Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Thoughts on Opening Game

So this opening game was bitter sweet.

First off, let's start by saying that it was the last opening game at Yankee Stadium. The majority of my hopes went towards the Blue Jays winning, but 10% of me wanted the Yankees to get the win, for nostalgic reasons. Yogi Bera threw out the first pitch.

The Yankees haven't lost an Opening Game at home in 10 years.

As for the Jays....

Clearly there has been some change in the attitude they take when coming to the plate, which can be attributed to their new hitting coach, as well as the guys who came to camp a few pounds lighter and nursing a few less injuries.

It was nice to see the Jays playing a different kind of ball. As has been predicted, they are getting more green lights to steal bases. Scutaro stole two on Posada, which was definitely nice to see.

Other highlights include...Aaron Hill's double, which Melky Cabrera tried to steal; Greg Zaun throwing out Derek Jeter at second. Last year the Jays were a pretty easy team to steal on, and Zaun takes the majority of the flack for it.

Yankee highlights, that I don't want to remember...Melky Cabrera making two highlight reel plays in a row in Center Field. One high at the wall, and one diving catch in left center field.
He also hit a home run (again bitter sweet, as he is on my fantasy team...only $4!)

Ecstein has a MAD stance. For a small guy he really tries to make himself look mean at the plate. Unfortunately he didn't do great in the lead off position tonight, but I'm not about to get worried after one game.

It was great to see Shannon Stewart back in the lineup. If you looked closely you could see that his batting helmet had number #4 (his number during spring training) but he has chosen to wear #23, his number last year in Oakland. Matt Stairs has number #24, which was his number from 1995-2002 with the Jays.

My only major criticism, where I did not see improvement, is the team's performance with RISP. They went 1 in 12 with runners in scoring position. That is a lot of missed opportunities for some run support. I am hoping to see some improvement over the next couple of weeks.

All in all the Jays put up a fight. If you compare the stats of Halladay and Wang they are pretty similar. Both pitched 7 solid innings, and unfortunately, the Jays lost by 1 run.

Getting pumped for Friday when I actually get to see them play in person, and wear my dress!!

Play ball!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Donald Trump's HOUSE OF WINGS

So I was unable to find the clip on-line, so the transcript will have to do.

If you would like a visual, use your imagination.

For the audio, just sing it to the Tune of "JUMP"

or alternatively call me, and I will gladly sing it for you!

[Cheap neon sign reads: TRUMP'S House of Wings. The synth-driven riff from the Pointer Sisters' hit 1984 pop song "Jump (For My Love)" is heard as we pull back and pan down to reveal real estate mogul Donald Trump in a spectacularly awful all-yellow suit and tie. He stands in front of a couple of diners and addresses the camera.]

Donald Trump: Cock-a-doodle-doo, folks. I'm Donald Trump. ... And there's two things in the world I love -- a good deal and a good meal. So when I drove by a defunct Meineke Muffler Shop in Englewood, New Jersey ... I knew what I hadda do! I hadda buy it on the cheap and convert it into a restaurant specializing in buffalo chicken wings. ... So I did. And it's the most important thing I've ever done in my entire life. ... So, please, join me -- at Donald Trump's House of Wings!

[Trump gestures and four dancers, wearing goofy yellow and white chickens-popping-out-of-eggshells costumes, boogie into view and join him. They gesture energetically as they sing a parody of "Jump":]

Dancing Chickens: [sing]
Trump! You know our wings will make you happy!
Trump in! You know our wings will fill you up!
Trump! If you want a place with awesome chicken wings, yeah,
Donald Trump's House of Wings!


[The Donald, who has been dancin' like the proverbial white man in the midst of all this, claps his hands and the chickens boogie backward out of view to huge cheers and applause. An impressed Trump pauses and nods acknowledgment to the crowd before continuing:]

Donald Trump: Am I saying I'm a chicken wing expert? No. But I can tell you this -- the wing is hands down the best part of the chicken. Better than the head. Better than the torso. Better than the back! And at Donald Trump's House of Wings, you can get them with five different levels of hotness -- Regular, Hot, Three Alarm, Suicidal -- and Hell Spawn! [Each level is illustrated with a photo of Trump: "Smiling;" "Smiling but Red-Faced;" "Red-Faced and Wearing a Fireman's Helmet with Cheeks Puffed Out;" "Horned Goateed Red-Faced Devil with Cheeks Puffed Out;" and "Red-Faced with Eyes Bulging, Tongue Sticking Out and Steam Coming Out of Ears."] ... And, if you like celery, congratulations! It's on the house. ...

[Dancing chickens return. Trump claps, pumps a fist in the air and bobs in place arrhythmically.]

Dancing Chickens: [sing]
Trump! You know our wings come with free celery!
Trump in! You know these veggies are good for you!
Trump! If you want bleu cheese, there'll be a dollar extra!
Donald Trump's House of Wings!


[Trump claps his hands and the chickens boogie backward out of view, once again, to huge cheers and applause.]

Donald Trump: Donald Trump's House of Wings is hands down the best wing restaurant in New Jersey. If you don't believe me, ask my good friend, rock 'n' roll legend David Crosby.

[Synth riff fades out as white-haired, cherubic David Crosby enters with an acoustic guitar.]

David Crosby: Hey, Donny, man! When I'm not smokin' weed, firin' guns or throwing my sperm around the lesbian community ... I'm wolfin' down wings as fast as they can hack 'em off them little bastards! ...

Donald Trump: Hey, listen, listen. That wasn't in the script. You're not supposed to be talking like that. That's not right.

David Crosby: Oh, sorry, Donny, man.

Donald Trump: Take it easy.

David Crosby: Well, I call 'em like I sees 'em!

Donald Trump: Yeah, take it easy.

