Just saying Hi

Hey kiddies… this might be my last post for a few days. I’ve got a major work-load coming up, some deadlines I’ve been neglecting as well as a business trip with some other freelance writers. Nothing amazing, honest… but if anyone decides to run through the convention naked, I’ll be sure to snap some pictures.

Maybe I’ll manage to squeeze in another post tonight or tomorrow, but I just want to cover my ass in case I don’t. We’ve all seen how my track record holds up when I say I’ll come back and post later on in the day, but either forget to do so, or just lose interest in the idea all together. Yesterday’s update is a darn good example of that.

So just in case for some strange reason I don’t find the time to log in and share my thoughts, I’m wishing all of you in the States a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend – and yes, I finally plan to see Revenge of the Sith this weekend.

Back to work

It was a well-rested and much enjoyed long weekend in the Great White North, so that’s why there was no update yesterday. I guess I could have done one now that I think about it, but I just felt like goofing off and taking it easy – and I didn’t really have anything creative to say for that matter.

Today’s quick update is just to tide you over (in case for some reason you might have missed my daily banter) I have a zillion things to do and just not enough time to do them, so while I chug a latte for breakfast and hop in my car, head to the newsroom and do something that comes close to work, know that I’ll be thinking of all of you and how I should have spent a little more time writing this.

I promise I’ll try harder later on.

Damn, I just spilled latte on my skirt. See what I do for you people?

Weekend quickie

I hope all Canadians are enjoying the long weekend! Have a happy and safe Victoria Day. Next weekend, Americans get to do their thing with Memorial Day. For me, it’s a non-stop party I guess.

Play safe!

What is love?

A colleague of mine got in a car accident at the start of this year and only now, the other person involved (who is nothing more than a dirty son of a bitch, by the way) is sending a lawyer’s letter, asking for damages and such. This is a low-down game, but since I know the situation, I’m not surprised the person would try something like this. (I can’t really go into details. Legal stuff, you know)

But what seems to be the only comfort right now to my friend the fact that he has his wife close by his side. Naturally, when he phoned her and told her he’d received the lawyer’s letter today, she reacted the way any person would, but she was supportive and made him feel safe and secure.

That’s where things are different for me. I have nobody else in my house to turn to. The closest family I have is 600 miles away. I have friends and friends of friends, but that circle is limited (due to my “trust factor”) and those who are in the circle have their own problems and don’t need mine as well. The most they can offer up is a comforting shoulder to cry on if needed.

But when trust and understanding comes from someone you love who is close to you, that’s when you feel safe. Whatever happens to my colleague in this situation, his “better half” will be standing by his side.

Other times, they’re just angry that the whole situation even happened in the first place. But once the dust settles and things get back to normal, real love is always there. Reminds me of something my grandmother used to say… “I may be mad right now, but I’ll always love you.”

Not-so Must See TV

The fat-cats down in TV world have announced their fall line-ups just as May Sweeps is ending and we’re all about to go off on summer vacation. This doesn’t really rock my world too much seeing as I don’t watch TV really, with the exception of Family Guy, Simpsons and whatever seems to be interesting on Food Network and HGTV.

However, I was going over the list and here are a few shows that won’t be coming back in the 2005/2006 season. 8 Simple Rules, Jack & Bobby (I’m surprised it took as long as it did to axe that one) American Dreams, Star Trek: Enterprise, Eyes, LAX (finally NBC has killed this one off for good! Better luck next time, Heather!)and  Third Watch (moving it to Friday nights was a death-blow) And these shows, that if you watched them, you must have been the only one… Life on a Stick, Medical Investigation, My Wife and Kids, North Shore, Point Pleasant and Summerland

In a surprise move, probably due to the fact that NBC doesn’t have much going for it right now, Joey will be coming back for another year. Charmed, Joan of Arcadia, Judging Amy and Kevin Hill are all still undecided as far as being killed off or being brought back as mid-season filler. So far, none of those shows are on their networks fall line-up.

Oh… and just for fun…

JENNIFER WHOREPEZ FAILURE FACT:
None of Jennifer Whorepez’s movies have ever placed in the IMDb’s Top 100, but her films have placed in the Bottom 100. She is also seen as one of the worst actresses of all time, according to many sites.

I’m lovin’ it

I just got home and I stink like burgers. Today is of course McHappy Day across Canada which means all proceeds from this year’s McHappy Day will benefit local children’s charities. One dollar from every McMuffin, Big Mac or Happy Meal will be donated to the restaurant’s charity of choice. Trust me, I know that by heart now – I’ve been repeating it all day long!

