Hear me now und believe me later, but don't think about it ever, because, if you try to think, you might cause a flab-alanche! I now haf weights, and I am going to PUMP.... ME UP !!!
Well, I'm not exactly shooting for Arnie pipes but if small children and grannies can get ripped I figure I can at least gain definition. I enjoy weights actually. My favorites are dumbell exercises; the bicep-tricep-shoulder routine especially... I'd really love to learn pilates and yoga at some point this year, too. I actually watched Adam Sandler's Spanglish last night with Tea Leoni in it. Man, she is FIT. Dude! Abs of steel and the funniest sex scene ever LOL... In the movie she does some yoga moves that caught my attention- I think it's called Eight Crooked Limbs. If I tried it I would have Eight Crooked Limbs... oy...

They say everyone has their 15 minutes of fame. Our family's famous time was right here, in the pages of 1987 BC Woman To Woman Magazine LOL!! Mom submitted us for a family makeover, which we got courtesy of Guildford Shopping Mall in Surrey BC. For me, I was heading into Grade 9 so it was kind of cool at 14 or 15 yrs old to get a makeover... And hey, in case you're wondering, in the BEFORE picture my brother spilled pop on his lap RIGHT before we got the picture done!! They could have at least CROPPED the picture to save him the embarrassment!!!

I think it's appropriate that on the cover here the bottom left has an article labelled Your Most Embarrassing Moments ROFL!!!!!

Hilarious flashback eh?!

=)

Good news is it has been literally a few years since I got some decent back pain. Bad news is oy, the last few days it's been steadily increasing. Right now I can stand up almost 90% straight but if I force myself to completely straighten my spine I get spasms and pain...
It's always my lower, lower back in the "sacral" area. If I'm not mistaken it's like S1 or L5 that are affected, as well as somewhere around T5 and 6 and C1 ... Most of the damage I incurred my my 2 car accidents. The first was in 1993 (we were going about 90km an hour and T-boned another vehicle that pulled out in front of us which was NOT our fault). This accident caused the MOST damage to us. Terrible spams for months, difficulty walking for months, sleepless, etc. To add insult to injury the insurance adjuster, seeing we were young and vulnerable, was an absolute jerk when discussing compensation for the accident. When I talked about my back pain and what I had gone through he said his back was also sore every day from sitting in a chair, and that back pain was part of normal everyday life. I was stunned and unable to defend myself. Should've got a lawyer, because that accident screwed our backs up FOR LIFE. The next accident in 1998 was just me in my tiny car; the same exact accident again at an intersection. A kid who had JUST got his licence 2 weeks before gunned it to turn left in front of me and I creamed him (again, 100% his fault). I had nowhere to swerve, trust me. This accident was 80km to zero and wrote off my car. Again, same insurance company, same ridiculous practices. But that's what happens when you have insurance that blankets the province and the SAME insurance company covers you AND the guy responsible for your accident. It's the same crap in Manitoba with Autopac. How is this system SUPPOSED TO WORK FAIRLY !?!? Evidently you CAN get insurance from other agencies in BC however my understanding is that BASIC insurance MUST be provided by ICBC by law. But I tell you what, I fully welcome private insurance having had these poor experiences that cause me back pain to this day. And this is 10 and 15 years LATER. No way I could've known that at the time, but certainly in retrospect I continue to feel pain, not to mention ripped off and insulted.
Anyways, that's my rant for today !!
Summary : my back hurts and I hate insurance LOL !!!
Enjoy your Canadian long weekend and hey- think about donating blood. Long weekends are notorious for car accidents and people need your blood!! I've been a donor for a few years now and give regularly every 56 days. Being an O Positive means my blood goes with anyones, so that makes me popular with them !!! Think about it- blood is "in you to give"...

Dude ! One week stuck at the same weight but TODAY... today that bastard scale moved. And in the right direction! YES!!

AND my sunburn is somewhat going away. Just the tops of my feet and my shoulders that are still really quite in an unfortunate condition. Makes wearing runners really painful.. and clothes. Clothes are painful. However, I refuse to go to work nude so I pack that Aloe spray with me. Hopefully by Sunday it will be more manageable and turn into a lovely tan.

Holymotherofgod was it busy at work yesterday. Everyone and their dog shopping for long weekend groceries.. Supposed to rain later today and have thunderstorms either late this afternoon or evening. Kind of wondering if this means people will shop earlier today and get to their cabins TONIGHT or will they wait and go tomorrow? Will it be busy this weekend? Slow? I dunno.

Okay so back in the day I used to wear one of these buttons. I was an Herbalife Distributor. I did this on and off for about 6 years. I will say that yes, they are good products. And yes, proper absorption of good nutrients is a key part of being healthy. However the downside to Herbalife systems are (a) the cost. These are very costly programs as many weight loss programs are, whether they be Jenny Craig, or Nutri System, or Herbal Magic or whatever. Then we have (b) the fact that they give false hope. These products claim to cure illnesses, or let you eat whatever you like and still lose weight, yada yada. Does this teach you proper eating? Does this correct what got you obese in the first place? Does this create a new healthier pattern going forward? Nope. In fact the traditional Herbalife systems include weight loss shakes (which I lived on for a few years while modelling way back in the day) for 2 meals a day while ingesting a fistful of vitamin horsepills to encourage proper absorption and fiber intake. Lastly I will complain about (c) which is the business aspect of it. You are motivated to become a distributor because in order to afford the program you will want a discount. You get 25% off by becoming a distributor which earns your upline 25% on whatever product they sell you for you to resell. In fact if you buy LOTS of product (say, $1000 - $2000) you will qualify for 42- 50% discounts on items. Sometimes they ask you for a list of your family and friends and then have you call all of them to market the products to them to "start your business". No ifs, ands or buts- Herbalife is Multi Level Marketing and Sales. I will admit that I did well at this business for short periods of time. My success, however, was dependant completely on who I signed up "below me", how well they did, and if I could possibly continue a decent sales pace each and every month.

