Well, by now everyone has heard about the Harper government voting to make Quebec a nation within a nation. Now, don't get me wrong, I am all about preserving the French culture and heritage. It's part of me and just seems to make sense. However, I don't agree with Mr. Harper's methods. Seems to me, he is just stirring up trouble and forwarding his own agenda for a majority government rather than truly looking out for the needs of Canadians.
That being said, anyone who knows me knows I am not one to talk politics. So, on to the REAL reason why I am discussing this topic on my blog.
Chez 106 has decided that if Quebec can be a nation within a nation, it wants the Chez 106 Platinum Points Club to be a nation within a nation, arguing that it already has its own currency. It's slogan: One Nation Under Rock.
This totally cracks me up. One more reason to love Chez 106. You can sign the petition to Stephen Harper here.
So, today was a day of training. Basically, all TB employees are required to take this course at some point. The general description was that the course would provide information on the future of the TB. Now, as you can well imagine, I expected this one to be a bit of a snoozer, especially since I just joined the Bureau in February and we had someone speak to us about the future of the Bureau at that point. I am happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The person facilitating the course was Donald Barabé, the Vice President. He did a fabulous job. He was a really good speaker and actually held my interest for the whole day (not that many course facilitator's can manage that!). The only time my attention waned a little was when a slightly hysterical participant started going off on a major tangent.
Anyway, Mr. Barabé = very cool. He’s a big wig, but still seems in touch with the little people and wants to hear their comments. He demonstrated said coolness when he referred to the six degrees of separation between himself and Kevin Bacon. He reiterated said coolness when he said, "We want to train our young, not eat them" when referring to new translators coming into the Bureau, which totally made me laugh. However, the ultimate moment came when he was reading a PowerPoint slide that said something about new language frontiers and he actually stood at the front of the room and made the Vulcan "live long and prosper" hand symbol while reading the slide. I nearly lost it.
On a random side note: The new Bond movie was quite fabulous. Going in, I was not convinced about this new blonde Bond, although really, I wasn't a huge fan of PB. One thing I found hilarious about this movie was the fact that usually there are scenes with women coming out of the water at the beach/pool wearing some slinky bathing suit. In this one, it always seemed to be Bond himself coming up out of the water in some weird role reversal.
Also really funny was in the torture scene (that sounds disturbing, but let me finish) when Le Chiffre tells Bond that he has kept his body in excellent shape. Cause that is really what one guy wants to hear from another! Oh well, every Bond films needs it share of cheesy lines. This one was no exception. All in all, this movie gets many stars/cookies/ice cream scoops...what have you. One of the best Bond movies in a LONG time. Good work Daniel Craig - I am completely convinced!
Well, I am back in the land of the living after a courageous battle with the dreaded strep throat. When I was a kid I got strep throat at least once per winter. I wished and wished that I would be able to get my tonsils out like my best friend Tracey and be allowed to eat as much ice cream as I wanted, but alas, my tonsils remain in place to this day.
Anyhoo, I basically ended up trapped in my apartment for 3 days unable to eat or get off the couch. There was little or nothing appealing on tv and I wasn’t really in the mood for any of my movies, most of which I have seen a bazillion times already. As a last resort, I dug out some old VHS tapes (some unlabelled) and decided to see what I could see. This was extra funny because all the old commercials were on there too. Betty Rubin is just as creepy now as she was then.
Anyway, here is a listing and short review of the movies I watched.
The Labyrinth (1986)
A fabulous Jim Henson film, on my list of all time favourites. It also doesn’t hurt that it stars David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King. Others might be interested to know that the female lead of Sarah is played by Jennifer Connelly. Basically the gist of the movie is that Sarah wishes that the goblins would come and take away her baby brother. Wish is granted, courtesy of David Bowie. Sarah then has to solve the Labyrinth to save her brother.
Favourite line (of course by David Bowie): "You cowered before me and I was frightening. I have reordered time. I have turned the world upside down. And I have done it all for you! I am exhausted from living up to your expectations."
Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
This movie basically follows the story of how a friendship develops between an older Jewish woman and her African-American chauffeur. Stars Morgan Freeman, Jessica Tandy and Dan Akroyd. Also fairly classic, in that it makes a statement about racial issues. Not really one I would watch over and over, but quite good nonetheless.
Return to the Blue Lagoon (1991)
Stars Milla Jovovich. A sequel to The Blue Lagoon (1980) starring Brooke Shields, which I haven’t seen and never want to. From what I have read both of these movies seem to have almost the exact same plot. Do yourself a favour. Don’t EVER watch this movie. Painful at best.
