A good game of TAG should help…

Ever have one of those days??

I’m having one. 

In fact, it started last night.  I was so excited to get home to cut the grass, but for some reason, my mood has been on the decline ever since.  After I cut the grass, I went for a walk, hoping to shake the bad vibes, and instead ended up clumping around town, feeling like an out-of-shape elephant.  When I got back home, I drove to the store to buy more chips and dip – because they always make me feel better – but no.  I felt even worse. AND they gave me cankers.

The reason today?  Not a clue.  There’s no good reason at all.  The sun is shining, and nothing has gone particularly wrong. 

But I’m blah.  For whatever damn reason.  Feeling very “Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day”.

I’m trying to self-soothe with a big mug of Twinings Irish Breakfast tea.  Because, let’s face it, I’m no Anastasia Steele.  No English Breakfast for me today.  Plus, I bought the Twinings variety pack, and I’d rather save the English Breakfast for a day when I’m feeling more Ana-ish and less elephant-ish.  Y’know?

So.  Let’s try to turn things around, here, shall we?  Yesterday, one of my favourite bloggy pals, Vandy at The Testosterone Three and Me was playing a fun game of TAG.  You guys know I’m a sucker for a good game of Tag.

Here we go – THE RULES:

1. Answer 11 questions from the person who tagged you.
2. Ask 11 new questions.
3. Tag 11 blog friends--no tag backs.   (In my experience, you guys don’t really like being tagged…so like Vandy did, I’m going off the page here.  Since when do I follow rules anyways.  Anyone who would like to answer the questions, please feel free!!)

My answers to Vandy’s questions:

1. What is your favorite family game, or game to play with friends?  I haven’t played a game with either family or friends in a loooong time.  With the fam, we used to have some hilarious games of Balderdash.  With friends, my game of choice is Texas Hold ‘Em Poker.  I only wish I played it more.  I’m also a fan of Scattergories or Yahtzee.
2. Do you enjoy cooking or find it a colossal chore?  I need to be in the right frame of mind.  If I get in the right mood, I love to cook.  It’s the clean-up after that I find a colossal chore that I’d rather run and hide from…
3. What is your preferred weekend activity?  These days, that would be reading on my beck dack.  Otherwise, I’m always up for dinner and movies with friends or family members.  Going to the movies – or watching them at home -  is one of my favourite things to do.  I only wish I had the time & money to go more often.
4. What is your bad habit?  Picking my lips.  More of a nervous habit than anything, but I wish I could quit.
5. What is your guilty pleasure?  Depends on the day.  But today, I’ll say chips and dip, Drumstick ice cream cones, and Justin Bieber.  Oh, and Christian Grey.
6. Do you have a must see TV show?  Lately, no…I’ve been catching up with TV shows on DVD mostly.  But I love The Big Bang Theory and Grey’s Anatomy.  Those would be the two that I do my best to see.
7. Do you have pets?  One lonely lil’ ghetto gold fish with a giant growth protruding from his side.  Named Marley.  He’ll probably die soon.
8. Tea or Coffee?  I actually like both, but I’m more likely to go for a cup of tea at any time of day.  Coffee usually only on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
9. What is your favorite summer evening activity?  Lately?  Nothing.  Watching TV shows on DVD and spending time with Christian.  How sad is that.   I usually like an evening walk (when I’m not feeling like an out-of-shape elephant), and hanging out at the ball field if there’s something to watch!
10. What is your favorite go to quick dinner that's not take out?  I have several – but all time, the fave is breakfast-for-dinner.  Scramble some eggs with cheese, and toast.  A few strips of pre-cooked bacon if I have it.
11. What is your favorite animal?  I honestly don’t know if I really have a favourite animal.  I like the idea of dogs, but don’t think I could actually put up with one being mine. Seeing how the word of the day is ‘ELEPHANT’, let’s go with that.  Elephants are cool.

Now, it’s my turn to come up with 11 questions for you.  That’s right – if you’re reading this, and you’d like to play along, consider yourself tagged!  Leave me a comment if you plan on doing it so I can check out your answers.