So I was doing my part with a few other local celebrities, sports personalities and media folk flipping burgers and ringing up orders at a local Mickey D’s. I met some pretty nice people and did some good today. Thanks to everyone who showed up and donated either their time and/or money for a very worth-while cause.

I’m still doing the diet thing so I had to pass on trying the “sandwiches” (Yes, according to the McDonald’s folk, they are called sandwiches and not burgers) But so I could feel that my money was going to help someone, I bought a sandwich for a friend of mine – who actually ate two!

One small victory for Zoey…

Bell Mobility, the cell phone provider I have a never-ending, iron-clad contract with, finally decided to give me my rebate I’ve been waiting nearly six months for. I kept giving them the benefit of the doubt that sooner or later they’d get around to giving me my credit, but as the snow melted and the birds started chirping again, I felt that maybe I should be the one to give them a call and a little reminder.

I was actually gearing-up for a big fight over the phone with some poor un-suspecting costumer service clown, but as it turned out, I didn’t need to. They took my call and right away when I explained my situation, gave me my credit. Yay for money!

But even though everything went well, I still have to gloat about it. So… for those keeping score at home, it’s now Zoey… 1, Cell Phone Company…0

Let’s see, what else is on my mind as I start planning for the May Long Weekends (yes, both of them) and “unofficial” kick-off to summer? Not much really. I’m getting my new bedroom set next week and I’m getting my new Beetle next month. That’s about it for now…

The Force is strong

The countdown is on… the months (and years) of waiting are over and there’s less than a week to go until Revenge of the Sith opens across the galaxy. Personally, I’ve waited this long already, I can wait a week or so until after it opens and the first billion people have seen it before I brave the line-ups and head to the multi-plex. Besides, I already have a pretty good idea as to what happens.

Oh, and pay no mind to the fact that it’s Friday the 13th today. Watch out for axe wielding killers wearing hockey masks.

Mid afternoon

Well what started out as a beautiful day with a high of 26°C(72°F)has turned into a big puddle of crap. Anyone who knows me, knows I love an over-cast day as much as the next person, but honestly… Pick one or the other. If it’s going to be sunny and warm, then stay that way. If it’s going to look like Vancouver or Seattle then so be it. But don’t start off with nice sunny weather and go all to hell by mid afternoon.

Not that is has anything to do with the weather, but… I’ve been giving a lot of thought to starting up with badminton again. I played it in college, then when I moved back to Montreal in 1998, but ever since moving to Toronto in 2002, I’m more or less given it up.

I honestly did make a go of it back in the fall when I first got here, but by Christmas I has lost interest again. Mainly due to the fact that badminton is just not as cool for some people as squash or racquetball. (both of which I think suck) If you know of any arenas offering badminton, please let me know.

Is Paris burning

I’m very disappointed with all of you out there. Well, not everyone. But the numb-brained dumb-asses that actually paid to see Stupid Spoiled Whore (aka Paris Hilton) in that new House of Wax. And don’t lie to me and tell me you snuck in without paying, or that your friend got you tickets or that you just wanted to see Paris get killed on screen. Thanks to you that film was number two at the box office and pulled in 12.2 million bucks.  Now producers will think putting Hilton in a movie is a good idea. Good job, assclowns!

You want to see Paris really die? Here’s an idea. Don’t watch her movies. Don’t watch her show. Don’t pay attention to her. That’s the best way to kill someone off. Just ask Joe Piscopo, Pauly Shore or Kato Kaelin.

There is no reason for her to be popular. I used to see many slutty girls in high school and none of them went on to become famous because of their bedroom antics. There’s also no need for someone who stands in inherit the Hilton hotel company to be making 12 million bucks a film.

Am I bitter? Not at all. Maybe if I had more guys inside me than New York City’s number 6 train at rush hour, made a sex video and then got a role in a crappy movie – yet somehow missed out on the 12 million dollars, then I might be a little bit pissed off. But I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… we already have too many wannabes and nobodies hogging all the media attention. We don’t need anymore.

How do you sleep with an angel?

I’ve been meaning to actually sit down and watch Angles in America. I keep seeing the promos for it on Showcase, but honestly between work, trying to have a social life and the fact that I can think of about 10 other things I’d rather watch, I haven’t had any luck seeing the show.

I haven’t even been bothered to program the VCR. Probably due to the fact that I hardly use my VCR and I don’t want to eject a tape months from now, only to ask myself why I bothered to record a program featuring an old looking Al Pacino and an even older-looking Meryl Streep.

