Why some people shouldn't drive...

(Dog pictured above not to scale and not necessarily the breed referenced in the following story. Dog in story was also much fluffier and sporting a much fancier hairdo.)

Driving to work the other morning, turning right on to Bloor, there was one car ahead of us, also turning right...at a glacial pace.

When this car finally turned the corner, it proceeded along at approximately 5 kms/hour. It was also weaving from side to side..

As soon as it was feasible, we moved into the other lane and passed this annoyance.

When we drove past the car, it became obvious why it was being driven so slowly (and yet dangerously) - the driver was simultaneously "driving" and talking on a cell phone - with a DOG ON HER LAP!!

What the fuck? As if talking on a cell & driving wasn't dangerous enough...

The phone was in her right hand and she was (presumably) steering with her left hand - this, however, cannot be confirmed, because the view of her left arm was obscured by the dog.

It's also important to note that this was not a small dog--it was medium-sized (and very fluffy) and it could actually see over the steering wheel from its position on the woman's lap. As you can imagine, the dog's fluffy mane significantly reduced the driver's already obstructed view of the road.

I really wanted to get out of the car, haul her ass into the street and beat some sense into her...but it was really cold that morning, so I resisted.

Bitch got lucky. Legit.

Woke up this mornin', got myself a gun..

OK, so I didn't really get myself a gun..and it wasn't this morning, it was last week..but anyway...

The other morning, my alarm went off, as usual, around 6:30. I hit snooze twice, maybe three times...I was just so tired! I mean, exhausted! I couldn't figure it out!

I finally hauled my ass out of bed and headed for the shower. I completed my morning ablutions with my eyes closed and half asleep (mascara goes on the chin, right?). I exited the bathroom and was perplexed--it was still pitch black outside! I mean, I know the nights are getting longer, but I couldn't fathom how the time at which the sun rises could have changed so much overnight.

The next step in my pre-work routine is to check the weather and determine my wardrobe for the day--I turned on the TV and was subsequently mortified. It seems as though, whilst setting my alarm the previous evening, I had accidentally set the time to an hour ahead.

So, I was up and ready to go and it wasn't even time for my alarm to go off. My exhaustion suddenly made sense.

I went back to bed for a catnap til it was time to leave and dreamed up various nefarious ways to circumvent the powers of all the evil alarm clocks, worldwide. My revolution will commence shortly.

Awesome dinner..Thai Veggie Stirfry & Rice..(Recipe Included!)

I made the greatest dinner last night..Thai Veggies & Rice. So delicious & so easy!

I suppose you could add tofu or seitan to this (or chicken or shrimp, if you were so inclined), but I like it just the way it is.

1 lb veggies (I used mushrooms, red & green bell peppers & asparagus--but I don't think it matters all that much, use what you like)
2 heads (heads?) of baby bok choy
2 jalapeno peppers
1 can lite coconut milk
5 cloves garlic (I really like garlic..I'm sure 3 would suffice..)
Fresh basil leaves (about 10), chopped
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon lime zest
1 tablespoon tamari (or soy sauce)
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes (I like it really it spicy--1/2 would probably work)
1 tablespoon lime juice

In blender, combine jalapenos, garlic, lemon & lime zest and coconut milk--blend until liquified.

Stir-fry veggies for a few minutes, add sauce, allow to simmer for about 10 minutes. Add chopped up basil, tamari, red pepper flakes & lime juice. Allow to simmer for a couple more minutes. Serve over cooked brown rice.

Enjoy!

My morning so far...

It's only 10:30 a.m. and I've already had a pretty full morning--it's remarkable how much you can get done when you're up at 6:30 on a Saturday!

Although the alarm goes off at 6:30 or so every weekday morning, getting up at what amounts to the crack of ridiculous on the weekend is not normally my thing. However, today I had a hair appointment at 8:15--I'm thrilled I finally found a stylist I like after the trauma of my previous stylist of several years unceremoniously abandoning all her clients (yes, I'm still somewhat bitter). In any case, the time was irrelevant--I needed a haircut.

So I got up, showered & got ready to go. Am I the only one who washes/styles their hair before going to a hair appointment? The entire time, I ruminate on the futility of it--they wash & cut & style my hair and I pay a whole lot for it. However, I am loath to go in with bedhead--not only is that embarrassing, but I'm afraid if I don't present the way I like it styled, she might cut it into a shorter--and more permanent--version of bedhead.

I got myself all bundled up for the 25 minute walk up to Bloor street. It was a wonderful walk--chilly, but awesome. It's a beautiful crisp sunny day--walking @ 7:30 on a Saturday morning is great (especially when it's -10..aka COLD for Toronto) because the only people you encounter are the necessarily dedicated dog owners out with their pets or ardent (aka crazy) exercise enthusiasts. Once I got to Bloor, I went to Second Cup and got a small soy pumpkin spice latte, which was delicious (though I've never experienced crack, I'm pretty sure that this is the beverage equivalent..oh my goodness, it's sublime!), then headed to the salon.

After my haircut, I decided to do some grocery shopping...I headed over to No Frills, a store that I normally eschew, despite the great deals to be had, because it's usually jam-packed and the way it's set up, it's extremely difficult to maneuver around the aisles. I figured Saturday morning before 9 a.m. it might be less busy than usual--and I was right. After No Frills, I hit a few of the many fruit & vegetable markets along my route to grab some fresh produce and went to the bakery to get some fresh onion buns for lunch.

The only people out and about on Bloor at this hour seem to be yuppies toting their "venti" Starbucks coffees, accompanied by one or both of the following:

a) the requisite giant SUV-stroller carrying their spawn (excellent for blocking sidewalks and aisles in stores, which happens a lot since these folks seem to believe the world revolves around them);

b) Overly groomed, purebred dogs all sporting designer attire (coats & sometimes even booties)--doesn't matter if it's one of those annoying purse puppies or a big giant husky, the owners seem incapable of not dressing them up. The dogs themselves appear to be chagrined by the indignity.

I walked home and the dog greeted me as though I'd been gone for 2 weeks instead of two hours--it's so nice to be missed! I whipped up a delicious facon & tomato sammitch for breakfast and proceeded to admire my pretty new haircut in the mirror for a while.

Time to get started on my cleaning...happy Saturday to me! :)

Bill Maher @ Massey Hall

So, I went to see Bill Maher do his stand-up gig last weekend at Massey Hall. I was very, VERY excited for this show...

I love Bill Maher. I love him. I have had a school-girl crush on him for years--presumably because of "Politcally Incorrect"....I loved the way he always lambasted right-wing dickheads on that show..I loved the way he called folks out on their ludicrous beliefs ( I just made a stand...sorry...I'm a left-wing, pro-choice, atheist....that's just the way it is...).

Anyway, I've loved Bill Maher for years. I was SO excited for his show. I mean--I've admired/loved him FOREVER!

So I went to his show and I was....disapointed. It was nowhere near as funny as it was supposed to be.

I've always enjoyed what he had to say. And he is/has been the only public person who has ever publically shared my opinions on politics, religion, morals, values etc. Anyway...let's not go there...

In addition to the fact that he didn't get onstage until 30 minutes past the scheduled show-time, it was way too warm in the theatre, which made it incredibly uncomfortable, and the woman behind me obviously had been a hyena in a previous life and evolution had failed her in that she retained her animalistic-laugh and inflicted it upon us every 15 seconds or so.

OK, so, Bill did his show. And it was.....um....sorta OK. Just not really that funny..which is kind of what I expect from a comedian...

I am a huge fan of comedy...and this show was NOT FUNNY!

Bill, I am no comedy savant, yet I saw your punchlines coming a mile away. Way too easy!

He had one or two original-sounding jokes that elicited genuine laughter from me, but that was it.

Fortunately for him, the audience was packed with devoted acolytes who had clearly consumed the Kool-Aid--they yukked it up at every single thing that came out of his mouth. Hell, they gave him a standing ovation before he'd even said a thing!

I was surprised by this--I always assumed his fanbase would hold him to a pretty high standard--after all, his comedy is fairly high-brow, based on current political & cultural happenings. While he's not opposed to telling the occasional dick joke, it's often followed by a reference to the U.S. Senate or an outrageous legal injustice.

While we're on the topic, here's a tip, Bill: Know your audience.

Sure, we're aware of who you are and the type of comedy you perform--however, we *are* Canadian, and while we are perpetually indundated by American media, we're not always aware of every miniscule political maneuver that occurs, nor are we necessarily familiar with every obscure redneck Republican politico whom you verbally decimate. Throwing a bone to your audience in the form of a (locally) relevent joke or two would be appreciated and wise.

Anyway, I still enjoy & respect Bill Maher, I just wish I'd had more side-splitting laughter moments that night.

Oh, and, it would have been nice to emerge from the show NOT to find the car window smashed in--but that's another story.

A Perfect Fall Day

So, last night I had the great fortune of sitting courtside for the Raptors first home game of the season..which they won..in overtime. Ah, sweet. It was soooo much fun!