1. Tattoos – for or against?  If you have one/some, tell me about them.
2. If you could be a character on any TV show – past or present – who would you choose to be?
3. What is your favourite comfort food?
4. Have you fallen victim to Fifty Shades of Grey yet?  If so, love it or hate it?  Who do you picture as your Christian Grey?
5. Blackberry, iPhone, or other?
6. What is your current favourite song – the one you could listen to over and over?
7. What was your favourite thing about the ‘90’s?
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change?
9. Do you have summer travel plans?  If so, where are you going?
10. If you could be the best at any sport – think Wayne Gretzky, Babe Ruth, Tiger Woods – what sport would you want to be the BEST at?
11. Your all-time favourite movie – name it & tell me why.

I hope some of you decide to answer these questions…otherwise that was a colossal waste of time!

In other news…my mood is marginally better.  Mainly because we just spent twenty minutes in the office talking about people puking in cars. 

How sad is that puke talk has made me laugh.  *sigh*

Lots to Love this Wednesday…

Several of my favourite ladies have decided to go with the What I’m Loving Wednesday link-up today, and I’m going to join in the fun!

 

Hosted by Jaime at This Kind of Love

I’m loving…the forecast for the next 7 days!  Sunshine and heat!!  This is what you call the PERFECT Canadian summer so far! :)

I’m loving…that I get to cut the grass tonight.  Weird.  Since when do I love cutting the grass?  But honestly, I’m just so excited to get home and jump on my riding mower for an hour.  Really. What is this world coming to…?

I’m loving…reading through everyone’s lists for yesterday’s Tuesday 10 posts!  The ‘90’s theme was so much fun!!  I seriously could’ve done a Tuesday 20!!!

I’m loving…that I heard two of my current favourite songs on my drive in to work this morning.  BOTH from One Direction.  It’s hard on my 5-minute drive to work to hit a good song, if any at all (so much darn talk in the morning).  So it just started my day off right, going from “What Makes You Beautiful” to “One Thing”.  They’re catchy little buggers.

I’m loving…the mug of Twinings English Breakfast tea that I had this morning.  So Anastasia of me, huh?  Well…I bought it on purpose, just for the Fifty Shades reference.  I may never be Ana Steele, but I can damned well drink her tea.

I’m loving…Chips & Dip.  Can’t.get.enough.

I’m loving…the thoughts of upcoming fun summer events!  OH…and of course the baby…I can’t wait to be an auntie again! :)

I’m loving…the Bieb’s new song, “Die In Your Arms”.  I’m so sad that Linds & I missed out on tickets to his concert in November. :(  I still can’t believe I never got through.  I’ve NEVER been frozen out trying to buy tickets on-line before.  Damn kid and his crazy little girl fans.

I’m loving…The Big Bang Theory, Season 4, and The Vampire Diaries, Season 1.  They are bringing me great excitement in the evenings.   I’ve been going through all the seasons of Big Bang, and it’s been so much fun this season watching Sheldon become acquainted with his “girlfriend”, Amy Farrah Fowler.    I’m loving the Shamy!! And Vampire Diaries…well, you know I already love the show, and I ended up going back to the start of Season 1, just because I can’t get enough of Ian Somerhalder these days…Funny how I was all about Stefan before.  I’m definitely now a card-carrying member of Team Damon.

I’m loving…the colour of my nails this week, chipped as they may be right now!!

I’m loving…that the LA Kings won the Stanley Cup.  Was I cheering for the Kings?  No, not really.  I honestly don’t think I’ve watched a game since the second round.  When my Sens go, I lose interest big-time.  But the fact that the 2012 Cup has been handed out means we’re one step closer to the start of the 2012-2013 season…

I’m loving…Christian Grey.  Seriously, what am I gonna DO what this series is over?!?!!

Tuesday 10: Favourite Things about the ‘90’s

I was doing all my best “growing up” during the ‘90’s, so how could I resist this week’s edition of Tuesday 10, hosted by Mom2MemphisAndRuby?!

Her co-host this week is Veronica from Adventures of D and V!!

