Ever since I was a little girl, I've always claimed to want a big family of my own someday. When I was in high school, I decided I wanted to have 6 kids. Partly because I love children, and partly because 6 is Wade Redden's number.
Now, I'm 24 years old, I have no boyfriend, and I'm no where near being close to getting married and starting a family, so logistically, those 6 kids probably aren't going to happen. It's just as well. I've discovered a TV show on TLC that I absolutely love, but it has also opened my eyes to what life is like in a zooey house filled with children. The show is called "Jon & Kate Plus 8", and it's a reality show that follows the Gosling family, Jon & Kate and their two sets of multiples - twin girls Cara & Maddy, and sextuplets Aaden, Collin, Joel, Alexis, Hannah and Leah. The twins are about 6 years old and the sextuplets are toddler age, about 3 years old.
I started watching re-runs of "Jon & Kate Plus 8" in the summer, and I was happy to see new episodes that began in the fall. To me, Jon & Kate are miracle workers. They have these 8 children to raise, and as far as I'm concerned, they do an amazing job. They are so organized, and they do such a good job of giving their kids opportunities, even though it would be easy to keep them all penned up in the house and yard all the time. They go on family outings, they have worked hard to maintain their family traditions, they feed them organic & nutritional food as much as possible, and on last night's episode, they even let the kids draw names and shop for each other's Christmas presents. There's often chaos, but they seem to handle it so well!
Jon & Kate's relationship must be extremely strong - I've heard criticism that they fight too much, but seriously, if you had 8 kids under the age of 6, I'm sure you'd also have moments where you'd want to rip your spouse's hair out. They do lose their tempers with one another, and get easily frustrated, but there are moments when they're joking around with each other that you can tell they have a bond so strong that nothing - not even 8 children - will break them.
The children are absolutely adorable. One of my favourite moments from a past episode was when one of the little boys, angry at his mother, told her, "Mommy, you a boy" - the biggest insult he could think of to hurl at her. They all seem to be happy, healthy, unique little kids with strong personalities. And all things considering, they are extremely well behaved. The family never ceases to blow me away with how adventurous and organized they are.
So yes, it's fun to watch Jon & Kate each week to see what's next for their young and exuberant family.
But I think I'll just stick to 2 or 3 kids someday!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Murder Aboard the Pontiac Princess!!
Saturday night was the annual Quyon Lionettes Murder Mystery, and I must say, we managed to pull off another one without a hitch!
This year, I was working behind the scenes, as I had my first taste of directing one of these productions. To be honest, I think it's much easier to play one of the parts - all you have to do is learn your lines and show up for practices. The women who are organizing everything - Mona, Donna, Lynn, and Barbara - have the responsibilities of choosing roles, preparing the sets for painting (by the ever-creative Rolly, who deserves his own shout-out for all his hard work), getting costumes, dealing with an oft-stubborn and unpredictable cast, preparing tickets, programs, placemats, and so many other little tidbits. It definitely makes the acting part look much easier!!
In any case, this year we were all aboard the Pontiac Princess cruise ship when Captain Emery (played by Rolly Bernier) went missing after a late-night scuffle on the upper deck. (And no, I had nothing to do with his name. That was what he was actually called in the original script. Although, someone did suggest that we should've changed his name to Captain Gerber. After the past few games, I'm not sure either one of them should be called Captain!!) The investigative team of Carla & Lawrence Woo (Donna Kennedy and Glen Leach) were fortunately on-board and they appeared on deck to solve the crime. Their suspects included: Tim Sawyer (Robbie Fraser), the first mate of the Pontiac Princess; Rita Fendley (Cecile Dumont), the overly-enthusiastic, energetic cruise director; J.D. Nash (Kenny Fleck), a big, loud & boisterous Texas oil tycoon on vacation; Mary-Lou Nash (Dawn Dolan), J.D's wife, and a Southern-Belle-to-the-max; Falcon Marlowe (Troy Young), an Austin Powers wannabe who was wishing he was back in England; KiKi Corbett (Jo-Anne Harrison) and KoKo Corbett (Carmen Trudeau), identical twins, but KiKi was shy & quiet, while KoKo was the life of the party; and Stephan Carusoe (Troy Cote), a freelance photograph blinding the other passengers with his flash.
As usual, the investigators did their interrogation, then left the suspects to point fingers at one another for the next 2 hours or so, with dinner being served between scenes. The most tension I experienced was at the start, when the murder happened - I had to make sure all the lights in the building were shut off. After that, I got to sit back and relax and watch the show, which was once again highly entertaining - lots of laughs (and some that were entirely unexpected - I did say they can be unpredictable, and they were!!), and they didn't get too carried away (as some have said my cast did last year).
By the end of the evening, the Kung-Fu detectives revealed that Tim Sawyer, the first mate, had hit Captain Emery over the head with a flashlight and tossed him overboard, and I can't really even remember the reasons why, other than he was in love with Rita and didn't like that the captain was trying to keep them apart. Something along those lines.
The cast did a wonderful job - the Troys mastered the daunting task of learning two accents each (one British & Russian, the other French & Russian) - quite impressive!; Kenny & Dawn pulled off their relationship despite the age difference; Jo-Anne & Carmen were a hoot as the French twins; Robbie played the goofball murderer to a T; and Cec never let the party stop on-board our cruise ship!!
All in all, the Murder Mystery could once again be considered a resounding success. I have only heard good things from the audience members lucky enough to be in attendance for what can easily be called the hottest ticket in town. I enjoyed my glimpse from "behind the scenes", and while I'd certainly like to be in the cast again sometime down the road, I'm glad the Lionettes, especially Mona, Donna, Lynn, and Barb, have allowed me to take part in this way, and I hope I was at least some small help to them. It truly gave me an appreciation for all that they do to keep this thing going year after year.
And now it's curtains until next year!!
This year, I was working behind the scenes, as I had my first taste of directing one of these productions. To be honest, I think it's much easier to play one of the parts - all you have to do is learn your lines and show up for practices. The women who are organizing everything - Mona, Donna, Lynn, and Barbara - have the responsibilities of choosing roles, preparing the sets for painting (by the ever-creative Rolly, who deserves his own shout-out for all his hard work), getting costumes, dealing with an oft-stubborn and unpredictable cast, preparing tickets, programs, placemats, and so many other little tidbits. It definitely makes the acting part look much easier!!
In any case, this year we were all aboard the Pontiac Princess cruise ship when Captain Emery (played by Rolly Bernier) went missing after a late-night scuffle on the upper deck. (And no, I had nothing to do with his name. That was what he was actually called in the original script. Although, someone did suggest that we should've changed his name to Captain Gerber. After the past few games, I'm not sure either one of them should be called Captain!!) The investigative team of Carla & Lawrence Woo (Donna Kennedy and Glen Leach) were fortunately on-board and they appeared on deck to solve the crime. Their suspects included: Tim Sawyer (Robbie Fraser), the first mate of the Pontiac Princess; Rita Fendley (Cecile Dumont), the overly-enthusiastic, energetic cruise director; J.D. Nash (Kenny Fleck), a big, loud & boisterous Texas oil tycoon on vacation; Mary-Lou Nash (Dawn Dolan), J.D's wife, and a Southern-Belle-to-the-max; Falcon Marlowe (Troy Young), an Austin Powers wannabe who was wishing he was back in England; KiKi Corbett (Jo-Anne Harrison) and KoKo Corbett (Carmen Trudeau), identical twins, but KiKi was shy & quiet, while KoKo was the life of the party; and Stephan Carusoe (Troy Cote), a freelance photograph blinding the other passengers with his flash.
As usual, the investigators did their interrogation, then left the suspects to point fingers at one another for the next 2 hours or so, with dinner being served between scenes. The most tension I experienced was at the start, when the murder happened - I had to make sure all the lights in the building were shut off. After that, I got to sit back and relax and watch the show, which was once again highly entertaining - lots of laughs (and some that were entirely unexpected - I did say they can be unpredictable, and they were!!), and they didn't get too carried away (as some have said my cast did last year).
By the end of the evening, the Kung-Fu detectives revealed that Tim Sawyer, the first mate, had hit Captain Emery over the head with a flashlight and tossed him overboard, and I can't really even remember the reasons why, other than he was in love with Rita and didn't like that the captain was trying to keep them apart. Something along those lines.
The cast did a wonderful job - the Troys mastered the daunting task of learning two accents each (one British & Russian, the other French & Russian) - quite impressive!; Kenny & Dawn pulled off their relationship despite the age difference; Jo-Anne & Carmen were a hoot as the French twins; Robbie played the goofball murderer to a T; and Cec never let the party stop on-board our cruise ship!!
All in all, the Murder Mystery could once again be considered a resounding success. I have only heard good things from the audience members lucky enough to be in attendance for what can easily be called the hottest ticket in town. I enjoyed my glimpse from "behind the scenes", and while I'd certainly like to be in the cast again sometime down the road, I'm glad the Lionettes, especially Mona, Donna, Lynn, and Barb, have allowed me to take part in this way, and I hope I was at least some small help to them. It truly gave me an appreciation for all that they do to keep this thing going year after year.
And now it's curtains until next year!!
Friday, November 23, 2007
I Guess This is the Slump
It's been so long since the Sens had a slump, I'd almost forgotten what it felt like.
But now I remember. It sucks.
A team that currently has a record of 16-4-1 is hardly worth cringing over. They're still widely-considered the elite squad of the NHL, despite the fact that they have just lost back-to-back games, the first time this has happened since December 2006, almost a full year ago.
Last night's loss was truly disappointing. It was an exciting, back-and-forth, action-packed affair with lots of scoring and numerous additional chances, but at the end of the day, the Sens blew two 2-goal leads over the Pittsburgh Penguins, and eventually lost in a shoot-out, 6-5.
Coming on the heels of a 4-2 loss to Buffalo the night before, we can now say we're on a losing skid. Add to the fact that the Sens have now lost 3 of their past 4 games, and you could say that they've completely gone in the crapper. Oh, and apparently Daniel Alfredsson, consistenly the best player for the Sens thus far this season, "tweaked" his groin at the end of last night's game. No word yet on how severe it is, or how long he might be out, but if he's out for even a couple of games, this could be disasterous.
OK, not gonna lie - I've kinda had a crappy week. I'm hoping it's just the doldrums before I hit the Christmas cheer. But perhaps my sucky mood is turning this little losing streak into something far worse than it actually is. Hopefully it's not as bad as I've already twisted it into. Maybe this is the worst string of games the lads will have all year. After all, ya can't win 'em all, right? These are the ups and downs of an NHL season, and there's still lots of hockey left to play. The Sens were bound to hit a downer eventually.
On a different note, I would like to mention that it would be nice for once to put up the $10.95 for these stupid Pay Per View games, as we did last night, and actually watch the whole thing without a technical glitch marring the purchase. It seemed last year that something went wrong in every game. Last night, between the second and third periods, after we went hunting with Mike Fisher, and were about to go grocery shopping with Gary Roberts and Mark Recchi, the picture froze, just as Roberts was leaning in to grab an organically-grown zuchinni from the produce shelf. So far the rest of the intermission, the screen was frozen at that one image, and as minutes passed by, I grew increasingly frustrated.
Just as the third period began, we returned to the action, but the feed had been changed from the Ottawa broadcast to the Pittsburgh one. To be honest, it was kind of nice to listen to someone other than Dean Brown for a while. Aside from the fact that they said the name "Ryan Malone" far too often, they were enjoyable to listen to. I was a little ticked when they switched back over to the Ottawa feed for the shoot-out.
So yeah, they lost, I was cranky, went downstairs to watch Survivor and Grey's, and then still had trouble falling asleep around midnight. That's how wound up I was over this silly little loss to the silly little Penguins.
Man, I spend too much time worrying about hockey!!
But now I remember. It sucks.
A team that currently has a record of 16-4-1 is hardly worth cringing over. They're still widely-considered the elite squad of the NHL, despite the fact that they have just lost back-to-back games, the first time this has happened since December 2006, almost a full year ago.
Last night's loss was truly disappointing. It was an exciting, back-and-forth, action-packed affair with lots of scoring and numerous additional chances, but at the end of the day, the Sens blew two 2-goal leads over the Pittsburgh Penguins, and eventually lost in a shoot-out, 6-5.
Coming on the heels of a 4-2 loss to Buffalo the night before, we can now say we're on a losing skid. Add to the fact that the Sens have now lost 3 of their past 4 games, and you could say that they've completely gone in the crapper. Oh, and apparently Daniel Alfredsson, consistenly the best player for the Sens thus far this season, "tweaked" his groin at the end of last night's game. No word yet on how severe it is, or how long he might be out, but if he's out for even a couple of games, this could be disasterous.
OK, not gonna lie - I've kinda had a crappy week. I'm hoping it's just the doldrums before I hit the Christmas cheer. But perhaps my sucky mood is turning this little losing streak into something far worse than it actually is. Hopefully it's not as bad as I've already twisted it into. Maybe this is the worst string of games the lads will have all year. After all, ya can't win 'em all, right? These are the ups and downs of an NHL season, and there's still lots of hockey left to play. The Sens were bound to hit a downer eventually.
On a different note, I would like to mention that it would be nice for once to put up the $10.95 for these stupid Pay Per View games, as we did last night, and actually watch the whole thing without a technical glitch marring the purchase. It seemed last year that something went wrong in every game. Last night, between the second and third periods, after we went hunting with Mike Fisher, and were about to go grocery shopping with Gary Roberts and Mark Recchi, the picture froze, just as Roberts was leaning in to grab an organically-grown zuchinni from the produce shelf. So far the rest of the intermission, the screen was frozen at that one image, and as minutes passed by, I grew increasingly frustrated.
Just as the third period began, we returned to the action, but the feed had been changed from the Ottawa broadcast to the Pittsburgh one. To be honest, it was kind of nice to listen to someone other than Dean Brown for a while. Aside from the fact that they said the name "Ryan Malone" far too often, they were enjoyable to listen to. I was a little ticked when they switched back over to the Ottawa feed for the shoot-out.
So yeah, they lost, I was cranky, went downstairs to watch Survivor and Grey's, and then still had trouble falling asleep around midnight. That's how wound up I was over this silly little loss to the silly little Penguins.
Man, I spend too much time worrying about hockey!!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The First Snow!!
Since Monday morning, all I've heard around the office is talk of the snow that's coming on Thursday. Gotta get the guys prepared, get the plows ready, have everything in place for the first snow on Thursday.
This morning, when I got up, I went out into the kitchen, all bleary-eyed and half-asleep to get a drink of water, and Mom said, "Look out the window!"
Snow. Lots of it. Everything completely white. Like a perfect little winter wonderland!
But here's the problem: It's only Wednesday morning!
The weatherman was calling for freezing rain, drizzle, rain for today. Not snow. The snow wasn't to come until tomorrow.
Just goes to show how smart those guys are!
So yes, things are a wee bit crazy around here this morning. But for the most part, everyone was already prepared for this, even though they were targeting Thursday. And here at Mountainview, we don't do much plowing anymore anyways, just driveways and a few of the local establishments' parking lots. The snow is wet enough that laneways and roads are pretty much already melting anyways.
But they're still calling for a dumping tomorrow, and colder temperatures as well, so it could get worse before it gets better.
I'm not going to let that stop my Snow Euphoria, though! I love the white stuff!
I just wish this was Christmas Eve...Now my Christmassy mood can officially begin! Yipee!!
If you're out in it today, enjoy it - but drive carefully!! :)
This morning, when I got up, I went out into the kitchen, all bleary-eyed and half-asleep to get a drink of water, and Mom said, "Look out the window!"
Snow. Lots of it. Everything completely white. Like a perfect little winter wonderland!
But here's the problem: It's only Wednesday morning!
The weatherman was calling for freezing rain, drizzle, rain for today. Not snow. The snow wasn't to come until tomorrow.
Just goes to show how smart those guys are!
So yes, things are a wee bit crazy around here this morning. But for the most part, everyone was already prepared for this, even though they were targeting Thursday. And here at Mountainview, we don't do much plowing anymore anyways, just driveways and a few of the local establishments' parking lots. The snow is wet enough that laneways and roads are pretty much already melting anyways.
But they're still calling for a dumping tomorrow, and colder temperatures as well, so it could get worse before it gets better.
I'm not going to let that stop my Snow Euphoria, though! I love the white stuff!
I just wish this was Christmas Eve...Now my Christmassy mood can officially begin! Yipee!!
If you're out in it today, enjoy it - but drive carefully!! :)
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Darth Gerber Rebounds
The Sens rebounded nicely last night after that game that we do not speak of. Taking on the Habs at the Bell Centre in Montreal on "Larry Robinson Night", they were trying to prevent a two-game losing streak, which they have not had since December 2006, almost a full year ago.
As per usual, I missed the first period thanks to Murder Mystery practice (I'm not in it this year, just helping out) - so when I got home, it was already 2-0 Ottawa, thanks to goals by Patty Eaves and Chris Neil. Yes, that's right. I said Patty Eaves and Chris Neil. Not Daniel Alfredsson. It was like a small Senators miracle!
Not that there's anything wrong with Alfie getting all the goals. In fact, I love it that Alfie's off to such an amazing start. He's been arguably the best two-way player in the NHL this year, and has already garnered much talk of being the early favourite to win the Hart Trophy for MVP. Not too shabby at all.
However, with Jason Spezza out injured for the past few weeks and Dany Heatley mired in a 10-game scoring slump, Alfie was pretty much carrying the load, and it was starting to make me a little nervous. Being shut-out on Saturday night in the game that we do not speak of only brought to light a problem that I was already contemplating: Alfie can't be the best every night, so we need other guys to start picking up the slack, and they're not really doing it.
Now, last night, Daniel Alfredsson did have an amazing game, and he collected a couple of assists I think. He just didn't get any goals. But thankfully, some of our "role players" did. Not only did Eaves and Neil score, but so did Chris Kelly. And thankfully, Heater broke out of his slump and finally potted one too. The Habs never gave up and came at the Sens relentlessly, but they were only able to tickle the twine twice, leaving us with a 4-2 final score.
WOO-HOO!!
Darth Gerber (as he now likes to be referred to) had another strong game between the pipes. I was a little surprised that he got the start, after the loss in that game that we do not speak of. I thought that would just be a perfect opportunity for Coach John Paddock to give Ray Emery another chance to prove himself. But he's letting Gerber ride this thing out, handing him the reins and seemingly saying, "This is your buggy now, Darth." And Gerber righted his wagon, bouncing back nicely and making some big saves.
I really love my 16-3 Sens this year. Absolutely love them.
GO SENS GO!!
As per usual, I missed the first period thanks to Murder Mystery practice (I'm not in it this year, just helping out) - so when I got home, it was already 2-0 Ottawa, thanks to goals by Patty Eaves and Chris Neil. Yes, that's right. I said Patty Eaves and Chris Neil. Not Daniel Alfredsson. It was like a small Senators miracle!