After the game, we went for sushi in the Annex and I tried sake for the first time--also a great experience. Smooooth has a new name: Sake.

Today, woke up late, made a great brunch, then went up to Bloor and walked around for a couple of hours shopping..both window & actual.

Purchased the first of my annual poppies from a veteran (I usually lose them within a day, and today is no exception). I know they ask for whatever you wish to donate...I gave $4, which I thought was a decent donation, but the gentlemen responded to me in a manner that was significantly less friendly than the way he interacted to the lady who bought her poppy before me...I wonder if she gave more, or if she was a relative or something?

Anyway, regardless, support our veterans & buy a poppy (or 2). :)

It was a perfect day for walking around...the perfect fall day...not a cloud in the sky, crisp & cool, but not cold...I did my best to revel in the simple abundance of the season.

I came home and concocted some sweet & sour tofu with sesame seeds for a snack...it was surprisingly tasty..though I'd alter the sauce recipe if I made it again...more vinegar, less molasses.

And the Raptors won again tonight....and they had every right to lose..2nd game in a row, on the road, only 3rd game of the season, they didn't get to their hotel until 3:30 and last night's game must have been exhausting (they can't be totally conditioned yet to that kind of grind)...but despite some lacklustre offense at times, they pulled it out. I love you Jose Calderon!! :)

Happy turn the clocks back day, everyone!

Burglarific?

I was walking down the street today and passed by a fellow who was normally dressed, from the neck down.

From the neck up? Not so normal.

From the neck up? He was sporting a ski mask.

Mid-day, only semi-cold outside, and wearing a balaclava.

Either this guy was:

a) New to the country and confused about how to keep warm in a Canadian winter;
b) Confused by recent, inexplicable, fashion trends;
c) On his way to rob something.

I will continue to wonder.

CASUAL Friday?? What the what?

OK. I know the concept of "casual Fridays" is somewhat malleable...different rules, different companies..different standards...that being said, there are certain standards that people should just abide.

For example: Today, I was walking between the 2 buildings that make up my office complex, and I was hurrying and not paying great attention to much, because I was in such a hurry, and I passed by a group of women, to whom I would normally have paid no attention whatsoever, and my brain forced me to notice the fact that one of these business women was sporting a turquoise, velour, track suit.

Yep. You read that right. Turquoise. Velour. Track Suit. At work.

Unless this woman is some kind of undercover pimp, this is not appropriate work attire!

And what pimp is up and working at 9 am? I mean, sure, if they're collecting on tabs owed, beatin' down on a 'ho or two, OK, but, as IF! She had no gold chains, nothin'! Maybe she's pimpin' to my company's employees..if so..cool...you go girl...but..please..retire the track suit..it ain't pretty...

I'm not working at a retirement community, I'm not a friend of the pimps, I should not have to deal with folks in semi-purple velour track suits!

Note: The above image is a simulation and should not be interpreted as the ACTUAL woman I saw at my office.

A few thoughts about bowling.

Last week, for absolutely no discernible reason, I suddenly had an urge to go bowling.

Perhaps there exists a bowling mafia of sorts (I imagine they're called "The Bowling Crusaders" or something like that) whose sole purpose it is to subliminally convince people that they want to go bowling. Perhaps I came upon some of their subversive propaganda. I believe something like that must have occurred--otherwise, my bowling desire is utterly inexplicable.

In any case, we decided to go bowling on Friday night.

I was a little bit nervous--I haven't bowled since I was 11 or 12--and while I realize that I possess the fresh-faced glow of a teenager, that was actually a long, long time ago.

We planned to go 5-pin bowling as opposed to 10-pin--10-pin bowling is dangerous and I refuse to do it. I know millions of people have safely participated in this activity over the course of bowling history, so my fear is probably illogical, but it exists, and there's not a whole lot I can do about it--I'm certain that if I try to 10-pin bowl, my fingers will probably be ripped off my hands.

As crazy as this may sound, it will likely never be resolved--should I ever seek out the psychiatric help I so obviously require, I have an extremely lengthy list of issues that take precedence over my 10-pin-bowling-finger-loss-phobia (hard to believe there's not a scientifict term for this--I can't be the only one).

Anyway, 5-pin-bowling it was!

We found a place not too far from the house--turns out that on the weekends they have "Cosmic Bowling". Which basically means that the lights are out and random stuff around the alley is fluroescent--like your bowling shoelaces. Fun!

The experience was almost wholly enjoyable--in fact, it might be a new Friday night ritual!

Based on my burgeoning benevolence, I'm going to share some lessons I learned from my experience--should you ever have a sudden urge to go bowling, I want you to be prepared.

1. Bowling is not as easy as it looks. And I'm not referring to actually knocking down the pins and/or achieving a good score, I'm talking about the fact that bowling is surprisingly physically demanding!

My impression of the physical fitness of bowlers is based solely on television & movies (think "The Big Lebowski" and any of the blue collar sitcoms of the late '80s). As such, I had been misled into believing that those who participate in this activity do so whilst enjoying cocktails and maneuvering around ever-expanding beer guts and/or burgers butts.

And when we first arrived at the bowling alley, this assumption seemed to be accurate--the legions of white-haired, feeble- & decrepit-looking bowlers on the main floor would lead one to deduce, "If they can do it--anyone can do it!"

Not so. Let's just say, before we'd even finished bowling our 3 games, we were feeling the pain.

Quads, back, hamstrings, butt (oh dear lord, such cruel ass-pain), bowling arm: All useless for 2 days afterwards. I could not sit or stand, ascend or descend stairs, lift a mug of coffee or pick my nose without expressing my pain via gutteral noises and wrinkle-inducing facial expressions.

You've been warned.

2. Another tip: Do not, under any circumstances, imbibe bowling alley wine. Lighter fluid straight out of the can would be more palatable. I know, I know, I should have known better--I cannot justify this choice on any level, other than to surmise: PMS made me do it.

3. If you decide you still want to go bowling, after reading about my experience, I would recommend intensive training beforehand--or at least some mild stretching--to alleviate the resultant discomfort.

4. If there's a kid in the lane next to you whose bowling technique includes tossing the ball 3-5 feet in the air and vaulting himself halfway down the lane, do not attempt to duplicate his moves--even if it seems like a good idea at the time--the laughs you get will not be worth the bruises on your knees and you likely won't knock over any of the pins anyway. Trust me on this one.

So that's my cautionary tale. Hope you all learned something.

Now, I must dash--I'm having the name "Stu" stitched on my new bowling shirt and I want to pick it up before I (literally) hit the alley tonight. I think "Stu" is a good bowling name--and when folks see it emblazoned on my chest, they'll know I'm not a bowler to be trifled with.

STRIKE!

We don't want you.

I'm getting pretty sick and tired of hearing Americans expressing the following sentiment:

"If _____________ happens, I'm moving to Canada!"

That variable can be just about anything..."If McCain gets elected, I'm moving to Canada", "If I lose my job, I'm moving to Canada", "If someone steals my parking spot one more time, I'm moving to Canada" etc. etc. etc.

My first question: Do you honestly think Canada WANTS you?

My second question: Do you truly believe it's just that easy to move to Canada?

You express a desire to live here and you think Canada is going to respond something like this:

"Come on in!! Our population density is miniscule--we need you! And we don't have NEARLY enough former Americans living here--everyone knows, if you were born in the United States, you're significantly better--in every way--than someone who was born ANYWHERE else...your presence can only improve the quality of life of ALL Canadians!!"

Oh, you poor deluded Yank. Tsk tsk.

This is not the first time I've encountered this kind of egocentrism from an American. More than once, in the course of my life, I've met jingoistic Americans who expressed shock & disbelief when they discovered that I had no desire whatsoever to live in the United States--nay, that I don't even especially like to visit.

It's not that I'm anti-American. I love, and have loved, many Americans [insert requisite dirty jokes here]. I have travelled extensively in the United States and have enjoyed it immensely--but, the fact is, I always feel more comfortable once I get back to Canada. Which is understandable, since it's my home. And I have no desire to ever live anywhere else--I know, I know, that makes me lame & unadventurous and I'm 100% OK with that. But so be it.

My point here is that there are, in fact, a lot of Americans who are truly appalled and have a hard time grasping, that there are people in the world who don't want to live in America.

And I have to assume that the folks who believe they can just up and "move to Canada" whenever they feel like it are similarly afflicted with a disease of delusion.

Here's a tip: It's not that easy!

Here's another tip: If you want to move to Canada so badly, I'm willing to entertain offers.

That is, I am willing to marry someone to help them obtain Canadian citizenship--obviously, my service(s) will go to the highest bidder, so if you aren't rich and if you aren't thunder between the sheets, don't even bother applying. Men and women are both welcome--this is Canada, after all, and gay marriage is legal everywhere.

:)

Two Purses = Unacceptable

Lately, I've seen many women on the subway and on the street carrying more than one purse:

What the hell is that about?