My advice, personally, to anyone seeking to lose weight is to steadily increase your exercise to constantly challenge yourself, drink lots of water and eat healthy, well balanced meals. Period. Take it from someone who knows. No shakes, no tablets, no bullshit and no gimmicks to lose weight over 6 weeks with the chance of winning weekly prizes. That's called fishing for business.

Nice try, Herbalife. I see you.

Beautiful day to get a sunburn! Been hosing myself down with that Aloe spray ever since I got home this afternoon!! Thanks to Tara for having me out to her little piece of paradise on the lake, though, I totally enjoyed myself. It's a tough gig to get me to sit still and relax!!! I took my camera, of course, and got loads of shots of her place and all the great things about it. Which includes her multiple animal friends who accompany her there all the time! Certainly is a gorgeous spot- quiet, unspoiled and amazingly vast water. The beach is absolutely full of clam shells and visited regularly by pelicans which inhabit the area, oddly enough. At least I found it odd when I got here last year. I thought Pelicans were from the warmer states in the South; it's not a bird that hangs out in Manitoba.. is it?! What the hell!

Oy, the cats are acting weird. Pepper (7 months old) has this need to camp out in various undercover locations and attack poor Old Mister Bob (12 yrs old). Bob's way to old for this crap! Here's Pepper in total commando mode, literally completing head over heels rolls on the carpet, prancing around with her back arched and tail fluffed, hopping towards him on all four feet simultaneously sideways. Lke she's saying, "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father prepare to die..." LOL !!! Although hilarious to watch, I'm like, helloooo there little 2 pound retard, you are SMALLER than 7 pound Grandpa Bob there who can kick your ass with one swat... !!! One day she is going to seriously get pounded by him.

So my bad with the math the last post there about how many kilometres I'm managing in a week. 28km a week, not 25 (duh!!) Here I am ripping myself off on my efforts! My scale's obviously broken, though, it hasn't moved in four days no matter where I put it on the floor. Seriously, I know the floor is concrete but isn't there a freakin' low spot that makes the scale move even a smidge?! WTF. I miss the old dial scales that you could manipulate to lose weight !! These damn digital ones SUCK !! Who needs accuracy? I just want an ego boost!! Something to be said for old school technology (or lack thereof)...

The problem is I keep playing this stupid Bimbo game and it's seeping into reality! (Actually it's quite fun, if not completely undermining the accomplishments and capabilities of my gender. Taken with a heavy dose of humor it is actually quite silly!!!) However it is a commentary on the times and indicative of what we see in the media. Sad that the bimbo broads get featured on TV and in media more than legendary women and the Forbes List of Women CEO's. But I guess that isn't as interesting as the train wreck celebrities...

WALKING...
25 kilometres a week.
For 2 weeks now !
Not bad, not bad...
Day 16 and I'm definitely feeling it in my legs these days; especially the hamstrings. Although walking up 10 flights of stairs daily helps (okay it's a 5 story building, but doesn't it count that there are 2 flights of stairs per story ?!!?) My next gig is to pick up some free weights and get back into working the barbells. Work it, baby, work it !!!
What else is new, hmmm...
/inserts the sound of crickets...
Yeah, not so much!

Actually it's quite nice to have a lull in activity before the pace picks back up again in July. Astrologically, Mercury is free from its retrograde action and is beginning to go forward slowly... ever so slowly. Not fully forward til July 2nd. That Strawberry Full Moon we had on the 18th is waning and Summer Solstice (longest day of the year) was yesterday. I took advantage of that and walked around the neighbourhood until about 10:30pm at dusk. Still very warm out, which was nice. Definitely felt like a summer evening.

Thursday I walked quite a hike all the way up to the river, and it was a bee-yoo-tiful day for that walk! Nicely maintained paths and roads for cyclists and walkers, great trees, nice homes to look at. Almost got lost on the way back, though... I still don't really know my way around the area completely. There was a point there I truly thought I would have to use my cell and get a ride home !! I thought if I didn't find my way out of the maze of boulevards and crescents I had found my way into how the hell would I ever get home!! But eventually I took a right turn somewhere and ended up on a familiar major 4 lane artery. Rather hilarious !! I could HEAR the road from where I was walking but I was trapped in these weird cul-de-sacs !! LOL

Anyhoo, time for all the county fairs ! Tomorrow is THE last night for the local fair so HOPEFULLY after work we'll go for the final night. Tuesday-Wednesday I have an invitation to spend an overnight at the lake with a friend at her cabin which will also be fun... Being on Flat Land here, I so miss being near the water!!! Can't wait until I get to see OCEAN again in August ... !!!

I've been walking. Yes, indeed, and now I'm talking...LOL. Before I break into singing some Ricky Nelson though let me review this last week or two!!! June 5 I started walking (briskly) 2.2km and this week I am up to 5.6km. Exactly an hour's walk at a quick pace. It was so, so nice out yesterday morning that I took my camera along with me and snapped these pictures as I trucked along. So many gardeners out here, which is surprising with a growing season that is only a few weeks long. (I kid, I kid.. it's about 4-6 months depending on the fickle weather here. I believe it's Zone 3 as opposed to the Zone 5 I was used to).

It's a great neighbourhood to be living in. Parks and schools about every 2 blocks, and a nice Italian community literally within walking distance if I head north (20 minute walk). BEAUTIFUL weather, and today is another sunny day. Best I get walking...!

Welcome sister to Blogspot!

She's just started blogging here, writing about her raw vegan diet and cob hours building. I'm sure we will see all sorts of posts about being GREENER and things like composting, and living a Better Life.

