Good and Bad News

Okay, so this month will so not be the most active month in the history of my life, but I’ve been dealing with a lot these past few weeks and sometimes things get me down. On a happy note, Sam’s Club opens to the public here in Toronto tomorrow, so maybe I’ll head over there and check it out again… and actually buy something this time!

I was sorry to hear about my friend and fellow columnist Charley who lost her grandfather this week. It’s never easy to lose someone who is close to you. Sending out thoughts and prayers to Charley and her family.

Movies and tours

Just to let you know… it’s cooooooold outside! Winter is on it’s way. So much for those magical crisp fall days where it’s nice outside, with just a touch of coldness in the air. All the cold weather was a good enough reason to go on the press-tour of the new Sam’s Club stores here in Toronto. Sadly we weren’t allowed to buy anything. They open to the public on October 30.

I did check out Scary Movie 3… and surprisingly, it was actually funny. Much better than the first two disasters in the series. Probably because the Wayans brothers, with all their hip-hop crap and drug jokes, weren’t at the helm of this one. I feel sorry for anyone going to the movie and thinking it’s gonna be another romp through ‘da hood’, as some of the teaser posters might have indicated. There is a 8 Mile spoof in it, just to make sure you  get your fix of hip-hop, but the franchise has taken a turn for the better without the Wayans. But you’ve been warned:  part 4 is in the works too.

Kelly and Kim

Man, everywhere I turn I see Kelly Ripa! First on a soap opera, then on Regis (I mean the show, not actually on Regis) then hair care commercials and now on some sit-com. I’m not sure if she annoys me yet, but doesn’t she ever take time off?

Oh, I still haven’t made up my mind about what costume or costumes I will wear for Halloween this year. I have a few parties I really should go to, but no outfit that I like. One person wrote in and said I should go as a Schoolgirl again, another one said I should be “Kim Possible” seeing as I have red hair. I kinda like that one, but I don’t know how I would feel dressing up as a Disney character. I welcome any and all ideas… the party is Friday and another one on Saturday.

Weekend gone by

I just finished a second helping of the most amazing lasagna that a friend brought over for me. It tasted even better seeing as I didn’t have to cook it.

The weekend has come and gone and my mind is still all messed up about what I should regarding my job as a columnist and writer. It was nice just to be able to sit back and relax over the past few days and not really do anything big. I should do it more often – except sitting around doesn’t pay the bills.

Of the emails that I did get regarding anything I might do in the future, one of the standout nicest ones came from a friend of mine who lives in Ottawa and she gave some encouraging words.

And Kobe Bryant will stand trial? This should be months of fun… I bet he gets off. Still, it will be entertaining for those who thought that we were fresh out of celebrity news stories for the year.

The winds of change…

It’s really, really windy outside today. I can hear my stuff on my back deck blowing around. Right now I’m trying to decide on going outside and bringing in the deck chairs like I should have done yesterday, or crossing my fingers and praying that they don’t get blown through my windows. There’s no mistaking it now; Fall is here.

I’m still up in the air about what I should do regarding my career. I already spoke with my editor as well as the editors of the publications I contribute to, and they are all understanding. No matter what happens, I would still be a freelance writer/journalist so that would be money coming in. I will have to reach a decision by week’s end. To help think things over I may go see a movie this afternoon or just go to a mall and walk around. Shopping is very therapeutic.

Being thankful and full of thought

On a day when most of Canada spent time being thankful, I did a lot of soul searching. I have to take stock of my life and see what I want to be doing. I love writing, but sometimes I wonder if I’m still good at what I do. I’ve been writing a humor/opinion column for almost 10 years, even when it wasn’t published for a while and that will take a lot out of one. I know there are writers who have been doing this for decades, but sometimes I just feel burnt out.

I know I also have to be less self absorbed with myself and my work. The web site is one thing, but keeping the over inflated ego is another… and having that hurts my work. I always said that I’d step down before I was asked to and before my work became stale. I also didn’t want to become something I hate or wasn’t proud of. I need to come down off my high horse and see that I’m not as great as people tell me I am… or that I think I am.

Other than that… not much else is new. I guess the above thoughts are best suited for my diary, but I haven’t updated that for a while. Have a happy and safe Columbus Day Weekend/Canadian Thanksgiving… play safe. I’m still craving that Pineapple Curry Chicken from Young Thailand I had the other night.

Another night out

Just got in from quite a fun night out. Tammy and myself went down to watch a taping of Maggie Cassella’s topical discussion/humor show “Because I Said So” (which can be seen in Canada on Star! TV and CityTV in Toronto.) She had some cool guests including Canadian singer Kim Stockwood and former I Mother Earth lead singer Edwin (who by the way, is a major hottie) After we went to Young Thailand for a late dinner and of course, Tammy had to cap off the evening with a Starbucks latte.

INow I gotta finish packing before I go to bed so that I can be ready to leave for Montreal.

The Force is strong

CNN is reporting that Arnold Schwarzenegger has become Governor of California. Did anyone think this wouldn’t happen? I But it does leave us with the idea that if for any reason what so ever we aren’t happy with our Governors or elected officials, we can always recall them and vote in movie stars. Even though I’ve never made a film, if there is ever a recall in New Jersey, I will move back home and run for office.