My advice:

a) Buy a larger purse;

b) If you require more than 1 large purse, might I suggest a convenient, economy-sized bag--say, a back- or tote-bag, to carry your belongings?

Just a few ideas.

I guess it's not such a big deal if you want to carry everything you must tote in purses and, henceforth, must increase the number of purses you carry, exponentially, as your load increases...it just doesn't make any sense! 1 big bag would take care of all your carrying needs!!!

I need a hobby.

Random Tips for Dealing with Executive Assistants

1. If you stop by my desk to find out if my boss has time in her schedule for a meeting, don't walk behind my desk and look over my shoulder at my computer screen while I pull up her calendar to check.

It's creepy.

And annoying.

Fuck off.

The only time I want someone peering over my shoulder that closely is when I'm on my motorcycle with some leather-clad hottie sitting behind me as we go zipping down the highway toward some crazy drug-fuelled biker bash..which is to say: Never.

2. I am an assistant, yes.

And I am happy to help, when I can and when it's reasonable.

However, if you're not the person to whom I report, please don't ask me to set up your meetings for you.

I will happily advise you when my boss is available (unless, of course, you've broken Tip #1 in this post..then I'll help, but I'll probably be glaring at you while I do it and I might just fart at you out of spite, if I can muster one up).

What I will NOT do, is call around and find a time that's suitable for everyone on your goddamn list of attendees to see if they're available--so don't ask me! This will only serve to piss me off and, in the long run, will be no good for you, because your meetings (and anything else you might need) will automatically be relegated to the very bottom of my priority list.

It's your choice.

3. Should you choose to ignore Tip #2, might I suggest reining in that high-horse (named Douchebag) on which you rode in?

Arrogance and condescension may be effective negotation tools, if you are a tool. However, that old saying about capturing more flies with honey than with dickheadedness applies in the workplace as well.

I know it may come as a shock, but I'm actually smart enough to realize when you're talking down to me.

I'm also smart enough to realize that there's a problem in this sentence (extracted from the email you sent me this morning):

"Irregardless, we have to ensure the customers needs are being met and there issues are being attended to."

4. I know it might be difficult to accept, but, your priorities are not the priorities of the rest of the world. I know your world revolves around you. That's fine, we're all self-involved, to a degree...
..................

Where was I? Oh yeah. Self-involved. Sorry, I caught sight of my reflection in my shiny new stapler and I couldn't help but to stop and admire my pretty new haircut...I'm easily distracted.
..................

Anyway, just because something is important to YOU doesn't necessarily make it important to my boss or me. Please don't expect either one of us to drop everything to attend to you--odds are, it ain't going to happen.