Nice work !











WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME !!!

Today's thought

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.

- Lao Tzu

I watched Oprah on Thursday, specifically because Louise Hay was on it (You Can Heal Your Life). The discussion was about "summoning your life" and inviting what you want and need in it from the Universe. The Law of Attraction. I'm so glad I watched it. I was just telling Aleesha how it made me realize that we are Powerful Beings. One girl on the show said she thanked her alcoholic father for the lessons he taught her. Omg, YES ! Thank you !!! Another lady discussed how she created a Vision Board depicting exactly what she wanted to invite into her life; various things she wanted to make a reality. Goals, thoughts, feelings... YES, YES, I thought!!! I immediately created a Vision Board and put it on my wall. I filled it with words and images I cut out of magazines that spoke to me, like "Time for change" and "Summon Your LIfe", "Beauty Is In You". I went for a long 4-5km walk walk to contemplate the show and digest what I'd heard...I get it, I get it!! Every day I will look at these and SAY them out loud; invite them, know them, love them... All the while being thankful for my lessons...

Seen a few movies lately ! I watched Don't Mess With The Zohan, because I really enjoy Adam Sandler movies. (In truth I'm a bigger fan of Ben Stiller which is why I probably will watch his new movie coming soon Tropic Thunder, August this year) Yeah, Zohan was okay... so, so many sex jokes. I was actually amazed at the number of little kids in the audience. As a parent I think knowing the premise of the movie I wouldn't introduce my kids to excessive groin shots and sex with local grandmas in hair salons. But wudev...

Also saw Kung Fu Panda, which was pretty hilarious and AMAZING computer graphics. Makes you wonder just how much more can computer graphics evolve, when they are as realistic as they are already ? Very cool... The jokes were really great and very evidently Jack Black, who's humor I really appreciate. He is the eptiome of Bodacity ... (never heard that word before this movie LOL )

Looking forward this month to some action with WANTED. I'm not usually a huge action movie seeker- I typically enjoy my comedies more than anything. But this one looks like a really good show with some terrific stunts. It's nice to go once a week to a movie, though, and have a good laugh. Good times !

What, it's been a week already since my last post?
Holy Moly !

So, where are we. Personally, I am on a cleansing detox program (Day Six) and doing very well on it. I've noticed my energy levels returning, my stomach is a little flatter, my appetite is really reduced and my cravings. And wow, can I ever drink water- I think I polished off almost 4 litres yesterday throughout the day ! Also been walking every single day about 4 kilometres, which I hope to graduate to 5km by walking a little further, just another block every day. This is a very easy 60 (or 90) day program- I've chosen to do the 60 day based on my needs. It consists of probiotics and fiber, and I've taken this opportunity to change my eating habits to complement this program. I wish I were able to dive into more aggressive changes but I find it more comfortable to take smaller more manageable steps. I rationalize this by thinking if this program takes 60 days, and I walk every day for 60 days, and I eat the same way for 60 days then this should become habit and second nature and benefit me for much longer. And with regards to the walking I know I can continue to walk for the rest of my life; it's exercise I can do at 35 or 85. This time of year the scenery and weather are beautiful, although admittedly today is slightly overcast- no sun, no moon...

We're at a Waxing Gibbous Moon today, 60% of full- next Monday is a Full Moon, the Strawberry Moon or Rose Moon. "This full moon is going through the sign of Sagittarius. Sagittarius is a sign of enthusiasm and optimism. It’s a reunion of the physical and spiritual union in the search for knowledge. Sagittarius loves to travel, and this Sagittarius Moon wants you to enjoy the journey of your existence. This is a great time for going to new places to discover more about yourself. Get away from your Ipods. Turn off your TV. There’s a wonderful world out there just waiting to explore.
Try getting in touch with yourself through nature."
So go for a walk ! I like the moon...

"I was never one to patiently pick up broken fragments and glue them together again and tell myself that the mended whole was as good as new. What is broken is broken -- and I'd rather remember it as it was at its best than mend it and see the broken places as long as I lived."

Margaret Mitchell

I broke things today.
2 plates and an ashtray.
Yep, made me angry.
But they're just things, I guess...

Okay some humor today, because we all need a laugh...

What you call me ?!

Justice

Grandma is on Facebook

Now everybody's crying...


Check out some TALENT...
Cheeky Monkeys
Paul Potts
Walking On The Moon

and finally...
First Dance

CAFE ASTROLOGY

"New Moon Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008, at 3:23 PM EDT.

On Tuesday afternoon, a new cycle begins. The Taurus New Moon cycle ends and the Gemini New Moon cycle begins. The New Moon in Gemini cycle is a good time to commit to personal goals that express the positive energies of the sign of the Twins. It's time to improve our communication skills by listening to others and enjoying others' points of view, rather than doggedly seeking to find that one elusive "answer". This is a good cycle under which to re-evaluate our communication and social skills by questioning just how much we actually take in information, and communicate in a friendly, non-threatening manner. With this potent Gemini energy, we have the chance to make important changes in our lives. This New Moon is supported by Venus and Mars, offering us the gumption to begin anew, and the charm and concern for others to interact successfully.

This phase of the Moon occurs at 13 degrees and 34 minutes of Gemini, affecting people born with personal planets and points at 12 to 16 degrees of the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) most significantly."

Good thing I read my horoscope before I started blogging !!! I was totally going to rant about the shitty shopping hours on Sundays here, yada yada yada. I went out this morning to pick up some bread and coffee for breakfast and was getting all in a snit because, of course, it is Sunday and nothing opens until NOON. But I got home, ate, had a cuppajava and read this Weekly Heads Up Horoscope ...

