Monday, December 24, 2007

Season's Greetings

I'm so behind this year. We've finished the shopping but I still have baking to to do. Today, well, tonight by the time I get some online work done, I will make Nanaimo bars. If I'm really inspired and have the energy I'll make some truffles with my secret ingredient (Bailey's... sh!). If I have some time later I'll post the recipes for you. They are super easy. Tomorrow it'll be Jeff's short bread cookies. Just in time.

I'm taking a break from blogging until after the in-laws are safely on the plane home. They'll be here until the 6th of January.

Merry Christmas if you celebrate it and Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Christmas Meme

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your meme.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Real.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Usually, a few days before Christmas.

4. When do you take the tree down the tree?
New Year's Day.

5. Do you like egg nog?
No. Nauseates me.

6. Favourite gift received as a child?
I guess the mouse my mother use to burn with her cigarettes. I still covet it.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Two.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
Jeff's parents.

9. Easiest person to buy for?
Jeff.

10.Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
A cat ornament.

12. Favourite Christmas Movie?
Scrooge. The 1950s version. I watch it every year late at night.

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
No.

14. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas?
Christmas baking.

15. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Clear lights.

16. Favourite Christmas song?
Oh, Holy Night and Little Drummer Boy.

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Stay home. Weather is too unpredictable. We did it once and it was a nightmare.

18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen and Rudolph.

19. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Growing up I opened them at midnight. Now that I'm married Jeff doesn't let me open anything until after breakfast on Christmas Day.

20. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Christmas music blaring in the stores. I just hate it. I end up leaving as soon as possible.

21. Favourite theme ornaments or color?
Red and white. And blue of course.

22 Favourite food for Christmas dinner?
Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy.

23. What do you want for Christmas this year?
Well, I already have my two front teeth so an iPod would be nice.

24. Who is most likely to respond to this?
Maggie.

25. Who is least likely to respond to this?
Shep.

26. Do you believe in Santa?
Hmm... with all the other things we believe in, sure why not.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

The Full Body Project Lens

As I mentioned in November I was working on a Squidoo Lens for The Full Body Project.

Well, I finally finished the dang thing. Skoot on over and have a gander, vote and leave a lovely message. You'll have to click through a "mature" content screen before you get to the lens.

***
Topic Links
* The Full Body Project Lens

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

I Wanna Read... The Nettle Spinner

I was taking in my weekly episode of Writer's Confessions when Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer came on to talk about her writing experience. Something about her made me do a search for her official website and I learned about the author and her book, The Nettle Spinner.

Kathryn drew on her personal experience as a tree planter to write this story of a young woman named Alma who plants trees for the summer in northern Ontario.
In an emotional freefall after a passionate affair with a charismatic newcomer and a vicious attack, Alma retreats, pregnant and alone, to an abandoned mining settlement. There, with the help of the camp’s single inhabitant, she constructs for herself and her unwanted baby a world that grows more and more ominous. To keep terror at bay, she weaves cloth from thread made of stinging nettle fibre.
There's something sexy about the story... even the cover is sexy. I've put this one on my "wishlist" for when I have some spare change. Kathryn of course is a Canadian author so check her out.

***
Topic Links
* Purchase The Nettle Spinner from Amazon.
* Visit Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer's official website.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Don't Call Me... I Won't Answer

I love having a telephone. I just don't like talking on the telephone. Ever. Even if it's someone I haven't talked to in a long time. I'd rather they wrote me a letter or sent me an email.

About nine times out of ten I never answer the phone. I either let Jeff answer it or ignore it all together. Usually the one time I get the urge to answer the phone it is a telemarketer trying to sell me meat, home insurance, home security or credit cards. Oh, and my favorite, "someone you know has submitted your name to a draw and you've won an all expense paid cruise". Yeah right! If it's someone I know, tell me their bloody name so I can give them a smack in the head for giving out my phone number.

All that being said, I can not imagine not having a phone. I mean what would I listen to during the day? Music? TV? Barking dog?

Have I mentioned I'm a product of advertising? I would totally love to have a pink fido...

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Nano Round-Up

It's over. I didn't make it. I'm not going to dwell on it. 20, 300 is nothing to sneeze at. It is more than I had before I started. It's all crap but I did it for the process, not the content.

Onward and forward!

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

For Keris

I came across this at Deviant Art today and had to share it.

The artist has loads of other works that are simply fabulous! Go check her out.