David Crosby: But I will say this about your place, Donald Trump.
[strums guitar, sings a slightly altered line from the 1970 Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young song, "Our House"]
His house is a very, very, very fine house --
[spoken with enthusiasm]
-- of Wings! ... Ha ha! Alrighty, I'm out of here! [pulls out a handgun and a plastic bag of marijuana] Hey, can you hold these for me? [tries to hand these to Trump]

Donald Trump: [pushes them away in disgust] I'm not gonna touch 'em. [tries to push Crosby offstage] Get out of here. Come on, get out.

David Crosby: [laughs] All right. [waves into the camera] Hey! Take it easy, Trumpy!

[Applause as David Crosby exits and the synth riff returns.]

Donald Trump: [shakes his head, disgusted with Crosby] Terrible! [continues, to camera] To all you people out there -- stop by and enjoy! And to all you chickens -- You're fry-ered! ... [looks around, shakes his head again, disgusted at the corny joke on his signature "You're fired" line] I don't like that. Come on, get the dancers back.

[Trump waves for the chickens and they return for a funky grand finale.]

Dancing Chickens: [sing]
Trump! You know our wings will make you happy!
Trump in! You know our wings will fill you up!
Trump! If you want a place with awesome chicken wings, yeah,
Donald Trump's House of Wings!


[Huge cheers and applause as we cut to the House of Wings logo and then see a map of Englewood, New Jersey with the logo -- as well as the logos of Trump's local competitors.]

Announcer V/O: Donald Trump's House of Wings -- off Route 13, right next to Al Sharpton's Casa de Sushi. If you pass Derek Jeter's Taco Hole, you've gone too far.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Please Read

Also, someone sent me this article today.

When ever anyone asks why I'm a vegetarian....these are great reasons that I speak of, but with more recent stats.

Enjoy!

Vegetarian Article: NYT

Canadian Broadcasting is where it's at

I am watching "A Civil Action" with Mat right now. Which is a very good movie.

I have spent the last two days getting into my new job at the CBC and it has been a lovely two days!

I feel like my old hardworking self again, someone who enjoys work and work hard to get the job done above and beyond. Yes, I understand that sentence is redundant, but seriously, it feels great to enjoy your job and the work environment and people around you!

More to come soon!

Friday, January 18, 2008

Quite Possibly my favourite day!

So yesterday, I decided to note that my perfect day would consist of:

A) Passing my G driving test
B) Going to the Chiropractor and having him actually pop my ribs back into place...again
C) The CBC calling me to offer me the job that I interviewed for last monday

You wouldn't believe it, I got three out of three!

My driving test went well, and the tester was a nice old man. I hit the curb on my parallel park, but I still passed.

After calling my family and friends who had driven me around all those years when I was without a license (hard word to remember how to spell btw) I went home.

Then I came downtown, headed to the chiropractor, who is this awesome sports specialist. He treats NHL Hockey players and A.J. Burnett, as well as others. And in June he popped 3 of my ribs back into place. I've been having chest pain again, so I decided to get my life back in order and make another appointment.

It really is a great feeling when a doctor looks at you and can see that you have a problem. It validates the fact that the pain I am feeling is not inside my head, and I am actually STILL injured after all of this time off rowing!

So this time after acupuncture treatment for 15 minutes or so, he popped like 5 or 6 back into place and my scapula and my neck!

He was amazed at how many had sublexed out of place.
Anyway, I'm heading back next week to make sure they haven't moved again.

When I was on my way home, Mat called my cell to tell me that the CBC just called. So I called them back right away, and standing on Bay street next to a Canadian Tire Emergency Exit, I was offered the position to work for the CBC.

I ran home (literally) and got back on the phone so the woman could give me more details, including salary, benefits etc. etc. etc.... and AN ACTUAL CONTRACT!!!!!

So after making a second call to family and friends, and to the references that said nice things about me, Mat and I went to the gym and worked out. I had a nice run on the treadmill, and did some weights and sit ups etc.

Mat and I made a yummy dinner of salad and pasta, and went to Dairy Queen for dessert to celebrate. While at the Eaton Centre we wandered into The Bay looking for board games on sale, to add to our collection. We found a Trivial Pursuit Game that is the best of 80s, 90s and Pop Culture. It was supposed to cost $30, which is pretty good for a board game, but the woman thought we got it from the sale rack. We told her we didn't, since she told us the discounted price, she said she didn't mind giving it to us! So not only did we save 50%, but an additional 30%. The game cost less than $12.

Great day. Really an absolutely Great Day!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Skating. Yes oh yes.

This morning I got up and went skating in front of city hall. It was lovely.

Although I will not be the first one to admit to loving winter, it does have its positive moments. Exhibit A being outdoor skating.

I can't wait 'till the Rideau Canal freezes over, because there is nothing like skating for 11k straight and not having to dodge falling children around turns.

On another note, Mat and I bought a Magic Bullet. I told my friend Jen and her response was to exclaim..."the vibrator?!"

Just to clarify, it was the blender, but we had a good laugh.
She is coming to visit on Friday morning which will be fun. It is weird going from living with someone for 4 years, to seeing them three times in 6 months.

Today we find out if Josh Towers is going to stay with the Jays. Although I haven't heard about anyone having any interest in him...

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Question: what do you want to know?

My mom asked me a weird question, just a few minutes ago, but a question worth asking.

What do you want to know?

Not necessarily about a person, but about a place or a thing or anything really!
What do you want to know? What do you want to learn about?

Do you want to know how to do something, or why something is a certain way.

The only thing that I could think of is, I want to know what my life will be like in 5 years? I want to know where to find me dream job, and what that job is.... well I think I know what my dream job is, but how to get it, would be great.


What do you want to know???