(All Signs) In some Eastern traditions, the New Moon on Tuesday is especially fortuitous. (An opportunity not to be missed!) This is a chance for each of us to make meaningful improvements in our lives -- improvements in different areas according to our sign, our chart, and this particular New Moon. Read below to find out where you can see how to clean up your act or at least push things in the direction of better. Hey -- better is better; but the confounding thing about better is that there's no end to better! Oh well, better to wear out than to rust out. (That's the best I can do with better.) Perhaps you can best it.

(Aries) This is a special week. It's your chance to observe how you communicate on a daily basis. How can you improve your communicating style? By nature, Aries is swift, direct and sometimes curt compared to the style of others. At times it could be off-putting. (I have Aries in my chart so I love the direct, to-the-point style of Aries communications; but not so everyone else!) In particular, observe your style relating to siblings, neighbours and relatives. What's your take on listening patiently and understanding where others are coming from? Hmm? You want the first and last word on things. But is this always in your best interests?

(Gemini- my rising sign) Suspicious events are taking place in your sign! The Sun and Venus are in Gemini. Retrograde Mercury is in Gemini. And this very special New Moon on Tuesday is in Gemini. It's all about both of you! The two main areas you can improve are your appearance and image, and your closest partnerships and friendships. Take a look in the mirror. (You never get a second chance to make a first impression.) Do you like what you see? What can you do to feel better about how you look? What can you do to improve your closest relationships? Come up with at least one thing between the two of you.

Okay, duly noted. Although in my own defense I DO more often than not understand and appreciate where other people are coming from (so my chart says). But on the flip side, I do display the Angry Monkey at times and or have the need for last words on everything, especially when I'm agitated or can't find a grocery store to buy a *%^$& loaf of bread, bacon and eggs on Sunday mornings...!! But hey, shitty Sunday shopping hours doesn't make it BAD here, just DIFFERENT. It is, after all, SUNNY every day here. And the summer is beautiful. And I enjoy the annual road construction; I really do ! So I will focus on what is GOOD here as opposed to what is DIFFERENT.

Indeed, it is Spelling Bee Time

Try this quiz and see how your spelling is ! Last night the scripps spelling bee aired -more than a few kids were eliminated. The Canadians didn't make it to the finals and got stuck on some tough words. I love vocab games and the like !

Yesterday afternoon I was surfing the net, as usual on my day off, and was stunned to get an email from the Canucks (one of my email subscriptions to keep me in touch with the West Coast). Two things struck me: first, the content. One of their 21 yr old rookie hockey players, Luc Bourdon, had just been killed. The second thing that immediately stood out to me was that literally the news was just hours old. His death had just occured in New Brunswick after lunchtime and it was 2pm my time that I read the email. I thought, oh my god, that poor family. I'll always remember the first few hours, the first day, the first week- all of it. It's like a scar that you have inside you, that only people who have lost someone suddenly, shockingly, can understand or sympathize with. It will be tough going for weeks, months and even years from this date. It changes you forever in ways you cannot express or understand. My heart also went out to the semi truck driver, as I can only imagine the shock he or she must be in having been the unlucky one to collide with Luc head-on on his motorcycle. I feel for them and the grief and shock they must be feeling.

I went to a baseball game tonite, and prior to the game beginning they paid tribute with a moment of silence for Luc. Just a year prior he had trained in Manitoba with the Manitobas Moose before moving up to the Vancouver Canucks between late 2006 and into 2007.

So sad, when it's a young life just beginning - amazingly sad.

(painting called Discouragement by Jenedy Paige, artist)

Ah, yes, we are indeed retrograding. Let's see: it started last Thursday for me. (Is it worse for me since I'm Aries with Gemini rising?! Am I screwed more ?!?!? Mercury rules Gemini ... hmmm ) Anyhoo, I had Tuesday and Wednesday off from work. I got to work Thursday after lunch (late shift- LOVE them... I'd much rather work late than early...) only to read my emails stating that everything I had previously planned for Saturday was not going to happen. I had planned a carnival of sorts for Children's Hospital- a fire safety house for kids to check out, McD's was supposed to be there with their inflatable kids soccer net and basketball hoop as well as recognizable characters... Sadly, the emails said, "sorry for the confusion but they were unable to participate" after confirming with them just 10 days ago. So all I had was a firetruck for one hour with which we could take kid's photos as they sat in the truck and see our mascot, Doctor Goodbear. I considered for a moment attempting to "rescue" (nyuk nyuk) this party from going down in flames. But, schyah, gonna happen... Not so much ! So I threw in the towel and opted to just go with what I had left. Only another 6 days of the campaign left and then it's over. I think next year, now that we know what works and what doesn't, and if we get ourselves STARTED earlier on the plans, we have the potential to have a much more successful venture.

Que sera, sera !!!

Horoscopes are always different depending on what site you visit ! I know this is partly due to the interpretation of the astrologer, but sometimes they are SO different it drives me nuts. One site says things suck and another site says "This is an exciting, wonderfully liberating time for you!"... I'd love to learn enough about Astrology to read my own chart (or maybe I should just invest in one that is made specifically for my birthdate and time). I always read Aries (my sun sign) and Gemini (my rising sign) to get the gyst of how the day might go. Sounds like tomorrow has the potential to be a bit of a drag, with a splattering of criticism and poopy negativity. However nothing grows to its full potential without water and fertlizer so hey, let's invite tomorrow regardless of what it brings and welcome any splatterings that may come =)

Change is a foot.
Nyuk nyuk.
Seriously though, there is the odiferous smell of something underfoot.... Might be that Mercury is about to go retrograde next Monday, meaning things are about to go a little crazy again. Get your bills paid, your car fixed, check your cell phone batteries, those kinds of things this week so you can [hopefully] reduce the number of surprises next week. I was actually contemplating beginning WRITING and some introspective journalling this week, which actually MAY be good timing with Mercury going retro. It's actually a great time for reflection, digging into the past, reviewing, contemplating, finishing up paper work that you haven't had time to get to, organize the closet, backup your computer ... yada yada.

