Site Sea-ing

My parents arrived last night to visit for the week. Today was our one fulll day to hang out together since I got Friday as the holiday this long weekend. It is always fun to have people you love come and visit you because it makes you take the time to RE-visit where you live. There are many tourist things that I have not done yet in Halifax and company gives me the excuse to do them.

Today was supposed to be a walking tour of the city with a trip to Crystal Crescent Beach but it was raining up a storm when we got up and the plan HAD to be revised. So we wandered off to the Maritime Museum. I was worried that it would chintzy and repetitive but I was wrong. It is a wonderful museum of all thing sea-worthy. I think the visit was enhanced by going with Tom who could explain alot of the technical details about the boats and instruments. A great learning day. We also got a private tour of the HMCS Acadia. SO cool! I love those moments when you get the special guest treatment cause you happen to be in the right spot at the right time.

The pic above was taken at the Norway Merchant Marine monument. We felt we should get a picture for my Grandad who served in with them in WWII. The history around Halifax is so rich and deep. Everytime I go somewhere there is a new thing to learn. I love being out here. And I am happy that I get the chance to share it with my parents. Even in the rain.

I am the Queen!

Did you know that I like horse racing? My interest began while working in a pub in Alberta that was an off-track betting location. Since then I have dabbled at the tracks on the odd occassion. Admittedly I don't follow the horse racing world. But I did make a point to get to the Melbourne Cup while I was downunder and today I planned my time around the 6:10pm race for the Queen's Cup. In case you didn't know, the Queen's Cup is the first race in the Canadian Triple Crown and is the oldest stakes race in North America. It is run at the Woodbine Track in Toronto for a purse of $1M.

Today I logged on to the Queen's Plate site to scope out the 3-year-old Canadian thoroughbreds that would be running today. I know very little about how to pick a horse. I used to be able to read a track form and make a good guesstimate - but these days I go with my gut feeling on a name basis. Very scientific, I know. Today my pick was EDENWOLD. There was something about the name that spoke to me more than the others. (I have since found out that it is the name of a Saskatchewan town - so maybe that was the connection.) The odds online were 12-1 and they had increased to 16-1 by post time.


And ... well ... MY HORSE WON! My horse took an early lead and held a solid race against the railing. Holding off the favourite Malakoff and keeping the pace ahead of pressure from a determined Sterwins, Edenwold took the WIN. Yay! I was actually jumping up and down in my living room and yelling at the TV for the 2:05 minutes of excitement. If only I had bothered to place a bet!

Super Saturday

Do you know what I do on Saturdays? I cook a good meal. I open a cold beer. I sit down and watch CFL football. It may not be the most social of activities but I look forward to it immensely. It feels SO good to kick back and relax this way.

Today was a rain-soaked day on the coast. But it was warm. Today I decided to go and get myself a new TV. Recently, my television has been experiencing electronic menopause. The colour has been fading in and out. It is having a harding time keeping up with the digital innovations of sound and contrast on cable and DVD. I was reluctant to replace it because it has been such a good $45-second-hand investment since 2002.

But I got a new one anyway. I even upgraded by 4 inches and a sleeker silver design. Once I got it home I had to re-organize my living room layout because it was JUST that fraction too big to fit in my entertainment unit. Oh well - I'm totally happy with the new set-up. And WOW - what a difference it makes with the DVD watching. The best $160 I have spent in a while. And just in time for the game!

AI: Astrological Intelligence

If you have followed this site in the past few months then you will notice my recent trend of posting my horoscope. The first six months of 2006 were quite the roller coaster for me. My life has done a complete 180 more than once since my arrival in Halifax. I an nowhere near the path I began as I started this adventure. And the biggest changes and challenges occurred with the arrival of the new year. It has taken me the intervening months to find some perspective on who I am - what I am doing - where I am going. I guess that is the reason for looking to the stars so much. The past few days of *predictions* have said some good things. Sometimes reassurance from useless sources can be very comforting.

*****

Changes within a group you're affiliated with ... could have you feeling a little uncomfortable today ... The changes will, in the long run, be very beneficial for everyone involved, but at the moment you may not be feeling too confident in that regard. Relax and try to see the larger picture. Though change is always difficult, in this case the activities you love so well will be enhanced. Hang in there!.