Good news for Star Wars fans like myself, according to their official site, principal shooting on Episode III has wrapped in Australia. There will be some post production shooting in March and we should be able to see trailers sometime in late 2004. As of now, there is no working title for the movie despite rumors of “Rise of the Empire” or “An Empire Divided”.

I know the new movies are not nearly as good as the original three, but look at it this way; only a year and half until the new film comes out and then no more. The sad thing is, knowing how bad Episode I and Episode II were, for some reason I’m still waiting eagerly for Episode III.

Monday means getting things done

Monday came on pretty much as I expected it to;  sun came up, I had a latte, I worked out and then I even got some writing done. Now I’m faced with dilemma of trying to decide what to buy at Home Outfitters. (Which is exactly like Bed, Bath & Beyond.) The cool thing about it is, customers get reward points that can be put towards free items. And we all know that free is always a good thing.

As luck would have it, I can collect 10,000 bonus points next time I buy something over 10 bucks. So now I have to think about what I really need to merit a trip down Eglinton. Either way, the store is just cool to walk around. Too bad IKEA doesn’t offer a rewards program.

It was a average day yesterday as I went to Wal-Mart to get some large Rubbermaid boxes that I can store stuff in down in my basement. (Remember what I said about putting stuff out of sight?) I also have come to a dead halt in the book I’m writing seeing as I just don’t know what the next level is going to be.

I’m counting down the days or at least the weeks and months until I get to use my new “Calendar a Day” that Olivia got me featuring “Quotes from Tough Dames”. Each day in 2004 will be marked by a witty or somewhat smart-assed remark from a famous (or not so famous) woman. I doubt anything I have ever said will be in there.

Giving a Hoot

I started yesterday by frantcially looking all over my hosue for my prized Hooters of North York t-shirt that I got back in 1997. I’ve been wearing it every year on October 3rd, and I couldn’t let today pass by without putting it on and seeing if it still fits.  And since Hooters of North York closed last year, the shirt means even more to me now. (In the world of Hooters fans, it’s a collector’s item.)

I know what you’re saying… “If you had a smaller place, it would be easier to find things.” That’s actually not true. I’ve been able to lose things in one room, so size has nothing to do with it.  Besides, since I have decided to make my house look like an IKEA showroom, everything that doesn’t fit with the modern, minimalist decor gets tossed into boxes and bins and put out of sight.

You might also be wondering why a girl has since a thing for Hooters. Hey… what can I say? They make really good wings.

So with the shirt on my back, a few of us headed down to the new restaurant on Eglinton and enjoyed way too many deep-fried things. When that was over we headed down to see what the folks at one of my favorite Italian restaurants were up to. We stayed for a few drinks and thankfully none of us actually danced on the bar this time. Although there were these two girls that were about one belly-shot away from being on “Girls Gone Wild”.  Thankfully they weren’t with us. Without a doubt, they will have such a headache today.

I was checking out disc-jockey Nat Lauzon’s website again the other day and I noticed she was talking about how radio people have crazy dreams sometimes, journalists seem to have them too! Most of them have to do with reading… except that when you’re dreaming you’re using one side of your brain and it’s the other side you need to use when you want to read, (or something like that) so technically you can’t actually read in your sleep. You can only make out certain words. Does that make sense?

Anyway, try to imagine a columnist not being able to read her own work! Yeah, I woke up screaming too.

The rest of my first weekend in Toronto was spent just going around town, to malls, a movie theater and of course to Taco Bell. Starting Monday I will really make each day count… or at least I will think about making it count.

It’s chilly and I like it

It has certainly been a “leather pants kind of day” these past couple days here in Toronto. The weather is downright chilly, but that’s the way I like it.

If was 1997, then I would be on the bus heading to Toronto to begin six months of fun. As it turns out, it’s 2003 and I’m still here. Either way, I drove past my old place yesterday afternoon just to see it again. It hasn’t changed.

I spent the rest of the afternoon taking Tammy shopping for a new laptop. She is toying with the idea of getting hers upgraded or maybe just buying a new one. Seeing as I have been having some problems with my own computer, I am also in the market. If you have any good tips on good comps, send a long a much needed email.

I think I will try and see a movie later today. I know I have to get my front turning signal fixed on my car because for some reason, it’s not working again.

Running around

Okay, so I’m not breaking any speed records by getting a jump on being more active and making each day in October count. In fact, I slept in, didn’t go to the gym and even skipped my morning Slim Fast shake.

I am however “blogging” in while my bed sheets are doing the mambo in the dryer. Laundry day is very important… plus there was nothing else to do. I will have to run out to the store to get some things – I always seem to be running out of something around here.

After much running around and searching five… yes five Staples stores, I finally got new ink cartridges for my printer. So much trouble just to save a few bucks… then again, seeing how much ink I do use in my line of work, a few bucks here and there means more nachos at the theater. I think next time I will try one of those “refill” places where you can get your printer ink refilled for half the cost of what your cartridge cost. So far nobody I know has used them…if you have, let me know if they are any good.

Coming back from my adventures, I made it in just in time for the new season of Gilmore Girls. So far the new season looks like fun. The witty banter, the always perfect hair… *sigh*… I have said it before, I will say it again, sometimes I wish I was a Gilmore Girl.