Since it lasts til June 19 (with possible after-effects as late as June 24th) it's a great time to get into this kind of work for the next month. You might also find that people from your past pop up out of nowhere. Maybe old childhood issues come up or something you thought you lost reappears !! This particular Mercury retro occurs in Gemini (ruler of communication- and my rising sign) which could mean messed up communications, misunderstandings, delays in travel and missed appointments ...Possibly felt more by other mutable signs like Pisces, Virgos and Sagittarians (sorry guys!!). Neptune also goes retro at the same time which is interesting and again very opportunistic for my journalling. This planet going retro allows another opportunity to connect with spirituality, a time to distinguish between true vision and self-deception, self analysis.

Remember we sometimes feel the effects of a Mercury retrograde early so this could occur roughly Wednesday onwards as Mercury slows and appears to reverse in the zodiac. So just relax; everything will be fine !! Focus on old news, finishing, and walk backwards to your car...

Full Moon in Scorpio

Full Moon is today. Scorpio Taurus moon; according to Astrowisdom "Scorpio is tough love incarnate: see it as it is, not as you wish it to be, and then deal with it in as life-supporting a way as possible. We can each in every moment make the choice to be real and responsible for what we output to our loved ones and coworkers and community....The reflected light of the Taurus Sun is aglow with the love of and deep commitment to family or group values. Taurus likes hard work, and opening the lines of communication can be very hard, but ultimately very rewarding. This is especially true when issues of self-worth (Taurus) lie at the heart of the group's problems with trust (Scorpio) issues."

So ... what's new?! Let's see, I have some wonderful people helping me out with our Children's Miracle Network campaign that is coming up April 28th and runs til June 1st. We have huge hopes for this (hoping to raise as much as $100 thousand in the Winnipeg area) and we're putting in some serious effort to help this great charity organization. I am ever so thankful for the support of Ric Gillespie from Canvas Chronicles, who connected me with Julie Hart (see her myspace here) and artist Jeff "Ledge" Eisen. Julie is coming out to see us personally, signing autographs in support of the Children's Hospital. Totally pleased to have Big Daddy Tazz, who we look forward to working with, and the Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Organization who are coming out to sign autographs for us. Also ever so thankful to Kore Flatmo and Plurabella Studios for also showing us support with our Silent Auction, as is Nickelback management (specifically Ralph James of the Agency Group) and But Is It Art from Winnipeg. All of these above are the first organizations (and people) to support our fundraising efforts with the Manitoba Children's Hospital Foundation. . . We continue to work on collecting more Silent Auction items, inviting more people to participate in our fundraising efforts and help us connect out there with like minded others. . .

Weird dreams lately, which is pretty normal for me.... This past week, though, I have had some crazy ones. And before you read these YES I AM 100% SOBER AND NORMAL !!! People who read or hear about my dreams wonder if I have a psychiatrist and medication, but I assure you these have been part of my Life since birth!! And I enjoy them, as crazy and bizarre as they may well be !!!

Let's start with The Bus Dream. I believe it was last weekend that I recieved this one. All I remember from it now was that I was on a school bus with a Punjabi driver. I think I was a few seats back, but standing in the aisle of the bus. I started talking to the driver while he was driving, telling him I knew some Punjabi which started a conversation. I said nothing more, as he took the conversation over. He began driving with his head turned sideways, much more involved in his conversation than what he was doing. We drove down a road towards an intersection, and started slowing for a red light that was coming up in a few feet. But at the red light was a crowd of probably a dozen people standing on the road, all facing the red light. I watched, frozen, as the bus driver- still chatting and not looking ahead- slowly mowed down the crowd of people. I was totally stunned and I don't recall any noise from the crowd although I do remember the bus bumping over someone.... He rounded the corner, and kept driving up the road to find a spot to turn the bus around, still talking. I heard sirens, looked back down the road and saw ambulances and emergency vehicles. By the time the bus returned to the scene of the crime the last person (which looked a lot like a mannequin lower half, rather than a human person) was being loaded (very impersonally, like it was a suitcase) into an ambulance. Very weird dream. Anyways my dreams are always like this. Apparently I feel like I am witness to, or perhaps partially responsible for, bulldozing through a group of people. Note to self, note to self..... Sometimes Aries do have a tendency to passionately drive things home, and perhaps on occasion bulldoze people on their mission. Duly Noted, and thank you Psyche, I will be sure to NOT mow people over....!!!! Likewise don't distract people from what THEY are doing. Let them drive their bus, but holymotherofgod, help them see what they're doing with effective direction.

Dream Number Two: The Dragonfly Snake. I'm driving up this mountain highway at dusk and this car is apparently following me. I can clearly see his headlights in my mirror and I know he's been there for a while. Luckily I see a road off the highway just ahead and quickly pull up it to throw him off my trail. I drive up it and watch my rear view mirror and I see that it works! He continues up the highway and is off my tail. Relief! At the crest of the road I am driving up I see a large camping group. Curious, I stop to check out what everyone is doing. They have a small fire going and are roasting marshmallows. Hovering over the fire area are large dragonflies. At closer inspection I see one of them is really large, his body is actually very snake-like. He has a straight but scaled body with Dragonfly wings and a definite snake head. A man at the fire literally reaches up and picks it out of the air. He snaps its fangs off, pockets the teeth and pours some sort of healing ointment into its mouth to heal its wounds. He carefully releases it back and it flies off relatively unharmed (although toothless!!!) Taking the teeth from his pocket he puts some sort of white dough, or gum-like (?marshmallow?)substance inside the tooth and hands it to me. First, I notice that the tooth isn't a fang at all but a molar. I look at him inquisitively and ask, "Am I supposed to eat this or something?" That's all I remember- I woke up and lay there digesting this information. One thing I CAN explain from this dream are the meanings of Dragonfly and Snake (as totem animals). I knew immediately that Snake was telling me about transformation, transition and healing. Those things (respresented by the car in my rear view mirror) that have been chasing me are gone. This is a harmless and healing message, hence the teeth pulled and healing the open wounds then being released to go on. Perhaps what I need to do with that molar is chew over this information LOL !!!! Note that the herb marshmallow is itself a healing plant, used to heal sore throats, chapped skin and minor wounds. Interesting choice in my dream.