***
Topic Links
* Mimi-Na at Deviant Art
* MimisGrotto

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

BellaOnline Calendar

BellaOnline is collecting photo submissions from its editors for a 2008 calendar. I've submitted the following:



***
Topic Links
* BellaOnline

Monday, November 19, 2007

Amazon's New Ebook Reader

Amazon just released a new ebook reader called the Kindle. It has received mixed reviews even though no one really has had the chance to use it; mainly because of the price. It's a whopping $399. I really could put one of these to good use but the price is too steep for me. Plus you have to pay for new books on top of it.

Amazon is going all out on the promotion with an indepth description of the product on the website including videos on how to use it and author promotion spots.

Maybe they'll send me a review copy (ha!).

***
Topic Links
* Amazon's Kindle Ebook Reader.

Nano and Nimoy

I'm falling behind in my Nano project but I have been getting other ideas thanks to it. The unfortunate thing is that the other ideas are more exciting than what I'm working on. I have to keep fighting the urge to start something new. It hurts, momma.

On the review front I received Leaonard Nimoy's latest photo book last week. It is called The Full Body Project and as you may have guessed (or perhaps heard) already it features plus size women in a nude study. I've looked at it twice so far and I've had a different reaction both times. I'll post a review to the Large and Lovely site in a few days. I'm also working on a Squidoo lens for it (surprise, surprise). If you get a chance check it out.

***
Topic Links
* Leonard Nimoy's The Full Body Project
* Large and Lovely, BellaOnline

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Fave Photo

So if art is an expression what does it say about the artist... about the collector? Does it have to say anything? How can we feel something about a piece and not have it express anything about us? I'm really not this deep... or shallow. Ok, maybe a little shallow, but I come by it honestly.

I'm a big fan of the website Deviant Art, where a bunch of artists and photographers display and sell their work. This is one of my favorite photos. So much so I actually purchased it. It's just a small print but I really liked it and wanted to help support the artist in some way.

It's sitting on my bookshelf where I can see it from my desk. The artist who took the photo has lots of other beautiful images and I recommend checking out her work and exploring Deviant Art.

***
Topic Links
* DeviantArt - Boxed Photos (artist's photo)
* My Deviant Art Page

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

The Dirty Meme

Time has really flown by since my last post. I've been busy with the sites and as previously mentioned, Nano. I fell behind a bit but am working on catching up. I decided to do a MeMe today as I feel lost looking at this blog (and I really shouldn't because there are a few running topics like Wanna Movie Hottie and I wanna Read that I haven't done in a while). Anyhoo, today's meme is called The Dirty Meme is courtesy of A Blog Around the Clock.

1. In two words, explain what ended your last relationship?
Best friend.

2. When was the last time you shaved your legs?
Two days ago.

3. What were you doing this morning at 8am?
Snoring, probably very loudly.

4. What were you doing 15 minutes ago?
Surfing for a meme and thinking about making chocolate chip cookies.

5. Are you any good at math?
I used to be in high school. I use to like it too.

6. Your prom night?
Never been. Didn't particularly like the kids I was with during the day, never mind committing to a night function.

7. Do you have any famous relatives?
Renee Zellweger is my long lost twin sister.

8. Have you ever taken out a loan to pay for school?
No, I worked really hard and paid it off within two years.

9. Do you know the words to your MySpace song?
Why yes I do. I have it bookmarked. Here's my MySpace if you'd like to go and sing along.

10. Last thing u received in the mail?
Leonard Nimoy's new book.

11. How many different beverages have you drank today?
Skim milk, water, green tea.

13. Who did you lose your concert virginity to?
Ladysmith Black Mambazo count? If not, the Beach Boys.

14. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?
Nope. I may draw Help or SoS though.

15. What's the most painful dental procedure you've had?
When I was about 18 I developed an infection above my two front teeth that extended up into the bone above the gum line. They had to drill a hole in the back of the teeth for it to drain. It was so painful. I was on antibiotics for a week before they could go in clean it out and give me two root canals.

16. What is out your back door?
A very long back yard with three gardens, two sheds, two birdbaths and a neighbor who is in love with his leaf blower. Oh, yeah, and one barky German Shepherd.

17. Do you like the ocean?
Can take it or leave it. I've seen a few but I really like lakes and streams.

18. Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different kinds of popcorn for Christmas?
No. And don't get any ideas. I prefer chocolate.