Not that there's anything wrong with Alfie getting all the goals. In fact, I love it that Alfie's off to such an amazing start. He's been arguably the best two-way player in the NHL this year, and has already garnered much talk of being the early favourite to win the Hart Trophy for MVP. Not too shabby at all.
However, with Jason Spezza out injured for the past few weeks and Dany Heatley mired in a 10-game scoring slump, Alfie was pretty much carrying the load, and it was starting to make me a little nervous. Being shut-out on Saturday night in the game that we do not speak of only brought to light a problem that I was already contemplating: Alfie can't be the best every night, so we need other guys to start picking up the slack, and they're not really doing it.
Now, last night, Daniel Alfredsson did have an amazing game, and he collected a couple of assists I think. He just didn't get any goals. But thankfully, some of our "role players" did. Not only did Eaves and Neil score, but so did Chris Kelly. And thankfully, Heater broke out of his slump and finally potted one too. The Habs never gave up and came at the Sens relentlessly, but they were only able to tickle the twine twice, leaving us with a 4-2 final score.
WOO-HOO!!
Darth Gerber (as he now likes to be referred to) had another strong game between the pipes. I was a little surprised that he got the start, after the loss in that game that we do not speak of. I thought that would just be a perfect opportunity for Coach John Paddock to give Ray Emery another chance to prove himself. But he's letting Gerber ride this thing out, handing him the reins and seemingly saying, "This is your buggy now, Darth." And Gerber righted his wagon, bouncing back nicely and making some big saves.
I really love my 16-3 Sens this year. Absolutely love them.
GO SENS GO!!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Bad Medecine
There was a moment during the Bon Jovi concert Saturday night at Scotiabank Place when I had a flashback to my 6th birthday party. I was opening gifts, and left right til the end were two packages, one large and one small. The first, the larger one, was a brand-new tape player...or a "boombox", as I so proudly called it - my very own boombox!!
The second, the smaller gift, was a cassette tape to use in my new boombox. I literally shrieked with joy when I opened it. It was my very own copy of the Bon Jovi "New Jersey" album - it was exactly what I wanted.
That was before the New Kids. Before Tiffany. Before Debbie Gibson. My first musical love was Bon Jovi.
And it was all because of the song "Bad Medecine".
So yes, Saturday night, while up in the third level right at the side of the stage, probably the biggest, most thrilling highlight was when Jon & the guys swung into "Bad Medecine". I screamed til my throat was sore and there was no voice left in me. Suddenly, I was so very, very glad that I had accepted the last-minute ticket offer to sit in the nosebleeds and rediscover my love for Bon Jovi, rather than stay home and watch the Sens game.
(For the record, I'm choosing to pretend that game never happened. I didn't see it, so therefore we did not lose to the Leafs. End of discussion.)
Bon Jovi was awesome!! The show was energetic from start to finish, and I heard all of my old favourites. We barely sat down. Aside from "Bad Medecine" (which included a lively interlude of "Shout!" and even had Jon down on the stage doing push-ups...YUM!), other highlights included "Lay Your Hands on Me" and "Livin' on a Prayer". We expected "Livin' on a Prayer" to be the encore, but instead, he did a moving and beautiful rendition of "Hallelujah" and then rocked out to "Dead or Alive" (absolutely amazing) - then we left, and of course he kept playing, but I don't think I recognized the songs I was hearing while we walked along the concourse, so it wasn't a huge disappointment.
I also absolutely loved when he went out on the little platform in the crowd to perform his new song, and when Richie Sambora joined him for "I'll Be There For You", I got goosebumps. Then he did a wonky version of "Bed of Roses" that was just about the only disappointing part of the night. Aside from doing some of his new stuff early on that I didn't know, the rest was absolutely perfect!!
The place was packed, Jon was smokin' hot, and I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Saturday night!!
Bad Medecine indeed...
The second, the smaller gift, was a cassette tape to use in my new boombox. I literally shrieked with joy when I opened it. It was my very own copy of the Bon Jovi "New Jersey" album - it was exactly what I wanted.
That was before the New Kids. Before Tiffany. Before Debbie Gibson. My first musical love was Bon Jovi.
And it was all because of the song "Bad Medecine".
So yes, Saturday night, while up in the third level right at the side of the stage, probably the biggest, most thrilling highlight was when Jon & the guys swung into "Bad Medecine". I screamed til my throat was sore and there was no voice left in me. Suddenly, I was so very, very glad that I had accepted the last-minute ticket offer to sit in the nosebleeds and rediscover my love for Bon Jovi, rather than stay home and watch the Sens game.
(For the record, I'm choosing to pretend that game never happened. I didn't see it, so therefore we did not lose to the Leafs. End of discussion.)
Bon Jovi was awesome!! The show was energetic from start to finish, and I heard all of my old favourites. We barely sat down. Aside from "Bad Medecine" (which included a lively interlude of "Shout!" and even had Jon down on the stage doing push-ups...YUM!), other highlights included "Lay Your Hands on Me" and "Livin' on a Prayer". We expected "Livin' on a Prayer" to be the encore, but instead, he did a moving and beautiful rendition of "Hallelujah" and then rocked out to "Dead or Alive" (absolutely amazing) - then we left, and of course he kept playing, but I don't think I recognized the songs I was hearing while we walked along the concourse, so it wasn't a huge disappointment.
I also absolutely loved when he went out on the little platform in the crowd to perform his new song, and when Richie Sambora joined him for "I'll Be There For You", I got goosebumps. Then he did a wonky version of "Bed of Roses" that was just about the only disappointing part of the night. Aside from doing some of his new stuff early on that I didn't know, the rest was absolutely perfect!!
The place was packed, Jon was smokin' hot, and I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Saturday night!!
Bad Medecine indeed...
Friday, November 16, 2007
The Band Geek with Coke-Bottle Glasses
Sens won again last night - WOO-HOO!! This time, 3-2 over the Buffalo Sabres (the cream of the crop at this time last season, who have now settled at the bottom of the NHL standings - my, how the roles have been reversed!) - with Captain Alfie scoring 2 in his 800th game. Seriously, the dude is on fire!! Shean Donovan also scored, his third of the season (and third game-winning goal), and Martin Gerber was strong once again between the pipes.
Tomorrow night, the Sens are taking on the Leafs, but for the first time in a long time - maybe ever - I won't be watching the Battle of Ontario, because I'll be at Scotiabank Place for the Bon Jovi concert. Wonder if Jon will keep us updated on the score??
After last night's game, I watched both Survivor & Grey's Anatomy. On Survivor, James continued to be my favourite player, but once again, things didn't go quite right. The plan was to oust PG-13 - clearly the most annoying player now that Jean-Robert is gone - but she won Immunity, so they had to switch up their plans. The obvious targets were either Eric or Frosti, the two remaining players from that former tribe, but Courtney's name was also tossed into the mix. Honestly, I think they should've sent her home. The girl cannot get any more skinny or she's going to start falling apart. She's frickin' skeletal. In fact, that may be my new nickname for her: Skeletor.
Todd continues to be the ring-leader, calling the shots, but James is also influential in what's going on around camp. I loved it when he shot down PG-13 after she accused him of being lazy during the challenge. This, from the twit who purposely giggled and threw a challenge the week they got rid of Aaron. It burnt me that she won Immunity and is still in the game.
When it all came down to it, the gang viewed Skeletor's blossoming relationship with Frosti as too dangerous to their group plans, so they axed him. Meh. Who cares. His name was Frosti, for crying out loud.
Now, on to Grey's - I've been loving the show this year, and this episode really hit home for me. Dr. Bailey, the hard-core hard-ass Nazi of Seattle Grace, was transformed into a giggling schoolgirl - or, as Dr. Hahn called her, a "blithering idiot"- when an old crush of hers came into the ER after the bus of teens he was chaperoning on a school trip from California crashed. Marcus held her hand, flirted relentlessly, asked her to take special care of him, even had her filling out the massive amount of paperwork for all the students under his care who were admitted.
Then, Marcus took an unexpected turn, and they had to perform surgery on him. Dr. Bailey saved his life, and when he woke up, she was at his side, smiling adoringly at him. He thanked her for all she had done, then held her hand and asked if she had remembered to fill out all the paperwork he'd asked her for.
Suddenly, Dr. Bailey was brought back to what life was like back in high school, when she had been Marcus' tutor. The scene where she breaks down in the lobby and rips Derek apart for being "one of those guys" was so perfect. She tells him how Marcus was the track star, and she tutored him through high school while harbouring a crush on him, and he didn't even ask her to the prom because she was a band geek that wore Coke-bottle glasses. She takes her anger out on Derek, because she sees him as the same kind of guy - the kind of guy who takes advantage of love-struck young fools to build up his own ego and get his work done for him.
I connected with Miranda Bailey at that moment. I cried for her; I cried for myself. I know I wasted a pile of time in high school and college, trailing after a few "cool" guys, offering to do their homework or help them study, just so I could spend time with them or hear them praise me for helping them get by. But at the end of the day, all they wanted was a better grade, or a passing mark, without actually doing the work. I was just their stepping stone to a better life, and made them feel good about themselves because I adored them. They were never interested in me. They used me.
Now, I wasn't a band geek with Coke-bottle glasses. But I was the fat girl who would do anything to get a hot guy to pay attention to me. Even if it meant tireless hours of studying with a jock, or writing an essay for him. But the smile and thanks afterwards were never quite enough. I didn't have a date for grad either. Nobody even thought about asking me. I was the loser who brought a stuffed dog as her date.
But then, the show brought me solace. When Derek pulled Miranda down beside him, and told her that in high school, he was skinny and had an afro and bad acne. And that he would have been honoured to take a girl like her to the prom.
It was a bittersweet moment that brought me peace and gave me hope. Of course, it didn't hurt that it was McDreamy saying the magic words.
God, I love Grey's Anatomy.
Tomorrow night, the Sens are taking on the Leafs, but for the first time in a long time - maybe ever - I won't be watching the Battle of Ontario, because I'll be at Scotiabank Place for the Bon Jovi concert. Wonder if Jon will keep us updated on the score??
After last night's game, I watched both Survivor & Grey's Anatomy. On Survivor, James continued to be my favourite player, but once again, things didn't go quite right. The plan was to oust PG-13 - clearly the most annoying player now that Jean-Robert is gone - but she won Immunity, so they had to switch up their plans. The obvious targets were either Eric or Frosti, the two remaining players from that former tribe, but Courtney's name was also tossed into the mix. Honestly, I think they should've sent her home. The girl cannot get any more skinny or she's going to start falling apart. She's frickin' skeletal. In fact, that may be my new nickname for her: Skeletor.
Todd continues to be the ring-leader, calling the shots, but James is also influential in what's going on around camp. I loved it when he shot down PG-13 after she accused him of being lazy during the challenge. This, from the twit who purposely giggled and threw a challenge the week they got rid of Aaron. It burnt me that she won Immunity and is still in the game.
When it all came down to it, the gang viewed Skeletor's blossoming relationship with Frosti as too dangerous to their group plans, so they axed him. Meh. Who cares. His name was Frosti, for crying out loud.
Now, on to Grey's - I've been loving the show this year, and this episode really hit home for me. Dr. Bailey, the hard-core hard-ass Nazi of Seattle Grace, was transformed into a giggling schoolgirl - or, as Dr. Hahn called her, a "blithering idiot"- when an old crush of hers came into the ER after the bus of teens he was chaperoning on a school trip from California crashed. Marcus held her hand, flirted relentlessly, asked her to take special care of him, even had her filling out the massive amount of paperwork for all the students under his care who were admitted.
Then, Marcus took an unexpected turn, and they had to perform surgery on him. Dr. Bailey saved his life, and when he woke up, she was at his side, smiling adoringly at him. He thanked her for all she had done, then held her hand and asked if she had remembered to fill out all the paperwork he'd asked her for.
Suddenly, Dr. Bailey was brought back to what life was like back in high school, when she had been Marcus' tutor. The scene where she breaks down in the lobby and rips Derek apart for being "one of those guys" was so perfect. She tells him how Marcus was the track star, and she tutored him through high school while harbouring a crush on him, and he didn't even ask her to the prom because she was a band geek that wore Coke-bottle glasses. She takes her anger out on Derek, because she sees him as the same kind of guy - the kind of guy who takes advantage of love-struck young fools to build up his own ego and get his work done for him.
I connected with Miranda Bailey at that moment. I cried for her; I cried for myself. I know I wasted a pile of time in high school and college, trailing after a few "cool" guys, offering to do their homework or help them study, just so I could spend time with them or hear them praise me for helping them get by. But at the end of the day, all they wanted was a better grade, or a passing mark, without actually doing the work. I was just their stepping stone to a better life, and made them feel good about themselves because I adored them. They were never interested in me. They used me.
Now, I wasn't a band geek with Coke-bottle glasses. But I was the fat girl who would do anything to get a hot guy to pay attention to me. Even if it meant tireless hours of studying with a jock, or writing an essay for him. But the smile and thanks afterwards were never quite enough. I didn't have a date for grad either. Nobody even thought about asking me. I was the loser who brought a stuffed dog as her date.
But then, the show brought me solace. When Derek pulled Miranda down beside him, and told her that in high school, he was skinny and had an afro and bad acne. And that he would have been honoured to take a girl like her to the prom.
It was a bittersweet moment that brought me peace and gave me hope. Of course, it didn't hurt that it was McDreamy saying the magic words.
God, I love Grey's Anatomy.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Need a Good Laugh??
Sorry, guys, couldn't think of anything to write today. But if you need a good chuckle, check out the following story. It's always fun to laugh at the Leafs, but lately, they're just making it too easy!! This is taken from www.tsn.ca
Embarassing Times For Leafs
TSN.ca Staff
11/14/2007 3:11:30 PM
Losing to the rival Montreal Canadiens is heartbreaking enough, but it was two other embarrassing stories that grabbed headlines in the fishbowl that Toronto fans call Leaf Nation.
Defenceman Bryan McCabe was the scapegoat again on Tuesday night, coughing up the puck to Montreal's Mike Komisarek and allowing him to score on Andrew Raycroft for a 4-3 Montreal overtime victory.
"It sucks," McCabe said after the game on Tuesday. "We played a hard game. Seems like it always ends up in a glaring error."
McCabe, who made the front page of the Toronto Sun last month for inadvertently scoring the game-winner on his own net, didn't have have Leafs head coach Paul Maurice in his ear after the obvious gaffe.
"There's not a lot of conversation after that," Maurice told reporters after the game.
McCabe was spared front page humiliation in the Toronto papers on Wednesday, but at the expense of rookie forward Jiri Tlusty.
The Leafs' 2006 first-round pick was the latest victim of the World Wide Web, as nude photos of the former Sault Ste. Marie Greyhound appeared on a Canadian gossip web site last week.
"It's tough in this city to censorize anything," said Leafs forward Wade Belak on Thursday. "I've been known to take out the trash naked from time to time. Now with all these allegations with Jiri I don't know if I'm going to feel safer out there."
The revealing pictures, which were taken by Tlusty himself last year with his camera phone, have since been removed after the Czech centre's lawyer threatened legal action. As expected, the team has been supportive of Tlusty through the last couple of days.
"It's obviously the price of being a young guy, coming in and playing for a month, having some success and having someone try to knock you down and embarrass you," said Belak. "We've lent our support to him and it's not a big deal, everyone's been caught with their pants down."
Such is life playing for one of hockey's hotbeds, and life doesn't get any easier for the team this week. The Leafs visit the Boston Bruins - who trail Toronto by just one point in the standings with three games in hand - on Thursday, and host the powerhouse Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
(Related Info
Leafs' Tlusty regrets controversial photos
McCabe's blunder leads to winning goal
Costly Mistakes
Hockey Hotbeds )
Embarassing Times For Leafs
TSN.ca Staff
11/14/2007 3:11:30 PM
Losing to the rival Montreal Canadiens is heartbreaking enough, but it was two other embarrassing stories that grabbed headlines in the fishbowl that Toronto fans call Leaf Nation.
Defenceman Bryan McCabe was the scapegoat again on Tuesday night, coughing up the puck to Montreal's Mike Komisarek and allowing him to score on Andrew Raycroft for a 4-3 Montreal overtime victory.
"It sucks," McCabe said after the game on Tuesday. "We played a hard game. Seems like it always ends up in a glaring error."
McCabe, who made the front page of the Toronto Sun last month for inadvertently scoring the game-winner on his own net, didn't have have Leafs head coach Paul Maurice in his ear after the obvious gaffe.
"There's not a lot of conversation after that," Maurice told reporters after the game.
McCabe was spared front page humiliation in the Toronto papers on Wednesday, but at the expense of rookie forward Jiri Tlusty.
The Leafs' 2006 first-round pick was the latest victim of the World Wide Web, as nude photos of the former Sault Ste. Marie Greyhound appeared on a Canadian gossip web site last week.
"It's tough in this city to censorize anything," said Leafs forward Wade Belak on Thursday. "I've been known to take out the trash naked from time to time. Now with all these allegations with Jiri I don't know if I'm going to feel safer out there."
The revealing pictures, which were taken by Tlusty himself last year with his camera phone, have since been removed after the Czech centre's lawyer threatened legal action. As expected, the team has been supportive of Tlusty through the last couple of days.
"It's obviously the price of being a young guy, coming in and playing for a month, having some success and having someone try to knock you down and embarrass you," said Belak. "We've lent our support to him and it's not a big deal, everyone's been caught with their pants down."
Such is life playing for one of hockey's hotbeds, and life doesn't get any easier for the team this week. The Leafs visit the Boston Bruins - who trail Toronto by just one point in the standings with three games in hand - on Thursday, and host the powerhouse Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
(Related Info
Leafs' Tlusty regrets controversial photos
McCabe's blunder leads to winning goal
Costly Mistakes
Hockey Hotbeds )
Monday, November 12, 2007
The Luckiest Girl in the World
A few days ago, I was telling you all about what a jinx I was.
Turns out, I was wrong. I'm not the Sens jinx after all. In fact, on Saturday, I was the exact opposite. I was just about the luckiest girl in the world!!
Less than 48 hours after being offered free Club Seat tickets to Thursday night's loss to the Washington Capitals by my Uncle Paul, I received a call with an offer of a free first-level seat for the Saturday matinee against the Montreal Canadiens by my Uncle Garry. He did some work for Sens GM Bryan Murray, so he was given 4 tickets for the game. His son Troy backed out, so he chose me to join him, his son Jim, and daughter-in-law Kathy.
Scotiabank Place was absolutely insane. There were a pile of Habs fans in attendance, and calling them rowdy would be an understatement. It definitely felt like a playoff atmosphere! Add to the fact that the action was back-and-forth and extremely exciting - well, I didn't think it could get much better than that.
The first period was awesome, and the Sens had many great chances, but it was Montreal that jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. Kathy and I were screaming and cheering like crazy; however, it was the Habs fans who were getting all the glory. A couple of guys sitting in the next section over all decked out in Montreal apparel were gloating like crazy, winking at us and really rubbing it in. Every time Habs netminder Christobal Huet made a save, they were chanting his name, and they were doing the "Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole!" song, even that early. They were funny though, so it was a nice change from the drunk ol' Caps fan I had to deal with at the Thursday game!