The Wizard (1989)
Stars Luke Edwards, Fred Savage, Christian Slater and Beau Bridges. Two brothers run away from home and hitchhike to California to compete in a video game championship. The beauty of this movie is at the end where they are at the competition and competitors have to play a fabulous new game, which has never been seen before. Super Mario Brothers 3.
I also love this key line spoken by Fred Savage when Lucas is flirting with Haley (the girl who joins their adventure): "Just keep your Power Gloves off her pal." Classic.
Rain Man (1988)
"Definitely" a classic film starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise (before he became too annoying for words). Charlie’s rich father dies and leaves all the money to an autistic brother, Raymond, he didn’t know he had. Charlie kidnaps Raymond in an effort to get his share of the money.
Dustin Hoffman is amazing in this movie. Fabulous flick.
Well, that about sums up my weekend o’ fun. Thanks to Dr. Steve for the drugs, Johanna for the freshly squeezed juice and my parents for the year's supply of treats, including ice cream, popsicles and other goodies. Also thanks to Jennie for the Candy Cane Chocolate Fudge Crackle ice cream. Now, I just need some molten lava cakes and I will be in heaven. :o)
Every time I talk to my brother, he brings up this Nintendo Wii thing. Sometimes blatantly, sometimes subtly. But he always does. So I find myself thinking the other day, 'hmm……I think I should buy him one for Christmas.' After all, he really wants it. This is what gainfully employed siblings can do for the younger ones. Then it dawns on me…….he's using the same tactic I used to use on my parents! Bring it up over and over again, and then it sinks into their subconscious and they wind up caving in. I've turned into an adult and am prey to the manipulation of youth! So my question for you is, should I buy him the Nintendo Wii??
Sincerely,
An Adult with Money
Dear Adult with $
It is practically guaranteed that your brother is also using this tactic on your parents. He has just broadened his horizons now that he knows you are a sugar mamma. Do you really want to take away your parents’ joy at being manipulated by their children? That is exactly what you will do if you pre-empt them and go out and buy the Nintendo Wii.
Instead, I suggest you buy your brother socks and underwear for Christmas just to teach him a lesson. If you’re feeling more altruistic, perhaps you could buy him a game for the new system your parents will inevitably buy for him.
I like to contemplate philosophical ideas while on break at my work. Then I came across this French saying. I hear you occasionally translate things in your job. Can you please explain to me the social significance of the following statement and how I can apply it to my life? "Le rôle de l'artiste révolutionnaire est de rendre la réévolution irrésistible!"
Sincerely,
Oh, God, it's like University all over again.
Dear OGILUAOA
I hate to be the one to break this to you, but this obviously has everything to do with the pomegranate conspiracy. Run for you life!!! Every man for himself! Really, I suppose I should say "Every (wo)man for him/herself", which just goes to show that there is always time for feminism and political correctness even in the most dire of circumstances.
Apparently KFC has just built a giant replica of Colonel Sanders in the middle of nowhere in the Nevada desert. Why? To aid me in my big things quest? No, not quite. They built it so that - get this - they can be the fast food of choice for any alien creatures that may decide to stop by earth for some unhealthy fast food snacks. All I can say is that I hope that the evil aliens don’t try the Snacker or planet earth will be destroyed for sure!
So, after months of waiting, Friday night was finally the night for Gordon Lightfoot. Headed out to dinner first at Johnny Farina. Have been there before and found it quite tasty, but this time the pasta was extremely lack lustre. However, let it be known that you can get 15% off if you have a ticket to a NAC show for that night. One bill/discount per table.
So, after dinner, off to the NAC. The minute good old Gord walked out onto the stage and started to sing, I almost started to cry. He is just so awesome and his music is so touching. Definitely glad I went to this concert. Would do it again in a heart beat. The good thing about Gord's music is that all of his songs are fairly short, so even though he was on stage less than two hours, he still managed to fit in a huge number of classics. The one downside was that he didn't play Go-Go Round. How can you beat classic lyrics like "In her cage she danced for him, although a hundred eyes were turned her way." Anyway, I hesitate to even mention a downside because, I just love this guy. And his concert was spectacular. He can really do no wrong in my books. Concert wrapped up pretty early (10 p.m.), but let's face it. Poor Gord is not exactly in the prime of life these days. He is 68. Side note: Yes. Apparently I lied when I said he was 76 but it was unintentional. I have no idea where I got that number. Someone must have deceived me. Anyway, it seems much more reasonable to still be rockin when pushing 70 then when pushing 80. End of sidenote. In any case, it was totally understandable that he would end early in the evening given his age and also the fact that his voice is not what it used to be since he has had vocal chord surgery and whatnot. Also, a few years back he nearly died from some crazy ruptured artery in his stomach.