19. Have you ever been to a planetarium?
No.

20. Something you are excited about?
Books. Paying off a bill.

21. What is your favorite flavor of JELLO?
Red.

22. Are any of your great-grandparents still alive?
No, not even grandparents.

23. Describe your keychain?
It's big, heavy and has lots of keys on it. I think I only use one of them.

24. Where do you keep your change?
Basket in the kitchen and the ashtray in the van.

25. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group?
When I was President of Women's Sales and Advertising. It was a group of about 200 women and I had to speak in front of them once a month.

26. What kind of winter coat do you have?
A light blue cord with white pseudo-sheepskin around the neck. I got it on sale from Penningtons about 2 or 3 years ago.

27. What do you think of the person you copied this from?
Seems intelligent.

28. Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed?
Always open. Creeps me out if it is closed. The closet doors also must be closed.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Un-Sexy Women

Apparently Maxim, a men's magazine, had a recent article voting for the most Un-Sexy woman along with a string of other Un-Sexy women. It's stuff like this that really skews readers minds. The top of the list is Sarah Jessica Parker. I've never really been a fan of hers or the whole "Sex in the City" bra-gade but she had a really great response to this:

"What they don't know is that one day I'll wake up fat. But I'll still be happy, just like I am now. I believe in the old 'sticks and stones' philosophy, so frankly their words don't come close to hurting. And it does not bother me in the least if people don't think I'm sexy. I don't think I am, either."

Following behind Jessica is Amy Winehouse (British singer), Sandra Oh (Grey's Anatomy), Madonna (Music Icon) and Britney Spears (Pop Icon - because she shave her head and gained a few pounds). Frankly, I find all these women beautiful and sexy. They are all completely different, and I find it interesting that they are all "strong" and successful.

***
Topic Link
* Read article, Parker not Bothered by Maxim

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Finding Passion in the Fruit

I like to try new things. Especially when it comes to food. This weekend I decided to try two new kinds of fruit (for me) because they were listed as being on sale in the grocery flier.

The first is Passion Fruit. It's a tiny fruit about the size of a kiwi, maybe a little smaller. When I tried to cut it open I was amazed how thin but tough the outer layer was. I had to try two different knives to finally get into it. Once I pried it opened I found what looked to me, to be fish eggs. Needless to say, this was a turn off. I picked up my little dessert spoon and began lifting out some of the innards. They were slippery like egg whites and hard to get out but I finally got a spoonful. I looked at. I looked away. I looked at it again. I took a deep breath and let it out. I shoved the spoon in my mouth and swallowed. It was pretty good. Sweet. Interesting. Sweet. I would probably have another one. But probably only as an occasional treat. It was 99 cents for the little guy.

The next day was Granadilla. A teardrop shaped fruit that was an interesting burnt yellow colour with a one inch stem on top. This too had a tough thin outer layer. But it was the size of a small pear. Once I cut in I could see a thicker white layer next to the outer latyer that reminded me of the between layer of an orange. The white stuff. The center, looked exactly like the passion fruit except the seeds were bigger. I had to go about the taste test the same way because it just looked like bigger fish eggs. It tasted good too. Almost the same as the passion fruit but sweeter. I would eat another one. This one was $1.50.

I totally recommend trying them both at least once.

Friday, November 02, 2007

For Maureens Everywhere

As you know, my Squidoo lens addiction knows no bounds. Here is my latest lens dedicated to the Maureens of the world.

Visit the Squidoo Lens Dedicated to the name Maureen and the people who bare it.
And here's all my other lenses in case you were wondering.

Nano and Me, Me, Maureen

I did the required 1700 words last night before bed. It was hard about half way through but felt great at the end.

An author I interviewed for the Literary Fiction site gave me a tidbit of information last night. Apparently, there's a band called Fountains for Wayne and they have a song called Maureen. How cool is that? I went and bought it on iTunes but here's a clip of it:

Fountains of WayneMaureen

Press the tiny, weenie play symbol in front of the title to listen. Or buy the MP3 from Amazon.