And if you're annoying enough, I will start rumours about you (think STDs/ plastic surgery/ penchant for pony porn).

~~~~~~~~~

That's enough for today. I figure I'll make this into a series. I need something to do at work while I'm ignoring you ignoring me because I'm just a lowly assistant.

And with that, I'm off to the supply cabinet to steal post-it notes. Cheers!

What else could go wrong?

First, my apartment floods, leaving me living like a fucking degenerate for 3 weeks and then, actually homeless for a few days.

Second, my beloved Chuck Swirsky, the Raptors play-by-play man and all-round nice guy announces he's leaving Toronto to do play-by-play for the Bulls on the radio! Wtf?!! Chuck, it's like we never knew ya...

And NOW I call to make an appointment for a haircut and find out my stylist of 3? 4? years, whom I loved and the ONLY person in Toronto who could make my hair look halfway decent has LEFT the salon! ARGH! How can this be happening? I NEED a haircut! I might as well just start hacking away at it with some nail scissors, because I'm sure that's what will happen if I randomly choose a new person to cut it...

I hate this week.

Toronto: Anything Goes!

Recently, a group of us from my office went out for lunch.

On our walk back, 3 of us were walking ahead and I was walking behind with my co-worker, Joel.

Suddenly, something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye…it was a naked butt…as I clasped my hands over my mouth and shockingly shouted, "Oh dear Lord!" I realized the guy was, in fact, taking a whiz into a bottle of some kind.

Joel said, "Well, when you gotta go, you gotta go.." and I couldn't even respond! It was a business district, right on Bloor street, and a guy was taking a whiz!

Then Joel said, "I've never seen that before.." and I said, "And that is your calm response??!"

In relaying the story to another co-worker, who was with us, but was in the group walking ahead of me and missed this debacle, he asked, "Was it a hobo?"

I said, "Um..well, he wasn't carrying a bandana bag on a stick, if that's what you're asking.."

He clarified, "OK, was it a disenfranchised person, then?"

I replied, "Yes, definitely."

He said, "I wish I'd seen that!"

Appalled, I responded, "No you don't!!! Are you crazy?!"

Gotta love the mean streets of Toronto.

My Public Demands It...

My cranky fan insists that I post more over here, and who am I to deny her?

While I was in the Dominican, I actually tried to maintain a diary of my activities every day--I had every intention of posting those as blog entries upon my return--but I just haven't found the time. Perhaps I will, someday, but it just seems pointless and anachronistic now, a month later. I suppose if I was capable of posting pics on this thing, it would be more interesting, but I can't seem to master that. And I can't seem to get up the gumption to figure it out. Oh well.

So I'll tell you my story of Sunday...this is A Day in MY Life..without pictures.

I got up and it was a gorgeous, sunny, warm spring day. Yay! Perfect day for a baseball game--lucky me, I have tickets to see the Jays vs the Red Sox! Go Jays!

I wanted to get some cleaning done before the game, which I did...some vacuuming (which led me, once again, to the conclusion that I desperately need a new facuum cleaner. Mine sucks! And not the way it's supposed to suck either! You know it's bad when it won't even pick up a dog's whisker off the floor! But I digress..).

Anyway, got some cleaning done and went to the game which was great fun--it's always fun when the Jays win, particularly when it's thanks to a GRAND SLAM HOME RUN by Frank Thomas (way to earn your cheque, there, FT, ya big cheapskate!)!!

I decided I would make a vegan "chicken" pot pie for dinner so stopped by the Sobey's on the way home after the game to pick up some ingredients. This meal is a lot of work, but well worth it.

I got home and started preparing dinner and cleaning...sautee, sautee, sautee...scrub, scrub, scrub...ding! ding! Gotta put the laundry in the dryer!

I finally got the pot pie assembled and in the oven...I kept on cleaning and as it cooked, I found myself salivating in anticipatory delight.

When the 30 minutes baking time was up, I opened the oven and was overjoyed at how pretty my pot pie was...perfectly and uniformly browned...smelling delicious. I grabbed my thumb-less oven mitts (created with love and bestowed upon me by the one and only, extremely talented, Buggles) and carefully slipped my hands under the tin pie plate.

I began to remove the pie from the oven and, as I did so, the goddamn cheapo aluminum plate collapsed in the middle! Smoldering hot gravy and pie pieces flew across my kitchen--walls, floor, oven, my bare hands!

Naturally, due to almost debilitating PMS, I burst into tears.

Then I realized the skin on my hand was sizzling and flung the steaming food pieces off and plunged my hand into the sink under cold water.

So...to sum up...

1. An hour of prep time--wasted;
2. No dinner;
3. 2nd or 3rd degree burns.

Got some nice blisters to show for it, though.

Totally Random

There's a dentist office that I pass every day on my way to work called, "Brill Dental"....now, this may just be me, but if I were naming a dental business, I would likely try to avoid naming it after a word that will simply remind potential customers/patients that I could conceivably be DRILLING into their teeth. Might as well call it "Boot Canal Dentistry" or "Booth Extraction Dental"....

I do respond to complaints.

I've had a couple of people complain that they miss my random musings.

Since I live to please my fans (and accept cash donations, by the way, as appreciation of my genius), I will try to post more frequently, even if I don't have a goddamn thing to say (as I usually don't).

The other day, I walked home from the subway. For those of you who live in Toronto/Ontario, you'll know that it has been ridiculously cold. It was like Dryden in February cold--and I did *not* sign up for that when I moved to southern Ontario!!

Anyway, I was well bundled up, so it wasn't too horrible. I had five layers on my upper body, which is pretty much my maximum--undershirt, sweater, fleece, another fleece, coat. And a purple toque.

Actually, I got off the subway a couple of stops before my stop, as I frequently do, just so I could get a bit more of a walk. I walked by the Running Room and saw a woman exit the establishment, sporting full winter running gear...those thick pants, one of those long jackets, toque...she came out and began jogging...I thought to myself, "Wow! That's dedication! Running on a day like today! Good for her!"

She proceeded to run half a block and enter the Pizza Hut.

Despite searching my mind to find some reason, any reason, that could make sense of this course of events, I could not. Who gets dressed up in running gear to travel half a block to a greasy pizza place?

I am still stymied.

Which is worse?

OK, this could be a recurring theme here at the Palace...a debate on "which is worse" of two evils (or annoyances)...today, we discuss, Which is Worse:

-the occasional "human" smells that assail you in a public (i.e. work) bathroom

OR

-being perpetually assaulted by the bold and unyielding stench of a raunchy air freshener

?????

My office building has recently begun using these vile pseudo-vanilla air fresheners that are so incredibly strong that their scent can be detected 20 ft away from a closed bathroom door.

As you may also be aware, "air fresheners" don't, in fact, "freshen" the air, they simply coat one's nasal passages with chemical oils so any other scents that may be present in the air are no longer detectable. Ew.

I hate a bathroom reeking of shit as much as the next gal, but I'm uncertain which is worse, in this particular instance.

Thoughts? Opinions? Which is worse?

Clumsiness is Next to Bruiselyness

My clumsiness is becoming even more detrimental to my well-being than usual.

OK, I've always been clumsy.

I did slam my thumb in a car door when I was 17 (without any intervention from anyone--I can't say I was pushed, unfortunately--and with zero alcohol consumption on my part). To this day the nail (and I use the word loosely) does not grow properly. Truth be told, it's pretty friggin' gross.

I have a pretty big scar under my right eyebrow from where, in the late 90s, one night I whipped open the freezer door, instead of the fridge door (which is what I was going for) right into my eye and I was way too embarrassed to go to the hospital for the necessary stitches.

I have a giant bruise around my eye socket this week. In my defence, it was mostly the dog's fault..we were play-fighting/wrestling and she reared up her head and smashed her skull into my face. It hurt so much, I was sure that she, too, would be injured.

I was in a massive amount of pain, but my first concern was her well-being:

"Omigod! Kuda, are you OK??!"

*pant* *pant* *wagwagwag* *run to retrieve ball*

She was fine.

This morning, I punched the bathroom doorjamb as I was walking into the bathroom...granted, I was in a hurry, but I've lived there for over five years and I'm pretty sure the width of the door hasn't changed in that time. Now I've got a cut and an impending bruise on my hand. Yay!

I noticed this morning, as I was drying my hair, that I have a giant round bruise on my wrist. No idea where that originated.

*sigh*

If I die in some horrible accident, odds are, it will be entirely my fault...possibly as a result of a dog-induced concussion...

Mini-Rant Re: Frosty the Snowman

I was in the grocery store the other day and, naturally, they were piping in the most annoying, god-awful, cheery holiday songs (yep, call me Scroogette, I fucking hate Christmas).

I noticed it was "Frosty the Snowman"...what kind of sick-ass, cruel mother-fucker came up with this terrible tune?!!

I mean, it's just insane! Think about it!!

"Frosty the snowman was a jolly, happy soul.."

Sounds good, so far, doesn't it...

Notice the PAST TENSE in reference to this alleged "jolly happy" guy...

Also note, he's referred to as a "soul" implying, he, too, is also past tense.

The whole friggin' song is like a eulogy!

And this is for kids?? What the fuck?!

"Frosty the Snowman, knew the sun was hot that day, so he said, let's run and we'll have some fun now before I melt away!"

Ostensibly an admirable sentiment...seize the day and all that crap...but a little morbid, no?

Hey kids! I'm going to expire later! Let's grab some broomsticks and mock that traffic officer before I'm nothing more than a puddle on the ground!! Woot! Woot! PAR-TAY!!!

Exeunt Rant. Happy freakin' holidays!

Bagels, Mustard and World Peace

You know what annoys me??

The fact that a plain, toasted bagel in my office cafeteria is 80 cents, but at the Tim Horton's, it's $1.11.

The fact that I can only get a good deal on bagels (i.e. in the cafeteria) until 10:30 a.m. Why can't you just keep bagels on the menu all day? Lots of people like bagel sammitches (for lunch)! I mean, I know I do!

The fact that I can't get a GREAT deal on bagels (by bringing them from home and toasting them my own damn self) ever, because although my office has a cafeteria and a Tim Horton's, there are no public toasters or "kitchenettes" (at least not on the floor on which I work) in my building!

Enough about bagels.

The other thing that bugs me today is the fact that no matter how enthusiastically you shake a bottle of mustard, when you first squeeze/pour it, you always, ALWAYS have to deal with that icky, mustard-pre-ejaculate. Ew ew ew!