Okay last dream, this was 2 nights ago :The Icy Bridge. It was very dark, snowing and icy. I was in a vehicle with my family, driving across an old wooden plank bridge. Halfway across the bridge it gave way and the vehicle plunged into the river below which was covered in a thick plate of ice. My parents somehow managed to get out of the vehicle and get up out of the river to safety. I freed myself from my back seat, struggled under the water against the ice looking for the hole to get myself free. I finally find it and rescue myself, climbing up the embankment- but I only see my parents. I ask, where are my sister and brother? Realizing they aren't here I go back in to get them and I manage to rescue my sister- my brother managed to get himself out. Funny thing is, when I woke up my condo was pretty cold ! I always find it neat when we "translate" our conscious life into subconscious metaphors and pictures; dreams absolutely fascinate me.

I promise I really am a mostly normal person; just a creative individual with a fertile mind ..
Thanks for reading =)

A few new things already this week following the New Moon... First, we picked out Little Pepper (left) on the weekend at the Humane Society. She was one of 14 cats they received from one residence... Needless to say she will need some attention to get her health 100%. No major problems, just ear mites and low body weight, some congestion and generally lacking human contact in the 8 weeks she has been alive. She's amazingly affectioniate. My older cat Bob is somewhat apprehensive about this new addition and has needed constant reassuring. He's been wandering around muttering to himself and looking at her with complete disdain !
Poor Mister Bob. You're still Number One !

Another new thing is the juicer. Who KNEW how amazing juices could be when they're FRESH ! First thing I attempted was apple juice which was AMAZING. It took 2 juicy Macintosh apples to make one cup of juice. Then for the first time in my life I had fresh carrot juice.... Wow. Now one thing DID cross my mind about people who LIVE by juice feasting... How much must it COST to live by simply juice feasting? One single carrot will give you quite a bit of juice and carrots in bulk are relatively cheap (she said, knowing the wholesale market quite well). But it takes quite a lot of vegetables and fruits to make daily juice feasts. I can imagine this must cost quite a bit, so I wonder how people make this more feasible? Especially using organic vegetables, which I regularly try to purchase (given the option). Of course the sad truth of it is that junk and crap foods will always cost less to produce and therefore to purchase. I presume in areas where temperatures are more moderate and farmed produce more readily available that juicing as a lifestyle would be ideal (say Arizona or California). Still something that CAN be done anywhere, just the availability and cost of produce would have to be a consideration.

I also got 2 new fillings worked on today, and 3 needles to the face. Not so much fun, but the dentist is a super nice guy (who bears an incredible resemblance to Ben from LOST... my favoritest show EVERrrrr). Luckily he also is a TMJD dentist, meaning he is trained in working on people such as myself with jaw malocclusion (I think that's right?) and knows how to make splints and appliances to correct these issues. Super duper ! As soon as my face defrosts I will smile about it...

I have to admit to being a meat eater. I eat an amazing amount of meat, which is why my diet has largely consisted of Atkins foods over the years. This has been a pro and con experience. Pro, because if you stick to a carbohyrate reduced diet it is amazingly successful for weight loss. You have the benefit of being able to eat copious amounts of fat and STILL lose weight. The bad news is if deviate from it even the slightest amount your blood sugar and serotonin levels can be compromised, which means you can binge, bloat and thus begins the cycle of yo yo dieting. My sister, on the flip side, is vegan. VEGANISM in dietary terms refers to the practice of dispensing with *all* animal products - including meat, fish, poultry, eggs, animal milks, honey, and their derivatives. So she eats things like tofu and lentils, those green smoothies and kale, etc.... Between that and rowing every day on her rowing machine she's lost I don't even know how much weight- I'd guess over 80 pounds.
My friend Aleesha has completely transformed her life by altering her vegan lifestyle to a totally RAW vegan lifestyle (as well as juice feasting) and had incredible, life changing results. Now, I have looked up other before and afters of people who have made this life change with the raw diet. So why raw?
I suspect if I seriously want to change I would have to take baby steps, first becoming a Pescetarian (which is similar to VEGETARIAN, but also consumes fish...) Then work in more raw foods, decrease and eliminate fish.... I see there are a few ways to do raw: vegan (fruit, vegetables, sprouts, nuts, seeds, grains, legumes) or vegetarian (same foods PLUS eggs, dairy and honey). I'll have to learn more about it all.. The fact is I need to make some healthier changes in my life to release the bad habits I have acquired.

Happy Birthday, amazing lady is 114 years old today... one of the three oldest people in the world!!

Blow out your candles and make three wish !!!

Of course being old does have its challenges. Like getting stuck in the bathtub for 5 days...

Note to self: I need to purge my belongings and clean up. ...or else...

One of my favorite blogs to read is Spiritual Business . I love how she constantly is aware of the lunar cycles, astrology, how it relates to our own world and inner workings, our dreams, thoughts and aspirations. I love people who are connected, or that aspire to be... Today she writes about the New Moon (which is in Aries today)... new starts, fresh beginning, ready to go, eyes open...