Here are the lyrics to Maureen sing along:

I pick her up outside the station
She's telling me about her spring vacation
She's not leaving much to the imagination
She's giving me way too much information

Maureen
You don't know what you do to me
I know you won't be true to me
The least that you can do for me
Is keep it to yourself
I'm so sorry I don't mean to shout
It's just that I can do without
The details of your days and nights and your thoughts and dreams
Maureen, Maureen, Maureen, Maureen, Maureen

Do you know what I mean
Do you know what I mean
Do you know what I mean

She calls me up at ten past midnight
'Cause she and some guy just had some big fight
And I say "well maybe he's just not all that bright"
She tells me it's not his brain that she likes

M-M-M-M-M-Maureen
You don't know what you do to me
I know you won't be true to me
The least that you can do for me
Is keep it to yourself
I'm so sorry I don't mean to shout
But really I can do without
The details of your days and nights and your thoughts and dreams
Maureen, Maureen, Maureen, Maureen

I know you think I'm just a friend
But can we please just put an end
To all the graphic imagery that you insist on feeding me
I can't accept I'm not the one
Who's getting to have all the fun
Maybe that's what friends are for
But I just can't take it any more

M-M-M-M-M-Maureen
You don't know what you do to me
I know you won't be true to me
The least that you can do for me
Is keep it to yourself
I'm so sorry I don't mean to shout
But really I can do without
The details of your days and nights and your thoughts and dreams
Can we keep it right
Can we keep it clean
Maureen, Maureen, Maureen, Maureen, Maureen

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Nano Started

Nano started today. I've written one paragraph of about 50 words.

I'm on a roll!

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Fave Photo(s) Day

Jeff emailed me a bunch of pics today. These two are my favorites (Click image to enlarge and see detail):
I feel like that fish everyday!


Doesn't this picture give a perfect representation of marriage? Yes, it's possible I could be PMSing. I'll never tell.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

NaNoWriMo

I signed up a few weeks ago for NaNo, the crazy November writing challenge, in which writers from all over the world sign up to write a book (200 pages/50,000 words) in one month.

I have no idea in mind just a title (and not a very good one at that). I'm what you call a "panter" I guess, a fly by the seat of your pants kind of writer. Actually, I prefer the term "freewriter" but the going term is panter. I'm a panter. Doesn't it sound like someone who accidentally goes in their pants all the time? Issues much...

When I signed up I had to enter a novel title. Because I'm a panter, I came up with Once Upon a Horse. I know, catchy isn't it. I expect it will change once I get going but that's what I put in. Do you think I work well under pressure?

Even though I don't have a story idea peculating I have been thinking about a plan of attack. To reach a 50,000 word goal for the month, which has 30 days, I will have have to write 6.67 pages (one page is 250 words) a day. This actually seems reasonable to me and think I'll have no problem doing this. Ha!

Only four days left until the madness begins. Anyone, if you're doing Nano, pop by and add yourself to my buddy list.

***
Topic Links
* NaNoWriMo Official Website

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Dishwasher Mania

Jeff and I went shopping for a dishwasher today. When we go shopping for major purchases you can really see our different personalities. Jeff is good cop and I am bad cop. This isn't an act though. I hate shopping for big purchases and having to play the "game". Just give me the best fringing price up front with no hassles and I'll love you forever.

The plan today was to look, collect information and then return home to research what was available. This isn't my plan of attack. This is how Jeff handles shopping for anything more than $100. It is probably a good way to go but I get so tired. I just want to pick the one with the best price and features at the time, pay for it, load it up and go home and use it. I lose interest quickly if the shopping experience is dragged on over days or weeks.

So today, being bad cop, I was telling everyone who was telling us "sale ends today it'll be $200 more tomorrow", that we were not, in no uncertain terms, buying today. Then we ended up at Sears and walked out with a $600 bill. I still can't believe it. I'm not disappointed though. The one in the pic is the one we ordered. It was on sale for $549. We didn't have to pay provincial sales tax because it is an energy saver and they had a GST rebate weekend on. With the money we save we bought an extended service warranty to have it tuned up once a year for the next three years. This cost as well as any parts or other service will be covered. Normally we don't buy into these but we use our dishwasher a lot.

They've sold so many of them ours won't be in until November 7, which is fine since Jeff doesn't really have the time right now to hook it up and me, well I'm useless in that regard. I can't even keep my Phillips and Robertsons straight. I need a nap...

***
Topic Link
* Kenmore 24" Built In Dishwasher

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Fall Colours

The colours are awesome this year. My maple out front has more red and orange in it than I've ever seen. Beau-T-ful!

Here's a silhouette of Suzie and my maple:

Is it me or is there some kind of aura around her?