Here are my 10 Favourite Things About the ‘90’s:

10.  My Donnie Wahlberg Doll

I guess the New Kids were kind of on their way out by the early ‘90’s, but I spent a lot of time in those young years of the decade playing with my Donnie doll.  I mean, how rad is that rat tail?!? ;)

9. The Discman

You weren’t one of the cool kids unless you had a Discman!!!

8. Beverly Hills 90210

The show ran from 1990-2000, so really, there is nothing that screams the ‘90’s more than everyone’s favourite zip code!  Those jeans…that hair!!!

7. Sega Genesis

I loved the Sega.  My two favourite games were Sonic the Hedgehog and Alladin.  I miss the Sega.

6. Joey & Pacey

I was never a Dawson girl…Pacey was the man.  When him and Joey got together, they became my favourite couple of the ‘90’s.

5.  The Rachel Haircut

I tried desperately to pull this look off in my later years of elementary school.  I failed miserably.  But I had to try…  I think we all did!!

4. The Zack Morris Phone

Who didn’t want a cell phone like Zack’s?  That boy and his phone were the bomb.  (Zack + Kelly = 4Eva)

3.  Grunge

Oversized plaid shirts.  Baggy jeans with freyed cuffs.  Concert tees.  (My first came from the Hip concert I went to in Grade 10!)  I would never have called myself a “grunge” girl, but I sure did like the clothes.

2. Scream

I remember watching this movie for the first time in Stacy’s basement with the whole gang.  I was the only one who hadn’t seen it yet, and they all had fun teasing me as I tried to figure out “whodunnit”.  Despite the fact that is scared the crap out of me, I kind of loved it too.  Plus, I wrote a song about it on the spot the first time I watched it - “Was it Stuey?  Was it Dewey?  Oh, I just know whoey killed the whole cast and crewey of Scream!  AH!”  Iconic.

1. Wade Redden & the Ottawa Senators

It was in ‘96-‘97 that I fell in love with the Sens and their young rookie d-man, 19-year-old Wade Redden.  That was the year they first made the playoffs, and Blur’s Song 2 became our anthem.  Look at how young he is… Today, he turns 35.  Unbelievable…

***

Wow…That was a blast from the past!  And I feel like I still missed so much!  I could’ve easily done a Tuesday 20!!  haha!!

Thanks, Lena & Veronica for hosting such a fun Tuesday 10!

Also linking today’s post up with Impulsive Addict and Shawn for Talk To Us Tuesday!!

Forever Young…in permanent ink??

It’s Monday.  Generally the day I tell you all about the wonderful weekend that was.

Except this past weekend was marred by me getting drunk and gross, and I’d really rather not talk about it.  Let’s just say I hope the lovely ladies on Tracey’s Bachelorette forgive me for being a foolish mess; that my antics didn’t ruin their night; and that I never, ever, ever do that again.

*sigh*  So embarrassed.

Anyways.  On to a different topic.  One that will probably make my mother squirm even MORE than me discussing my inability to hold my liquor.

I want to get a tattoo.  And I want one SOON.

This is an item that I put on my 101 List, but one that I seriously doubted would ever happen.

I think I have talked about this before on the blog, but in case you don’t already know the story…

I never in a million years thought I’d ever want to get a tattoo.  It was just not something that interested me, not even during the late-teen craze when many of my friends were getting them.

The thought of being an old lady with wrinkly skin and having a butterfly tattooed on me somewhere just didn’t turn my crank, y’know?

Then, the dark days of summer 2010 came along.  My cousin Jeff passed away tragically.  That horrible week, a few of the cousins started talking about getting a tat in his memory – perhaps a green ribbon (for organ donation; we wore them in his memory at his wake and funeral), with his initials.   My mom was adamantly against the idea, and so was my aunt (Jeff’s mom).

I was still torn on what to do about it when two weeks later my cousin Troy passed away, also suddenly and unexpectedly.

In those numb days, reeling with shock and grief, I remember having one very clear and sobering thought:  Well, good thing I didn’t go ahead and get that tattoo.  I can’t just get a new one every time someone I love dies.

I pretty much gave up the tat idea… until I saw that my cousin Tiffany got “Forever Young” tattooed on one of her shoulders. 