Now, some of our neighbours were sitting in the first row of the third level right above us, and in between the first & second period, I was looking for them when I suddenly saw Wade Redden's dad again, talking to some girls in the row behind us. I couldn't believe I was seeing him again for the second straight game! I was watching them pretty closely when I suddenly shifted my gaze and caught the eye of the guy sitting directly behind me. I couldn't believe it: it was Wade's brother, Bart!! I recognized him instantly from seeing pictures of him on the Net, and he looks sooo much like Wade in real life!
So Kathy insisted that I talk to him. I turned around and asked if he was, in fact, Wade Redden's brother, which he quietly confirmed was correct. A while later, I turned around and asked if he could do me a favour. He said, "Sure". So I asked him to tell Wade to stay in Ottawa. I told him I'd even try to help pay his salary if he agreed to remain a Senator. Bart laughed, and told me he'd see what he could do. He said that Wade loves Ottawa, so he didn't think he'd have to do much convincing. Kathy then informed him we were sitting in Bryan Murray's seats. He said, "Oh, so you guys know Bryan Murray?" We said yes, then turned back around, feeling we'd taken up enough of his time with this silly chat. Moments later, he leaned forward and said, "Umm...If you guys know Bryan Murray, why aren't you talking to him about keeping Wade here?" We laughed; I told him I thought he probably knew Wade better than we knew Murray, and he probably had more pull with his brother than we have with the Sens' GM.
So yes, I was absolutely glowing from meeting Wade's brother and actually chatting with him. The icing on the cake? The Sens, who were still down 1-0 late in the third period, scored to tie it up - thank you, Captain Alfie!! Less than two minutes later, Chris Neil scored to put them ahead, and then Alfie tapped one into the empty net to seal the victory and send the Sens fans into a frenzy, while those over-zealous cocky Habs fans who had started celebrating far too early were suddenly subdued. It was funny, because Bart and his buddies behind us were chanting "Huet! Huet! Huet!" at those crazy Habs fans in the next section every time we scored, and you could tell it was really ticking them off. At the end of the game, while they were announcing the 3 Stars, I was able to make eye contact with one of those guys and I blew him a big kiss. He burst out laughing - they were really good sports about it!!
As we were leaving, I happened to make eye contact with Bart again and he gave me a big smile. So I said, "It was nice meeting you," and he said the same and shook our hands. Needless to say, I was floating on a cloud!
Amazing how much my luck changed, eh? An awesome come-from-behind win amidst a pack of wild Montreal fans, meeting someone from the same gene pool as my beloved Wade...It couldn't have been more perfect!!
GO SENS GO!!
Turns out, I was wrong. I'm not the Sens jinx after all. In fact, on Saturday, I was the exact opposite. I was just about the luckiest girl in the world!!
Less than 48 hours after being offered free Club Seat tickets to Thursday night's loss to the Washington Capitals by my Uncle Paul, I received a call with an offer of a free first-level seat for the Saturday matinee against the Montreal Canadiens by my Uncle Garry. He did some work for Sens GM Bryan Murray, so he was given 4 tickets for the game. His son Troy backed out, so he chose me to join him, his son Jim, and daughter-in-law Kathy.
Scotiabank Place was absolutely insane. There were a pile of Habs fans in attendance, and calling them rowdy would be an understatement. It definitely felt like a playoff atmosphere! Add to the fact that the action was back-and-forth and extremely exciting - well, I didn't think it could get much better than that.
The first period was awesome, and the Sens had many great chances, but it was Montreal that jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. Kathy and I were screaming and cheering like crazy; however, it was the Habs fans who were getting all the glory. A couple of guys sitting in the next section over all decked out in Montreal apparel were gloating like crazy, winking at us and really rubbing it in. Every time Habs netminder Christobal Huet made a save, they were chanting his name, and they were doing the "Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole!" song, even that early. They were funny though, so it was a nice change from the drunk ol' Caps fan I had to deal with at the Thursday game!
Now, some of our neighbours were sitting in the first row of the third level right above us, and in between the first & second period, I was looking for them when I suddenly saw Wade Redden's dad again, talking to some girls in the row behind us. I couldn't believe I was seeing him again for the second straight game! I was watching them pretty closely when I suddenly shifted my gaze and caught the eye of the guy sitting directly behind me. I couldn't believe it: it was Wade's brother, Bart!! I recognized him instantly from seeing pictures of him on the Net, and he looks sooo much like Wade in real life!
So Kathy insisted that I talk to him. I turned around and asked if he was, in fact, Wade Redden's brother, which he quietly confirmed was correct. A while later, I turned around and asked if he could do me a favour. He said, "Sure". So I asked him to tell Wade to stay in Ottawa. I told him I'd even try to help pay his salary if he agreed to remain a Senator. Bart laughed, and told me he'd see what he could do. He said that Wade loves Ottawa, so he didn't think he'd have to do much convincing. Kathy then informed him we were sitting in Bryan Murray's seats. He said, "Oh, so you guys know Bryan Murray?" We said yes, then turned back around, feeling we'd taken up enough of his time with this silly chat. Moments later, he leaned forward and said, "Umm...If you guys know Bryan Murray, why aren't you talking to him about keeping Wade here?" We laughed; I told him I thought he probably knew Wade better than we knew Murray, and he probably had more pull with his brother than we have with the Sens' GM.
So yes, I was absolutely glowing from meeting Wade's brother and actually chatting with him. The icing on the cake? The Sens, who were still down 1-0 late in the third period, scored to tie it up - thank you, Captain Alfie!! Less than two minutes later, Chris Neil scored to put them ahead, and then Alfie tapped one into the empty net to seal the victory and send the Sens fans into a frenzy, while those over-zealous cocky Habs fans who had started celebrating far too early were suddenly subdued. It was funny, because Bart and his buddies behind us were chanting "Huet! Huet! Huet!" at those crazy Habs fans in the next section every time we scored, and you could tell it was really ticking them off. At the end of the game, while they were announcing the 3 Stars, I was able to make eye contact with one of those guys and I blew him a big kiss. He burst out laughing - they were really good sports about it!!
As we were leaving, I happened to make eye contact with Bart again and he gave me a big smile. So I said, "It was nice meeting you," and he said the same and shook our hands. Needless to say, I was floating on a cloud!
Amazing how much my luck changed, eh? An awesome come-from-behind win amidst a pack of wild Montreal fans, meeting someone from the same gene pool as my beloved Wade...It couldn't have been more perfect!!
GO SENS GO!!
Friday, November 09, 2007
It's Official: I'm the Jinx
I had a delightful surprise yesterday afternoon. My Uncle Paul, who is the president of a major pharmaceutical company in Canada, had told his Ottawa office that if they ever had any extra Sens tickets that they needed to get rid of to call his Sens-lovin' niece in the Valley. (That would be me). So yesterday, I had a call from Jacquie at GlaxoSmithKline in Ottawa to offer me tickets to last night's game vs. the Washington Capitals!
It was a bit of an adventure just to get the tickets. I chose Sarah to come with me, as I know she's a big Sens fan, and also because I know she has a pretty good knowledge of how to get around in Ottawa. That was my biggest fear in this whole shemozzle - I had to pick up the tickets downtown on Bank Street, then somehow get out to Scotiabank Place. I've never driven downtown. I've never driven on the Queensway. And I've never gone to SBP without taking the Ferry, or the long way around by Renfrew. Bill explained to me how he would go about it, and wrote his instructions down for me. Then Jacquie also told me she'd leave detailed directions at the desk with the tix.
It's a darned good thing I had Bill's instructions and Sarah with me, because Jacquie's idea of "detailed directions" were as follows:
Jill,
Head to Queensway West. Kanata.
Have fun,
Jacquie
Apparently she didn't quite grasp the part where I said I'm not a city driver!!
In any case, Sarah knew a way out to SBP where I didn't even have to take the Queensway, and as it turns out, driving downtown's not that hard, as long as you don't turn down a one-way, which I did not. Phew!!
So we get to the game, and we have a parking pass for P1, and I slid the Rav into a spot right near where there was a section blocked off with a sign that read: "Reserved for Players' Family". How cool is that? We had Club Seats in the first level, last row, right at the Sens blueline. During the warm-up, Sarah & I were giggling because Wade was stretching right in front of us with his sexy ass up in the air, and we were snapping pictures, and all of a sudden I look to my right, and three seats down from Sarah was Wade's dad! I swear it was him! I've seen him in pictures in the paper and on TV before, and I'm positive it was him! I think he and his guests were just sitting there to watch the warm-up, because some other people came along and booted them out of the seats, but it was so cool to know I was just a few seats away from my hero's dad!
The first period was filled with chances, but I quickly got the impression things weren't "clicking" for the boys in Red, Black & Gold. Nothing seemed to be working the way it had on most nights during their record-setting 13-1 start to the season. Late in the first period, two men came to occupy the vacant seats next to me - the one next to me smelled strongly of beer and the first thing he says to me is: "You think the Sens are gonna win the Cup this year? I don't think so." He was yappy, and a little annoying - kinda funny, but after awhile, the novelty of sitting next to possibly the only Caps fan in the building wore off. (He was actually a Canucks fan, but cheering for the Caps because his buddy is one of the assistant coaches. Trust me, I know the guy's life story. He never shut up).
At some point, I divulged that Wade Redden is my favourite player, and he started railing on Redden almost instatnly , calling him a pylon and saying he won't be back after this year, good riddance, blah blah blah - the usual. Then, the Sens started losing. First one Caps goal, then another. Then another. That's when I kinda started ignoring Buddy-Boy, because he was grating on my nerves. Ruining my night. He then informed me I was a sore loser and that I wasn't any fun anymore. I still ignored him. He told me that if we lost the game, our record would still be 13-2, we'd still be the best team in the NHL, and that it's just a game. "Relax, girl."
I continued ignoring. I think he got the hint, 'cause he took off with a few minutes left in the second period (to go see his buddy, the assistant coach of the Caps - yeah, right) and he never did return. Then Alfie scored, and things were looking up again.
Alas, it was too much to hope for a comeback. The third period was filled with glorious chances, but when the Caps scored again late in the game, it was lights out. I was again unimpressed with Ray Emery. If someone had told me this time last year that I'd one day be rooting for Gerber over Emery, I'd have laughed, but it appears that that's where I'm at. Marty Gerber's got the hot hand - and I want them to keep playing him. Ray didn't look comfortable or confident out there in the second period when the roof started caving in. So move over, Emery, this is Gerber's gig now.
So yet another disappointing finish to a game that I was in attendance for. It's official now that I'm the jinx. Or at least, my whole family is. (Kara & Chris were at the only other game the Sens have lost).
Nevertheless, it was a fun night (even with Yappy McYapperson sitting next to me for part of the evening) - and I was thrilled that the Glaxo people thought to call me!
GO SENS GO!!
It was a bit of an adventure just to get the tickets. I chose Sarah to come with me, as I know she's a big Sens fan, and also because I know she has a pretty good knowledge of how to get around in Ottawa. That was my biggest fear in this whole shemozzle - I had to pick up the tickets downtown on Bank Street, then somehow get out to Scotiabank Place. I've never driven downtown. I've never driven on the Queensway. And I've never gone to SBP without taking the Ferry, or the long way around by Renfrew. Bill explained to me how he would go about it, and wrote his instructions down for me. Then Jacquie also told me she'd leave detailed directions at the desk with the tix.
It's a darned good thing I had Bill's instructions and Sarah with me, because Jacquie's idea of "detailed directions" were as follows:
Jill,
Head to Queensway West. Kanata.
Have fun,
Jacquie
Apparently she didn't quite grasp the part where I said I'm not a city driver!!
In any case, Sarah knew a way out to SBP where I didn't even have to take the Queensway, and as it turns out, driving downtown's not that hard, as long as you don't turn down a one-way, which I did not. Phew!!
So we get to the game, and we have a parking pass for P1, and I slid the Rav into a spot right near where there was a section blocked off with a sign that read: "Reserved for Players' Family". How cool is that? We had Club Seats in the first level, last row, right at the Sens blueline. During the warm-up, Sarah & I were giggling because Wade was stretching right in front of us with his sexy ass up in the air, and we were snapping pictures, and all of a sudden I look to my right, and three seats down from Sarah was Wade's dad! I swear it was him! I've seen him in pictures in the paper and on TV before, and I'm positive it was him! I think he and his guests were just sitting there to watch the warm-up, because some other people came along and booted them out of the seats, but it was so cool to know I was just a few seats away from my hero's dad!
The first period was filled with chances, but I quickly got the impression things weren't "clicking" for the boys in Red, Black & Gold. Nothing seemed to be working the way it had on most nights during their record-setting 13-1 start to the season. Late in the first period, two men came to occupy the vacant seats next to me - the one next to me smelled strongly of beer and the first thing he says to me is: "You think the Sens are gonna win the Cup this year? I don't think so." He was yappy, and a little annoying - kinda funny, but after awhile, the novelty of sitting next to possibly the only Caps fan in the building wore off. (He was actually a Canucks fan, but cheering for the Caps because his buddy is one of the assistant coaches. Trust me, I know the guy's life story. He never shut up).
At some point, I divulged that Wade Redden is my favourite player, and he started railing on Redden almost instatnly , calling him a pylon and saying he won't be back after this year, good riddance, blah blah blah - the usual. Then, the Sens started losing. First one Caps goal, then another. Then another. That's when I kinda started ignoring Buddy-Boy, because he was grating on my nerves. Ruining my night. He then informed me I was a sore loser and that I wasn't any fun anymore. I still ignored him. He told me that if we lost the game, our record would still be 13-2, we'd still be the best team in the NHL, and that it's just a game. "Relax, girl."
I continued ignoring. I think he got the hint, 'cause he took off with a few minutes left in the second period (to go see his buddy, the assistant coach of the Caps - yeah, right) and he never did return. Then Alfie scored, and things were looking up again.
Alas, it was too much to hope for a comeback. The third period was filled with glorious chances, but when the Caps scored again late in the game, it was lights out. I was again unimpressed with Ray Emery. If someone had told me this time last year that I'd one day be rooting for Gerber over Emery, I'd have laughed, but it appears that that's where I'm at. Marty Gerber's got the hot hand - and I want them to keep playing him. Ray didn't look comfortable or confident out there in the second period when the roof started caving in. So move over, Emery, this is Gerber's gig now.
So yet another disappointing finish to a game that I was in attendance for. It's official now that I'm the jinx. Or at least, my whole family is. (Kara & Chris were at the only other game the Sens have lost).
Nevertheless, it was a fun night (even with Yappy McYapperson sitting next to me for part of the evening) - and I was thrilled that the Glaxo people thought to call me!
GO SENS GO!!
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Making History
Things have been rolling my way for the past couple of days.
Yesterday, I Blogged about Wade Redden's apparent desire to remain a Sen, even if he must consider a paycut. Then last night, we had spaghetti for supper, my absolute favourite. Further delighting me were snowflakes in the air this morning.
Oh, yes. And the Sens beat the Leafs again last night. This time, it was a thorough, complete, 5-1 romp!! Life is good!!
Of course, I missed the first period once again, because of Karate, so the Sens were already up 2-0 on the strength of early goals by Chris Phillips and Patrick Eaves by the time I tuned in. Early in the second frame, whilst on the PK, Wade Redden stepped up and chipped a puck to Dean McAmmond, who proceeded in on a 2-on-1 with Captain Alfie, passed it over to our fearless leader, and he rifled it home for his third shorty of the season. (The Sens lead the league with 5 total thus far). Later on in the period, Andrej Meszaros held a puck in at the blueline and fired it past Vesa Toskala for a 4-0 lead on only 13 shots, ending Toskala's night between the pipes.
Enter Andrew Raycroft. And it was also at this time that Leafs coach Paul Maurice called a time-out, gathered his troops, and subjected them to a severe tongue-lashing. I've never seen so many guys hanging their heads. I've never seen a coach look that mad at his players. Seriously. His head almost popped off.
Well, it kinda-sorta worked, but not really. The Leafs did manage to cash one on the powerplay, but too little, too late. By the time Chris Kelly put one past Raycroft to make the score 5-1, the game was already too far out of reach for the lowly Leafs. They were absolutely atrocious last night. They almost looked lifeless. They gave up odd-man rushes galore, and it sometimes looked like they were just handing the puck over to the Sens, as if they were saying, "Here, just take it. We don't wanna play."
Marty Gerber was a bit of a surprise start in nets. Not that he didn't deserve to be there. By all accounts, he has been the #1 netminder for this team this year. At first, it was just because Ray Emery was recovering from wrist surgery. But Emery deemed himself "ready to go" a few weeks ago, and in the few starts he has had, he hasn't looked all that sharp. Last night, Gerber looked calm, cool & collected, stopping 30 Leaf shots, and he's on a roll so far. Kinda like the dude I expected him to be last year. Oh well. Better late than never, right?
Last night's game was particularly special, not just because beating the Leafs is always a joyous occasion, but because the Sens officially earned themselves the best starting record in NHL history, collecting 26 points after 14 games with a 13-1 record. They're the class of the league right now, and they've got people talkign. They're being compared to the Montreal Canadiens team of the mid-70's that only lost 8 games all year. Perhaps it's a little early to be suggesting a season like that, but this does seem to be a truly remarkable team destined for big things. It's fun to be a Sens fan right now, that's for sure.
Dare I start dreaming of the Cup already??
GO SENS GO!!
Yesterday, I Blogged about Wade Redden's apparent desire to remain a Sen, even if he must consider a paycut. Then last night, we had spaghetti for supper, my absolute favourite. Further delighting me were snowflakes in the air this morning.
Oh, yes. And the Sens beat the Leafs again last night. This time, it was a thorough, complete, 5-1 romp!! Life is good!!
Of course, I missed the first period once again, because of Karate, so the Sens were already up 2-0 on the strength of early goals by Chris Phillips and Patrick Eaves by the time I tuned in. Early in the second frame, whilst on the PK, Wade Redden stepped up and chipped a puck to Dean McAmmond, who proceeded in on a 2-on-1 with Captain Alfie, passed it over to our fearless leader, and he rifled it home for his third shorty of the season. (The Sens lead the league with 5 total thus far). Later on in the period, Andrej Meszaros held a puck in at the blueline and fired it past Vesa Toskala for a 4-0 lead on only 13 shots, ending Toskala's night between the pipes.
Enter Andrew Raycroft. And it was also at this time that Leafs coach Paul Maurice called a time-out, gathered his troops, and subjected them to a severe tongue-lashing. I've never seen so many guys hanging their heads. I've never seen a coach look that mad at his players. Seriously. His head almost popped off.