Sunday, October 07, 2007

1000+ Islands and a Sunburn

It's Thanksgiving weekend. Jeff is thrilled to have an extra day off. Today I dragged him to Kingston to take a three hour boat tour around the 1000 islands. Happiness is fleeting.

There had to be 300 other people doing the same thing. The ship was a triple decker with the upper area open to the elements. If you click on the image you can see the level we sat on. Right about where the flag is.

Since I have a tendency to get motion sickness we stayed on top for the whole three hours, hence the sunburn in the title. Where's the sunburn? My forehead. No where else. Just the forehead. And it's bad. It's probably the worst burn I've had in a decade. Apparently the ultra-whatever rays are still strong this time of year. It was otherwise a gorgeous trip, a little loud between the kids (there was a large family eating pickled eggs beside us, ewww) and the intercom playing Cajun inspired music.

Here are a few pictures. Click to enlarge.

Lift Bridge:

Fort Henry:

Automobile Ferry:

Can you imagine having your own island? I don't know, when I think of having my own island I think of something somewhat bigger. But still, great abode isn't it? Believe it or not, there were actually much smaller islands with large homes on them. You literally stood on a rock to get to the front door.

And the going rate? If you have to ask you most definitely can't afford. But still, I want to know too.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Hate Fat Bingo

Designed by Red No.3 this commemorates all the trolls out there that hang out on fat acceptance blogs and forums. I think it's hilarious.

Topic Links
* Get your own Fat Bingo poster.
* Red No. 3 Blog

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Love Your Body Day

Going beyond breast health to taking care of and loving the whole body. Be on the look out for love your body events all over the continent. Like this one hosted by plus size model Mia Tyler:


***
Topic Links
* Mia Tyler
* Love Your Body Project
* Hollywood Now (National Organization for Women)

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Fave Photo Day

I decided today is fave photo day. No, that isn't me. This photo comes from Camera Dude over at Deviant Art. Be sure to check out his gallery as he has numerous beautiful portraits to look at. I'm in love with how he uses shadow and light.


***
Topic Links
* Camera Dude, Deviant Art

Sunday, September 30, 2007

The Cat's Back

I did the junkfood route. Lays chips, jalapeño dip and two éclair's over two days, not much of a splurge. I really wasn't into it. I watched The Island with Ewan McGregor which was sort of an updated version of Logan's Run. It was good (4/5). I was never much of a fan of Ewan but he was hot. I also watched four episodes of Fat Actress with Kirstie Alley (3/5).

I lied about not doing any stinking dishes or laundry. I even took out the trash, which I never do. I'm so whipped.

I changed the living room around and the cat loved it. I don't know why but she has to be right in the middle when furniture is moved and then she checks out every thing as if it's new. She is spoiled though. Her post is now in the center of the living room window and she couldn't be happier. Dog isn't climbing over the couch now to bark but all she has to do is walk up to the window; hence no sleep for me this morning. Grrr. And she's still limping. Double Grrr.

First thing Jeff said when he came in was "Oh, oh, someone's been moving around furniture again." Translation. "I don't like it" and "I hate change". You can guess my response I'm sure. I can't get over how big the window looks without the couch in front of it and somehow there is more space for doing yoga in the middle. Bonus! But it's only temporary.

***
Topic Links
* The Island
* Logan's Run

Thursday, September 27, 2007

When the Cat's Away... The Moe will Play

Ha! I have absolutely nothing planned. Jeff is away for the next two days on a school trip and I ain't got nothin'. Ok, I could rent a movie, get some junk food but that' all of two hours. I do need a lip wax but do I really want to do that? (shoulder shrug)

I know what I'm not going to do. No stinking dishes, laundry, or cooking meals! Wahoo! I was going to say showering too but I like clean hair, amongst other things.

I do however want to change the living room around. The couch is in front of the window and I think part of the dog's elbow/shoulder problem has to do with the way she leans over the couch for hours to look outside.

Is it a girl thing to want to change furniture around? It drives Jeff crazy. At least until he gets used to it and then it's like "this was a good idea". DuH!

Ideas welcome.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Banning Alicia Silverstone

I was checking out Pretty by Nature, a blog by Teri Cosenzi, about "natural and organic beauty" and found this video featuring Alicia Silverstone in the buff. According to Teri it has been banned by numerous networks across the states because of it's content.

I hesitantly clicked on the video expecting to see abused animals locked in cages, tortured or used as researched specimens. But what I found was a beautiful and artistic video about Alicia's preference for being Vegan.