And I loved it.

It holds a lot of meaning for me.  Of course, the obvious is that my last name is Young.  But also, since Troy passed away, the lyrics of Bob Dylan’s song “Forever Young” have become very meaningful – I sometimes literally think the song was written for him.  Not only would it be in honour of him and our family name, but also for Jeff, who, because of his untimely death at age 28, will also sadly remain “forever young”.

And then there’s my dad.    He’s the reason I am a Young.  It would definitely be in his memory, too.  (I know, Mom – I know what you’re thinking…You’re thinking Dad would’ve HATED me getting a tattoo.  But remember when I showed him Tiff’s “Forever Young”?  He liked it.  He said he wouldn’t mind that…)

These thoughts have swirled, died down and resurfaced, numerous times over the past year and a half.

Then, last Friday night, my friend Sharon took the plunge and got her daughter’s name and birth date permanently inked on her foot.  Sharon’s excitement over her tattoo has renewed my interest.

I’m going to do this.  I just need to decide where to put it…how big it should be…which font to choose…where to go to get it done.

I’m thinking just above my right ankle, somewhere that isn’t completely hidden all the time, but that isn’t overly-prominent.  I want it be fairly small, in a classic but attractive script.  I’ll need to do some research on where to go, based on reputation, cost, etc.

I have no idea how much it might hurt.  My mother might disown me.

But I think I’ve put enough thought into this.  It’s not a whim, and it’s not something insignificant.  It means a lot to me.

Now I just need to do it.

We need boy name suggestions. GO!

I think it’s safe to say that baby fever has officially hit my family.

We are less than a month away from my sister-in-law Amanda’s due date of July 3rd.  On Wednesday evening, my mom, sister & I hosted a shower in her honour.  It was a great turn-out, and Amanda got so many lovely gifts.  Baby Young is officially geared up and I think they’re pretty much ready…we just need a BABY!!!

Yesterday, Amanda’s twin sister Steph and I launched “The Baby Young Pool”.  Luke & Amanda have chosen not to find out the sex of their baby, so we’re all very excited and anxious to find out what they’re having.  Also, Luke is a bit of a pool junkie – hockey, NASCAR, whatever’s going – so we thought it only appropriate that his baby have one too!!

They’ve chosen not to share any of their names with us, and have confessed to having trouble coming up with a boy name.   With that in mind, Steph & I encouraged our family & friends taking part in the pool to offer up name suggestions, and it has been an endless source of entertainment for the past day!   Obviously, some of them have taken this very seriously. ;) Here are some of the gems they’ve come up with so far (both boy and girl suggestions):

• Borat
• Ricky Bobby
• Jamal
• Windthorp
• Larry
• Alluwishes
• Junior
• Lorne
• Ham Jr.
• Georgette Bobette
• Slow Walking Walter
• Wade (and that came from not just me!! haha KAYLA!!)

…And several references to Luke’s favourite hockey player, Stevie Y, after whom their dog Yzerman is named.  (How wonderful would it be to have a son named Steve and a dog named Yzerman?…oy.)

Of course, I made my own horrible suggestion, even though I didn’t realize it.  Yesterday morning, my friend Lindsay and I were brainstorming, and she thought it would be cool if they combined their names: Luke + Amanda = Luka.  I thought it was brilliant, and immediately emailed the suggestion off to Amanda.

She replied with something like, “I’d probably be all over that, except that’s the name of the guy that chopped up that Asian lad and mailed his body parts all over the country.”

Oh.  Right.

Very bad choice, indeed.  Whoops!

So, bloggy pals, here’s where you come in.  Luke and Amanda need your help!  What are your favourite boy names??

I’ll start…Amanda already knows she’s not allowed to use my boy names…but I have offered up some of the following (Luka notwithstanding lol!):

• Cole
• Brett
• Declan
• Joel
• Alden
• Myles
• Connor
• Gavin
• Court
• Gage
• Drew
• Blake
• Christian (I wonder where I got that one from…)

Any excuse to include another picture of Ian Somerhalder…

Have you got any to add to the list??  If Luke & Amanda happen to choose a name you suggest, I’ll even send you a PRIZE!!!