Well, it kinda-sorta worked, but not really. The Leafs did manage to cash one on the powerplay, but too little, too late. By the time Chris Kelly put one past Raycroft to make the score 5-1, the game was already too far out of reach for the lowly Leafs. They were absolutely atrocious last night. They almost looked lifeless. They gave up odd-man rushes galore, and it sometimes looked like they were just handing the puck over to the Sens, as if they were saying, "Here, just take it. We don't wanna play."
Marty Gerber was a bit of a surprise start in nets. Not that he didn't deserve to be there. By all accounts, he has been the #1 netminder for this team this year. At first, it was just because Ray Emery was recovering from wrist surgery. But Emery deemed himself "ready to go" a few weeks ago, and in the few starts he has had, he hasn't looked all that sharp. Last night, Gerber looked calm, cool & collected, stopping 30 Leaf shots, and he's on a roll so far. Kinda like the dude I expected him to be last year. Oh well. Better late than never, right?
Last night's game was particularly special, not just because beating the Leafs is always a joyous occasion, but because the Sens officially earned themselves the best starting record in NHL history, collecting 26 points after 14 games with a 13-1 record. They're the class of the league right now, and they've got people talkign. They're being compared to the Montreal Canadiens team of the mid-70's that only lost 8 games all year. Perhaps it's a little early to be suggesting a season like that, but this does seem to be a truly remarkable team destined for big things. It's fun to be a Sens fan right now, that's for sure.
Dare I start dreaming of the Cup already??
GO SENS GO!!
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Hope Springs Eternal (Or At Least For Today)
This morning, while getting ready for work, I was listening to the Team 1200 morning show, and I happened to catch Stuntman Stu saying, "There are some interesting comments from Wade Redden in today's Sun, which we'll discuss in the next segment". I didn't have time to hang out and listen, but I decided when I went for the mail this morning to swing into the store and grab a copy of the Sun.
Imagine my astonishment when I realized that not only was Wade's picture the full front cover of the paper, but the headline read: "HE'D PAY TO STAY".
Yep. Today's a good day, folks!
You see, I had all but given up hope of seeing Redden in a Sens uniform next year. He's coming off a disappointing year as the team's highest-paid player at $6.5 M per season, and he's been dropped to the bottom of Bryan Murray's "priority players to get signed". Since taking over the helm from the ousted John Muckler as the Sens' GM, Murray has signed Fisher, Heatley, and Spezza all to long-term hefty contract extensions. Alfie's already locked up for pretty much the rest of his career. We also have two goalies getting paid more than $3-Mil a season each. That's a lot of cash tied up in 6 guys. It didn't seem feasible that Redden would fit under the salary cap unless he was willing to take a major hometown discount to stay here.
Well...Apparently, he's thinking about it.
As it turns out, the fact that Murray locked up those key players is what's giving Redden pause, and it has him actually thinking about taking a paycut to remain a Senator. He knows that those guys are huge, important pillars in the organization. By signing them, Murray, and owner Eugene Melnyk, have given notice that they want to be serious contenders for years to come, and their #1 goal is winning a Stanley Cup. Wade Redden likes the thought of that. He knows he didn't earn his paycheque last year, and so to stay with a team that has a real shot in his adopted hometown, he's talking about accepting less money to play for the glory.
I like it. I like it a lot. Forget the fact that this dude has been my favourite player since Day 1. Any hockey player who puts his love of the game and his love of winning ahead of the money earns major points with me.
Now, of course, this is all just talk at this point. We'll see if Wade puts his money where his mouth is, so to speak.
But right now, at this very moment, this is the best news I've got regarding my beloved Wade in months. Practically a year. His play has improved, the team is 12-1 to start the year, and the boy really wants to play here.
Hope does spring eternal. At least, for today.
Imagine my astonishment when I realized that not only was Wade's picture the full front cover of the paper, but the headline read: "HE'D PAY TO STAY".
Yep. Today's a good day, folks!
You see, I had all but given up hope of seeing Redden in a Sens uniform next year. He's coming off a disappointing year as the team's highest-paid player at $6.5 M per season, and he's been dropped to the bottom of Bryan Murray's "priority players to get signed". Since taking over the helm from the ousted John Muckler as the Sens' GM, Murray has signed Fisher, Heatley, and Spezza all to long-term hefty contract extensions. Alfie's already locked up for pretty much the rest of his career. We also have two goalies getting paid more than $3-Mil a season each. That's a lot of cash tied up in 6 guys. It didn't seem feasible that Redden would fit under the salary cap unless he was willing to take a major hometown discount to stay here.
Well...Apparently, he's thinking about it.
As it turns out, the fact that Murray locked up those key players is what's giving Redden pause, and it has him actually thinking about taking a paycut to remain a Senator. He knows that those guys are huge, important pillars in the organization. By signing them, Murray, and owner Eugene Melnyk, have given notice that they want to be serious contenders for years to come, and their #1 goal is winning a Stanley Cup. Wade Redden likes the thought of that. He knows he didn't earn his paycheque last year, and so to stay with a team that has a real shot in his adopted hometown, he's talking about accepting less money to play for the glory.
I like it. I like it a lot. Forget the fact that this dude has been my favourite player since Day 1. Any hockey player who puts his love of the game and his love of winning ahead of the money earns major points with me.
Now, of course, this is all just talk at this point. We'll see if Wade puts his money where his mouth is, so to speak.
But right now, at this very moment, this is the best news I've got regarding my beloved Wade in months. Practically a year. His play has improved, the team is 12-1 to start the year, and the boy really wants to play here.
Hope does spring eternal. At least, for today.
Friday, November 02, 2007
My Horror Show...1 Day Late
Remember when I said I all but gave up my tradition of watching a scary movie on Halloween night this year?
Well, I almost got my horror show. It was just a day late.
Yeah. I'm talking about that Sens game last night. Talk about a near-meltdown!
When I got home from Karate after the first period, the boys in Red-Black-n-Gold were already up 1-0 over the lowly Atlanta Thrashers. I settled onto the couch to watch the second frame, and my team scored early & often, racking up 4 more goals to give them a nice, cushy 5-0 lead. Randy Robitaille, who had already scored the first one and seemed quite comfy between The Dans (Heatley & Alfredsson) in the absence of Jason Spezza (out nursing a sore groin), made his second one a beauty, putting a nice move on the goaltender. Moments later, while trying to get his hattrick, he was nailed in the crease and was forced to leave the game with what they called "facial contusions". (I never saw any blood, but whatever...)
50 seconds after Robitaille's second on the night (and as a Sen), Patrick Eaves rifled one past Thrashers netminder Johan Hedberg. Next, we had Nicky-Fo potting his second as a Sen, and while he did not reprise his celebratory leap, the guy up in the music booth was probably hoping he would when he played "Jump Around" after the goal. To cap off the scoring in the second period, Captain Alfie, left wide open in front of the net, made no mistake. And there we were. 5-0 for the home team.
Some would have said, going into the third, that the Thrashers might as well pack up and go home. Some might have thought the Sens had it all wrapped up. Some might have called it a romp.
But the Sens went on to be a bright & shining example of why you can never let up. Anything can happen. Anyone can win.
The Thrashers scored one. Then they scored another. Then, with about 5 minutes left in the game, Chris Neil took a 4-minute penalty for roughing. Not sure why they called it 4 minutes, but anyways. On the first minor, the Trashers scored. On the second, they scored again. By this point, I was chanting "Bring back Gerber! Bring back Gerber!" Emery kinda sucked. Damn Ilya Kovalchuk and his stupid hattrick!
The score was 5-4 with just a little over 2 minutes left, and then Chris Kelly took a delay-of-game penalty for shooting the puck over the glass while trying to clear the zone. The Thrashers pulled their goalie, so it was effectively a 6-on-4 powerplay for Atlanta. My stomach was in knots. This was horrible!!
Fortunately, it was Alfie to the rescue again, as he scored into the empty net, relieving the tension and sealing that long-lost romp that had turned into a nail-biter. The Sens are now boasting a 10-1 record, and all's well that ends well. No nightmares after all.
Just as long as they don't pull that crap again!
Now, after the game, to calm my nerves, I went downstairs to watch Survivor and Grey's. On Survivor, we had one of the most hilarious Survivor moments ever when Jamie thought she had found one of the hidden Immunity Idols, but she actually only had a blank board. Then the tribes merged, and Todd decided Jamie should be the one to go, especially after James revealed that he thought Jamie might try to play what she thought was the hidden Idol. Sure enough, at Tribal Council, before Jeff could read the votes, Jamie tried to play it, but was informed by Jeff that this was not a hidden Immunity Idol and that all votes cast against Jamie would, indeed, count. The look on her face was priceless. She looked absolutely devestated and mortified all at once! Todd's gang had all voted for her, while she, Eric and PG-13 had voted for Jean-Robert. So with that, Jamie's torch was snuffed out, and I was never so glad to see a Survivor contestant ousted. I hated that little bitch. Todd's little one-on-one with the cameraman about Jamie peddling on the little bike at the back and trying to catch up was a highlight for me. Frickin' hilarious!!
But bad news on the Todd front - looks like he's flipping on my boy James next week, and that's not gonna fly with me. Too bad. I really liked Todd.
And I'm not gonna bother with Grey's because nobody cares. But let's just say Alex was back to his asinine self, and I miss Ava already. Seriously - Meredith's little sister? C'mon!!
Have a great weekend guys!
Well, I almost got my horror show. It was just a day late.
Yeah. I'm talking about that Sens game last night. Talk about a near-meltdown!
When I got home from Karate after the first period, the boys in Red-Black-n-Gold were already up 1-0 over the lowly Atlanta Thrashers. I settled onto the couch to watch the second frame, and my team scored early & often, racking up 4 more goals to give them a nice, cushy 5-0 lead. Randy Robitaille, who had already scored the first one and seemed quite comfy between The Dans (Heatley & Alfredsson) in the absence of Jason Spezza (out nursing a sore groin), made his second one a beauty, putting a nice move on the goaltender. Moments later, while trying to get his hattrick, he was nailed in the crease and was forced to leave the game with what they called "facial contusions". (I never saw any blood, but whatever...)
50 seconds after Robitaille's second on the night (and as a Sen), Patrick Eaves rifled one past Thrashers netminder Johan Hedberg. Next, we had Nicky-Fo potting his second as a Sen, and while he did not reprise his celebratory leap, the guy up in the music booth was probably hoping he would when he played "Jump Around" after the goal. To cap off the scoring in the second period, Captain Alfie, left wide open in front of the net, made no mistake. And there we were. 5-0 for the home team.
Some would have said, going into the third, that the Thrashers might as well pack up and go home. Some might have thought the Sens had it all wrapped up. Some might have called it a romp.
But the Sens went on to be a bright & shining example of why you can never let up. Anything can happen. Anyone can win.
The Thrashers scored one. Then they scored another. Then, with about 5 minutes left in the game, Chris Neil took a 4-minute penalty for roughing. Not sure why they called it 4 minutes, but anyways. On the first minor, the Trashers scored. On the second, they scored again. By this point, I was chanting "Bring back Gerber! Bring back Gerber!" Emery kinda sucked. Damn Ilya Kovalchuk and his stupid hattrick!
The score was 5-4 with just a little over 2 minutes left, and then Chris Kelly took a delay-of-game penalty for shooting the puck over the glass while trying to clear the zone. The Thrashers pulled their goalie, so it was effectively a 6-on-4 powerplay for Atlanta. My stomach was in knots. This was horrible!!
Fortunately, it was Alfie to the rescue again, as he scored into the empty net, relieving the tension and sealing that long-lost romp that had turned into a nail-biter. The Sens are now boasting a 10-1 record, and all's well that ends well. No nightmares after all.
Just as long as they don't pull that crap again!
Now, after the game, to calm my nerves, I went downstairs to watch Survivor and Grey's. On Survivor, we had one of the most hilarious Survivor moments ever when Jamie thought she had found one of the hidden Immunity Idols, but she actually only had a blank board. Then the tribes merged, and Todd decided Jamie should be the one to go, especially after James revealed that he thought Jamie might try to play what she thought was the hidden Idol. Sure enough, at Tribal Council, before Jeff could read the votes, Jamie tried to play it, but was informed by Jeff that this was not a hidden Immunity Idol and that all votes cast against Jamie would, indeed, count. The look on her face was priceless. She looked absolutely devestated and mortified all at once! Todd's gang had all voted for her, while she, Eric and PG-13 had voted for Jean-Robert. So with that, Jamie's torch was snuffed out, and I was never so glad to see a Survivor contestant ousted. I hated that little bitch. Todd's little one-on-one with the cameraman about Jamie peddling on the little bike at the back and trying to catch up was a highlight for me. Frickin' hilarious!!
But bad news on the Todd front - looks like he's flipping on my boy James next week, and that's not gonna fly with me. Too bad. I really liked Todd.
And I'm not gonna bother with Grey's because nobody cares. But let's just say Alex was back to his asinine self, and I miss Ava already. Seriously - Meredith's little sister? C'mon!!
Have a great weekend guys!
Thursday, November 01, 2007
I See Hockey In My Future...
Good morning to my few faithful readers out there!
I'd like to thank Priscilla for her scary movie suggestion yesterday. While I do want to see the original Psycho, I don't actually have a copy of it, and it wasn't on the dish anywhere that I could find it, so I couldn't watch it. Actually, I pretty much broke my Halloween tradition of watching a scary movie. By the time the commotion died down at our house, it was almost 9:00. I put on my pj's and went downstairs to check what was on, and I found Halloween: H20 on The Movie Network just starting. Seeing it was one of my "possibilities", I just decided to go with it. However, 40 minutes in, my eyes were drooping and it was starting to get scary, so I bailed and went to bed. I didn't really get to see any blood or guts, but I did get to see plenty of Josh Hartnett, and that's all I really wanted anyways, so mission accomplished!
Tonight is my "BIG TV NIGHT", and I'm very much looking forward to it. Thursday nights are like my TV Treat of the week. Not only do I have Grey's Anatomy and Survivor back-to-back, there's also a Sens game on... Yes, you read that right. An actual real, live hockey game. It's been so long since I've actually watched a Sens game that I feel like it's opening night all over again! Two weeks ago, the Sens played on a Saturday night, but it also happened to be Car Rally, so I missed most of it. Then they played last Saturday, but the game wasn't televised. They've been through a ridiculous schedule through the month of October - a ton of hockey to kick things off in the first week or so, and then hardly any hockey for the past three weeks. I'm blaming this lack of hockey for my lack of Blogging. Most of you enjoy my post-game reports more than any of my TV re-caps or anything else that I wax poetic about, so I'm promising you a Hockey Blog tomorrow!
I hope everyone had a great Halloween, and enjoy the treats today!!
I'd like to thank Priscilla for her scary movie suggestion yesterday. While I do want to see the original Psycho, I don't actually have a copy of it, and it wasn't on the dish anywhere that I could find it, so I couldn't watch it. Actually, I pretty much broke my Halloween tradition of watching a scary movie. By the time the commotion died down at our house, it was almost 9:00. I put on my pj's and went downstairs to check what was on, and I found Halloween: H20 on The Movie Network just starting. Seeing it was one of my "possibilities", I just decided to go with it. However, 40 minutes in, my eyes were drooping and it was starting to get scary, so I bailed and went to bed. I didn't really get to see any blood or guts, but I did get to see plenty of Josh Hartnett, and that's all I really wanted anyways, so mission accomplished!
Tonight is my "BIG TV NIGHT", and I'm very much looking forward to it. Thursday nights are like my TV Treat of the week. Not only do I have Grey's Anatomy and Survivor back-to-back, there's also a Sens game on... Yes, you read that right. An actual real, live hockey game. It's been so long since I've actually watched a Sens game that I feel like it's opening night all over again! Two weeks ago, the Sens played on a Saturday night, but it also happened to be Car Rally, so I missed most of it. Then they played last Saturday, but the game wasn't televised. They've been through a ridiculous schedule through the month of October - a ton of hockey to kick things off in the first week or so, and then hardly any hockey for the past three weeks. I'm blaming this lack of hockey for my lack of Blogging. Most of you enjoy my post-game reports more than any of my TV re-caps or anything else that I wax poetic about, so I'm promising you a Hockey Blog tomorrow!
I hope everyone had a great Halloween, and enjoy the treats today!!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Spooktacular, Spooktacular!!
Good morning ladies and gents, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
It's one of my favourite days of the year - when spooks and spirits rise up and roam the earth, when little children giddily don their costumes and trail from door-to-door begging for treats, when scary movies are on practically every channel on TV. Today, I don't have to wear my Mountainview uniform. Today, I get to wear an orange wig, black & orange glasses, black & orange nail polish, an orange boa, and kitty ears. What am I, you ask? I don't really know. I've been told I look like Velma from Scooby Doo wearing kitty ears. I've been told I look like Josie from Josie & the Pussycats. Either way, I don't look like Jill, and that's all I was aiming for!
Now I do have a dilemma today. It's been my tradition for the past few years to watch a scary movie after the trick-or-treaters have all come and gone on Halloween Night. But now I can't decide which movie to watch. Usually I watch a bunch of scary movies around this time of year, but this year, the only one I managed to squeeze in was "Stir of Echoes" on Sunday afternoon, and I ended up falling asleep 10 minutes in. Now, I know I can watch a scary movie anytime, but it just won't have the same appeal to watch one tomorrow night. So this is where you guys come in...Help me choose!
The options are as follows:
Halloween: H20 - It's one of my favourites, with Josh Hartnett starring as Laurie Strode's son John, and he gets to meet his uncle Michael Myers 20 years after he last stalked his mother on Halloween. Right now, this is the flick I'm leaning most towards, mainly because of Josh Hartnett.
Carrie - It never fails to chill me, despite the cheesy 70's horror movie style. Carrie is a character you feel sympathetic for, as she is bullied and teased for her introverted ways, but when she unleashes her horror on her classmates at the prom, she becomes one of the biggest monsters in cinematic history. I watched it last year on All Hallow's Eve, so maybe I should make it tradition?
An American Haunting - I just saw this movie for the first time last year, a few weeks before Halloween, and I loved it. It was an authentic, spine-tingling ghost story with a twist that left my head spinning. I haven't watched it since, so it keeps popping up in my head as an option.
Silence of the Lambs - It's another one that I haven't watched in a long time - in fact, I can't really remember what even happens, other than the standard Hannibal Lecter images that never quite leave your memories. I got it for Luke for his birthday, and I think it's still in the wrapper...Might have to open it tonight!
Idle Hands - It's got some scary moments, but overall, this was a comedy set around Halloween when poor Anton's hand becomes occupied by the devil and all sorts of hijinks ensue. The real reason I'm thinking of watching it is because I might get too scared watching the others, and at least I know I can survive until the end of this one!
Pet Sematary - What would Halloween be without Stephen King? It's my favourite of his horror stories, and the creepy little zombie baby gives me the willies just thinking about him. The only reason I'm leaning against this movie is that I watched it just a few months ago, so perhaps it is too fresh in my memory.