And from Light In Motion

At the Aries New Moon we are invited to birth something new and exciting. Out with the old, in with something that gets our energy moving and expands the edges of our current experience. Aries delivers the impetus to strike out on our own and pioneer new ideas into action with courage and enthusiasm that we may not realize we have until we’ve taken those first steps. In following our instincts to do those things that call to us we come into alignment with the energy and circumstances necessary to step into something new or extraordinary. The reward for stepping up and out is a renewed sense of strength and the experience of having stretched to become more than we previously knew we could be. Whatever we do with our time and energy over the next couple of weeks will give shape and substance to our experience as the year progresses and we see the fruits of the seeds we plant today in the coming months.

CLICK FOR A GOOD SEAT at the festivities....

Secret Life of a Soccer Mom...

I was kind of interested in seeing this show when I first saw it advertised. I thought, awesome- finally an inspirational show about women balancing careers and family. Every episode I have watched so far, every woman that enters the Soccer Mom workforce (albeit temporarily) chooses to stay home with their family and scrap the opportunity to work again. This decision seems consistent regardless of how rewarding they found their temporary experience or how feasible it could be for them to work! One woman's husband even had a home based business, said he would take care of the kids, said it would financially help them out and STILL she said no... This drives me nuts. Especially when she had the opportunity to let DAD take over- allow the kids to bond with him, allow the roles to change, hello?!?! That's GREAT !!! That's even ENVIABLE to have that option that your husband would do that !!!
Let's start with Reason Number One this show drives me nuts. Here we are, seeing all of these capable and talented women shelf their abilities and ambition, despite a terrific performance in the working world, choosing to stay a soccer mom. Second, I think once your kids are in school that you can and should work. It's good for YOU (mentally), good for your family, sends a positive message to your kids that you CAN balance a career and home (as a woman, wife and mother), it increases the family income and enables YOU to ease back in the workforce a little more as your kids age and become increasingly independant. I think some of these soccer moms hide behind their kids because they can, and or because they feel tremendous guilt working. Or maybe it's because they want their kids to remain as babies for a long as possible, because they identify themselves as MOM and really relish that role.... which is fine, don't get me wrong! But I think you can be a terrific mom AND have a career. If you have a daughter, I think showing her that SHE can be mom and provider when SHE gets older is a terrific thing to be able to do for her. Kids aspire to be like you! I just feel like this show sets women back about 20 or 30 years, seriously. I would rather they offer career options that are feasible for women who want to be able to be effective parents and have a career. Like part time careers, or work from home careers, or home based businesses...perhaps that isn't good television though...
Your thoughts please?

It's been a while since I last posted, so let's just dive right back in. What's up with this Man Having Baby media attention? I don't think this is the first time a transgendered person has done this, and it is extremely misleading to represent this individual as a man when she maintains female gentalia. Yes, she had her breasts removed and underwent testosterone treatment and resembles a man. I guess this brings up a whole myriad of questions related to What Is Gender? Personally I believe it is what is between your legs. Yes, I will give you that what is in your HEAD has LOTS to do with how you PERCEIVE yourself with relation to your own gender. However, the physiological truth of the matter is ...what bits have you got ?!?! I sincerely hope I don't light too many fires with this.... but to get on Oprah for this? I dunno. Is this attention warranted?? I would have suggested going on Maury as opposed to Oprah...

This is a few years old but a hilarious spin on the same topic... There was an instance of a Man not having baby, where he apparently didn't know what a gynecologist WAS and in order to get out of work took his wife's doctor's note in to HIS workplace to excuse HIM from sick time...! Luckily someone at work realized he didn't have a vagina and asked him what he went to the gynecologist for.... !!!!!

Speaking of being in a state of shock, CONGRATULATIONS to State of Shock for their Juno Award nominations! The band started back in 1999, changing members back in 2002, gaining popularity and recognition around 2004 when they were promoted heavily in the Vancouver area... Congrats Alison, Kowalenko must be proud !!!

MUGSHOTS

Don't steal, and don't fake stealing, unless you want exercise....

This poor guy- he has no idea he's hooked up to a fake lie detector.... omg the answers he gives!

Chihuly

Waterhouse

Dali

my Nana's house

Chemainus

difficult urinal

Bubble gum

dish soap

back boobs

synchronized faces

Skateboarding Betties, yo, check these chicks out, yo

Great Wedding Dance

underwater pictures SUCK

Click to see more about this new toy...



lol.... this little jobbie is from postsecret.com :

HEALTH....

Patrick Deuel, aka the Half Ton Man has lost an astonishing 700 pounds, down from 1072 pounds. Once housebound in the mid 1990s, Pat is now a much lighter 370 pounds today!
What amazing work, Pat, someone needs to give this guy a medal. Maybe he should go on the Biggest Loser and motivate people there. I like that show, don't you ?! I think the reason I like to watch Biggest Loser ( which I watch pretty irregularly, notta big tv watcher ) is that I enjoy seeing people succeed. And the "contestants" succeed at something very personal in a very public way. Being part of that reality show is either very honest (weird) and brave, or completely insane !! I can't imagine there are people ( okay, overweight people) WANTING to show themselves off, on television, to millions of viewers, in their spandex, weighed in every week for everyone to see, unless they were REALLY motivated to lose that weight. No THANK YOU, that's just public embarassment !!!! Perhaps they do it because they need support ?! Regardless, the show should encourage everyone to focus on their health. All said and done, that's what our primary focus in life should be.

WEALTH...