(I’m serious.)

PS – They have no idea I’ve turned their baby boy name dilemma into a blog post, but…well…you guys know baby names are one of my FAVOURITE things to talk about. ;)  Also, feel free to offer up girl names too, even though I think they’re pretty set on their girl name.  You never know, something they see could change their minds.

PPS – I realize I played this Baby Name Game not all that long ago, and you’re probably thinking, “COME UP WITH SOME NEW MATERIAL, JILL!!”  But you know…sometimes your fave names change, right?  I’m interested to see!!

Someday I will find my way back to where your name is written in the sand…

A few weeks ago, my friend Lindsay asked me to do a guest post for her while she was away on her honeymoon.  At the time, I was envious that she was jetting off to a warmer climate, to sit on the beach as a newlywed, sipping boozey tropical concoctions and immersing herself in the Fifty Shades trilogy.

To placate myself, I tried to zone out into my own summer paradise of ball fields, boats, bonfires, and beaches.   And thus, I came up with my 2012 Summer Playlist, which I, in turn, used to create my guest post for Linds!

Now, with summer fully upon us, I decided to share that playlist with my bloggy pals, especially since I’ve already been tweaking it!  You can find the original here.

And here is the latest, updated, version – a mix of new and old!!  Jill’s Summer 2012 Top 40!!

1. New Shoes – Paolo Nutini
2. Save Me San Francisco – Train
3. Red Solo Cup – Toby Keith
4. Feel So Close – Calvin Harris
5. All I Want to Do – Sugarland
6. Drunk On You – Luke Bryan
7. Dance Again – J.Lo
8. Bobcaygeon – The Tragically Hip
9. Summer Paradise – Simple Plan ft. Sean Paul
10. Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show
11. Wild Ones – Flo Rida ft. Sia
12. Boyfriend – Justin Bieber
13. Honey Bee – Blake Shelton
14. Here for a Good Time – Trooper
15. All Summer Long – Kid Rock
16. This Afternoon – Nickelback
17. Summer Girls – LFO
18. American Honey – Lady Antebellum
19. Back Down South – Kings of Leon
20. Barefoot Blue Jean Night – Jake Owens
21. Centerfield – John Fogarty
22. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
23. These Are My People – Rodney Atkins
24. Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffett
25. I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
26. Die in Your Arms Tonight – Justin Bieber
27. Knee Deep – Zac Brown Band
28. Tonight Tonight – Hot Chelle Rae
29. Soak Up the Sun – Sheryl Crow
30. Starships – Nicki Minaj
31. Big Wheels – Down With Webster
32. The Boys of Summer – The Ataris
33. Springsteen – Eric Church
34. Summertime – Kenny Chesney
35. Summer Girl – Leighton Meester
36. Tim McGraw – Taylor Swift
37. What Makes You Beautiful – One Direction
38. Hot Child in the City – Nick Gilder
39. Summer of ’69 – Bryan Adams
40. Dirt Road Anthem – Jason Aldean

There you have it!  Go!  Load up your iPods! 

Summertime is HERE! :)

And tell me…what’s on YOUR summer playlist??

Relay For Life 2012: My Story

Almost two years ago, when I sat down and created my list of 101 Things to Do in 1001 Days, one of the items I put on was this:

#50 – Walk for a cause.

At the time, I had no idea what my “cause” would be. 

Back then, my dad’s health issues were only just starting to become a little more serious, but our concern really was his worsening COPD.  It was still very much unknown to us that it would eventually be cancer that took him down.

He was diagnosed with bowel cancer late last year, and underwent surgery in early January 2012.  It was supposed to be a simple surgery to remove a small part of his bowel where they’d discovered a small growth.  Instead, it turned into what they called a “galloping tumor”, and the cancer had spread everywhere.  After a month spent in ICU fighting for his life, Dad succumbed to this terrible illness.

 

Shortly after, I started hearing rumblings of the upcoming Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, scheduled for June 2, 2012 in our area.  And for the first time, I knew what my cause was.