OK - so those are the only choices I can think of right now that I really want to watch. If it were up to you guys, which one would you watch? Or have you any other scary movies that you can recommend that perhaps I might find while channel surfing tonight?
Have a spooktacular day!!
It's one of my favourite days of the year - when spooks and spirits rise up and roam the earth, when little children giddily don their costumes and trail from door-to-door begging for treats, when scary movies are on practically every channel on TV. Today, I don't have to wear my Mountainview uniform. Today, I get to wear an orange wig, black & orange glasses, black & orange nail polish, an orange boa, and kitty ears. What am I, you ask? I don't really know. I've been told I look like Velma from Scooby Doo wearing kitty ears. I've been told I look like Josie from Josie & the Pussycats. Either way, I don't look like Jill, and that's all I was aiming for!
Now I do have a dilemma today. It's been my tradition for the past few years to watch a scary movie after the trick-or-treaters have all come and gone on Halloween Night. But now I can't decide which movie to watch. Usually I watch a bunch of scary movies around this time of year, but this year, the only one I managed to squeeze in was "Stir of Echoes" on Sunday afternoon, and I ended up falling asleep 10 minutes in. Now, I know I can watch a scary movie anytime, but it just won't have the same appeal to watch one tomorrow night. So this is where you guys come in...Help me choose!
The options are as follows:
Halloween: H20 - It's one of my favourites, with Josh Hartnett starring as Laurie Strode's son John, and he gets to meet his uncle Michael Myers 20 years after he last stalked his mother on Halloween. Right now, this is the flick I'm leaning most towards, mainly because of Josh Hartnett.
Carrie - It never fails to chill me, despite the cheesy 70's horror movie style. Carrie is a character you feel sympathetic for, as she is bullied and teased for her introverted ways, but when she unleashes her horror on her classmates at the prom, she becomes one of the biggest monsters in cinematic history. I watched it last year on All Hallow's Eve, so maybe I should make it tradition?
An American Haunting - I just saw this movie for the first time last year, a few weeks before Halloween, and I loved it. It was an authentic, spine-tingling ghost story with a twist that left my head spinning. I haven't watched it since, so it keeps popping up in my head as an option.
Silence of the Lambs - It's another one that I haven't watched in a long time - in fact, I can't really remember what even happens, other than the standard Hannibal Lecter images that never quite leave your memories. I got it for Luke for his birthday, and I think it's still in the wrapper...Might have to open it tonight!
Idle Hands - It's got some scary moments, but overall, this was a comedy set around Halloween when poor Anton's hand becomes occupied by the devil and all sorts of hijinks ensue. The real reason I'm thinking of watching it is because I might get too scared watching the others, and at least I know I can survive until the end of this one!
Pet Sematary - What would Halloween be without Stephen King? It's my favourite of his horror stories, and the creepy little zombie baby gives me the willies just thinking about him. The only reason I'm leaning against this movie is that I watched it just a few months ago, so perhaps it is too fresh in my memory.
OK - so those are the only choices I can think of right now that I really want to watch. If it were up to you guys, which one would you watch? Or have you any other scary movies that you can recommend that perhaps I might find while channel surfing tonight?
Have a spooktacular day!!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Late, but Loooong
Hey guys!
Well, I didn't get around to Blogging about Survivor or Grey's Anatomy yet, so here it is - sorry it's late!!
We'll start with Survivor: The last time I wrote, things were looking awfully gloomy for my boy James. The tribal shake-up had him out-numbered on a team of dimwits who chose to throw a challenge in order to eliminate either him or Aaron. They decided to toss Aaron, presuming that he had stronger ties to his former tribemates than James did. Apparently, they presumed wrong, because this week, James' old buddies saved his ass BIG TIME!!
Now, the plan didn't come off without a hitch by any means. Concoted by Todd (who is growing on me with every episode - he's kinda like a little gay Tom Cruise. And no, Tom Cruise is not gay...) - the plan had them kidnapping James after winning the Reward Challenge. James would then, in turn, share his secret clue with Todd and Amanda so they could find the hidden Immunity Idol, because Todd had all the previous clues. They would then give James the hidden Immunity Idol, and upon returning to his new tribe, he would purposely help throw the next challenge (not hard, thought James, with that already being the girls' plan). Then he would go to Tribal Council, allow all his teammates to vote him off, and then promptly produce his hidden Immunity Idol. His vote would be for Jamie, thus sending her home, and completing Todd's crafty little plan. Meanwhile, he would also find the other hidden Immunity Idol at his own camp, which he would have to share with Todd and Amanda once the tribes merged, cementing their powerhouse alliance.
Brilliant, right??
Well...Things didn't quite go as planned. First of all, while James was gone, the giggling girls decided it was in their best interests to not lose the next challenge after Frosti refused to make eye contact and Sherea wouldn't talk to PG-13 at the Reward Challenge. Fearing their former allies had been swayed to the other side, the girls decided to fight back. The Immunity Challenge also wasn't an easy one for James to throw - an eating competition involving "Chinese delights". And we're not talking Chicken Balls and Egg Rolls here. They had to face off over chicken hearts, eel, chicken fetuses, rotten eggs, and stuff like that. James was baffled when he realized his tribemates were actually trying to win, and were quite handily putting the boots to the other team. James and Todd exchanged several pained glances as they realized their master plan was unraveling before their eyes.
But perhaps the most poignant moment of the challenge was when James went up against Denise over the under-developed baby chicks (beaks, claws, and feather included). She knew he was supposed to throw the challenge, and he tried desperately to do so, spitting pieces out and forcing himself to gag. But Denise just couldn't eat them. She tried and tried and couldn't get it down. Seeing her struggle like that was too much for James, and finally he quietly said, "I got it," and jammed the rest of the baby chick in his mouth, downing it with ease. Their plan had gone completely belly-up, and not even he could save it.
Fortunately, all was not lost entirely. James had the Idol and didn't need it, but things were still OK at the other tribe. While Frosti had accidentally become a part of the alliance with Todd, Amanda, Denise, and Courtney when he witnessed them finding the hidden Immunity Idol, they still had Sherea and Jean-Robert to target for elimination. Concensus was to get Sherea out, until Courtney reared her ugly head and demanded that Jean-Robert go. Things were a little up in the air until she got to Tribal Council and pissed off everyone, especially Todd, and they went back to their original plan of getting rid of the outsider Sherea. Thank God. Finally, something went RIGHT in this episode!! Not that I'm a big Jean-Robert fan, but that's my chosen tribe, so they had to get rid of one of their new members ahead of him!
Coming up this week: Looks like James misses the boat on finding the other hidden Immunity, Courtney and Todd fall out completely, and it looks like we're gonna merge! Yee haw for James for SURVIVING!!!
Now, I've already rambled long enough and no one cares about Grey's, but last week was one of my most favourite episodes ever. But forget about everyone and everything but this:
Alex. And Ava. YES!!!
The long-awaited reunion finally happened! Last season, he rescued her during the ferry disaster, they became close while she was hospitalized with a crushed face and amnesia, and then, when she got her face & memory back and her husband came to get her, she begged Alex to give her a reason to stay with him, and he told her she should go back to her husband.
Then, Alex realized he needed her and went back to get her, but she was already gone. *Poof* Just like that.
I've been hoping and praying for Ava's return this season, and when Alex pulled back the curtain to see her waiting for him in the pit...Well, my heart melted. They spent the episode re-igniting their flame, tangled together in the on-call room, where all the sexy rendez-vous' go down at Seattle Grace. Then Alex got called away when his old intern Norman had a massive stroke. And at the end of the show, Alex went back to talk to Ava, and she was already gone again, leaving her shirt so he could remember her smell.
So once again, I'm at loose ends with Alex and Ava, wondering what's going to happen. God, I hope they bring her on full-time. Alex deserves a real relationship. Alex deserves love. And Ava's the girl for him.
Keeping on the topic of Alex - I've realized from watching my DVD's and current episodes that his uniform when he's not in uniform is a sexy black wife-beater. Yum. I love it.
OK - so the recaps are late, but they're long, so that's gotta count for something, right?
See y'all tomorrow for a real, genuine Halloween Blog!!
Well, I didn't get around to Blogging about Survivor or Grey's Anatomy yet, so here it is - sorry it's late!!
We'll start with Survivor: The last time I wrote, things were looking awfully gloomy for my boy James. The tribal shake-up had him out-numbered on a team of dimwits who chose to throw a challenge in order to eliminate either him or Aaron. They decided to toss Aaron, presuming that he had stronger ties to his former tribemates than James did. Apparently, they presumed wrong, because this week, James' old buddies saved his ass BIG TIME!!
Now, the plan didn't come off without a hitch by any means. Concoted by Todd (who is growing on me with every episode - he's kinda like a little gay Tom Cruise. And no, Tom Cruise is not gay...) - the plan had them kidnapping James after winning the Reward Challenge. James would then, in turn, share his secret clue with Todd and Amanda so they could find the hidden Immunity Idol, because Todd had all the previous clues. They would then give James the hidden Immunity Idol, and upon returning to his new tribe, he would purposely help throw the next challenge (not hard, thought James, with that already being the girls' plan). Then he would go to Tribal Council, allow all his teammates to vote him off, and then promptly produce his hidden Immunity Idol. His vote would be for Jamie, thus sending her home, and completing Todd's crafty little plan. Meanwhile, he would also find the other hidden Immunity Idol at his own camp, which he would have to share with Todd and Amanda once the tribes merged, cementing their powerhouse alliance.
Brilliant, right??
Well...Things didn't quite go as planned. First of all, while James was gone, the giggling girls decided it was in their best interests to not lose the next challenge after Frosti refused to make eye contact and Sherea wouldn't talk to PG-13 at the Reward Challenge. Fearing their former allies had been swayed to the other side, the girls decided to fight back. The Immunity Challenge also wasn't an easy one for James to throw - an eating competition involving "Chinese delights". And we're not talking Chicken Balls and Egg Rolls here. They had to face off over chicken hearts, eel, chicken fetuses, rotten eggs, and stuff like that. James was baffled when he realized his tribemates were actually trying to win, and were quite handily putting the boots to the other team. James and Todd exchanged several pained glances as they realized their master plan was unraveling before their eyes.
But perhaps the most poignant moment of the challenge was when James went up against Denise over the under-developed baby chicks (beaks, claws, and feather included). She knew he was supposed to throw the challenge, and he tried desperately to do so, spitting pieces out and forcing himself to gag. But Denise just couldn't eat them. She tried and tried and couldn't get it down. Seeing her struggle like that was too much for James, and finally he quietly said, "I got it," and jammed the rest of the baby chick in his mouth, downing it with ease. Their plan had gone completely belly-up, and not even he could save it.
Fortunately, all was not lost entirely. James had the Idol and didn't need it, but things were still OK at the other tribe. While Frosti had accidentally become a part of the alliance with Todd, Amanda, Denise, and Courtney when he witnessed them finding the hidden Immunity Idol, they still had Sherea and Jean-Robert to target for elimination. Concensus was to get Sherea out, until Courtney reared her ugly head and demanded that Jean-Robert go. Things were a little up in the air until she got to Tribal Council and pissed off everyone, especially Todd, and they went back to their original plan of getting rid of the outsider Sherea. Thank God. Finally, something went RIGHT in this episode!! Not that I'm a big Jean-Robert fan, but that's my chosen tribe, so they had to get rid of one of their new members ahead of him!
Coming up this week: Looks like James misses the boat on finding the other hidden Immunity, Courtney and Todd fall out completely, and it looks like we're gonna merge! Yee haw for James for SURVIVING!!!
Now, I've already rambled long enough and no one cares about Grey's, but last week was one of my most favourite episodes ever. But forget about everyone and everything but this:
Alex. And Ava. YES!!!
The long-awaited reunion finally happened! Last season, he rescued her during the ferry disaster, they became close while she was hospitalized with a crushed face and amnesia, and then, when she got her face & memory back and her husband came to get her, she begged Alex to give her a reason to stay with him, and he told her she should go back to her husband.
Then, Alex realized he needed her and went back to get her, but she was already gone. *Poof* Just like that.
I've been hoping and praying for Ava's return this season, and when Alex pulled back the curtain to see her waiting for him in the pit...Well, my heart melted. They spent the episode re-igniting their flame, tangled together in the on-call room, where all the sexy rendez-vous' go down at Seattle Grace. Then Alex got called away when his old intern Norman had a massive stroke. And at the end of the show, Alex went back to talk to Ava, and she was already gone again, leaving her shirt so he could remember her smell.
So once again, I'm at loose ends with Alex and Ava, wondering what's going to happen. God, I hope they bring her on full-time. Alex deserves a real relationship. Alex deserves love. And Ava's the girl for him.
Keeping on the topic of Alex - I've realized from watching my DVD's and current episodes that his uniform when he's not in uniform is a sexy black wife-beater. Yum. I love it.
OK - so the recaps are late, but they're long, so that's gotta count for something, right?
See y'all tomorrow for a real, genuine Halloween Blog!!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Sens WIN!! / Survivor SUCKS!!
I missed the first period of the hockey game last night; hence, I missed Wade Redden's second goal of the season, which he scored on the powerplay less than a minute into the game vs. Montreal last night. Apparently it was a bit of a blooper goal, and nothing I should really be all that proud of. But hell, Wade Redden scored a goal, and that's good enough for me! YAY WADE!!!!
The Sens blew a 3-1 lead, letting the Habs back in it with 2 powerplay goals. After Kovalev scored to tie it, I was a little on edge - but not for long. 24 seconds later, Jason Spezza scored his first of the season, and all was right in my world again.
It was Randy Robitaille's first game as a Sen after clearing waivers the day before, but I have to admit, I didn't really notice him. What I did notice was rookie Nick Foligno scoring his first NHL goal (assisted by none other than Wade Redden) - and his celebratory leap afterwards in tribute to his dad, Mike, who used to pounce off the ice like a jackrabbit when he played in the NHL back in the day. Between periods, they asked Nicky-Fo (Steve Warne started the nickname on TGOR, and I like it) if he would continue the trend for every goal he scores in the future, and he replied that it was a one-shot deal - a salute to his father that will not be repeated again.
I'm not going to talk about the soft goal that Martin Gerber allowed to get the Habs on the board in the first period; nor am I going to wonder if his less-than-stellar game had anything to do with Ray Emery being back on the bench and putting pressure on Gerber again to perform. I'd rather not have a goaltending controversy, and the media are flogging the damn thing to death. If you want to read about that, check out the Sun or the Citizen, I'm sure they'll have plenty of coverage.
Now, I was able to catch Survivor last night following the game. I haven't done a recap for you since my initial thoughts after Episode 1 - since then, we've said good-bye to Ashley the wrestler, Leslie the Christian Radio DJ, and Dave the annoying ex-model.
Last night's episode was what I like to call "The Survivor Episode from HELL". The nitwit brains behind the operation decided it would be fun to have the two tribes swap two players, with the opposite tribe choosing the two strongest players in their eyes to join them.
Up to this point, my favourite tribe has been the tribe with the two hot men: Aaron, the HOTT surf instrutor, and James, the HOTT, buff, sexy, delicious gravedigger. Yes, ladies...that's HOTT with two t's. We're talkin' Colby Donadson HOTT here.
So naturally, the weaklings over at the other camp chose to take Aaron and James from the other tribe. They're complete idiots, of course, and didn't realize that they would have to give up two of their members in return. They were clicking their heels over the idea that the numbers would now swing in their favour 7-5. Apparently, it never crossed their minds that the other tribe would get the same note that they did. The other tribe chose to take from them Frosti, whom I still can't take seriously, and Sherea.
A fair trade? I think not.
Things just went from bad to worse when PG-13 and Jamie put their heads together and decided that if they wanted to keep the numbers in their original tribe's favour, they'd need to get rid of James and Aaron pronto, which would mean purposely attempting to throw challenges. That's not an easy task with James and Aaron on your side, but they managed to do it anyways. It was painful to watch them giggle and laugh throughout the challenge as the purposely put puzzle pieces in the wrong spots. I wanted to slap Jamie across the face when she chucked one part of the puzzle way off in the tall grass. It was even more difficult to watch James trying to figure it out afterwards and scolding the girls for their silly behaviour. It didn't seem to dawn on him or Aaron that they had purposely lost the challenge.
I was grasping at hope when Erik found out that his girls had thrown the competition, and I saw his expression darken with disapproval. However, despite the fact that he thought it was wrong to lose on purpose, he chose to stick with his tribe and vote out one of the "new guys". One of the HOTT guys. ARGHHHHH!!
James asked them to send him home, because he didn't want to continue playing the game with people who tried to lose. However, the girls figured that Aaron had stronger ties with his old tribe than James, so they sent him packing instead. Either way, I knew the elimination was going to suck. To see those two stupid bitches sitting there with stupid smiles on their faces, so pleased with themselves, while two of the strongest players in Survivor history were on the block, made me want to vomit. Even Probst looked disgusted with this sickening turn of events.
So unless James can work a miracle next week, the girls will be trying to throw the challenge again to get rid of him. I'm hoping between now and then, he & Erik can bond and form a secret alliance to try and overthrow the girls' stupid plan.
Otherwise, I may forever remember this ridiculous Survivor twist as the most horrible twist ever!!!!
Have a great weekend, everyone, and for those of you who are on the Car Rally tomorrow - see you along the trail!!
The Sens blew a 3-1 lead, letting the Habs back in it with 2 powerplay goals. After Kovalev scored to tie it, I was a little on edge - but not for long. 24 seconds later, Jason Spezza scored his first of the season, and all was right in my world again.
It was Randy Robitaille's first game as a Sen after clearing waivers the day before, but I have to admit, I didn't really notice him. What I did notice was rookie Nick Foligno scoring his first NHL goal (assisted by none other than Wade Redden) - and his celebratory leap afterwards in tribute to his dad, Mike, who used to pounce off the ice like a jackrabbit when he played in the NHL back in the day. Between periods, they asked Nicky-Fo (Steve Warne started the nickname on TGOR, and I like it) if he would continue the trend for every goal he scores in the future, and he replied that it was a one-shot deal - a salute to his father that will not be repeated again.
I'm not going to talk about the soft goal that Martin Gerber allowed to get the Habs on the board in the first period; nor am I going to wonder if his less-than-stellar game had anything to do with Ray Emery being back on the bench and putting pressure on Gerber again to perform. I'd rather not have a goaltending controversy, and the media are flogging the damn thing to death. If you want to read about that, check out the Sun or the Citizen, I'm sure they'll have plenty of coverage.
Now, I was able to catch Survivor last night following the game. I haven't done a recap for you since my initial thoughts after Episode 1 - since then, we've said good-bye to Ashley the wrestler, Leslie the Christian Radio DJ, and Dave the annoying ex-model.
Last night's episode was what I like to call "The Survivor Episode from HELL". The nitwit brains behind the operation decided it would be fun to have the two tribes swap two players, with the opposite tribe choosing the two strongest players in their eyes to join them.