The lottery is 24 million bucks tonight, wow ! And I believe last night the Super 7 was 10 or 12 million or something? Ever wonder what the odds of winning are ?? The 649 has odds of 1 in almost 14 million. The same as "flipping 24 heads in succession when flipping a coin". BUT, if you played the 649 twice a week for the next thousand yrs your chance of winning the jackpot improves to 1% !!! Odds of winning the Super 7 ? Much better (not) at 63 million to one !

Good luck everyone !

What Halloween is complete without Star Wars costumes . Yikes....... !!

Actually, what IS hilarious is Robot Chicken. Featuring Garfield, among other stars.
Including the Ninja Turtles . OMG too FUNNY !!!!

Check out this stop motion action race . Awesome job, they're so smart...

Speaking of intelligence, let's look at Jeopardy.....

David Blaine is smart if not weird.... at least this parody is !!!

Weird Al in Myspace .. I'm just too white and nerdy, I guess that's why I like him =P

Remember BIFF from Back to the Future ? Where is he now ??

Flying boats. I feel a little old remembering this song (M.A.R.R.S Pump Up The Volume)

Um, is this thing yelling, or....

Happy Halloween

I think if you "Axe" anyone, they'll tell you this so called "Effect' is BS...

Funny links for today....

• Kids & God
• The Woman's Perfect World
• Heroin for Xmas
• Various funny pix
• Working at Google
• Halloween Costumes
• 1000 ways to open a beer
• Another Beer opener
• WOW & South Park

PET PEEVES and general annoyances....please add yours !!!

• Grocery carts with one bad wheel or steer constantly to one direction.
• Standing in the way of folks wishing to use an escalator, moving sidewalk or doorway. Actually, standing in the way in general. Especially in grocery stores with their grocery carts and eight rude children.
• Getting handed change back from a cashier with coins on TOP of the bills. OMG, I HATE THAT !!!!!! Hand me the damn change FIRST ,THEN the bills !!!!! For the love of GOD !!!!!
• Coin rolls wrapped in PLASTIC. Damn, I hate those.You can't smash and break them open like paper coin wrappers.
• Utility service reps or cable people that don't show up on the day appointed, even with an 8 hr window.
• Bathroom stalls that have doors and sides that are REALLY high and make you feel like everyone can see you and your business.
• People who use cell phones while on the toilet.
• People who can't manage to bus their own tables at fast food places or in food courts. Don't be a slob. You only teach your kids to be slobs by example, oy...
• Being unable to find what you're looking for right when you need it really badly.
• People at the gym who change the TV channel without asking others.
• Shorts that get eaten by hungry crotch. You know what I mean... Especially on people with fat thighs, that then get exposed by lack of clothing coverage. Can you not feel a draft ?!!!!
• Tank tops worn by people with "wings" ( meaning very, very fat arms that swing when they are raised). Yikes... And for that matter, muscle tops ( aka "wife beaters") are for people WITH MUSCLES, fyi...
• Car security systems that signal their armed status by loud honking, giving everyone nearby a heart attack.
• People who SET their car alarm when on a three hour BC Ferry trip. WHY WHY WHY ???!!!!! WHO will take your car, and WHERE?!?!? If you are concerned about something IN your vehicle, then STAY in your vehicle and guard it, you prick...
• Braille signs at drive through windows - are these not clearly redundant ??!!!!
• Adults who consistently mis-spell "your" and "you're", or "were" and "where". By the time you graduate, you should know the difference.
• Taking forever to leave a parking space or gas station stall while others are clearly waiting for it.
• People who are CLEARLY not handicapped, yet insist on parking in the stalls and yell "I'll only be a minute" when someone calls them on it....
• Drivers that insist on staying in the fast lane, for no apparent reason.
• People who drive with their blinkers on.
• Startling radio ads featuring horns, sirens or people yelling "Look out!"
• Drivers who merge onto the freeway at 30kmh, or better yet, STOP at the end of the on-ramp. These people are apparently unable to turn their heads to see traffic, and stare intently into their side mirrors to see what traffic is coming.
• Elderly people who feel entitled to be rude, or parents that completely ignore the fact that their 1 yr old has been squealing bloody murder for an hour while shopping.
• People who stand in a line-up, have all that time to decide what to it is that they need from the merchant, yet when they get to the cashier or teller, they're suddenly stunned to be there, don't know what it is they need or want and better yet, don't have their PAYMENT ready or any funds on them. How cute.
• Campers who leave garbage behind at campsites. Leave it how it was.
• Express lines with the oldest, slowest and most mentally retarded cashier on staff.
• People who discard cigarettes out of their car window. Especially in summer, when it's tinder-dry outside and the risk of grass-fire or forest fire is very high. Use your goddamn ashtray, you ignorant cancer-causing bastitches...
• Being put on speakerphone. Hate it.
• People talking on their cell phones while at the check out. Rudeness...
• People who apparently cannot flush toilets, and particularly women that do not wipe seats after quite obviously hovering over top and spraying pee everywhere. Yikes.
• Automated phone systems that don't allow you to hit "zero" and get a REAL person.
• Receiving fundraising calls on behalf of police, firefighters or other public servants.
• People who don't say goodbye before hanging up the phone. Weird and impolite.
• People who say "uh-huh" instead of "you're welcome". Weird and impolite.
• Men who refer to their wives as "the wife", like she's a thing ( like THE dog, THE mailman, THE newspaper). Do we say "the husband"?

ROFLMAO !!!!!!!!

'Course, most bloggers don't blog for notoriety. They blog as a sort of online diary - to read themselves think, to hear themselves talk. If others feel the need to reply or add comments, even better. It's always nice to hear feedback. But unless you're big on validation, it's quite unnecessary to the average blogger, I think.

Who's Legs Are These ?

My wedding photos =P

Jesus Tattoos

Bubble Tricks

Car keys

Crazy Treehouses

Ice sculpture - beauty is but fleeting ...