Oh, and, what's up with all the stupid unrest in the Middle East? Probably related to an untoasted, expensive bagel that's covered in a thin film of watery mustard-like liquid...

My Trip to The Cleve (Part II)

Saturday morning, November 24th

Awoke bright and early at the crack of 9:30 am to a dreary and cold-looking day. We were psyched for the Raptors/Cavaliers game, which was to begin at 1:00 pm.


After a brief discussion about what whether or not we were going to have breakfast or lunch or brunch, and where we should go for said meal, my insistence upon ordered room service was agreed upon.


I love room service. I'm not sure why. Something about food being delivered to me, on a tray, with little silver covers over all the dishes, plastic wrap covering the juice and water glasses is terribly exciting to me. Not to mention the fact that I can eat it all in my underwear, should I so desire. I don't care that it costs a little more, the multiple fun factors make the extra cost worthwhile.


We had omelets and homefries and toast and it took a ridiculously long time, so they brought us FREE apple juice! REAL apple juice, too!


We ate our brunch and watched "The Craft" on TV...what a great "bad" movie...gotta love it...and then we got ready and checked out of the hotel.


The Quicken Loans Arena (aka The Q) is located only a few short blocks from our hotel, so we stowed our bags in the car, we each grabbed our respective Raptors-flag-on-a-stick to take to the game with us and headed over to the venue. Unfortunately, the security guards wouldn't let us bring the flags in with us...actually, that's not exactly true...they had no problem with us bringing in our flags, but we couldn't bring in the sticks, as they could, apparently, be brandished as weapons. Yes, this actually happened.


Apparently, The Cleve is more violent than Detroit. Last year we attended a Raptors/Pistons game at the Palace and the security guard there initially told me I couldn't bring my flag-on-a-stick into the arena. I managed to convince him I wasn't going to hurt anyone with my flag-on-a-stick. I assured him it wasn't dangerous and pointed out the little ball on the top of the stick whose sole purpose, I'm sure, was to prevent injury. After my convincing testimony, he allowed me to bring my flag-on-a-stick into the game with me.


We weren't so lucky at The Q. We ripped our flags off their sticks and threw the sticks in the garbage. It was very sad. And, as you can imagine, waving around tiny flags sans stick is just about as much fun as it sounds...not very.


:/


The Raptors went on to blow a nice, first-half lead and lose a heartbreaking game. A couple of other things that occurred to me, seeing a game for the first time in this building:

• The Cavs organization must believe their fans are all suffering from ADD. Every single second of non-playing time is filled with a game, or dancing, or the annoying in-game host or hostess addressing the crowd. It was sooo incredibly annoying. I actually mentioned this to Doug Smith, the Toronto Star reporter who covers the Raptors and he confirmed that at all the other arenas in the NBA, they only do ONE game during breaks, but at The Q, they do TWO!! I'm glad I wasn't just imagining things.
• There sure are a lot of jerky fans in Cleveland..we got up to go to the bathroom, sporting our Raptors gear, and the entire SECTION booed us!!! And it's not like the Raptors were winning...
• I'm not sure what the point of flashing the Pittsburgh Steelers logo on the big screen (while the Raptors were shooting free throws) was. Sure, it inspires boos, but it implies the fans are too stupid to realize that it's a good idea attempt to disrupt the opponents' free throws via obstreperous antics. Oh, and the cross-sport hate is a little odd, too...

Anyway, all in all, it was a really fun trip. Thanks America! Thanks to The Cleve!!

My Trip to The Cleve! (Part I)

This past weekend, I took a roadtrip to The Cleve! The original purpose was to see the Raptors play the Cavaliers on Saturday...I mean, how frequently do the Raptors play an away game, within driving distance, on a weekend? Hardly ever!! Of course we had to make the trek.

Then I discovered that a band I like, Ekoostik Hookah, was playing Friday night at the House of Blues--so I immediately ordered a set of tickets for their gig.

Of course, I was also overjoyed at the prospect of visiting with my friend Kimmy, who lives outside The Cleve, and whom I haven't seen in AGES!

We left Thursday night and stayed overnight on Grand Island (we planned to do some shopping for clothes and we wanted to ensure that we were in the U.S. for the required 48 hour period, so we could return home without having to pay any ridiculous duty charges).

Grand Island is a tiny strip of land on a body of water connecting Lake Erie & Lake Ontario (I'm unaware of what it's called) between Niagara Falls and Buffalo--where they actually make you pay a toll to leave the island.
Pretty sweet scam they're running, if you ask me.

Prior to this trip, I assumed the whole point of Grand Island was to operate the world's crappiest amusement park (if you've ever driven between Niagara Falls and Buffalo, you know what I'm talking about) and making money by forcing people to pay up to get the hell outta there.

Evidently, the island has one more purpose: they host hockey tournaments (the hotel at which we stayed even had a stack of sheets titled "Hockey Agreement" on the Front Desk counter...I guess those hockey players are habitually rambunctious or something and other hotel guests, like myself, frown upon that type of activity. Unless, of course, I'm the one instigating/perpetrating said shenanigans--in that case, it's OK).

Anyway, we had a decent sleep and got up and went to Denny's for breakfast. It was great. Having never eaten at a Denny's when I was growing up, it's still sort of a novelty for me. I had a great veggie omelet (no cheese) and some excellent rye toast (with flax seeds) and a tomato juice. God, I love tomato juice. I wish it was better for you--it's like 98% sodium, though. Boo.

Oh, and they had kick-ass hot sauce...that, now that I think of it, I probably should have stolen. Curses!

After breakfast, I grabbed a coffee (to go) and we hit the road. It was a beautiful sunny day and we wanted to stop by the big mall in Erie, Pennsylvania. Ah, Pennsylvania--the land of no sales tax on clothing. Gotta love it.

We stopped at the mall, bought a few things and decided we'd stop on our back to do some more shopping, since we were a bit pressed for time--we wanted to enjoy our visit with Kimmy before we had to head into the city for the concert.

We headed out of the mall and, lo and behold, the weather had turned from sunny and clear, to a full-on blizzard!!

This is typical of Pennsylvania (or at least typical of our luck whilst in Pennsylvania)--the last time we passed through Erie, we pulled off the highway to do a bit of shopping (and take a break from the blizzard-conditions). In the 30 minutes we were in the mall, they CLOSED the INTERSTATE!! We were stranded in Erie for 12 hours. Luckily, we got the last hotel room in the Greater Erie Area. Not so lucky was the condition of the room--disgusting--but we were in no position to complain.

Anyway, this time, we hit the highway and held our collective breaths in hopes that the snow storm would be brief and we'd make it to The Cleve as planned.

A couple of hours later, we pulled into Kimmy's driveway and the sun was once again peeking through the clouds and the snow had dissipated. We had a great visit with Kimmy and her husband, George, and it was SO much fun to meet their hyperactive, energetic & crazy Lab puppy, Evy. What a sweet (and aggressive) character!

Kimmy made us some delicious lentil soup and I enjoyed a couple of very nice glasses of J.Garcia red wine (Thank you Kimmy, thank you Jerry!) before we hit the road once again.

We arrived downtown, without any hassles or wrong turns--gotta love the GPS! Unfortunately, the GPS doesn't take into account all the roads that are closed in downtown Cleveland (or the fact that it's basically impossible to get around downtown) because of all the road construction they're doing. Apparently, they're putting in some kind of streetcar/trolley system? I dunno. It's a mess, whatever the higher purpose, and we had to circle the hotel area about 5 times before we were able to find a road that would actually allow us to pull up in front of it!

After checking into our hotel, we popped out for some provisions (booze, snacks) and headed back to the hotel to chill for a bit before the concert. The folks at the CVS were incredibly friendly (even though they were trying to close early and had already turned off most of the lights) and they were obsessed with our $1 & $2 Canadian coins. What a novelty!

I know I shouldn't get so excited about American television, but some of the channels in the States are just so much fun. Like that USA channel? When ISN'T there a version of Law & Order on? How cool is that?!

The concert was fun, we met a bunch of nice, friendly people (none of whom could believe we came all the way to The Cleve from Toronto for a basketball game!). We headed back to the hotel around midnight, ordered & enjoyed some delicious pizza and watched the New Jersey Nets lay a beating on Seattle (Boo. Burn in hell, Wince Carter. Scumbag.).

--To Be Continued--

The Cleve/Why Aren't You Watching "30 Rock"??

Henceforth, Cleveland, Ohio will only be referred to as "The Cleve"--thank you, Jack Donaghy*!

--------------------------------------------

*If you don't know who Jack Donaghy is, I'm not sure I want to be your friend.

Because that means you aren't watching "30 Rock".

(NOT to be confused with "Third Rock from the Sun"...very different shows...)

And if you're not watching "30 Rock", that can only mean 1 of 3 things:

1. You're Amish and don't own a TV.

2. Your exhorbitant pornography expenses dictate that you can't afford to pay your cable bill and, therefore, have no way of enjoying the brilliance that is 30 Rock (the funniest show on TV).

3. You're simply retarded.

So start watching 30 Rock--that's an order!! (Would I lead you astray? Pffft. As if!!)

It's smart, clever & altogether witty television...which is generally the kiss of death for a television series (See: "Arrested Development" or "Sports Night" for examples of this phenomenon)!! It needs your viewership--and you won't be sorry!

Here's the thing about 30 Rock: The genius of Tina Fey is such that for every 6 or 7 intelligent jokes that are made, there is at least 1 ribald poop joke catering to the lowest common demoninator viewers/everyone's inner five-year-old--there's something for everyone!!

Anyway, Jack Donaghy is the slick (& hysterically funny) NBC executive on 30 Rock as portrayed brilliantly by Alec Baldwin (who, quite deservedly, won an Emmy this year for his performance in the role). This show, regularly & literally, has me rolling on the floor laughing and Jack Donaghy is often the reason. And, thanks to Jack Donaghy (or the writers of 30 Rock, to be more accurate), we now get to call Cleveland: "The Cleve"! Which is infinitely more fun than saying "Cleveland"....and I'm not even sure why....

It's true, "We'd all like to flee to The Cleve", but only a few of us are so lucky! :)

Mr. Big(stuff): Who do you think you are??!

In the newspaper the other day, I happened upon a tiny blurb about Chris Noth (aka the sexiest detective to ever swagger through Manhattan Homicide on the original "Law & Order" aka the illustrious Mr. Big on "Sex & The City").