Up to this point, my favourite tribe has been the tribe with the two hot men: Aaron, the HOTT surf instrutor, and James, the HOTT, buff, sexy, delicious gravedigger. Yes, ladies...that's HOTT with two t's. We're talkin' Colby Donadson HOTT here.
So naturally, the weaklings over at the other camp chose to take Aaron and James from the other tribe. They're complete idiots, of course, and didn't realize that they would have to give up two of their members in return. They were clicking their heels over the idea that the numbers would now swing in their favour 7-5. Apparently, it never crossed their minds that the other tribe would get the same note that they did. The other tribe chose to take from them Frosti, whom I still can't take seriously, and Sherea.
A fair trade? I think not.
Things just went from bad to worse when PG-13 and Jamie put their heads together and decided that if they wanted to keep the numbers in their original tribe's favour, they'd need to get rid of James and Aaron pronto, which would mean purposely attempting to throw challenges. That's not an easy task with James and Aaron on your side, but they managed to do it anyways. It was painful to watch them giggle and laugh throughout the challenge as the purposely put puzzle pieces in the wrong spots. I wanted to slap Jamie across the face when she chucked one part of the puzzle way off in the tall grass. It was even more difficult to watch James trying to figure it out afterwards and scolding the girls for their silly behaviour. It didn't seem to dawn on him or Aaron that they had purposely lost the challenge.
I was grasping at hope when Erik found out that his girls had thrown the competition, and I saw his expression darken with disapproval. However, despite the fact that he thought it was wrong to lose on purpose, he chose to stick with his tribe and vote out one of the "new guys". One of the HOTT guys. ARGHHHHH!!
James asked them to send him home, because he didn't want to continue playing the game with people who tried to lose. However, the girls figured that Aaron had stronger ties with his old tribe than James, so they sent him packing instead. Either way, I knew the elimination was going to suck. To see those two stupid bitches sitting there with stupid smiles on their faces, so pleased with themselves, while two of the strongest players in Survivor history were on the block, made me want to vomit. Even Probst looked disgusted with this sickening turn of events.
So unless James can work a miracle next week, the girls will be trying to throw the challenge again to get rid of him. I'm hoping between now and then, he & Erik can bond and form a secret alliance to try and overthrow the girls' stupid plan.
Otherwise, I may forever remember this ridiculous Survivor twist as the most horrible twist ever!!!!
Have a great weekend, everyone, and for those of you who are on the Car Rally tomorrow - see you along the trail!!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Scary? Nah...So Let's Try Funny!!
OK guys, I've got to apologize for yesterday's Blog. I was being lazy. I wanted to write a Blog, but I had Blog Block. So I took the easy way out, found a "scary story", and copy-and-pasted it onto my Blog, then pawned it off as my attempt at getting into the Halloween Spirit.
It was weak, man. I know it.
First of all, I ended up wasting a whole pile of time skimming allegedly spooky tales on Halloween websites. I could've written my own horror novel in the time it took me to surf through these long-winded, boring stories that all struck me as being mildly disturbing, but nothing quite like the bone-chilling literature I had hoped to provide.
Finally, I came upon the old urban legend of "The Hook". I recognized the title, the story was short enough, so I slapped it into my Blog, with a little header telling y'all that it was one of my favourites. OK, so maybe it was ... when I was seven. I re-read it this morning, and while I do realize it's a classic "scary story", it's really nothing compared to the blood-n-guts horror we're all used to. It wasn't spine-tingling. It wasn't chilling. It wasn't gruesome. And it definitely wasn't blood-curdling.
So I promise, in the next few weeks, when I get Blog Block again and decide to search for another scary story to share with you - well, I'll make sure the next time that it's at least a little bit freaky.
In the meantime, if you want a few good laughs, check out the following link:
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mitch_Hedberg
If you've ever been watching Just For Laughs on the Comedy Network and you've seen this long-haired guy who stands with his head down and fires off the most hilarious one-liners you've ever heard ... Well, that's Mitch Hedberg. Mitch is my comedic discovery of the week. I've seen him perform a few times, but last Friday night, I chatted with a guy who's a big Hedberg fan. He told me to look him up, buy his CD's, and truly appreciate all that is Mitch Hedberg.
The dude is a riot. Even just reading his jokes crack me up. However, my Internet research also revealed that he passed away from a drug overdose in '05. His widow is Canadian comedian Lynn Shawcroft, and she continues to Blog daily about her memories of Mitch and the laughs he brought to the world. Kinda makes my discovery a little bittersweet.
Anyways - I'm now telling you guys to look him up. It'll be worth your while.
At least, more worth your while than reading that lame story I left for you yesterday...
It was weak, man. I know it.
First of all, I ended up wasting a whole pile of time skimming allegedly spooky tales on Halloween websites. I could've written my own horror novel in the time it took me to surf through these long-winded, boring stories that all struck me as being mildly disturbing, but nothing quite like the bone-chilling literature I had hoped to provide.
Finally, I came upon the old urban legend of "The Hook". I recognized the title, the story was short enough, so I slapped it into my Blog, with a little header telling y'all that it was one of my favourites. OK, so maybe it was ... when I was seven. I re-read it this morning, and while I do realize it's a classic "scary story", it's really nothing compared to the blood-n-guts horror we're all used to. It wasn't spine-tingling. It wasn't chilling. It wasn't gruesome. And it definitely wasn't blood-curdling.
So I promise, in the next few weeks, when I get Blog Block again and decide to search for another scary story to share with you - well, I'll make sure the next time that it's at least a little bit freaky.
In the meantime, if you want a few good laughs, check out the following link:
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mitch_Hedberg
If you've ever been watching Just For Laughs on the Comedy Network and you've seen this long-haired guy who stands with his head down and fires off the most hilarious one-liners you've ever heard ... Well, that's Mitch Hedberg. Mitch is my comedic discovery of the week. I've seen him perform a few times, but last Friday night, I chatted with a guy who's a big Hedberg fan. He told me to look him up, buy his CD's, and truly appreciate all that is Mitch Hedberg.
The dude is a riot. Even just reading his jokes crack me up. However, my Internet research also revealed that he passed away from a drug overdose in '05. His widow is Canadian comedian Lynn Shawcroft, and she continues to Blog daily about her memories of Mitch and the laughs he brought to the world. Kinda makes my discovery a little bittersweet.
Anyways - I'm now telling you guys to look him up. It'll be worth your while.
At least, more worth your while than reading that lame story I left for you yesterday...
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Gettin' in the Halloween Spirit
With Halloween quickly approaching, I'm in a bit of a "spooky" mood. Last year, I did a "Top Scary Movies" Blog, so I'm kind of out of ideas for Halloween-themed Blogs this year. Therefore, I have decided to share some of my favourite scary stories with you guys! Look for a few each week from now until Halloween.
Today, I'm starting with an old stand-by...One that never fails to send a shiver down my spine!
The Hook (retold by S. E. Schlosser)
The reports had been on the radio all day, though she hadn't paid much attention to them. Some crazy man had escaped from the state asylum. They were calling him the Hook Man since he had lost his right arm and had it replaced with a hook. He was a killer, and everyone in the region was warned to keep watch and report anything suspicious. But this didn't interest her. She was more worried about what to wear on her date.
After several consultation calls with friends, she chose a blue outfit in the very latest style and was ready and waiting on the porch when her boyfriend came to pick her up in his car. They went to a drive-in movie with another couple, then dropped them off and went parking in the local lover's lane. The blue outfit was a hit, and she cuddled close to her boyfriend as they kissed to the sound of romantic music on the radio.
Then the announcer came on and repeated the warning she had heard that afternoon. An insane killer with a hook in place of his right hand was loose in the area. Suddenly, the dark, moonless night didn't seem so romantic to her. The lover's lane was secluded and off the beaten track. A perfect spot for a deranged mad-man to lurk, she thought, pushing her amorous boyfriend away.
"Maybe we should get out of here," she said. "That Hook Man sounds dangerous."
"Awe, c'mon babe, it's nothing," her boyfriend said, trying to get in another kiss. She pushed him away again.
"No, really. We're all alone out here. I'm scared," she said.
They argued for a moment. Then the car shook a bit, as if something…or someone…had touched it. She gave a shriek and said: "Get us out of here now!"
"Jeeze," her boyfriend said in disgust, but he turned the key and went roaring out of the lover's lane with a screeching of his tires.
They drove home in stony silence, and when they pulled into her driveway, he refused to help her out of the car. He was being so unreasonable, she fumed to herself. She opened the door indignantly and stepped into her driveway with her chin up and her lips set. Whirling around, she slammed the door as hard as she could. And then she screamed.
Her boyfriend leapt out of the car and caught her in his arms. "What is it? What's wrong?" he shouted.
Then he saw it.
A bloody hook hung from the handle of the passenger-side door.
This text taken from: http://www.americanfolklore.net/folktales/tx5.html
Today, I'm starting with an old stand-by...One that never fails to send a shiver down my spine!
The Hook (retold by S. E. Schlosser)
The reports had been on the radio all day, though she hadn't paid much attention to them. Some crazy man had escaped from the state asylum. They were calling him the Hook Man since he had lost his right arm and had it replaced with a hook. He was a killer, and everyone in the region was warned to keep watch and report anything suspicious. But this didn't interest her. She was more worried about what to wear on her date.
After several consultation calls with friends, she chose a blue outfit in the very latest style and was ready and waiting on the porch when her boyfriend came to pick her up in his car. They went to a drive-in movie with another couple, then dropped them off and went parking in the local lover's lane. The blue outfit was a hit, and she cuddled close to her boyfriend as they kissed to the sound of romantic music on the radio.
Then the announcer came on and repeated the warning she had heard that afternoon. An insane killer with a hook in place of his right hand was loose in the area. Suddenly, the dark, moonless night didn't seem so romantic to her. The lover's lane was secluded and off the beaten track. A perfect spot for a deranged mad-man to lurk, she thought, pushing her amorous boyfriend away.
"Maybe we should get out of here," she said. "That Hook Man sounds dangerous."
"Awe, c'mon babe, it's nothing," her boyfriend said, trying to get in another kiss. She pushed him away again.
"No, really. We're all alone out here. I'm scared," she said.
They argued for a moment. Then the car shook a bit, as if something…or someone…had touched it. She gave a shriek and said: "Get us out of here now!"
"Jeeze," her boyfriend said in disgust, but he turned the key and went roaring out of the lover's lane with a screeching of his tires.
They drove home in stony silence, and when they pulled into her driveway, he refused to help her out of the car. He was being so unreasonable, she fumed to herself. She opened the door indignantly and stepped into her driveway with her chin up and her lips set. Whirling around, she slammed the door as hard as she could. And then she screamed.
Her boyfriend leapt out of the car and caught her in his arms. "What is it? What's wrong?" he shouted.
Then he saw it.
A bloody hook hung from the handle of the passenger-side door.
This text taken from: http://www.americanfolklore.net/folktales/tx5.html
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Ramble On
G'day everybody!
Well, I don't have a Blog Topic for today, so I'm just gonna ramble. Brace yourselves, that's never pretty...
I'm really looking forward to the weekend. The Car Rally is Saturday, and that's always one of my most favourite days of the year. This year, the theme is Nursery Rhymes, so my team has been trying desperately to come up with a unique nursery rhyme that is...well...not a fairy tale! Do you realize how difficult it can be to differentiate between the two? Three Little Pigs...NOPE! But the Three Little Kittens are. Three Little Bears...NOPE! But the Three Blind Mice are. Oh, and this presents another problem. It would appear than many nursery rhymes revolve in groups of 3. So what are you supposed to do when you're a team of 5? There's no Five Little Kittens, or Five Little Pigs, or Mary Had Five Little Lambs...Tricky, I tell you!
So we finally came up with one, and while I don't want to disclose our stroke of genius, I will say we happened upon it after realizing Ricky bears an uncanny resemblance to a certain fragile egg of Mother Goose lore...
This week will be spent resting up in preparation for the whirlwind adventure that is Car Rally, especially after last weekend was spent steady-on-the-go thanks to Caden's 2nd birthday. I still can't believe the boy is 2 years old. It seems like only yesterday that Chris was calling to tell us he'd arrived. Many times, I find myself wishing he was still a teeny-tiny baby that I could rock and cuddle, but the toddler stage definitely has it's advantages. For one thing, he's way more fun now. He's starting to talk a lot, a real little parrot - however, that sucks when the fam teaches him to say "Awww, Wade!" every 5 seconds while watching hockey. Also, birthdays are more fun now 'cause he's starting to get and appreciate cool toys. Like Tonka trucks and Tickle-Me-Elmo and Bob the Builder stuff. Oh, and the guitar and microphone that Luke, Kristen & I got him. Apparently the mic isn't such a hit with Mom & Dad though...Wonder why?
Well, I don't have a Blog Topic for today, so I'm just gonna ramble. Brace yourselves, that's never pretty...
I'm really looking forward to the weekend. The Car Rally is Saturday, and that's always one of my most favourite days of the year. This year, the theme is Nursery Rhymes, so my team has been trying desperately to come up with a unique nursery rhyme that is...well...not a fairy tale! Do you realize how difficult it can be to differentiate between the two? Three Little Pigs...NOPE! But the Three Little Kittens are. Three Little Bears...NOPE! But the Three Blind Mice are. Oh, and this presents another problem. It would appear than many nursery rhymes revolve in groups of 3. So what are you supposed to do when you're a team of 5? There's no Five Little Kittens, or Five Little Pigs, or Mary Had Five Little Lambs...Tricky, I tell you!
So we finally came up with one, and while I don't want to disclose our stroke of genius, I will say we happened upon it after realizing Ricky bears an uncanny resemblance to a certain fragile egg of Mother Goose lore...
This week will be spent resting up in preparation for the whirlwind adventure that is Car Rally, especially after last weekend was spent steady-on-the-go thanks to Caden's 2nd birthday. I still can't believe the boy is 2 years old. It seems like only yesterday that Chris was calling to tell us he'd arrived. Many times, I find myself wishing he was still a teeny-tiny baby that I could rock and cuddle, but the toddler stage definitely has it's advantages. For one thing, he's way more fun now. He's starting to talk a lot, a real little parrot - however, that sucks when the fam teaches him to say "Awww, Wade!" every 5 seconds while watching hockey. Also, birthdays are more fun now 'cause he's starting to get and appreciate cool toys. Like Tonka trucks and Tickle-Me-Elmo and Bob the Builder stuff. Oh, and the guitar and microphone that Luke, Kristen & I got him. Apparently the mic isn't such a hit with Mom & Dad though...Wonder why?
Now, on to hockey. The NHL schedule has proven to be an odd one for the Sens thus far. After playing 6 games in 11 days to start the year, we're now on a 4-day break, which will end on Thursday when the Habs come to town. The Sens will play again Saturday vs. Florida, and then they'll be off for another entire week. It's very strange. It's like I was thrust into full-blown hockey fan mode, and now there's nothing to satisfy that craving for a hockey high. Looking forward to Thursday's game, though, should be a goody.
OK, so that's all for now! Hope you're all having a great day!!
Friday, October 12, 2007
There Goes the Perfect Season
Alright, so I don't think anybody really expected the Ottawa Senators to go 82-0 this season. But after winning their first 5, things were looking pretty snappy, and I for one thought it was entirely possible that they'd defeat the Carolina Hurricanes and extend their winning streak to 6 last night.
Well, apparently not. But they did give it one big last-ditch effort that almost worked; alas, they dropped the game 5-3, with Eric Staal squashing any glimmer of OT with an empty-net goal in the final minute.
With the score 4-1 in favour of the 'Canes with the minutes winding down in the game, Mike Fisher potted his first of the season. Moments late, Joe Corvo ripped one from the point, and suddenly all of those smarty-pants fans who had already raced to their vehicles looked like a big bunch of schmucks (by sister & brother-in-law included). For a few brief seconds, I was dreaming of that big comeback win that sometimes happens, a sort of miracle that takes place on ice when a team that's down and out dramatically roar back to steal the two points.
But then, Staal scored into the empty net, and time ticked down, and the drama faded, and I just shrugged and went to bed. Sure, it would've been fun to win it in OT or a shoot-out and maintain our sparkling record. But if we're going to have an on-ice miracle, do I really want to have it at the 6-game point of the season?
Nah...
Meanwhile, my buddies over at Grey's Anatomy had one of their best episodes ever. I laughed, I cried, and I just loved them. Really Old Guy woke up, and antagonized Izzie, or "Blondie" as he called her, for almost the entire episode. One of my highlights - the scene where he tried to die by squeezing his eyes shut and gritting his teeth and holding his breath, while Izzie informed him that he might poop the bed, but he sure wasn't gonna die like that. Unfortunately, and much to Izzie's chagrin, Really Old Guy did end up dying, and I thought it was really sweet of Izzie to gather the gang in his room to remember the times they spent with him during their lunch hours. One of those quirky, bittersweet moments that I love most about Grey's.
Meanwhile, Alex, who has been growing and developing and gradually becoming a more compassionate person and doctor for the past three-plus seasons, took a big step backwards last night. I like Alex for his bad-boy, "I'm an ass and I like it that way" attitude. But he really captured my heart in past scenes when he was carrying Izzie out of her dead fiancé's hospital room, or offering her his coat after she stood outside the hospital one whole day, or helping his Jane Doe pick her new identity, or confessing to Cristina that he misses Rebecca. But every so often, they give Alex another moment where he makes you want to slap him across the face. Last night, after he told an entire elevator full of interns who worship George that he's a repeater and that's why he knows so much, and then snapped at his old intern - well, that's exactly what I wanted to do to Alex. I wanted to slap the smug smile right off his stupid face.
But don't worry, I still love him.
Speaking of George, he's having a rough time. He's in love with Izzie, but he doesn't want to hurt Callie. He's got Izzie chasing him around begging him to end his marriage, and he's got a wife who suspects her marriage is over anyways, but he's torn between them both. I really feel for George. He's in bad situation. Finally, at the end of last night's episode, Callie told him to just say it, and he told her he slept with Izzie. Then fade to black...
God I love this show. I really can't wait to see what happens next!!
Have a great weekend, everyone! :)
Well, apparently not. But they did give it one big last-ditch effort that almost worked; alas, they dropped the game 5-3, with Eric Staal squashing any glimmer of OT with an empty-net goal in the final minute.
With the score 4-1 in favour of the 'Canes with the minutes winding down in the game, Mike Fisher potted his first of the season. Moments late, Joe Corvo ripped one from the point, and suddenly all of those smarty-pants fans who had already raced to their vehicles looked like a big bunch of schmucks (by sister & brother-in-law included). For a few brief seconds, I was dreaming of that big comeback win that sometimes happens, a sort of miracle that takes place on ice when a team that's down and out dramatically roar back to steal the two points.
But then, Staal scored into the empty net, and time ticked down, and the drama faded, and I just shrugged and went to bed. Sure, it would've been fun to win it in OT or a shoot-out and maintain our sparkling record. But if we're going to have an on-ice miracle, do I really want to have it at the 6-game point of the season?