*****

Give your live meaning today by truly feeling the beauty in every moment you live. There is no need to beat yourself up about the past, so move on. It also does no good to beat yourself up about the present. You are at the right place at the right time, so don't waste your energy by thinking you should be somewhere else. There is plenty of fun and adventure to be had right where you are..

*****

Emotionally you may feel a bit unsure and perhaps a bit indecisive as to how to proceed. You have a tremendously warm and caring nature, but at the same time, it does not do you or anyone else any good unless you can learn to be assertive about it and brave in expressing it. Now is your chance to stand up and take a definitive stand. Do not let other people take advantage of you or call the shots for you. You know perfectly well what you want and how to get it..

*****

Over the past few weeks you have been engaged in intense analysis of the motivations behind your relationships. Today you will realize that it is essential for you to follow your own path through life, without heeding other people's advice at all. You actually had the answers inside you all along. This isn't exactly sociable behaviour, nevertheless it is what fits the bill best.

The Truth

I think the quote below is SO appropriate.

If you know me at all you will likely agree.

Summer

The first day of summer arrives. It was a sticky morning and my hair swelled with the humidity. I hate that humidity. The day passes in a blur - under office lights and with many cups of caffiene. In the evening I play beach volleyball. The sand swallows my feet. The satisfied sun throws a glare into my eyes. The sky shifts from blue to grey. And the first day of summer is gone. At least I got to play.

Single is a Start

OK ... so I recently read the book "Why You're Still Single: Things your friends would tell you if promised not to get mad".

It seemed to have the perfect title. And, one of the authors is a snark-mistress from the wonderful TWOP so I gave it a shot. Besides, I needed a quickie read in the bathtub because the next issue of InStyle isn't out yet. And, okay, maybe I wanted to know why I'm single. According to the 154 pages of insight I am single because...

1 - I am not putting in the necessary effort to meet men
2 - I am not "zen" about my single status (obviously!)
3 - I am not happy enough in my current life
4 - Insecurity plain and simple
5 - I am attracted to excess baggage
6 - I don't say no and reap only diminishing returns
7 - I know how to be a Girl Friend but not a Girlfriend
8 - I am not so good at the honesty thing
9 - I actually say things like that post about "need" - apparently need is bad

WOW - not the most positive list. Funny thing is that my friends have said ALL of the above to me at one time or another. So at least I know I have great friends! And with friends you are never alone. This will be my last whiny post about singledom. I am turning new leaves. I will continue, of course, to publish about girlie crushes and general hotness but no more mooning over mono-me. The writing is on the WWWall. Time to move on.

The Lake House - movie review

OK ... I was SO excited for this movie. I was ready for a romance that did not star Jennifer Aniston. I was ready for the camera-perfect, star-crossed gazes of Keanu and Sandra. I was ready for the sigh-fest. And nothing. I can't even come up with a review for this film because there is nothing to say. I have NO idea what was going on in this uneven mess of a movie. It made no sense. It had no soul. It was completely unfufilling. I don't know what else to say.

Need a Man ... hmmmmm

I think that men look to be needed. Men are at their best when they feel they are bringing something to the table - especially something that noone else can. This may be the reason that strong, independent, opinionated and self-sufficient women are collecing in the single lane - our male counterparts cannot identify how they are needed.

It used to be easy. Financial support and physical security were granted to the guys to clearly define what a woman needed from them. (Maybe this is what draws men to younger women where these needs exist more readily in an age gap.) But for us 30-somethings the water is murky and all the damsels may be flailing about but we are still screaming "I don't need a man!" while we do so. What man would want to dive into that pool?

I find that my generation of women believe they don't NEED a man. Instead we have become common quoters of the phrase: " I don't need a man but I want one." That distinction is emphasized. It is almost shameful for any woman worth her self-reliant status to put man + need in a sentence. This is a problem and, ultimately, a lie. I think that a man IS something I need and not merely something I want. Want implies desire but it is also potentially frivolous. Man as chocolate to a craving or new shoes to a trend is not the way to go. Need goes deeper. It is something from within that doesn't change with the seasons. I am beyond wanting a man. I need a man. I need that other to make a together because this alone is getting tired.