This piece indicated that Noth and his long-time girlfriend (?!) are expecting a BABY in 2008!!

Girlfriend?! I didn't know he had a friggin' *girlfriend*, never mind a LONG-TIME girlfriend! And now they're having a KID?!!!

Someone needs to tell these people that Chris is supposed to be waiting for ME!!!

I had it all planned out: He was going to see me on the street (during one of my many jaunts into New York City), instantly become enchanted and sweep me off my feet, like a scene from some kind of cheesy-ass Jennifer Lopez romatic comedy, where she's the lowly but kind-hearted meter-maid and he's the dashing and kind-hearted billionaire dog-food manufacturer.

I can't believe this is happening. Does this mean I'm NOT going to be Mrs. Big now?!! ARGH!!!

Chris, the least you can do is keep your personal life out of the gossip rags, OK?! At least then my oh-so-vivid fantasy life can remain somewhat intact...it's really the only thing that gets me out of bed in the morning...and the possibility of a pumpkin spice latte in my future, of course...

Home sick...

I'm home sick from work today. Just me and Kuda, cuddled up on the bed. She's a great home-sick companion...too bad she can't make me soup.

I just finished the 2 books I was reading and there's nothing on television to keep me occupied, though, save Bill Kurtis's singular & ominous voice intoning about "American Justice". I'm not sure why I find "American Justice" so intriguing. Perhaps it's a secret crush on Bill Kurtis. How can you blame me? He's a silver fox!

Clearly, I'm hallucinating.

Oh, and I just learned that there's now pharmaceutical help available for my "restless leg syndrome (RLS)". Thank god. There are, however, some disturbing potential side effects of the drug...should I experience increased gambling or sexual urges, I should contact my doctor. Really? This is a PROBLEM? Alright, whatever.

Melon, Meet Mallet

I have had a headache for 2 days. Which seems extra-annoying because I so rarely get headaches.

It's probably a tumour.

Yesterday, when I realized my head had been aching all morning, I thought perhaps it was a result of a caffeine-deficiency. Usually, I get my coffee around 8 am and nurse it until at least 10 am (tepid coffee is A-OK with me). Yesterday, however, for some reason, I had scarfed back my entire large (er.."grande"..) coffee within 20 minutes!

Of course, my quicker-than-normal coffee-consumption might have had something to do with the fact that I somehow spilled a large portion of it onto my (light-coloured) coat before I even reached the office. I have no idea how it happened--I didn't trip, I didn't have a sip-related/jostling mishap--I just glanced down at myself on my way into the building and became aware that I was COVERED in coffee. I'm such a tool.

Anyway, I surmised that my headache might have been due to a caffeine craving, so I grabbed a Timmy Ho-Ho's and hoped for the best...unfortunately, the pate-pounding persisted..

*sigh*

Oh, and, the Raptors got trounced last night. I don't want to talk about it. Scratch that: I will NOT talk about.

Monday, Monday...

I don't feel like writing anything today.

Apparently, I didn't feel like writing anything on Friday, Saturday or Sunday either.

That's not entirely true...but on Friday, at work, I was incredibly busy (actually working) and Friday night I was otherwise occupied, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle of the Raptors embarrassing the New Jersey Nets on the television.

Saturday, this cold I've been fighting rendered me grumpy and unable to perform any task more strenuous than watching movies and snacking.

Yesterday was a full day...it started out great..it was beautfiul outside, so we walked up to Bloor street for brunch at The Dark Horse. My brunch could have been better...I ordered my omelette with salad on the side, instead of the homefries, and I ordered dry toast (no butter). Naturally, my toast came buttered and my omelette arrived sans salad.

The waitress quickly replaced my toast and assured me my salad was coming, as she had accidentally ordered the potatoes with my meal instead of the salad.

Turns out, I didn't get my salad until I was finished eating everything else (good thing I didn't wait!).

Then, when handing us the bill she said, "We didn't charge you for the salad."

Um, yeah, I should hope not..considering it was your error and I didn't get it until I was actually finished eating...how magnanimous...

We left The Dark Horse and grabbed a couple of coffees from Second Cup. Since it was Sunday (and I got paid last week), I splurged on a "Pumpkin Spice Latte" as described by Brian as "Pretty fucking delicious." It really is, I highly recommend it, if you're into such things.

Then we walked home and I did a bit of cleaning before we headed down to the Air Canada Centre for the highly anticipated match-up between the Raptors and the Boston Celtics.

The game was painful and I don't want to talk about it. In fact, I posted a sign on my cubicle wall this morning warning people that I do NOT want to talk about the game and I'd appreciate their cooperation (Signed: Management).

So let's just say, we went to the game, we had phenomenal seats (thanks to my perpetually generous boss) and then we went out for dinner afterwards.

Oh, and, I saw Doug Smith outside during half-time! (For those of you who don't know, Doug covers basketball for the Toronto Star..I just love him..he's hysterically funny & sarcastic, has great basketball knowledge and is actually unbiased in his reporting--unlike a lot of sports writers--which I greatly appreciate).

Unfortunately, I was too shy to say hello. Maybe next time...

I'll never be an effective stalker if I'm too bashful to say hi...that's the very first thing they teach you in stalker school! No wonder I only got a C-....

A Revelatory Morning

Evidently, a larger than usual quantity of existential angst spilled into my consciousness this morning...pondering my own worth (or worthlessness) is my way of wiping up the mess..or at least containing it to manageable area...

This morning I realized that I hadn't posted in here in a while.

I also realized, in re-reading some previous posts, that I really seem to have little of substance to say. This saddens and embarrasses me. Am I truly as shallow as I present myself in my seemingly petty, pointless prose?

There are several blogs that I read, regularly, and the ones that I enjoy the most are those that are personal, provocative and thoughtful...mine's nothing like that (unless questionable body odour and murderous canines inspire you..and why shouldn't they, really?).

Regardless of any niggling doubts I may have about my niche on the web (or in society), people do pester me to post more frequently. And, as everyone knows, I do try to cater to my fans...yes, fans, plural!...I know of at least 3 people who regularly read my ramblings! Ha!

Note: I have no idea why I am so alliterative today. Persistent PMS, possibly?

Anyway, I've decided, in light of the high demand, to post more frequently...even if it's simply a Kevin Smith-style regurgitation of my day-to-day activities (Have you checked out Smith's blog, "My Boring Ass Life"?...despite what the title implies, it's actually consistently amusing!)

Perhaps, by forcing myself to write something more often, I will unleash a previously untapped contemplative version of me.

Perhaps, I will become an inspiration to millions.

Perhaps my readers will become so obsessed and enamored with me, as a result of my generosity of spirit, that they will stalk me and send me vast quantities of cash via PayPal.

Amen.

What the hell is that god-awful smell? And why is it FOLLOWING me?!

Do you ever get up in the morning, complete your usual morning ablutions, leave the house, proceed to get in your car or hop on the subway and realize, "Holy crap! Something stinks!"

If you're on the subway, an errant odour or two isn't all that alarming or even out of the ordinary--commuters in their outer-wear packed like sardines in a giant tin can are bound to emit some foul scents. And folks in this situation seem to feel they can pass gas with impunity, since it's likely they won't be identified as the source of said malodorous vapors.

But then you get off the subway and you're walking down the street, a cool breeze wafting through your hair, the scent of coffee and car exhaust permeating your senses, and suddenly, there it is again--The Stink.

You assume the person emitting The Stink has followed you off the subway and you pick up the pace.

You arrive at work and as you're walking into the building, you run into one of your colleagues and, as you're blithely discussing your respective weekends, you smell it again. You assume your co-worker is The Source and wonder if you should say something...naw, probably best not to inform someone with whom you work that they reek.

You proceed to to your desk, boot up the ol' geekbox and commence your day (checking your gmail, sports scores and miscellaneous message boards) and, lo and behold, there it is again, like a fart in an elevator: The Stink.

You first thought, "How the hell did it follow me all the way to my desk?!!"

Your second thought, as a result of your superior powers of deduction, "Omigod. It's me. I'm The Source of The Stink!"

You're wholly chagrined and feel your cheeks flush with embarrassment. You're also entirely befuddled...how could you possibly be The Source of the Stink?!

This isn't one of those mornings when you rolled out of bed after 3 hours of sleep, grabbed a t-shirt off the floor, slipped into some sweats and flip-flops, and headed out to purchase desperately needed coffee to prevent your skull from collapsing--if your olfactory senses were functioning at all at that point, The Source of The Stink should have been fairly obvious. No, no, no! You showered and cleansed yourself thoroughly...you got dressed in clean clothes...a quick footwear-check confirms you aren't walking around with poo or any other mysterious smelly substances on your shoes...how could this be?!

Has this ever happened to you?

Naturally, I'm not speaking from personal experience...this is an entirely rhetorical post....a public service if you will....to make those who encounter an unidentifiable smell somewhere on their person feel less alone.

To protect myself, however, I will be installing rear-view mirrors on my backpack--you know, just in case a stranger thinks it's funny to rub something smelly on my back when I'm not looking. It's important to be vigilant about these things.

Heed my warning, people. The Stink is out there.

Are all babies Japanese?

Last week I was in search of a baby gift for my friends who are expecting their first child in a few weeks. I went into one of those chi-chi baby stores, that I normally avoid (the same way I purposefully cross the street when I see the aggressive, flute-playing panhandlers in my neighbourhood--Back off, Zamfir! I gave at the office!).

I don't have babies. I don't particularly like babies or kids. A store like this, suffice it to say, is more than a bit overwhelming for me. As I stood in the middle of the store amid the strollers and bibs and dainty, baby-sized, steel-toed boots, I sensed a panic attack looming.

I approached the sales clerk, whose girth indicated she might go into labour at any second, and requested her assistance in finding a gift appropriate for a brand new baby.

She replied, "Oh, we have so much great stuff. These 2 companies, from Vancouver, make all of their clothes out of 100% organic cotton..."

So far, so good...Canadian company, organic cotton...I like those specs...