Click on image below to watch the very short and very tasteful ad:



As Teri said in her post, there are worse things to watch on tv. This doesn't even come close. I think the banning has more to do with appeasing other advertisers than the nudity (if you can call it that).

***
Topic Links
* Pretty by Nature
* Peta

Friday, September 21, 2007

Resident Evil: Extinction

This is the third installment to the Resident Evil Trilogy which is an action packed visual effects feast for the eyes. It is years later and the virus has ravished the whole planet affecting flora and fauna, as well as killing off millions of humans. Those who are healthy keep moving and usually keep to the roads unless they need food or gasoline.

The Umbrella Corporation still exists with different factions in major countries. They are all working together to produce a cure. Unfortunately that involves cloning and disposing of many likenesses of Alice. The evil scientist, Dr. Isaacs, from Apocalypse is still around in Extinction and he's obsessed and awed with Alice and bit on the crazy side.

I jumped a lot thanks to a lot of well placed sound effects and scary decaying zombies. My only complaint was all the landscape panning. I had to look away often because it was making me nauseous.

It was nice to see Oded Fehr again as Carlos Olivera and Ali Larter, from the television hit Heroes, was a welcome addition as the leader of a band of survivors. The film didn't really answer any questions this go around. It was more about surviving the virus and zombies, finding a cure and exacting revenge. And of course Milla Jovovich kicks a lot of zombie butt in the form of man, dog and bird.

In my opinion, although it's been said there will only be three films, they left it open for the possibility of more. Overall, I loved it and am looking forward to seeing it on DVD.

***
Topic Links
* Resident Evil: Extinction

30 Wanna Movie Hottie: 12

One of my favorite serial movies is releasing the third instalment today and it stars this week's Wanna Movie Hottie - Oded Fehr as Carlos Olivera. As you remember, because I know you've been following along, I featured another movie hottie from another Resident Evil film (Wanna Movie Hottie: 8). The Resident Evil trilogy is one of my favorite. I just can't get enough of Milla (a whole other story).

Oded, who I just watched get hanged in Texas Rangers last night was born in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1970. I've never really seen him in any lead roles but he usually plays memorable supporting roles. Like Ardeth Bay from The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, Zankou from Charmed, and Antoine Laconte from Deuce Bigalow.

It's amazing what locks of hair can do for a person. He is most recognized when he has shoulder length hair and a bit of fur on his face. He lives a pretty incognito life these days but I'm sure that will change with the release of Extinction. We're going to go see it tonight so I'll let you know how wonderfully scary it was tomorrow.

The Basics: The 6'2" actor is married and has two children. He speaks three languages: Hebrew, English and German. He studied acting in both England and Germany. Like most men from Israel he served for his country in the Israeli Navy.

***
Topic Links
* The Mummy
* Resident Evil: Apocalypse
* Resident Evil: Extinction

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Messing is a Ball

Tonight I was watched a documentary about Lucille Ball. And you know who kept coming to mind throughout it? Debra Messing. I kept seeing Debra's face, her eyes, her smile... her wit. So I decided to go look at some pictures of the two to let you decide. Here's what I found:








The pictures really don't do it for me but I wanted to do it anyway. I also switched them all to black and white because of the differences in red hair. Now before you judge go watch a Debra Messing episode from Will & Grace and then an episode of I Love Lucy. Report back.

One True Thing

I never heard of the movie One True Thing but when I saw it starred Renee Zellweger and Meryl Streep I PVR'd it. It was released in 1998 (two years after Jerry McGuire) when Renee looked and acted normal. She plays Ellen Gulden (or Ellie as her family calls her), a moxie journalist living in New York. She goes home to visit her family for the holidays and finds out her mother has cancer. Her father demands that she give up everything to move back home and take care of her mother. Because she adores her father she does it.

It is beautifully filmed and acted. Without giving too much information, One True Thing is filmed from the perspective of Ellen as she's being interviewed by a lawyer about her mother's death. Her flashbacks are quite different from the words coming out of her mouth.

Ellie's mother has always been more of a silly inconvenience to her. As she begins to get to know her mother and see her father through adult eyes she realizes she has missed out on a truly fabulous woman. If you haven't seen this film you owe it to yourself to watch it. It is an interesting, entertaining and emotionally moving film.