I was going to walk in memory of Dad.

I approached my Aunt Mona, who I knew walked every year, and she quickly got me the information I needed to join her team, The Dancing Daffodils.  And then I started fundraising, eventually ending up with over $500 thanks to the wonderful support of my family and friends.

Before I knew it, June 2nd was here, and I was up at the Shawville Fairgrounds with my team, and so many others, ready to walk all night.

And that’s exactly what we did!!

It was an amazing night, and I’m so thankful I was able to participate; for Dad, and for the countless others who have been effected by cancer – far too many.

It didn’t strike me until the luminaries were all lit in memory of lost loved ones and in honour of the survivors.  One of my friends commented how beautiful they all were, and how many of them there were, and my comment was, “I know, it’s awesome.”  

And then the thought hit me like a kick to the stomach.  It’s not awesome…it’s horrible that there are so many of them.  Our community is so small, and there are hundreds – maybe thousands – of these things lining the track.  Too many.  Way too many.

And that, of course, is why we walk.  In the hopes that our money will fund more research and eventually find a cure, so that one day, there are no more luminaries to be lit.  So that no more tears will fall, and no more lives will be lost too soon.

It was a memorable night, filled with poignant moments.  I got a little emotional during the kick-off Survivors Walk at 7 PM, and tried desperately to control it, looking up at the sky and biting my lip – it brought me comfort when I looked around and saw many others fighting tears and doing the same as me.  It was then that I realized I was far from alone.

Photo taken from Facebook

Photo credit: Bonnie Tubman-Zimmerling

The lighting of the luminaries was really my undoing.  I didn’t want to go up there and be an emotional basketcase all night, and I think I did pretty well for the most part, helped greatly by the upbeat atmosphere surrounding the event.  But when I stood with my cousin Donna – herself a cancer survivor, despite her reluctance to be recognized publicly – and lit Dad’s luminaries while Phil Holmes sang “Amazing Grace”…well, let’s just say I was a teary, snotty mess.  (And then Donna told me that’s what long sleeves are for!)

There were other moments too – hearing “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder”, one of Dad’s favourites that we sang at his funeral, during the Gospel Hour; and when Dai Basset played Dad’s signature song, “The Green Green Grass of Home” during his set…I thought about him a lot.  And often with a smile.  :)

I also loved and treasure the laps I made with other family and friends who were up there, walking for their own reasons – my team, Donna and Aunt Mona, Debra, Sue, Heather, Sam, Janice, Tracey, Brent, Norma, and Claude; Stacy and Ricky; Josee, Evan, and Steph; Edward; Heather; Amy; Glenna; Kerry-Lynn and Leslie, among so many others.  Our chats helped pass the time and made the laps go more quickly.

In the darkest hours, when the musical acts had packed up for the night and the numbers of walkers had dwindled; when my hips and feet were aching, and my breaks were coming more frequently; when I literally thought, “Nobody would probably care if I quit right now”…I kept going.  Because honestly, the pain and the wind and the cold we were experiencing?  Really, it’s so small – so insignificant – compared to what the people who fight cancer go through.  It seemed silly to quit with that thought in my mind.

Photo credit: Lestanto Photography

Around 4 AM, the skies started to lighten, and by 5 AM, we were starting to pack up and enjoy the muffins and fruit laid out in the hall for us.  At 6:30, they announced that the goal for the Pontiac Relay for Life was $110,000, and we almost reached that, with just over $108,000 (and donations will still be accepted until August.)  We were especially proud and thrilled when The Dancing Daffodils were announced as the 2nd place team for most funds raised, over $4000!!  And our team captain, Debra - who lost her husband to cancer several years ago - had the honor of being one of the three to lead us in the final lap around the track, ending at around 7 AM.

12 hours.  I did it.

I walked all night.

Photo credit: Bonnie Tubman-Zimmerling

Thank you once again to all who helped me along this journey, by sponsoring me or simply offering words of encouragement.  Your support during these past six months has been incredible, and I thought of all of you so often during the night.  You have no idea how much you all mean to me! xo

Everyone up there was walking for different reasons – for lost loved ones; for friends and family who are still fighting; in celebration of survivors.