"Here we have some onesies, hats, and of course we have the kimonos...they're great for breast-feeding. And these pajamas all have different, cute pictures and phrases on them...."

She continued to babble on about their amazing products, but I had stopped listening. Tumbling through my mind, like a pair of running shoes in the dryer, was the phrase "Of course we have the kimonos."

Huh? HUH?! Great for breast-feeding? What?! Wait--is the baby going to be breast-feeding another baby? Because that's the only reason I can fathom that a baby would require a kimono....

I was perplexed and had to interject, "Excuse me. Wait. This may be a stupid question, but, why in the world would a BABY need a KIMONO?"

"Oh, that's not a stupid question at all. Babies get really hot. The kimono is really handy, especially when breast-feeding. If you'd ever held a baby, you'd know that."

Um, yeah, OK, lady.

I've held plenty of babies (usually against my will) and never once did I think, "You know what this sweaty bundle of poo needs? A kimono. That would make everything better."

Needless to say, I didn't purchase a baby-sized kimono. I hope that doesn't make me a bad friend.

Would this be considered ironic?

I ordered a new pair of scissors at work. My old pair had become inexplicably dull, seemingly overnight. I couldn't even cut paper with them! So I ordered a new pair and threw the old, no longer functioning set in the garbage.

Before I go on, I have a question: Why is it a "pair" of scissors? Are each of the blades, individually, a scissor? Doesn't sound right, does it? What purpose does one scissor serve? A scissor is nothing until attached to another scissor! I contend that until you put 2 individual scissors together to form a pair, their existence is pointless....like Bert without Ernie...or fries without ketchup....

So, I got my new pair of scissors today. I slipped the cardboard off the blades (presumably put on before shipping to prevent the blades from opening in transit and causing unimaginable injuries to the delivery person).

There was another hunk of cardboard wrapped around one of the places you put your fingers in to operate the scissors (do these have a name? I can't think of one. Scissor finger holes? Not very catchy....).

Anyway, this baffling piece of thick yellow cardboard, with no discernible purpose, was fastened together by what I can only describe as a metal grommet. No, I don't get it, either.

I tried to rip off the inscrutable chunk of cardboard. It wouldn't rip! It was fastened too tightly and the cardboard was too thick!

The only conceivable solution to removing the piece of cardboard from my new scissors would be to cut it off...

You see my dilemma.

To quote the illustrious Norm Peterson: It's a dog-eat dog world, Sammy...and I'm wearing Milk Bone underwear...

Strange Things Are Afoot at the Circle-K

That's blatant lie. We don't even have Circle-Ks in Toronto. But ever since "Be Excellent to Each Other" left the lexicon at the dawn of the 1990s, I so rarely get the opportunity to pepper my speech with Bill- and/or Ted-isms, I thought we'd all get a nostalgic kick out of titling my post thusly.

Regardless, there are strange things afoot, just not at the Circle-K. Actually, that might be an inadvertent untruth, too. There may very well be strange things afoot at a Circle-K, somewhere in the world, so I really shouldn't be spreading any "all is well" rumours unless I receive some on-the-scene witness verification on that. I'll keep you posted.

Anyway, the oddities to which I'm referring are taking place in High Park.

Yesterday, I started my walk home, entering the park from the northeastern tip of the park, near the Keele Subway station. As I entered the "woodsy" area, something shiny caught my eye. Much like a brand-new puppy, I'm easily distracted by shiny objects and I scampered over to investigate.

There was a piece of jewellery hanging on the lower limb of a pine tree. It was quite a pretty necklace, one I'd actually wear. I kept walking by the tree and noticed ANOTHER necklace hanging on another branch--accompanied by a lovely pair of earrings! Then I realized there was a third, incredibly tacky necklace, adorning yet another branch!

Obviously, these discoveries were perplexing. Typically, when you happen upon something in the park that's not normally found in nature, it's garbage..coffee cups, cigarette butts etc. (Yes, despite the fact that there are plenty of receptacles conveniently located through the park, it is still perpetually littered with trash). So to see several pieces of jewellery hanging on a tree puzzled me immeasurably!

I came up with several possible explanations, none of which seem plausible...

—A local family can't wait to begin Christmas celebrations. Their tyrant father won't allow any Yuletide talk until December 10th. As such, they've chosen to decorate a tree in the park, with inauspicious trinkets that they were able to remove from the home without arousing any suspicion.

—These pieces of jewellery were found in the park, inadvertently lost and/or left behind by previous visitors. Benevolent hikers happened upon the jewellery and hung it on the universally known "Lost Jewellery Tree". Though not publicized, this particular tree is known to one and all as the park's "Lost and Found" area. If you ever lose something in the park, check the tree!

—A secret admirer of mine is trying to get my attention. Every day he/she hangs a new piece of jewellery on the tree, hoping to catch my attention, whilst lurking in the bushes, surreptitiously spying on me as I walk home. Should I one day take the shiny bait, he/she plans to jump out of the bushes declaring their love/lust in hopes that we'll live happily ever after.

I dunno. I heard there was a movie shooting in High Park yesterday, so perhaps it was related to the production.

Anyone else have any ideas?

Extra! Extra! Newspapers & Me: My Daily Dilemma(s)

I love newspapers--I always have.

Part of it is that I simply need to know what's going on the world. If I don't, I float through life with a vague but nagging sense of foreboding niggling at my gut, like a junk food hangover.

But my love of newspapers is so much more than that...it's practically an obsession...My anticipation prior to opening a brand-new, unsullied newspaper is palpable. What might I find inside? Who knows?! It could be anything!!

Oh, it's terribly exciting...

I'm sure I inherited my affection for newspapers from my dad--the same way I inherited his penchant for physically assaulting people who dared to read his newspaper before he'd had a chance to do so. He just HAD to be the first person to read his paper and I, too, possess this adorable quirk. (Hey--one man's annoying vice is another man's adorable quirk..).

When I was growing up, if I dared to read my dad's paper before he'd done so, no matter how cautious I was in taking the sections apart, no matter how gingerly I turned the pages and no matter how carefully I reassembled the paper when I was finished--somehow, he ALWAYS KNEW it wasn't the pristine, untouched newspaper to which he'd been looking forward!

Anyway, I still love newspapers.

However, as someone who is a big fan of the environment (in general) and of trees (specifically) consumption of news in paper form is an awfully cavalier & careless habit. I know that sounds weird, coming from someone who was raised in a town whose entire livelihood was dependent upon a paper mill, but that's just how I feel.

*shrug*

Hence, one of my newspaper dilemmas: The crushing guilt associated with enjoying them.

In deference to the environment (and the fact that it's a readily accessible and relatively up-to-date source) I generally access newspapers & magazines online. It's not as satisfying as reading a real paper, though. Something about the tactile-ness of holding the paper in your hands and turning the pages and perpetually sporting newsprint smudges on one's face is just incredibly fulfilling to me, more so that pressing "Refresh".

The only problem is that I still need to do my crossword every day. And for that, I need a real paper!

People have suggested that I can purchase a crossword puzzle book or do crossword puzzles online, but I'm not interested in these solutions. I have no interest in doing a crossword in a puzzle book--I'm only interested in doing the daily crossword from the newspaper (on the day the newspaper is printed). I know it's weird, but we've already established that I'm full of adorable quirks, so you shouldn't be surprised. I generally won't read a newspaper after 3 pm, either, because by then, it's not news anymore. So? Wanna make something of it?

This brings me to my NEXT newspaper dilemma: Which paper to buy?

Here's the issue: I normally read The Toronto Star. It's better written and less trashy than The Sun. It's nowhere near as arrogant & pretentious as the Globe & Mail. And, unlike the National Post, every single article isn't an editorial.

The problem is that the crosswords in The Star SUCK! They're just way too easy...where's the fun there?!

I like to do the New York Times crosswords...they're the most challenging and they (ostensibly) get harder and harder each day of the week (Monday = easiest, Sunday = most challenging). Though my own experience is that though I can usually complete Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday's crosswords, I seem to have some sort of mental block about Wednesday's (either that or the folks over at the Times like to amuse themselves by slipping in a ridiculously hard puzzle on Wednesdays, just to mess with peoples' heads).

Unfortunately, the only local paper that carries the New York Times crossword is the Toronto Sun.

This makes no sense to me--the Sun is the "lowest common denominator" paper. It's the least high-brow, the one with the "Sunshine Girl" on the back page, the one most likely to run salacious and/or exploitative headlines and stories. It's the tabloid paper.

Yesterday, the cover story was a full-page picture of O.J. Simpson under the headline "The Juice is Loose!"...Really? This was REALLY the BIGGEST story in Toronto yesterday? O.J. Simpson being granted bail for some alleged robbery/altercation in Las Vegas?

*rolls eyes*

I'm not implying Sun readers are stupid, I'm just assuming (however unfairly) that, demographically, folks who buy the Sun are likely more interested in the 47 pages of Leafs coverage, and the scantily clad Sunshine Girl, than the New York Times Crossword.

My dilemma is that I don't want people to see me buying the Sun. It's embarrassing! I don't want people to think I read The Sun...

I know, I'm a newspaper snob. I can't help it!

For the time being, my problem has been solved...my boss has all the local papers, and papers from several other cities, delivered every day, in order to conduct ad tracking. And every day, I surreptitiously steal the crossword page from the Toronto Sun.

Ah, life is good.

There's something wrong with me.

To whoever is reading this and thinking "Yeah, we've known that for years" in response to the title of this piece: Shut yer pie-hole, smartass!

Anyway, I need to confess my newest affliction: Ridiculously odiferous feet.

You may think this is funny, but it's NOT! My feet REEK! The odour being produced doesn't seem humanly possible!

I'm extremely concerned. I don't know if this is a legitimate medical problem. If I go to the doctor complaining of uber-stinky feet, will he laugh? Will he be able to assist me? Will I be shunned and ostracized, even moreso than usual?