But I don't suggest we need a man in a crutch sort-of-way that would imply some form of disability for women. It is about need in a life-source kind of way. The need for connection to another human being. The need for support of the internal (self, dreams,challenges) rather than the external (money, security, possessions). The need for kindness, embraces, trust and respect that come from a partner in life. There is a reason that being with others is the center point of Maslow's hierarchy in that you can't build yourself without it. It doesn't matter who you are - you need these things to flourish in the world. It is not a question of wanting them. And if you are a heterosexual gal then it is a man you look to for fulfillment of these needs.

So I say that women can stop feeling bad about NEEDING a man. I say that men should wake up and see how needed they continue to be by the women around them. I think we would all be happier if we did.

Cars - movie review

As a devoted fan of Pixar for many years, even I was surprised by my lack of interest in seeing Cars when it finally rolled into theatres. I think my trepidation was built on the back of a fear that maybe, finally, Pixar had missed the mark. There was no initial evidence to suggest this other than the need for the company's winning streak to end. And I was worried that this might be the loser. This might be the film that just didn't cut it. And I was right.

Cars opens fabulously. In a bright, atonishing racing flash the movie takes off with every invitation to greatness. And by the time the race is complete the film is mired in cliche where it remains stalled. The story is one we have ALL seen before - the city slicker is reformed after a turn with the hicks. In fact it is Doc Hollywood almost verbatim - right down to the red car and the a mentor named Doc. ut this should not have been a problem. Pixar has been excellent in the past of taking well-worn concepts and giving them new life. But with this pass it is completely out of gas in this department.

But Cars is a National Geographic experience of digital landscape. The backgrounds are AWESOME - in the true sense of that word. There are skies that go on forever. Winding roads in tree-filled sunlight. Darkness illuminated with city lights. If you have ever been on the road then you have seen the vistas captured in Cars and will be unable to deny their realism on the screen. Add some amazing details and references and this vehicle's paint job almost hides the flaws under the hood. But it doesn't take long to be reminded that the story of these Cars goes nowhere fast.

Buffy, Boys and Bodies

In the past week HMV has ruined my pocketbook, my time-management capabilities, and my social motivation. But the store has also made me a very happy camper with its great DVD sale that included box sets of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" for $25 each!! So I have spent a good chunk of my time in the Buffy-verse and I one thing struck me ... David Boreanaz REALLY had it going on as Angel. And then it struck me how he much he has plumped up as he has aged. And then I realized that this is the way of men.

In the past year I saw the 30-year-old versions of some highschool b-friends. They have both gone the way-of-David and lost their angular faces. The have rounded-out the sharp lines of youth. This must be the reality of boys growing into their looks. If you want to separate the men from the boys all you need to do is look at the jawline! But it appears that the opposite is true for ladies.

Add a few years to a gal and she loses that chipmunk cheekness that made her cringe in the her early 20s. All it takes is a decade to add cheekbones and a profile to most gals. Call it the trade-off for the decline in muscle tone and effects of gravity "elsewhere".

I think it is interesting how the two genders move in opposite directions. Perhaps it is some cosmic equation that must remain in balance ... the soft curves of young girls compliment the awkward angles of young boys and then the assured angles of mature women match the confident curves of older men. I guess it doesn't really matter - it was just a Buffy-induced observation. That's what I get for watching TV that is 10 years old!

And for the Bargain Price of $4.5M...

The first official pictures of baby Jolie-Pitt are released on newsstands today. The going rate of $4.5M is what People magazine paid for the rights. That amount should help architecture-fan Brad build a decent nursery for the babe. The cover pic is actually quite nice and reaffirms the Jolie-Pitt alliance as a devastatingly beautiful one. Welcome to the spotlight Shiloh Nouvel.

Canucks Kaput

I admit my shock and dismay today at the news of the Alanis & Ryan Reynolds break-up. Forget Brad & Jen - I never liked them together anyway - but Alanis & Ryan captured my heart back in 2002 when their couplehood was official and in 2004 when they got engaged. I thought - yay! for Canucks south of the border finding love with each other. What could have gone wrong? Was it her bizarre blondification? Was it the hours he spent at the gym? Was the effect of chronic bi-coastal jetlag? Whatever the answer it is a sad day for beautiful Hollywood couples from the Great White North. I hope Rachel & Ryan are taking note.