We all had our reason.  We all walked for a cause.

And we all made a difference.

I know Dad was smiling.

***

Linking up today for Talk To Us Tuesday, hosted by Impulsive Addict and Shawn.

Forgive me. I warned you all I was obsessed.

OK.  So, as I fall deeper into the whole Fifty Shades phenomenon – I’m about half-way through the second book and hate to put it down, like literally contemplated playing hooky today to stay home with Christian – I can’t stop thinking about this story playing out on the big screen.

(Like, seriously, how the F are they going to do that?  What kind of rating can a movie like this get??  It’s going to be very, very interesting, to say the least…!!)

Anyways…one of my favourite  things to do when I get swept away in a story is try to picture which star would play each character.

I’m hardly the first one to do this – many of my fellow Fifty Shades fans have already posted their “dream casts”.  I’ve read many of them, and I’ve also googled it to see what the word on the street is for actors and actresses favoured to play the roles of Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele, Kate, Mrs. Robinson, José, Elliot, etc.

I agree with some…others are completely redic…so without further ado, here’s my thoughts on who should – and who shouldn’t – be cast in the on-screen version.

Christian Grey

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.  Ian Somerhalder, aka Damon Salvatore of The Vampire Diaries, is my Christian Grey.  I honestly can’t picture anyone else in the role.  Throw some copper highlights in that perfectly tousled hair, and bam – it’s him.

But, from the other names I’ve heard tossed around, this is the only other one I could ever consider:

Henry Cavill.  I got a crush on him back when I used to watch The Tudors.  Honestly, though, I think he’s too sweet.  Not edgy enough.  Doesn’t quite have that burning, smoldering thing that Ian pulls off so well.

Bad choices:  Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale, Zac Efron, Rob Pattinson.  Love them all in different ways, but not one of them could pull it off.  Well, maybe Rob could, since his Edward was originally the muse for EL James writing this character, but he’s just too…Edward.  Oh, and Alexander Skarsgard’s name has been floating around too, but he’s too blonde.  None of them will cut it.

Anastasia Steele

Nobody’s even talking about Nina Dobrev for the role of Ana, and originally, I wasn’t either.  In fact, I was having a hard time figuring out who should be in the role.  Then I heard talk that she would be interested, except that her real-life beau and VD co-star, the aforementioned Mr. Somerhalder, was a heavy contender for Christian, and she doesn’t think it’s a good idea for them to take their “Elena and Damon” show on the road.  I suppose Anastasia should be more pale than Nina anyways, but regardless, this is Ana in my mind.

I would also be okay with…

Felicity Jones.  I have no clue who she is, but she was the top pick on another website.  I think she could fit.

Bad choices:  Kristen Stewart.  I don’t really care about the rest of the girls in line for this role, but K-Stew should definitely be a no-go.  Same reason as Rob.  They are Edward and Bella, and they need to stay far, far away from Christian and Ana!

“Mrs. Robinson”

Michelle Pfeiffer just screams “Mrs. Robinson” – Christian’s former cougar love who taught him all he knows about the Dom-Sub universe.  Kinky ol’ lady.

Kate

At first, I thought Amanda Seyfried was going to be Anastasia, but I think she better suits the role of Ana’s roommate and best friend, Kate.

Elliot

The first to utter the now-iconic phrase “Laters, baby”, Christian’s brother Elliot is the only one who gets a Twilight alum to play him – Kellan Lutz makes the perfect playful ying to Christian’s (Ian’s) dark, twisted yang.  I realize he’s also probably who EL James pictured in the role, since she based the characters on Twilight, and Elliot likely is Emmett.  Oh well.  It really, really works in this case.

José

I’ve always had a little crush on Jay Hernandez, and I instantly pictured him when Ana’s photographer friend José turned up, causing Christian to turn 50 shades of jealous.

OK, so…I could go on.  There’s still Mia, and Dr. Grace Treleyvan-Grey, and Carrick Grey…

But I think that’s enough obsessing for one day, huh?

If you’re reading the books, who is your Christian and Anastasia?