Anyway, set included a ton of songs including Cotton Jennie, Beautiful, Sundown, Railroad Trilogy, Carefree Highway, Rainy Day People, Baby Step Back, If You Could Read My Mind, Ribbon of Darkness, Sit Down Young Stranger, Old Dan's Records, Early Morning Rain and, of course, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Basically words cannot describe how great this concert was. If only I could have seen him in his heyday.
After the concert, Jennie and Caroline sensibly went home, while I carried on to the Heart and Crown. I was earlier than expected and toured the bar a few times. When I didn't find Palmer and co. any where, I stationed myself next to the bar to enjoy the Maritime-esque music while I waited. Apparently I am both blind and deaf because James and Mike G had been in the bar all along and were apparently shouting and waving at me, but I didn't see or hear them. Anyway, after a few minutes standing by the bar, dear old grandpa, the lonely old man that comes to the bar by himself, asked if he could buy me a drink. This led me to believe a) he was trying to pick me up or b) he felt sorry for me standing there by myself. Things are pretty bad when the old man who goes to the bar solo is taking pity on you. Ha ha. Ryan and friends arrived soon after and we had a good laugh about the situation.
Good times were had by all. A great finish to a fabulous night. The band was rocking (played some good classics). Pics available courtesy of Palmer's World. And is it just me or does Nicholas (friend of Phillip's) look slightly jaundiced in all of his pictures. Ha ha.
Saturday night attended a friend's birthday party. This little shindig turned out to be all married/engaged couples and me. Not sure how that happened but anyway. It was fine aside from the rude comments from some random guy I barely know. It is a bitter tale. I won't get into it.
Fast forward to Monday night. The parental unit arrived in town on Sunday night and on Monday we all went out to support the Habs at Scotiabank Place. This was an awesome game. Habs won 6 to 3. As the French say "Go abs! Go!" I'd say probably half the place was filled with Canadians fans. Busloads of them had come up to Montreal. At the end of the last period, Sens fans were filing out, heads hanging in shame. Meanwhile, the Habs fans stayed till the very end, dancing and cheering. They also danced and cheered all the way out to the parking lot. The French certainly know how to celebrate. Someone had even dressed up as Bonhomme Carnavale and was being carried around on other people's shoulders. Samuel got plenty of compliments on his new Montreal Canadians booties. I am still singing Olé, Olé,Olé,Olé!
1) I borrowed someone’s camera in order to take pictures of my cake. I can’t remember whose camera I used. If anyone has said pictures from the H-ween party could you please forward them along? I attempt to keep a picture of every cake I decorate to determine if I am getting better at this skill or if I should just give up. Your help in maintaining this photo diary would be much appreciated. Many thanks in advance.
2) It has come to my attention that someone is masquerading as Sister Merry Kerry and leaving comments that the actual Sister did not care to leave. If you are the responsible party, I urge you to confess. If you know who the responsible party is, I urge you to turn in that coward!
Dear Dish, Did you know that pomegranates were in season? I was strutting through the local supermarket, and came across a sprawling pomegranate display as far as the eye could see! Don't kid yourself, Dish, the pomegranate lobby is something to be reckoned with. It's heavy-handed, and like the mob, comes down on anyone that toys with it.
So not wanting to ruffle any feathers, I purchased two pomegranates, and took a little pomegranate pamphlet, which gives instructions on how to peel and eat them. They said you have to eat the pomegranate seeds and all. That includes the pits. Dish, what do you think of this? I was always under the impression that you must spit the pomegranate seeds out after sucking on them. Consequently, they did not make for good public eating.
Is the Republican party-funded pomegranate lobby sacrificing my personal health to try and revitalize the public eating of pomegranates by telling impressionable youth to eat the seeds too?
Sincerely,
A Concerned Citizen
Dear C-squared:
In fact, I did know that pomegranates were in season.
Do you always do what pamphlets tell you and give in to the pressures of the mob? The thing about pomegranates is that it is SAFE to eat the seeds. You can do so without causing harm to yourself. This does not necessarily mean you HAVE to eat the seeds. However, should you choose to eat the pomegranate without the seeds, let it be known that I frown upon this business of sucking on the seeds and then spitting them out. Frankly, it does not sound very lady-like. And bad manners are never in fashion.
I think you may also want to consider the notion that perhaps you are seeing conspiracies where none exist. Surely accusing an innocent fruit of such atrocities is a sign of deeper problems.