Bio-Blog #12 ... Jodi

This time around I present my friend Jodi who is one of the greatest people I know. Of course I say something to that effect about ALL my friends but Jodi is special because she inspires me. She challenges me. She rocks in so many arenas and we just generally have a kick-ass time together. She is currently starting her own business after returning from several years in Indonesia. We have these long conversations over vodka, or gin, or tequila shots, or whatever that dive was serving when we went out over Easter. Still, my favourite moments have to be those mornings after staying at her place while visiting T.O. and we (plus Cindy of course) hang out eating breakfast and reading the paper. I tell ya, nothing gets you back on your feet like a few days with her.

I am ... a dreamer, a woman, an entrepreneur
I can ... swear like a sailor in multiple languages
I love ... the good life - friends, food, wine, music, laughter
I will ... be a millionaire someday soon

What is your sign? leo
Where were you born? Whitby, ontario
Where do you live now? Toronto

What has been the best place you've visited in between and why?
Yogyakarta, Indonesia - heaven on earth. With Ubud, Bali as a close second (and possibly taking the title as Yogya rebuilds)

What is your favourite:
Movie: Moonstruck
Book: Poisonwood Bible, God of Small Things
TV Show: Amazing Race
Drink: gin and tonic

Who is your celebrity hottie of choice?
Antonio or Enrique

If you could have lunch with anyone in the world ... who would it be and why?
Teguh Wicaksono because I miss him.

How do you know Raye? Katimavik

What 3 words would you use to describe Raye?
Inspiring, uplifting, energizing
(other words that made the top ten: intelligent, independent, witty, fun, loyal, spicy, and the adjective that goes with perseverance)

Do you have your own website? no

Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia

The above word means "fear of the 666". Today is the date that bears that number so I wonder how many people stayed at home and cowered under the covers. Of course Justin thinks we're all idiots cause the year isn't really 2006. But my co-worker Isabelle and her friends had an Apocalypse BBQ to celebrate the date. For me? I cozied up with my new box set of Buffy DVDs and watched her take on the Master. If you can't get a hellish ascension in real life - might as well watch one! Happy day of "the Beast" everyone.

Why I Need HBO

Time to compliment another show worthy of Raye-praise. Another instance of me being BEHIND the times - but since I don't get HBO I feel mildly off-the-hook this time. This weekend I realized the genius that is "Entourage". Lucky for me, the Season 2 DVD comes out on Tuesday so I got my timing right. Unlucky for me, the third season starts on June 11 and I, as stated above, do not have HBO.

What I do have is a serious crush on the goings-on of Vince, Eric, Drama, Turtle and Ari. Okay - maybe not so much Turtle and A LOT more Ari. Honestly, I can't believe it took me this long to get around to this show since it features my crushboy Jeremy Piven and is a Hollywood tale full of fun cameos and "inside" jokes. It's also fast-paced, down-to-earth, profane and entertaining as hell.

The show is based on Mark Wahlberg's early days in H-wood when he brought his "boys" with him everywhere as he navigated the waters to stardom. This time the crew is from New York and Adrian Grenier plays our actor lead - Vince Chase. If you have never heard of Grenier I wouldn't be surprised but don't miss out on him - he has the goods. The group is rounded out with Kevin Connolly as Eric - for whom I am developing a serious jones and watching him and Piven go toe-to-toe is hot; Jerry Ferrera - the obnoxious Turtle who's scamming really keeps it real; and Kevin Dillon as Drama - Vince's less-hot, less-talented, less-famous older brother (the shades of Donnie Wahlberg are chilling!).

The show is definately not everyone's cup of tea. If you are someone who won't know who the guest cameo is then you may not enjoy much of the action. If you don't give a damn about stardom, read movie credits, or enjoy shows that are unconventional then maybe stick with whatever the basic network is offering up. But if you want a solid dish of smart starry-eyes then this is one entourage worth joining.

It's Back!

The CFL season kicks off today. Sadly, games won't be televised for another two weeks. That's what happens when hockey is still being played in June. Sadly, the Renegades are gone for the season so the CFL match-up against the Als was cancelled and my only shot to catch a live game this season taken away. Hopefully this year my Stamps will be able to continue their climb from the gutter - they had SO much potential last year and really came on strong in the end. For me, I'm just happy that my games are back and that my apartment includes cable so I can get both the TSN and CBC games. And with the new collective agreement with the players union, the league has one less issue until 2009. Now if we could only get enough fans out to keep teams operating.

Words of Wisdom