It's truly embarrassing. It's also becoming a painful & dangerous distraction. You know there's trouble when the stench eminating from beneath your desk from YOUR OWN FEET is causing headaches, nausea and spontaneous ADD.

I don't know what to do...I guess, if we look at the "cup half full (of stink)" version of this, I actually now have a useful weapon at my disposal, should I need one (assuming, of course, I can unsheath said weapon--i.e. remove my shoes--swiftly in case of emergency)....

Cycle of Life?

Yesterday, as I often do, I got off the subway at Keele station and walked home through High Park. It was a gorgeous fall day...crisp, not too cold, sun shining brightly...all kinds of folks out enjoying the park, walking their dogs or spouses...

I was walking along, taking it all in, snapping a few photos, watching the multiple squirrels frolicking playfully and, truthfully, considering doing some frolicking of my own (I do love a good frolic!)...basically, I was just revelling in the beauty of nature and my good fortune to live in such a great place.

A woman was walking ahead of me, clearly just arriving at the park, and she let her dog, a fluffy, little terrier, off its leash and started walking down the sidewalk/trail towards the pond.

Keep in mind, this is not in a "Dogs Off Leash Area"....It doesn't normally trouble me when folks have their dogs off their leashes in non-mandated areas, as long as the dog in question is well-behaved/controlled and not prone to vicious attacks.

Suffice it to say, this dog was not well-behaved.

As soon as the dog was released from her leash, she took off after a squirrel, who immediately ran up a tree. The dog actually CLIMBED the tree (I shit you not) and the squirrel went crashing to the ground with a THUD!

I gasped and covered my mouth...I'm not sure if my reaction was in response to the squirrel crashing to the ground, shock that I witnessed a dog climbing a tree or split-second, psychic anticipation of what was to come...

The dog's owner frantically tried to control her pet by yelling at the dog in a desperate and scolding tone, "Mildred! Bad dog! MILDRED! STOP! MILDRED!"

I must interject with a puzzled query: Who names their dog "Mildred"? But I digress...

Anyway, the owner kept yelling at Mildred, but did not approach the melee. As soon as the squirrel fell to the ground, Mildred ATTACKED and within seconds the squirrel was dead. It was grotesque.

I was appalled and walked rapidly away from the murder scene. I'll be honest, I was a little shaken, even though I've never had any particular affinity for squirrels.

After I'd walked what I thought was a safe distance, I stopped to put my camera back in my bag and it was then that I realized I was being followed...Mildred the Hit Dog was trotting behind me (her human companion nowhere to be seen) proudly displaying her limp prey clenched in her jaws...

As my dad would have said, "Don't fret, doll, such is the cycle of life..."

But does it have to be so friggin' gross?

I have developed an immunity to iocane powder.

What the hell is wrong with the top newspaper on a stack? Am I an utter fool for taking the top copy all these years?

Please, if there is something inherently wrong with the top paper, fill me in...clearly, this was an important lesson that went untaught in my household.

Of course, in my day-to-day life, if I encounter something blatantly wrong with the top copy of a paper, like a big stain or rip, something that would obviously impede my enjoyment of that particular copy, then I choose a different copy....but there are many, many people (MOST people, if my lifelong observations are an accurate reflection of this particular peculiarity) for whom taking a copy OTHER than the top copy is a NECESSITY!

Why. Whywhywhywhywhy. Please, I implore you: Give me the answer. I simply must know.

The only thing that I can fathom is that these people live life by the rules as described by Vizzini in The Princess Bride...i.e. ".... only a great fool would reach for what he was given."

Am I a great fool?

Eek!

I have suffered from arachnophobia for my entire life. I know it's illogical, but that doesn't make it any less palpable and debilitating.

This morning I encountered a gargantuan spider in my bathroom. For those of you who've been to my apartment, my bathroom is, approximately, the size of a postage stamp--as such, there really isn't room enough in my bathroom for me and a spider, especially one roughly the size of a Volkswagon.

I saw the spider. I screamed and jumped and hit my elbow on the towel rack (see above re: infinitesemal size of bathroom). The spider crawled menacingly toward me...I continued screaming and plotted an escape route. My goal was to get out of the bathroom without allowing the eight-legged minion of Satan the opportunity to attack me.

Unfortunately, my creepy nemesis wasn't in a position whereby I could vanquish him with The Big Shoe ("The Big Shoe" is, of course, a giant, heavy shoe, which I wield to kill bugs. Since I could not kill the spider with The Big Shoe, I decided to kill him with Oxyclean. Even though I've killed spiders with Oxyclean before, I approached the task with trepidation..I'd never seen a spider this large before and suspected it might be impervious to the death rays of the Oxyclean.

I doused the stupid thing with Oxyclean. I spritzed furiously. He curled up in a little ball, seemingly powerless to the oxygenating power. Victory!!!

But I wasn't going to celebrate...not yet...

I proceeded to get ready for work...applying deodorant, drying my hair etc....but always with an eye on the spider. I suspected he was simply PLAYING dead so I'd be lulled into a false sense of security and then he could attack when I was least expecting it!

Sure enough, the spider was not dead.

I re-Oxycleaned him. He still didn't appear dead. I tried to smoosh him with the bathroom scale...but I was too scared to move it to confirm his demise.

I don't think I can go home now. He's going to be pissed.

My Toast-Making Ability is Compromised!

This weekend, I was cleaning the toaster and accidentally scrubbed off some of the numbers from the toast-o-meter (I assume it's called a toast-o-meter..you know, the dial where you choose the level of toastieness you like..)...

I wasn't even scrubbing that vigorously...it just came off!

Does this mean I'll never get bread to a level 4 toastiosity? 4 is the best level!

PULL UP YOUR DAMN PANTS!*

*Must be yelled in precise Cletus (from the Simpsons...duh..) fashion.

As in, "Hey..I can see my ma from here....MA! GET OFF THE DAMN ROOF!"

Anyway...my inquiring rant today revolves around the cultural phenomenon that is males wearing their pants hanging down anywhere from just below butt level, all the way down to knee level..

What gives??

When I first started noticing this trend, I thought to myself, "Hey, it's just a fad...a completely STUPID fad..it won't be around for long.."

That was YEARS ago!

Am I just too damn old to appreciate this particular fashion/cultural statement?

I don't know about that.

I mean, I wore some pretty stupid stuff that was "in style"...

• Leg warmers (though where I grew up, they were actually functional);
• Jeans with multiple safety pins at the bottom of each leg rendering each leg of the jeans as skinny as possible at the ankles--a FANTASTIC look, by the way;
• Bodysuits--whose fucking cruel idea of a joke was this??! Not only were they NOT flattering on ANYONE, they were absolutely impossible to get done up by yourself after 7 or 8 drinks (Keep in mind, these were in style when I was in university. I have photographic evidence that I will be burning as soon as I get home).

Regardless of my numerous fashion faux pas that I continue to commit on an almost daily basis, I still declare the whole "pants-falling-down" look as nothing short of idiotic.

Why is it so stupid? Well, it's dangerous!!

What if you were being chased? You couldn't run! You'd fall right over! It's like binding your knees together with a pair of pantyhose (don't ask how I know this) and trying to run. You would never be able to escape if you were being chased by someone.

I was sitting on the bus the other day and there was a guy standing in front of me with the ass of his pants at his knees and I realized that if he turned around, his junk would be right in my face, with only a pair of underwear (with a potentially capricious flap for peeing) and a sweater between me and his man-meat. This alarmed me tremendously.

Then I realized, the positioning of the jeans leaves a man's nether-regions ENTIRELY exposed. I mean, I know a pair of jeans isn't equivalent to an athletic cup, but it certainly offers more protection than wandering around the city in cotton underpants.

And if you're being chased, and you try to run, and you fall down due to your stupid pants' positioning, or if the person chasing you decides to tackle you, you're going to fall down and your genitals will be easily accessible to the person chasing/tackling you--particularly troubling if the reason they were chasing you was to get their hands on your sausage.

Maybe someone can explain this to me.

Maybe I have an unhealthy preoccupation with being chased.

Either way, pull up your damn pants.

Oh, My Broken Back...and Bed....

So, my bed broke. Yup. Broke.

No, nothing fun was going on. Unless you consider "sitting gingerly" to be a fun activity...

And, no, I have not gained a tremendous amount of weight rendering normal furniture unable to bear my gargantuan girth.

It just broke!

Granted, it's an IKEA bed that's almost 10 years old, so I suppose it should have been expected.

That being said, having a broken bed at the same time as a broken back is just cruel and unusual punishment.

As for my broken back, it keeps tricking me...feels better one day, then horrible the next...these set-backs are really depressing (Get it? Set-backs? Set-BACKS? Bahahahahahahaha! I'm hilarious. That's it: I'm taking my act on the road).

Anyway, the stupid screw things that hold the stupid metal support things to the stupid wooden bedframe thing came out, ripping the wood, resulting in an unsalvageable bed.

I suppose if I had power tools, I might have tried some sort of MacGyveresque fix-it job.

Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to own and/or operate power tools. I tried to buy a drill once and the guy at the counter referenced a big poster on the wall with my picture on it--Top Ten People to Whom You Must NOT Sell Power Tools.

Who knew? I mean, I know I have a propensity for clumsiness, but I didn't realize the danger I pose to myself and society had reached the hardware-selling community at large.

So my mattress now sits on the floor. I feel like I'm regressing in age. Although my behaviour has always belied my true age, I had some "stuff" that was representative of my supposed adulthood (wrinkles and gray hairs notwithstanding)....a vehicle, a bed, more than one room in my apartment... I have none of these things anymore!

Next time you see me, I'm likely to have only milk crates as furniture and a kitchen full of Kraft Dinner and cheap beer.

Help me!

Oh, my aching back.

I really messed up my back.

It's my own, fault, though, really. I now know that cleaning out the lint trap in one's dryer and then subsequently tossing the lint into the garbage can is a hazardous activity. Taken in a larger context, I do believe this is a sign from the universe that all forms of housecleaning are dangerous and should be undertaken sparingly, if at all.

Heed my warning...laundry is, literally, a back-breaking chore. Tidy at your own risk.