam and walked away with your head held high - It's unbelievable what can change in such short amount of time. Amazing, really.

There are millions of memories hidden inside that building. Belonging to the thousands and thousands of students who grew up there...and even to the ones who never grew up at all.  They can tear down the building, but I hope the memories we all take away always stand tall. 

Regardless of what school goes up in its place, red and gold will always bleed a little magic in my heart.  Once a Brave, always a Brave. 

IT'S HERE!! IT'S HERE!!

Opening Ceremonies are today! I am more excited for these Olympics than ever before. Maybe it's because I got to touch the Olympic torch this year? Maybe because I know a bunch of people going to see them live? Who knows.  I do know that all the press, the commercials...and that song? Completely successful in arousing my excitement!

I can't wait to watch the men's and women's hockey. 

And was it merely a coincidence that today I went to Zellers and they had barrels of these mittens, which had previously been sold out time and time again?  I think not.  

Let the games begin!!

G O     C A N A D A

Favourite of the Day: Would it be too obvious if I said it was getting these mittens? Ya? Okay. Well, how about that I went to buy my nieces some Valentine's today and it made me remember how fun Valentines Day was when I was a kid. I loved colouring the little brown bag and then hanging it along the black board ledge. Then filling out all the cards and dropping them into everyone bags and excitedly going home to read the ones I got. So fun and sweet!

Only locals will get this one...

Today I stopped at Mac's to buy some bread (for grilled cheese sandwiches, of course). I realized there were three cars running in the parking lot, with no one in them.

I really like that I live in a neighbourhood where people can still do that.

I also really like when people refer to Mac's as Mike's Mart. Oh, and when people call the Zellers plaza the Kmart plaza. My mom does this and it's cute.

Zoolanderishness

It's been a long time coming but I finally got rid of my Zoolander phone.

If you recall, I previously emailed Rogers to see if they could convince me to stay with them as my contract was up for expiry. They sent me back this long dumb response, which I won't bore you by posting. They did not convince me to stay. However, this awesome guy at Future Shop did. He was really good. Better than any Rogers employee I've ever dealt with. Rogers really should thank them. Maybe I should email them and tell them that? ; )

For you to truly grasp the Zoolanderishness of the phone, I've posted this picture of it beside a barbeque chip:

It's been three years and this phone is well travelled. It has joined me on many adventures. Mostly, I will miss the way it fit snug between my boobs on the days I didn't have pockets (usually when I was wearing a dress, which yes, is extra classy). But now it's time. Time for me move on to bigger and better things. The Samsung Hype, specifically.

Farewell midget phone - it was a good ride.

Favourite of the Day: It is customer appreciation night at the Roadhouse, which means FREE DINNER. Who doesn't love free dinner?

Foamy Happiness

Last week I went to Bath and Body Works and found my favourite body wash in the clearance section for 75% off.  They told me they were discontinuing the soap.  I picked up 3 bottles and went home.   Upon further thought, I realized I wanted to have more in my stash.  I went back last night and bought 'a few' more.  

I'm guessing that by the time I make it through all these bottles it will no longer be my favourite.....

Mario + Luigi = Amy + Sara

When my sister Amy got married, I was happy for her, of course. But I was also sad she was moving out of the house. I wish I had some heartfelt, touching reason for feeling this way. But the truth is - I just wanted someone to play Sega with.

We spent many nights playing "Lion King" in my parents basement. This game was a little gem that didn't get the spotlight it deserved. We grew an obsession together trying to conquer one level after another. I remember one level specifically where Simba had to jump on logs to climb up a waterfall. We must have tried to beat this at least 100 times. The glorious day we finally did - you'd have thought we just won the Superbowl.

Tonight I was brought back to those happier times. She introduced me to the new Super Mario on Nintendo Wii. Unfortunately we bring out the addict in one another and become obsessed. We can play for hours and we don't know how to stop. That being said, I'm proud to announce that in Level 6 - we beat Bowser - that prick. It only took us a million attempts and the collaborative work of both Mario and Luigi.

The funniest part of tonight was that I patiently waited until her kids went to bed so we didn't have to play with them. Like any normal adult, I didn't want to share the Nintendo....with CHILDREN.

When Amy got married and moved out many years ago, a little part of me died. (I think it was the thumb part of me). But tonight I was taken back 15 years and it was awesome.

My thumbs are back, baby. And thankfully I no longer own the coloured jeans I did back then.

One small rant

I am just writing a quick note to publicly state one of my New Years Resolutions:

To stop buying/reading stupid magazines.

I don't want to live in a world where Heidi M*ntag is on the cover of a magazine for having 10 plastic surgeries to look better. There are people in Haiti dying as I type this. We need to shift our focus. This is one small step. But if a lot of people made this small step - those magazines would not/could not be published. I don't want anyone to care about Kim Kard*shian's butt anymore.

Okay - that's my rant. If I say it outloud, I will be more likely to stick to it. Today my blog should be titled "My Father's Daughter" because that is who I feel like right now.

The End.

"Buy me beets I stain my sheets, I don't even know why"

Life is overwhelming me right now.

I have a lot of things to do and not a lot of time to do them.

But in a few short days I will go from this:

(picture taken during recent snow storm)

To this:

I am going to Cuba for my first 'all-inclusive" vacation, along with 16 other people on Saturday. I am very much looking forward to a day consisting of NOTHING. Nothing. Just lying on the beach reading trashy magazines and wearing copious amounts of sunscreen. Because despite my attempts to go tanning this month, I've made little progress in getting somewhat of a base tan. I don't care really. I just don't want to turn into a lobster. I am haunted by my Carribean adventures in 1995 of blistering in the sun. Ooh - sidenote: Remember how awesome Violent Femmes were? I can't believe they are not on my iPod right now.

Tomorrow I am getting a manicure AND a pedicure. Anyone who knows me knows this is NOT ME. I am not that kind of girl. I don't know - Maybe it's time I get all girly every once in awhile. This morning I told my mom about my mani/pedi. (Did I just say that? Punch me in the face, please). She saw me a little while later and leans into me and whispers:

"Sar - you know you should shave your legs before your pedicure, eh?".

Ya ma, thanks.

A wedding forecast

About five years ago my friend Jacqui, or Qui as I like to call her, returned to work after her lunch break to proudly show off the latest deal she found at the mall. She had bought her wedding jewellery.

Here's the thing - Qui was single.

However, Qui is confident. She is the type of person that calls a spade a spade. That is what I love about her. She liked the jewellery and it was on sale - so she bought it.

Yesterday, I attended Qui's wedding. It was a simple private gathering that took place in the minister's living room in front of his fireplace. She and her husband said their "I do's" and exchanged a kiss. Then we had lunch. Back at her house I told Qui she looked beautiful. She pointed to her necklace and earrings and said with a smile "Hey....wedding jewellery"

Oh, Qui - you sure make me laugh. Congratulations on finding love and all the best to you and Juerg. (Or as I now like to call him "beef juerky")


Favourite of the Day: IT'S CHRISTMAS!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!