Nah...
Meanwhile, my buddies over at Grey's Anatomy had one of their best episodes ever. I laughed, I cried, and I just loved them. Really Old Guy woke up, and antagonized Izzie, or "Blondie" as he called her, for almost the entire episode. One of my highlights - the scene where he tried to die by squeezing his eyes shut and gritting his teeth and holding his breath, while Izzie informed him that he might poop the bed, but he sure wasn't gonna die like that. Unfortunately, and much to Izzie's chagrin, Really Old Guy did end up dying, and I thought it was really sweet of Izzie to gather the gang in his room to remember the times they spent with him during their lunch hours. One of those quirky, bittersweet moments that I love most about Grey's.
Meanwhile, Alex, who has been growing and developing and gradually becoming a more compassionate person and doctor for the past three-plus seasons, took a big step backwards last night. I like Alex for his bad-boy, "I'm an ass and I like it that way" attitude. But he really captured my heart in past scenes when he was carrying Izzie out of her dead fiancé's hospital room, or offering her his coat after she stood outside the hospital one whole day, or helping his Jane Doe pick her new identity, or confessing to Cristina that he misses Rebecca. But every so often, they give Alex another moment where he makes you want to slap him across the face. Last night, after he told an entire elevator full of interns who worship George that he's a repeater and that's why he knows so much, and then snapped at his old intern - well, that's exactly what I wanted to do to Alex. I wanted to slap the smug smile right off his stupid face.
But don't worry, I still love him.
Speaking of George, he's having a rough time. He's in love with Izzie, but he doesn't want to hurt Callie. He's got Izzie chasing him around begging him to end his marriage, and he's got a wife who suspects her marriage is over anyways, but he's torn between them both. I really feel for George. He's in bad situation. Finally, at the end of last night's episode, Callie told him to just say it, and he told her he slept with Izzie. Then fade to black...
God I love this show. I really can't wait to see what happens next!!
Have a great weekend, everyone! :)
Thursday, October 04, 2007
We're baaaaaaaack...
The NHL regular season kicked off last night with my beloved Sens facing off against a familiar foe: The Toronto Maple Leafs. I tell ya, there's nothing better to get the competitive juices flowing than sitting down to watch the valiant Red-Black-and-Gold take on the lowly Blue & White!
Now, I actually did miss the first period because I had Karate. When I arrived home, the score was tied at 2. I was a little bewildered. How could we be tied with the Leafs? The Sens have been touted all training camp-long as the Beasts of the East - the team to beat. The Leafs, on the other hand, have been the universal whipping boys of most in the hockey world. Definitely overspending for what they've got, and probably not going to make the playoffs for the third straight year.
Just the way I like it.
So how...how...did we end up tied after 1 period?
Sloppy play, the family told me. Weak defence. Oh, and by the way, Wade Redden got in a fight.
Huh???
I had expectations for my dearest Wade going into this season. I expected him to play his ass off, erase the painful memories of last season, go out and have a career season, and make the Sens want to sign him to a contract extension.
(Which probably won't happen now, especially after they signed Dany Heatley to a 6-year $45 Million extension before last night's opener. That's very good news for Sens fans. But I don't think they can afford Wade after this, even if he takes a "hometown discount". So now I'm bracing myself for the departure of my darling golden boy at some point this year. And it hurts...oh it hurts...)
But back to last night. Of all my expectations for Wade Redden, the fight wasn't really something I was anticipating. But apparently he did go toe-to-toe with this Newbury guy. I didn't see it, so I didn't really believe it.
Until late in the second period, when all of a sudden he was puttin' up the dukes against Bates Battaglia. And he actually landed some good punches! He definitely stood his ground and I was proud of him. Plus, he looked kinda sexy with blood streaming down his face...Very hot.
Two fights. Two fights on opening night. What's up with WADE??
So yeah...The Leafs went ahead 3-2, then Dany Heatley tied it up with the third period winding down. Then Heater scored again in OT to put the icing on the cake. Apparently he decided to throw his own party in honour of his new contract.
I'm hoping the celebration continues tonight, with the Leafs in town for the re-mnatch...
GO SENS GO!!
Now, I actually did miss the first period because I had Karate. When I arrived home, the score was tied at 2. I was a little bewildered. How could we be tied with the Leafs? The Sens have been touted all training camp-long as the Beasts of the East - the team to beat. The Leafs, on the other hand, have been the universal whipping boys of most in the hockey world. Definitely overspending for what they've got, and probably not going to make the playoffs for the third straight year.
Just the way I like it.
So how...how...did we end up tied after 1 period?
Sloppy play, the family told me. Weak defence. Oh, and by the way, Wade Redden got in a fight.
Huh???
I had expectations for my dearest Wade going into this season. I expected him to play his ass off, erase the painful memories of last season, go out and have a career season, and make the Sens want to sign him to a contract extension.
(Which probably won't happen now, especially after they signed Dany Heatley to a 6-year $45 Million extension before last night's opener. That's very good news for Sens fans. But I don't think they can afford Wade after this, even if he takes a "hometown discount". So now I'm bracing myself for the departure of my darling golden boy at some point this year. And it hurts...oh it hurts...)
But back to last night. Of all my expectations for Wade Redden, the fight wasn't really something I was anticipating. But apparently he did go toe-to-toe with this Newbury guy. I didn't see it, so I didn't really believe it.
Until late in the second period, when all of a sudden he was puttin' up the dukes against Bates Battaglia. And he actually landed some good punches! He definitely stood his ground and I was proud of him. Plus, he looked kinda sexy with blood streaming down his face...Very hot.
Two fights. Two fights on opening night. What's up with WADE??
So yeah...The Leafs went ahead 3-2, then Dany Heatley tied it up with the third period winding down. Then Heater scored again in OT to put the icing on the cake. Apparently he decided to throw his own party in honour of his new contract.
I'm hoping the celebration continues tonight, with the Leafs in town for the re-mnatch...
GO SENS GO!!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Premiere Week & Steve "The Monster" Downie
Well, it's already Thursday, so I guess I've already missed a large part of what is being widely touted as "Premiere Week" on television. However, the only 2 shows debuting this week that I have any interest in are Grey's Anatomy, which airs tonight, and it's new spin-off, Private Practice, which kicked off last night.
I wasn't too sure how I'd feel about Private Practice, but I really enjoyed it last night, and I'm already hooked. While I don't think Addison's new pals over at the Oceanside Wellness Centre are as an enigmatic, entertaining group as her former colleagues at Seattle Grace, I think they'll grow on me. On her first day, Addison had to deal with her new co-workers' disapproval of her hiring, along with a pregnant teenager who went into labour and then promptly passed out. Addy had to do an emergency c-section, barely saving the girl and her baby. Oh, and her best friend Naomi's ex-husband Sam saw her naked. Not exactly a smooth transition, but I can't wait to see how things develop for her in LA.
My main concern with this whole situation is how Addison's departure is going to effect the storyline over on Grey's. Also, Dr. Burke, played by Isaiah Washington, will be missing this year, as his contract was not renewed after all of the scandals he caused last season with his slurs against gay co-star T.R. Knight. Things aren't going to be the same without Addison and Burke in the mix, and I'm so excited to see how it all plays out tonight on the season premiere of Grey's!!
Now, on a completely different topic: Everyone has probably heard about the debacle that took place Tuesday night during the Sens game vs. Philly, when Flyers hopeful Steve Downie laid a crushing blow to the head of Ottawa forward Dean McAmmond. I wasn't watching the game, and I didn't see the replays. All I have heard is the media's reaction, both in the newspaper and on sports talk radio - and it sounds like this was a doozie. Apparently, Downie charged at McAmmond, had all the time in the world to think about it, leapt off the ice, and put his shoulder into McAmmond's head. McAmmond then hit his head on the boards, and again on the ice. He was removed from the ice on a stretcher and spent the night in the hospital. He is now recovering at home with a concussion.
Everyone is upset over the incident, and it seems almost everyone is calling for Downie's head now.
In my opinion, it's time for the NHL to do something that really sends a message. Vicious head-hunting in the game has become too common-place. Someday, someone is going to get killed. The situation here is that Downie likely is going to be returned to the minors anyways, so how does a suspension to him send a message at the NHL level? If it were up to me, Downie would be handed a lengthy suspension, to be enforced by the AHL, and he should be banned from ever playing in an NHL game again. He has a reputation of being a nutcase, and his actions on the ice have been notably criminal in the past. He's a loose cannon, and he should never be given the opportunity to end another veteran NHLer's season again.
It's not yet known if and when McAmmond will be ready to play again. Dean McAmmond, a pro who has fought and clawned to earn a place and respect in this league for years, may not lace 'em up again for a very long time, if ever. Steve Downie, a young, reckless, disrespectful goon has taken away his ability to play the game he loves, at least for now. So as far as I'm concerned, Downie should not be allowed to grace the ice surface of the NHL ever again.
He wanted to make a name for himself. He wanted to prove his worth and make the Flyers take note of him.
Well guess what, Steve. They did. And so did everyone else in the NHL. And because of that, you hopefully will never get the chance to play in this league again.
I wasn't too sure how I'd feel about Private Practice, but I really enjoyed it last night, and I'm already hooked. While I don't think Addison's new pals over at the Oceanside Wellness Centre are as an enigmatic, entertaining group as her former colleagues at Seattle Grace, I think they'll grow on me. On her first day, Addison had to deal with her new co-workers' disapproval of her hiring, along with a pregnant teenager who went into labour and then promptly passed out. Addy had to do an emergency c-section, barely saving the girl and her baby. Oh, and her best friend Naomi's ex-husband Sam saw her naked. Not exactly a smooth transition, but I can't wait to see how things develop for her in LA.
My main concern with this whole situation is how Addison's departure is going to effect the storyline over on Grey's. Also, Dr. Burke, played by Isaiah Washington, will be missing this year, as his contract was not renewed after all of the scandals he caused last season with his slurs against gay co-star T.R. Knight. Things aren't going to be the same without Addison and Burke in the mix, and I'm so excited to see how it all plays out tonight on the season premiere of Grey's!!
Now, on a completely different topic: Everyone has probably heard about the debacle that took place Tuesday night during the Sens game vs. Philly, when Flyers hopeful Steve Downie laid a crushing blow to the head of Ottawa forward Dean McAmmond. I wasn't watching the game, and I didn't see the replays. All I have heard is the media's reaction, both in the newspaper and on sports talk radio - and it sounds like this was a doozie. Apparently, Downie charged at McAmmond, had all the time in the world to think about it, leapt off the ice, and put his shoulder into McAmmond's head. McAmmond then hit his head on the boards, and again on the ice. He was removed from the ice on a stretcher and spent the night in the hospital. He is now recovering at home with a concussion.
Everyone is upset over the incident, and it seems almost everyone is calling for Downie's head now.
In my opinion, it's time for the NHL to do something that really sends a message. Vicious head-hunting in the game has become too common-place. Someday, someone is going to get killed. The situation here is that Downie likely is going to be returned to the minors anyways, so how does a suspension to him send a message at the NHL level? If it were up to me, Downie would be handed a lengthy suspension, to be enforced by the AHL, and he should be banned from ever playing in an NHL game again. He has a reputation of being a nutcase, and his actions on the ice have been notably criminal in the past. He's a loose cannon, and he should never be given the opportunity to end another veteran NHLer's season again.
It's not yet known if and when McAmmond will be ready to play again. Dean McAmmond, a pro who has fought and clawned to earn a place and respect in this league for years, may not lace 'em up again for a very long time, if ever. Steve Downie, a young, reckless, disrespectful goon has taken away his ability to play the game he loves, at least for now. So as far as I'm concerned, Downie should not be allowed to grace the ice surface of the NHL ever again.
He wanted to make a name for himself. He wanted to prove his worth and make the Flyers take note of him.
Well guess what, Steve. They did. And so did everyone else in the NHL. And because of that, you hopefully will never get the chance to play in this league again.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Jill's Early Survivor Impressions
Here's some of my early impressions of Suvivor: China...
- I refuse to take seriously a guy who calls himself "Frosti".
- I already detest the skinny blonde girl named Courtney. She's a total knob. She couldn't even show respect for the Buddhist welcoming ceremony that Probst put them through at the beginning. It was funny to watch that Chinese monk impatiently slapping at her hands, though! Then she bitched and whined about her teammates, because they're not "city people". Ugh.
- The Christian Radio DJ was also a little annoying when she backed out of the welcoming ceremony, even after Jeff told them it was not a worship ceremony. I guess everyone has their own reasons and beliefs, but c'mon...Just suck it up and soak in the experience. I'm sure God's not going to hold it against you.
- Has there ever been a more clueless bunch of Survivors? I'm not even sure some of them even saw the show before. There were skimpy dresses, spike heels, combat boots...One girl even tried to get Probst to let her grab a bra from her suitcase. Seriously. It's Survivor, for crying out loud...Be prepared!
- My favourite tribe was the one with the two hot guys: James, the extremely buff grave-digger with a smile that could melt your heart, and Aaron, the surfing instructor, who's just an all-round hottie. Both will be fine for a few weeks, I'm sure, but they both may become big targets: James is very quiet, and already confessed that he'll have problems with the social side of the game; and Aaron was pretty much forced into the leadership role right off the bat, so he's bound to step on some toes sooner or later. However, these two guys may be the hottest Survivors to play the game since Colby Donaldson (*sigh*), so hopefully they're around for the long-haul!
- I didn't know someone could be gay and a Mormon at the same time. But apparently, flight attendant Todd is.
- Luke had a problem right off the bat with with former model, Dave. I was OK with him until he pleaded with his tribe to "pretty please" work hard to get the shelter done. Pretty please? Seriously?
- The Chinese girl, whom I shall refer to as PG-13, was bossy and frustrated with her silly tribe. If I were her, I'd have most been frustrated with Ashley the wrestler who did the "sick thing" for a few days, all huddled up in a ball and shivering while trying to make herself puke.
- The old dude named Chicken reminded me of Robin Williams. His voice drove me insane, but otherwise, I thought Chicken was an OK dude. He tried to voice his opinion on the first day and was shot down, so he gave up trying. Then his tribe got mad at him for not offering his opinions anymore. It still sticks in my craw that a tribe that had both Ashley and PG-13 to vote off, they chose Chicken instead. I don't think he got a fair shake.
- The lunch lady has a pretty snazzy mullet.
- Jean-Robert, the pro Poker player, should really, really keep his shirt on. Eww.
- James should always - always - keep his shirt off. Yum.
Look forward to Survivor updates every Friday! Have a great weekend, everyone! :)
- I refuse to take seriously a guy who calls himself "Frosti".
- I already detest the skinny blonde girl named Courtney. She's a total knob. She couldn't even show respect for the Buddhist welcoming ceremony that Probst put them through at the beginning. It was funny to watch that Chinese monk impatiently slapping at her hands, though! Then she bitched and whined about her teammates, because they're not "city people". Ugh.
- The Christian Radio DJ was also a little annoying when she backed out of the welcoming ceremony, even after Jeff told them it was not a worship ceremony. I guess everyone has their own reasons and beliefs, but c'mon...Just suck it up and soak in the experience. I'm sure God's not going to hold it against you.
- Has there ever been a more clueless bunch of Survivors? I'm not even sure some of them even saw the show before. There were skimpy dresses, spike heels, combat boots...One girl even tried to get Probst to let her grab a bra from her suitcase. Seriously. It's Survivor, for crying out loud...Be prepared!
- My favourite tribe was the one with the two hot guys: James, the extremely buff grave-digger with a smile that could melt your heart, and Aaron, the surfing instructor, who's just an all-round hottie. Both will be fine for a few weeks, I'm sure, but they both may become big targets: James is very quiet, and already confessed that he'll have problems with the social side of the game; and Aaron was pretty much forced into the leadership role right off the bat, so he's bound to step on some toes sooner or later. However, these two guys may be the hottest Survivors to play the game since Colby Donaldson (*sigh*), so hopefully they're around for the long-haul!
- I didn't know someone could be gay and a Mormon at the same time. But apparently, flight attendant Todd is.
- Luke had a problem right off the bat with with former model, Dave. I was OK with him until he pleaded with his tribe to "pretty please" work hard to get the shelter done. Pretty please? Seriously?
- The Chinese girl, whom I shall refer to as PG-13, was bossy and frustrated with her silly tribe. If I were her, I'd have most been frustrated with Ashley the wrestler who did the "sick thing" for a few days, all huddled up in a ball and shivering while trying to make herself puke.
- The old dude named Chicken reminded me of Robin Williams. His voice drove me insane, but otherwise, I thought Chicken was an OK dude. He tried to voice his opinion on the first day and was shot down, so he gave up trying. Then his tribe got mad at him for not offering his opinions anymore. It still sticks in my craw that a tribe that had both Ashley and PG-13 to vote off, they chose Chicken instead. I don't think he got a fair shake.
- The lunch lady has a pretty snazzy mullet.
- Jean-Robert, the pro Poker player, should really, really keep his shirt on. Eww.
- James should always - always - keep his shirt off. Yum.
Look forward to Survivor updates every Friday! Have a great weekend, everyone! :)
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Evil Dick...And Evil Hugh Adami
So my prediction was almost right for last night's finale of Big Brother 8. I expected it to be a close vote of 4-3, with Dick taking the top prize over his daughter, Daniele. As it turned out, the jury did give Dick the crown, but at a 5-2 vote. I would have been happy either way - I truly believe the Donatos were the best players in that house. But once again, the America's Player twist stole the show - when Julie finally revealed to the houseguests that Eric was playing for the American public, it was hilarious to see the look of shock on the jury members' faces! Especially Jessica. She looked absolutely floored. It was clear that Eric never did tell her his secret, which I suspected he would once they were alone together in the sequester house. The only bad thing about it was I felt it took a little lustre off of Dick's win. They continually mentioned how Dick easily would have been evicted many weeks before if Eric hadn't been told to evict Dustin instead. The thoughts of Dustin sitting in the Final 2 make my skin crawl. Thank God for America's Player!!
Now from Evil Dick, we go to Evil Hugh Adami, a sports reporter for the Ottawa Citizen. Mr. Adami and I have rarely seen eye-to-eye, but I became especially frustrated with him after last season, the first round of the playoffs, he tsk-tsked the people of Ottawa for booing superstar Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He thought the boo-birds were classless and mean to the freshest young star this league has seen since Wayne Gretzky.
I said: "Poor freakin' Sid". As fans, it's our right to try and throw off the other team in any way possible, and I believe the fans only started harrassing the Boy Wonder after he had whined and complained repeatedly to the refs after he flopped dramatically to the ice time and time again. Being chastised by the media for being emotional and showing their displeasure for the opposing team did not sit well with Sens Fans. They attacked Adami by sending letters and calling in to the Team 1200. I held a grudge against him myself, and since then, I've largely discounted his articles, if I even read them to begin with.
But today, under his headline "Only matter of time now", was a picture of Wade Redden. So thus, I was forced to sit and read the idiot's story. I really wish I hadn't.