So why have I been meaning to watch the show? Because anyone I talk to says it’s so wonderful and it could very well be the best TV movie HBO ever made. These are the same people that also swear Desperate Housewives is a masterpiece too and so far, I can’t bring myself to numb my brain long enough to sit through an episode of that either.

If nothing else, the drawing power of Angels could be – as my friend put it – “Emma Thompson looks hot and very do-able!” I’m sure an Oscar winning actress can rest happy knowing that with long flowing hair and an almost see-through gown, she looks “do-able”. Not really my cup of tea, but as far as angels go, I guess she’s the most “do-able” one I’ve seen. Naturally, my friend also had to add his two cents asking “I wonder what underwear she was wearing when she did those scenes.”

Now I really don’t want to watch.

Mug shot!

You all remember my co-worker Bill? Bill’s the guy who I work with who has a nice pair of shoes and his wife baked me a batch of cupcakes last year. Anyway, Bill strikes again. This time, instead of bringing me food, he has brought me this…

A new 7-Eleven travel mug! I know, it’s from 7-Eleven and Bill makes no bones about the fact that anyone who’s ever bought a Slurpee will know how much he paid for it, but that’s not why he got it for me. Bill knows two things about me that made his purchase a smart one.

1) I have recently switched from Starbucks lattes to French Vanilla (Fake) Cappuccinos from 7-Eleven

2) Despite being only one person, with only two mug holders in my one car, I have a rather impressive collection of travel mugs.

Not to mention the fact that I only have two hands, two arms, one mouth and the last time I checked, the amazing ability to only drink one beverage at a time – I still love getting a new travel mug. There’s just something so cool about it. (Or warm about it, depending what you put inside. Ha! Baaaaaad joke… but feel free to use it.)

I swear, sometimes I think Bill (like most of my co-workers) knows me better than I know myself. Well. Maybe not. He doesn’t know what color underwear I’m wearing today. Oh wait. Nevermind. I lean over my keyboard when I type and I have on those tan pants that ride down, so there’s a good chance he does in fact know what color my underwear are. Crap.

Um, where was I? Oh yes. Bill. Travel mug. 7-Eleven. Black underwear.

So now I have my new mug and according to the sign at the 7-Eleven, refills up to one liter (that’s “one quart” for those who don’t believe in the witch-craft known as the Metric system) for just a $1.17! Oh happy day.

This now means my Dynamite mug and my Starbucks mug will be retired. One Dynamite travel mug is being used as a pen/pencil holder on my desk at home. Any ideas for the other ones? What possible destiny awaits them? Your ideas – and gifts of future travel mugs – are always welcome.

Bob Hunter 1941-2005

For many Toronto folks, the name Bob Hunter brings to mind images of a friendly man, sitting in his bathrobe, sifting through the daily papers, offering his opinion on the day’s headlines and sharing his thoughts with the viewers at home. This in fact was Bob’s on-camera role as a part of Citytv’s Breakfast Television.

But Bob was more than familiar face on TV. He was also a co-founder of Greenpeace, an eco-warrior and a published author. A few years back he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He kept fighting both for what he believed in and for his health, but in the end, the illness proved to be too much. He was 63.

His life was anything but dull. From putting himself between massive whaling and seal-hunting ships, to taking on big corporations, Bob always kept busy helping those who needed him – and speaking for those without a voice.

I for one, only ever knew Bob as a face on TV, but over the last few years, I learned of all the amazing things he’s done. And I know that his legacy will live on. Toronto TV viewers have lost an icon. Mother Nature has lost a friend.

Under my covers

I treated myself to new sheets, new pillows and a new comforter this weekend. I felt it was long over-due and since I have been neglecting the bedroom when it comes to home makeovers, I felt a shot of life in the linen department wouldn’t hurt.

Shopping for anything bed-related always reminds me of those commercials you see on American local networks for local businesses where the “company president” or owner feels the need to star in the ad himself. As if that’s going to be a huge selling point or something. It’s always for a furniture store or car dealership or sometimes a restaurant.

I could never understand how bad acting translates to a good deal when buying new sheets or a mattress, but I guess it works for them. Maybe it shows honesty. Something along the lines of “I’m so honest that I’ll come on camera with no acting lessons at all, just to show you what a down to earth guy I am. Then you’ll want to buy something from me.”

Be that as it may, the people I bought my new linens from (Bed, Bath & Beyond) spend enough money on their ads as it is – and it shows in their prices too. But at least I had a good night’s rest. How was your weekend?