Gilmore Girls starlet, Lauren Graham makes an appearance as the loyal best friend, Tom Everett Scott plays Ellen's impressionable brother and William Hurt her professor father. The film is based on the book by the same name written by Anna Quindlen. After watching it I consider it one of Renee's and Meryl's best films.

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Topic Links
* Read more about One Sure Thing at Amazon.com
* Read more about One True Thing at Amazon.ca

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Dog Guilt

About three days after we got home from our trip Shelby started limping. Jeff and I have various theories on the cause of this, none of which are the same as the other's. We've been alternating between leashing her in the back yard and letting her roam free like she usually does. I took her to the vet Monday morning and after a few hours of debate on what we should do I brought her home with instructions to tie her up so she wasn't chasing squirrels, birds, air, etc.

On Friday she seemed to be doing much better, only limping occasionally if she'd been lying down for a while (even I do that). So when I let her out to do her business I let her do her own thing. She immediately caught sight of a squirrel and went racing at it. I swear she can run 40km a hour. And skidded to a stop across the back (because there's a fence).

This is where the guilt comes in. She could barely walk today. And when she goes to get up from the lying down position she winces and whines in pain. She doesn't put any pressure on her front paw and when she sits she keeps it raised and close to her body. Of course, Jeff is devastated by this. He took her to the vet and they x-rayed her shoulder and elbow this morning. The vet didn't seem to think there was any arthritis but was going to send the results to a technologist to read. To do the x-rays they had to sedate her. From what Jeff says they also had to manipulate her injured leg quite a bit. So she was in even more pain when she came home. Because of the drugs she was also quite pathetic looking. She couldn't keep her legs from sliding out from under her. Jeff was carrying her everywhere (I'm sure his back will be sore tomorrow).

Had I kept her on the leash like I was suppose to she wouldn't have re-injured herself so badly. Bad mommy! Can you imagine if I had kids. "Sure, Johnny, go play in the traffic." UGh!!

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

I Wanna Read... Prisoner of Tehran

I watched an interview with Marina Nemat on The Hour tonight (Podcasts rock) and was moved and interested in reading more about her and her experience. It's so easy to get caught up in our own lives that we forget people are suffering elsewhere.

Prisoner of Tehran is a memoir by Marina Nemat about her childhood in Iran, specifically when she was arrested for having a contrary opinion or as she put it, she was sick of the propaganda they were being force fed at school. She was 16 when she was carted away and tortured.

At one point she was taken, blindfolded with three other prisoners out to a deserted location where she realized she was going to be executed. In a freakish twist of fate a car showed up, distributed a slip of paper and she was taken from the scene.

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Topic Links
* Purchase Prisoner of Tehran from Amazon.com
* Purchase Prisoner of Tehran from Amazon.ca

Monday, September 10, 2007

More Squidooing

I added two more lenses to my Squidoo profile. I'm trying to expand the Curvy Chics one by creating a lens for each person mentioned so I can link between them. Sneaky eh? Not really.

Velvet d'Amour
Joy Nash
Plus Size Bras
Plus Size Halloween Costumes
M.E. Wood

I'm working on another one for 10 places to see in canada before you die. Did I say that one already?

I told you I'm addicted. Want to make your own?

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Back to School

Jeff is back to school as of yesterday. Things went pretty smoothly for the first day. He seems to have made a seamless adjustment back into working. He seemed to be dreading it for the last week but I think he's over it. I'm glad to have the space but at the same time I was just getting use to having him around all the time.

I wanted to test out blogger's new video feature so I found a short clip from our RVing trip when we stayed at Rushing River Provincial Park. The loud noise you hear isn't static. It's a combination of the water noise and wind. I'm amazed at the clarity of the image because it was 10 o'clock at night.

Saturday, September 01, 2007

Refinancing the Mortgage

With the mortgage interest rates pretty much increasing every month and no sign that things will go in our favour, Jeff and I decided to get out of our open mortgage which doesn't have a fixed rate, in favour of a closed fixed. We didn't do any shopping around but chose to stay with CIBC who we have been more-or-less happy with for a number of years.

We still had to go through the whole negotiating for a good price and we are happy with the five year term rate we were offered (it's confidential, and besides I don't want to hear if you got a better one).

In another 6 years 9 months it will be all ours! Wahoo! Hard to believe. For those of you out there thinking of buying a house for the first time or in the process... it doesn't get any easier to renegotiate it. Sheesh. It takes weeks. We've had three visits with our mortgage specialist. And finally signed the papers this week.