Evil Hugh spent half a page proclaiming that Wade Redden is on his way out of town following the 5-year extension handed to Mike Fisher yesterday. He claimed the Fisher signing left the writing on the wall that Redden is no longer welcome here, and this season will be his "farewell tour" with the Sens.
Now, I'm not stupid - I know it's not looking good for Wade to stay with the Sens past this year, unless he chooses to stay with the Sens and take a pay-cut. However, I think that possibility is entirely likely. He's been here for 10 years, he chose to stick with this team instead of test the waters of Unrestricted Free Agency as Zdeno Chara did, and he has done so much for the community. Why would he want to leave now? Why is it so hard to believe that Bryan Murray will offer him a multi-year extension, for a reasonable sum of money, and promise to make him a Senator for life?
I think it can happen. I've got my fingers crossed. And I hope the day it does happen, Hugh Adami remembers the article he had published today, and realizes how terribly wrong he was.
GO SENS GO!!
Now from Evil Dick, we go to Evil Hugh Adami, a sports reporter for the Ottawa Citizen. Mr. Adami and I have rarely seen eye-to-eye, but I became especially frustrated with him after last season, the first round of the playoffs, he tsk-tsked the people of Ottawa for booing superstar Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He thought the boo-birds were classless and mean to the freshest young star this league has seen since Wayne Gretzky.
I said: "Poor freakin' Sid". As fans, it's our right to try and throw off the other team in any way possible, and I believe the fans only started harrassing the Boy Wonder after he had whined and complained repeatedly to the refs after he flopped dramatically to the ice time and time again. Being chastised by the media for being emotional and showing their displeasure for the opposing team did not sit well with Sens Fans. They attacked Adami by sending letters and calling in to the Team 1200. I held a grudge against him myself, and since then, I've largely discounted his articles, if I even read them to begin with.
But today, under his headline "Only matter of time now", was a picture of Wade Redden. So thus, I was forced to sit and read the idiot's story. I really wish I hadn't.
Evil Hugh spent half a page proclaiming that Wade Redden is on his way out of town following the 5-year extension handed to Mike Fisher yesterday. He claimed the Fisher signing left the writing on the wall that Redden is no longer welcome here, and this season will be his "farewell tour" with the Sens.
Now, I'm not stupid - I know it's not looking good for Wade to stay with the Sens past this year, unless he chooses to stay with the Sens and take a pay-cut. However, I think that possibility is entirely likely. He's been here for 10 years, he chose to stick with this team instead of test the waters of Unrestricted Free Agency as Zdeno Chara did, and he has done so much for the community. Why would he want to leave now? Why is it so hard to believe that Bryan Murray will offer him a multi-year extension, for a reasonable sum of money, and promise to make him a Senator for life?
I think it can happen. I've got my fingers crossed. And I hope the day it does happen, Hugh Adami remembers the article he had published today, and realizes how terribly wrong he was.
GO SENS GO!!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
The Season of the Donatos
When Big Brother 8 kicked off this past June, there were 2 big twists in the house. The first was that 6 people were playing with someone they had unfinished business with from the past. The second was that one player was secretly working for the American public, performing tasks and casting votes as he was directed by them.
Early on, it seemed that the America's Player twist would be far more significant, as Eric quietly worked away, earning the trust and respect of his housemates while advancing himself further and further in the game, completing his tasks and moving closer and closer to the half-million prize. Meanwhile, the 3 pairs of housemates who already knew each other were dropping like flies. First Carol, Jessica's former BFF, was axed in week 1. Then Joe, Dustin's ex-lover, was sent packing in week 2. That left only Dick and Daniele Donato, the estranged father and daughter, left competing in the house.
While Dick and Daniele had a rocky start in the house, with many arguments and screaming-matches, the eventually cemented themselves as a strong team. While they didn't always agree with each other's strategies - Dick disapproved of Daniele's relationship with Nick, and Daniele was always at odds with Dick's volatile behaviour - they always remained loyal to one another, and they pretty much became the masterminds in the BB household.
They formed an alliance mid-way through the game with America's Player, Eric, and his showmance, Jessica. Then, last week, on a double-eviction night, the ushered both of their allies out of the house. Next, they made quick work of weakling Jameka. And then they went head-to-head with another of their former allies, Zach, and last Thursday night, the defeated him as well.
With America's Player evicted, Dick and Daniele Donato officially became the biggest story in this season of Big Brother, and they may have even become the biggest storyin Big Brother history. As Dick pointed out, no other "team" has ever been able to achieve Final 2 status in any other season. Not Jason and Danielle in Season 3, not Janelle and Howie in Season 6, not even Chilltown - the Evil Dr. Will and Mike Boogie - could do it - in either of their seasons (2 & 7)!
Dick and Daniele have talked the talk and they have walked the walk. Every time they said they were going to do something, they did it. They intimidated, they bragged, and they conquered. They have been in jeopardy on numerous occasions, and they have always managed to flip it over and re-gain the power. Everytime they were down and out, they found a way to save themselves. They have epitomized what it is to be the best BB players ever. Even Dr. Will, widely considered the King of Big Brother, has to be impressed.
All of this being said, Dick and Daniele's domination has largely taken any fun or suspense out of tonight's finale. It really doesn't matter who the jury decides to crown the victor, because as father and daughter, they will likely share the money, and thus, both are winners. However, they will always be remembered as the strongest alliance to ever play the game, and in the long run, I think (and hope) that the Big Brother experience will strengthen their relationship and bring them closer. For them, I think that should be the biggest reward of all.
Dick said it a few weeks ago, and his prophecy has been fulfilled: It has, indeed, been the Season of the Donatos!!
Final Prediction: Dick wins by a 4-3 vote, and then prompty vows to share his winnings with his daughter. Awwwwww....
Early on, it seemed that the America's Player twist would be far more significant, as Eric quietly worked away, earning the trust and respect of his housemates while advancing himself further and further in the game, completing his tasks and moving closer and closer to the half-million prize. Meanwhile, the 3 pairs of housemates who already knew each other were dropping like flies. First Carol, Jessica's former BFF, was axed in week 1. Then Joe, Dustin's ex-lover, was sent packing in week 2. That left only Dick and Daniele Donato, the estranged father and daughter, left competing in the house.
While Dick and Daniele had a rocky start in the house, with many arguments and screaming-matches, the eventually cemented themselves as a strong team. While they didn't always agree with each other's strategies - Dick disapproved of Daniele's relationship with Nick, and Daniele was always at odds with Dick's volatile behaviour - they always remained loyal to one another, and they pretty much became the masterminds in the BB household.
They formed an alliance mid-way through the game with America's Player, Eric, and his showmance, Jessica. Then, last week, on a double-eviction night, the ushered both of their allies out of the house. Next, they made quick work of weakling Jameka. And then they went head-to-head with another of their former allies, Zach, and last Thursday night, the defeated him as well.
With America's Player evicted, Dick and Daniele Donato officially became the biggest story in this season of Big Brother, and they may have even become the biggest storyin Big Brother history. As Dick pointed out, no other "team" has ever been able to achieve Final 2 status in any other season. Not Jason and Danielle in Season 3, not Janelle and Howie in Season 6, not even Chilltown - the Evil Dr. Will and Mike Boogie - could do it - in either of their seasons (2 & 7)!
Dick and Daniele have talked the talk and they have walked the walk. Every time they said they were going to do something, they did it. They intimidated, they bragged, and they conquered. They have been in jeopardy on numerous occasions, and they have always managed to flip it over and re-gain the power. Everytime they were down and out, they found a way to save themselves. They have epitomized what it is to be the best BB players ever. Even Dr. Will, widely considered the King of Big Brother, has to be impressed.
All of this being said, Dick and Daniele's domination has largely taken any fun or suspense out of tonight's finale. It really doesn't matter who the jury decides to crown the victor, because as father and daughter, they will likely share the money, and thus, both are winners. However, they will always be remembered as the strongest alliance to ever play the game, and in the long run, I think (and hope) that the Big Brother experience will strengthen their relationship and bring them closer. For them, I think that should be the biggest reward of all.
Dick said it a few weeks ago, and his prophecy has been fulfilled: It has, indeed, been the Season of the Donatos!!
Final Prediction: Dick wins by a 4-3 vote, and then prompty vows to share his winnings with his daughter. Awwwwww....
Monday, September 17, 2007
The Monday Morning After
Happy Monday, Bloggers!
I must admit, though, that I wasn't entirely happy to see Monday roll around this AM. This past weekend "My Band" (aka Jackshit, aka Foundation) were in town, playing Gavan's on Friday and Saturday nights, and it is on Band weekends that I realize that I'm getting old. I used to be able to go out two nights in a row, party til 3 AM both nights, and have no trouble getting up on Monday morning.
Alas, I'm no longer that 18-year-old who was ready to rip, anytime, anywhere. I still do it when the boys are in Q-Town, but I always end up semi-regretting it when it's time to get up for work. There's always that temptation to call in sick just so I can log a few more hours of Z's. What's even more pathetic about it this time around is that I didn't exactly get plastered on either night. I had a few drinks, lots of dancing, lots of sitting around laughing and talking, but at no point was I "drunk". I even drove home both nights without a problem. On top of that, I had several long naps on both Saturday and Sunday.
And yet, I still felt like crap this morning!
So is it worth it? Maybe it's time to stop hanging out with the band every weekend that they're in town. Maybe it's time to grow up and start going home early to bed, just have one drink, maybe only stay for one set. Maybe I should be staying home doing crafts in the evenings, or just watching a good movie. Perhaps I should be trying to think of other ways to spend my weekends than at a dingy, stinky ol' bar.
Oh, who am I kidding. Next time they're in town, I'll be there with bells on!
I must admit, though, that I wasn't entirely happy to see Monday roll around this AM. This past weekend "My Band" (aka Jackshit, aka Foundation) were in town, playing Gavan's on Friday and Saturday nights, and it is on Band weekends that I realize that I'm getting old. I used to be able to go out two nights in a row, party til 3 AM both nights, and have no trouble getting up on Monday morning.
Alas, I'm no longer that 18-year-old who was ready to rip, anytime, anywhere. I still do it when the boys are in Q-Town, but I always end up semi-regretting it when it's time to get up for work. There's always that temptation to call in sick just so I can log a few more hours of Z's. What's even more pathetic about it this time around is that I didn't exactly get plastered on either night. I had a few drinks, lots of dancing, lots of sitting around laughing and talking, but at no point was I "drunk". I even drove home both nights without a problem. On top of that, I had several long naps on both Saturday and Sunday.
And yet, I still felt like crap this morning!
So is it worth it? Maybe it's time to stop hanging out with the band every weekend that they're in town. Maybe it's time to grow up and start going home early to bed, just have one drink, maybe only stay for one set. Maybe I should be staying home doing crafts in the evenings, or just watching a good movie. Perhaps I should be trying to think of other ways to spend my weekends than at a dingy, stinky ol' bar.
Oh, who am I kidding. Next time they're in town, I'll be there with bells on!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Let the Hockey Talk Begin!!
Seems like just yesterday I was vowing no more hockey talk for the summer.
Well, guess what, folks. Today, the Ottawa Senators Training Camp officially begins!! YAYYYYYYYYYY!!
Yesterday marked the beginning of hockey season in my world with Wade Redden's colour photo gracing the front page of the Citizen Sports section. The story below his handsome mug told of how he's focused and ready to prove his worth this season, and how he'd like to put the trade talk of the summer behind him. The article certainly didn't rule out a trade in the future - in fact, it promised constant rumours until the trade deadline in February, at which point they figure the "Redden Dilemma" will be solved. Murray will either be looking for a new home for him until that point, or he will be attempting to sign him to a contract extension, so that he doesn't have to see him slip away for nothing in Unrestricted Free Agency when next summer rolls around.
However, all of this trade-talk mumbo-jumbo was really secondary to me after reading the first few lines of the story. It was in those first few lines that I got some rather devastating, yet still uplifting news: Wade Redden got engaged.
Engaged.
My boy, all grown up now, is going to be getting married sometime in the near future!!
It was a very odd feeling - one of crushing defeat mixed with surging pride. I've been following this man's life as a hockey player quite closely for about 12 years now. When he turned 30 this past June, I did some reflecting on what it was like when he was just an 18-year-old, starting fresh in the NHL, and how far he and I have come since then. Now, he's actually going to get married. It kinda makes me tear up a little bit.
I wish Wade Redden years of happiness with his soon-to-be-bride. I wish him all the love in the world. I wish him a lifetime of laughter.
But most of all, I wish it was me...
OK, so that wasn't really hockey talk...but there's gonna be plenty of it to come, so brace yourselves!!
GO SENS GO!!
Well, guess what, folks. Today, the Ottawa Senators Training Camp officially begins!! YAYYYYYYYYYY!!
Yesterday marked the beginning of hockey season in my world with Wade Redden's colour photo gracing the front page of the Citizen Sports section. The story below his handsome mug told of how he's focused and ready to prove his worth this season, and how he'd like to put the trade talk of the summer behind him. The article certainly didn't rule out a trade in the future - in fact, it promised constant rumours until the trade deadline in February, at which point they figure the "Redden Dilemma" will be solved. Murray will either be looking for a new home for him until that point, or he will be attempting to sign him to a contract extension, so that he doesn't have to see him slip away for nothing in Unrestricted Free Agency when next summer rolls around.
However, all of this trade-talk mumbo-jumbo was really secondary to me after reading the first few lines of the story. It was in those first few lines that I got some rather devastating, yet still uplifting news: Wade Redden got engaged.
Engaged.
My boy, all grown up now, is going to be getting married sometime in the near future!!
It was a very odd feeling - one of crushing defeat mixed with surging pride. I've been following this man's life as a hockey player quite closely for about 12 years now. When he turned 30 this past June, I did some reflecting on what it was like when he was just an 18-year-old, starting fresh in the NHL, and how far he and I have come since then. Now, he's actually going to get married. It kinda makes me tear up a little bit.
I wish Wade Redden years of happiness with his soon-to-be-bride. I wish him all the love in the world. I wish him a lifetime of laughter.
But most of all, I wish it was me...
OK, so that wasn't really hockey talk...but there's gonna be plenty of it to come, so brace yourselves!!
GO SENS GO!!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Brian Melo Crowned Canadian Idol
Hello out there...if there's anyone left out there...
Sorry I let the Blog die again. But I just decided to revive it. Because I've pretty much followed Canadian Idol here on the Blog all summer long, and last night was the finale, so I thought I'd better bring it all full circle.
It seems like so, so long ago that I first started watching the auditioning process. Funny, I barely remember seeing Jaydee Bixby back then, and I have no recollection of Brian Melo at all. And yet, last night, it was the two of them, centre stage, amongst the 2-hour hoopla that saw the Top 10 perform on several occasions, along with appearances by Avril Lavigne, Bon Jovi, and last year's champ, Eva Avila.
It was a star-studded affair, as the camera was continually flitting over celeb faces in the crowd. One that they missed, but that I spotted, sitting directly behing judge Zack Warner, was last summer's winner over on Rockstar: Supernova, Lukas Rossi. Seeing Lukas smirking through the extravaganza was one of the highlights of the night for me!
I still have a bitter taste in my mouth over Greg Neufeld's long-ago elimination, and every time Greg got to sing a snippet last night, I was reminded of what a travesty it was that he was not in the Final 2 competing for the Idol crown. That being said, Brian Melo had really stepped up his game, especially since Greg's elimination, and if there was anyone in the Top 10 that deserved it as much as Greg, it was Brian.
That's not to say Jaydee wasn't talented. I've never heard a 17-year-old sing like Elvis Presley quite like he did, and everytime he performed one of the King's hits, or when he did Conway Twitty's "Only Make Believe", he gave me chills. Jaydee's old-school rockabilly style was bang-on, and he was a real crowd-pleaser. I can tell you my mom saw him do "Only Make Believe" last week, and she fell it love with him. (To be honest, when Jaydee originally did that song at the beginning of the Top 10, that's when he won me over too.)
However, going into last night's finale, there was really only one choice in my mind as to who should walk away with the honours, and that was Brian Melo. And finally, after two hours of schmoozing and a billion performances and "looks back" at the summer that was on Canadian Idol, host Ben Mulroney crowned Brian the Idol champion. It was rewarding to see Brian standing there amidst the showering confetti and hear him sing his new single "All I Ever Wanted". It restored my faith in the circus that is Idol - because a legitimate singer with a potentially-legitimate career, someone who's not going to be a flash-in-the-pan or an Elvis impersonator, walked away from this thing as the winner, and I can't wait to see where Brian goes from here.
But Greg still shoulda been there...
Sorry I let the Blog die again. But I just decided to revive it. Because I've pretty much followed Canadian Idol here on the Blog all summer long, and last night was the finale, so I thought I'd better bring it all full circle.
It seems like so, so long ago that I first started watching the auditioning process. Funny, I barely remember seeing Jaydee Bixby back then, and I have no recollection of Brian Melo at all. And yet, last night, it was the two of them, centre stage, amongst the 2-hour hoopla that saw the Top 10 perform on several occasions, along with appearances by Avril Lavigne, Bon Jovi, and last year's champ, Eva Avila.
It was a star-studded affair, as the camera was continually flitting over celeb faces in the crowd. One that they missed, but that I spotted, sitting directly behing judge Zack Warner, was last summer's winner over on Rockstar: Supernova, Lukas Rossi. Seeing Lukas smirking through the extravaganza was one of the highlights of the night for me!
I still have a bitter taste in my mouth over Greg Neufeld's long-ago elimination, and every time Greg got to sing a snippet last night, I was reminded of what a travesty it was that he was not in the Final 2 competing for the Idol crown. That being said, Brian Melo had really stepped up his game, especially since Greg's elimination, and if there was anyone in the Top 10 that deserved it as much as Greg, it was Brian.
That's not to say Jaydee wasn't talented. I've never heard a 17-year-old sing like Elvis Presley quite like he did, and everytime he performed one of the King's hits, or when he did Conway Twitty's "Only Make Believe", he gave me chills. Jaydee's old-school rockabilly style was bang-on, and he was a real crowd-pleaser. I can tell you my mom saw him do "Only Make Believe" last week, and she fell it love with him. (To be honest, when Jaydee originally did that song at the beginning of the Top 10, that's when he won me over too.)
However, going into last night's finale, there was really only one choice in my mind as to who should walk away with the honours, and that was Brian Melo. And finally, after two hours of schmoozing and a billion performances and "looks back" at the summer that was on Canadian Idol, host Ben Mulroney crowned Brian the Idol champion. It was rewarding to see Brian standing there amidst the showering confetti and hear him sing his new single "All I Ever Wanted". It restored my faith in the circus that is Idol - because a legitimate singer with a potentially-legitimate career, someone who's not going to be a flash-in-the-pan or an Elvis impersonator, walked away from this thing as the winner, and I can't wait to see where Brian goes from here.
But Greg still shoulda been there...
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