A long way down

Well, it had been a while (understatement) since I posted.
So.... Let the Update and ranting begin!

Things at work are good, I'm still kinda stuck in the same job, but I have created a lot of responsibilities for myself, so that has helped. I was the volunteer coordinator and on the organizing committee for the Employee Wellness Fair. We had around 1500 people attend and it was really awesome. I also got to produce 260 Billboards for the CBC broadcast of the Beijing Olympic Games, and it was really cool to see something I produced and made creative decisions over on television!

I am still producing billboards, things like..."this program was brought to you by...insert corporation name here..."

I definitely feel like more of my old self again, in terms of picking up a large amount of extra curricular activities. I just got elected to the board of directors of the rowing club, and I am still in the process of planning the Toronto December 6th Vigil to remember the women killed at L'Ecole Polytechnique in 1989 as well as other women who have been killed as a result of male violence since then. The vigil should be good this year, it seems like I have been better at recruiting my friends to volunteer, and I really would like to publicize it better this year as well.
I will write more about it later.

Things with Mat are good, he is convocating on Thursday. I have been working since I've been out of school and he has himself a master's degree. I would like to say that I am jealous, but frankly I don't think there is anything I would want to do a master's in. I guess I am more jealous of his focus then of the actual diploma.

My brother is heading to Africa in three weeks, and it is with his ambitions that my jealously lies.
I think it is fantastic that he is out to "save the world" and make a difference. I know it sounds cliche, but it is who I was for such a long time, and I almost feel like I have lost that part of myself along the way to becoming who I am today.

Friends. Friends, some I am dissapointed with some I am so So SO happy to have. My only beef is that I am constantly feeling like I am the only one putting the effort in. Calling people, inviting them to do things, holding get togethers. I dunno, I just am a little sick of being the only one putting in any effort. Let me be clear, this doesn't apply to all of my friends, just some. I think I am just even more dissapointed with the fact that some friends have been douches over this year over silly things that I tried to resolve. Some people just can't let go of their pride and it seems really sad to lose a friend I have known for almost 10 years to a silly debate.

I have started taking tap lessons again, so much fun! The last time I tapped was when I was 13, so it is amazing that my tap shoes "fit" (ie. squish my feet into pain), but I deal.

Keep Smiling

Found this from my old blog- Monday April 25 2005

A step off the train
A breath of fresh air
polluted
smog
but smells like home
sun beaming down, reflecting off the city
a white, shaped dome
a step inside
and it's magic
the hum of the crowd
the crack of a bat
the sound of leather
clap

clap

clap

the announcers song
I live for this

to be continued

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!

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.

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!

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!