Just in time for Jeff to go back to school!

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Introducing Miss Platnum

Here's a great music video for the plus girls out there.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Friends at Last

I watched a great movie last night called Friends at Last starring Kathleen Turner and Colm Feore (Bon Cop, Good Cop). It has to be one of Kathleen Turner's best films. It's a made for tv film otherwise I would have provided a link at the bottom for Amazon.

Kathleen and Colm play Fanny and Phillip Connelyn. Fanny is a homemaker to the ninth degree taking care of their child, their home and providing inspiration to her husband. Phillip is a writer with growing notoriety. The more popular he becomes the more embarrassed and withdrawn he becomes from Fanny. Their relationship becomes down right volatile (not War of the Roses) and they eventually separate and Fanny attempts to make it on her own; after a long row of depression and self-pity.

Things between her and Phillip remain caustic until about twelve years later when their daughter invites each of them to dinner to celebrate her graduation. They both handle the dinner well despist the addition of Phillip's new rich wife. At this point Phillip's career is waining and his writing has dried up. The dinner went so well that Phillip calls Fanny the Sunday after and they have lunch and a walk like they did in the old days. The Sunday walk becomes a weekly event that they both look forward to. Their new friendship is interrupted when Fanny finds a large lump in her breast.

I've never been a big fan of Kathleen Turner but I enjoyed her in this film and thought she was excellent. Colm Feore is always excellent and I got to see a very young side of him (this film was made in 1995). If you see it in your tv guide be sure to mark it for watching.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Fave Photo: Little Suzie

Jeff came a across some old floppy discs from when I use to get film developed in the mail from Seattle Film Works. Along with the pictures they would include a free floppy so you could look at your pictures on the computer. Jeff was able to convert them so I could look at them on my computer (no floppy). Here's a picture of my little princess before she grew into her head.

Isn't she gorgeous? I can't help but smile at her for being so tolerant of me when I take her picture. Little did she know this would be a regular occurrence in her life. At least now we have video and she doesn't have to worry about a nasty flash.

The unfortunate thing about this photo is that the colors are washed out. I don't remember SFW being too great with colors. Suzie has a magnificent pair of green eyes which don't show up well in this photo but she's so darn cute I thought I'd share anyway.

An interesting side note: even though she and Shelby are a different species (?). Shelby being a dog and all. They look alike texturally. They both have dark stripes with a white mush and a beige undercoat. They also both have similar horn markings on their forehead. Hmm... Is this anything like having to have both vehicles the same color? Unconscious of course.

Friday, August 24, 2007

A Painful Life for a Food Goddess

Imagine at the age of 25 losing your mother to liver cancer. Then a short time later losing your sister to breast cancer. Imagine still, you are happily married and find out your husband and the father of your two children is going to die from throat cancer. What kind of person lives through these kinds of losses with any measure of dignity? Nigella Lawson, that's who.

I just finished reading the biography of Nigella Lawson by Gilly Smith. In this neck of the woods London born Nigella Lawson is not known for her tragic life. She's known as the Domestic Goddess and Queen of Food-porn in the television Nigella Bites as well as an array of cooking books.

I was looking forward to this glimpse into Nigella's life but was disappointed by the author's interpretation through columns, articles, interviews (none of which she did), cookbooks and videos. I did learn a lot about Nigella. But I think Nigella, a journalist in her own right, could have done a better job.

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Topic Links
* Nigella Lawson
* Review of Nigella Lawson (coming soon)

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Squi-Doo-ing

I've been Squidoo-ing. Like Pamela Anderson? No? Check it out anyway. I think it looks pretty good.

Visit Blonde Bombshell.

No this isn't my first Squidoo. I created one for plus size curvy women a while go. It's still a work in progress but you can visit that one too.

Visit Curvy Chics.

You can also make your own Squidoo.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Pomegranate Soup

On my trip I finished Pomegranate Soup. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. You can read my review at the Literary Fiction site of BellaOnline.

I think the author Marsha Mehran has found her niche both in writing and promoting. Within the book are 13 real recipes between each chapter. I've been trying them out on Jeff and so far he approves. I do too. It's like a bonus after the book is done and an excellent word-of-mouth promotion tool.

Mehran is continuing on with a series of other books with the same characters and more recipes. I'm looking forward to both.

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Topic Links
* Review - Pomegranate Soup