Fridays (Way Overdue) Top 5: Guilty Pleasures

Hello faithful readers of five. I am way overdue on a blog post. Blame a combination of work-crazy, life-crazy, and laziness. Mostly laziness. OK. Just blame laziness and move on already.

My beautiful gurl crush BFF Joanne, at a A Warm Cup of Jo, has been faithfully committing to our quest to post weekly top fives. In fact, it was my suggestion to do this series as a way to blog more faithfully. How's that working out for me? Sigh.

So I need to catch up to the two posts FT5 posts she has posted (what a keener she is), I present my catch-up post #1.

We all have them. Some of them are more embarrassing than others. Here are my top-five guilty pleasures.

5) Libraries and Bookstores.


Source: National Library in Ottawa

I shouldn't feel guilty or embarrassed by my love of books, libraries and bookstores. There is nothing to feel guilty about.

 

But I take my love a new level. I will go in and wander just because. I have been known to have "dates" with my friends at libraries and bookstores. On a few occasions, Wendy and I went to Chapters just to look-around. Joanne and I spent many, many, many days in our youth going to the library (which was a conveniently located next to the fire hall *ahem*).

 

If there is time between bus connections at Northgate Transit Centre, I mosey over to Chapters. Bookstores and libraries are my paradise.



 

4) Weight Watchers

Source: Weightwatchers.com

It might be odd to have a corporation as a guilty pleasure. And for full disclosure, I am currently on Weight Watchers. But have you seen my WW stash? Have you seen the lengths I have gone to to attend a meeting?

 

True story. While I was on my honeymoon in Penticton B.C., I made my new husband drive around and then wait in a car for an hour just so I can attend a meeting. Was it dedication? Well sort of. But mostly, it was because I wanted to get my hands on products we couldn't get at our meetings at home.

 

My reading nook in the basement has an entire shelf dedicated to Weight Watchers. I have books going back to when Sarah, the Duchess of York was a role model. I have every single "weekly" magazine since the new Points Plus program came out in 2010. I have the latest book Weight Loss Boss by CEO David Kirchhoff (a book I highly recommend). I spend hours looking at other people's blogs. I go to message boards (via my App). 

 

So how am I doing in my own journey you ask? *cough cough*. Let us move on...

 

3) PBS

Source: PBS.org

Arguably, the previous two pleasure can be defended as reasonable and rational. But this is pure guilt at it's finest.

What is embarrassing about this choice:

• It is an acknowledgement that I, at 35, willingly watch PBS.
• It is an acknowledgement that I, at 35, willingly watch stuffy period pieces.
• It is an acknowledgement that I, at 35, willingly watch documentaries and cooking shows

I know there are friends out there who would say "stand proud, stand tall" (right Rebecca?) I have always felt like an old soul. I have always felt that when I reject Jersey Shore and Honey Boo Boo for Downton Abbey, Jane Austen films, Ken Burns Documentaries and America's Test Kitchen, I am saying to the world that I am better than than you.

Which I am if you watch Jersey Shore and Honey Boo Boo willingly.

Yes, I am a snob. But some of the best 10 hours of TV footage of my life have been spent watching Ken Burns documentary Baseball. Seriously.

Source: PBS.org

 
2) Duck Dynasty

Source: A&E Television

I am a dumb complex individual. The same person who watches Downton Abbey while poo-pooing those who watch Jersey Shore will spend an entire Saturday watching Duck Dynasty marathon. My Wednesday nights have never been the same since I first saw welcomed the Robertson family into my life.

You have no idea how much I love this show. It is great for two reasons:

1. It is genuinely funny. Side-splitting funny.
2. The family are harmless and unoffensive in their red-necked ways.

Here are the gems they say on this show:

• "I don't know about this Justin the Beaver"- Kay
• "You kids ever hear of the term 'Nam' "- Si
• "Most people named Willie are either in prison or on the arm of a wrestling circuit"- Jase
• "First it's pretty tires. Next it's pretty guns. Then the next thing you know, you're shaving your  beard and wearing capri pants." — Si

Pure. Solid. Harmless. Enjoyment.

1) Cooking shows

If I had one guilty pleasure above all else, it is probably that I waste spend hours a week watching cooking shows.

There are the shows that I watch to actually learn how to cook, like America's Test Kitchen, Martha Stewart's various shows, Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson et. al.

Then there are the shows I watch for pure foodie enjoyment, such as Chopped, Just Desserts, You Gotta Eat Here and so on.

Watching cooking shows, even in mass quantities like I do, wouldn't be other people's guilty pleasure. In fact, it would seem quite normal.

But shall I casually state that, much to the displeasure of my husband, my actual cooking skills are less than stellar? The fact that I am the anti-Nigella in the kitchen (under the delusion that I will actually get better by watching these shows) makes this my #1 guilty pleasure.

So head on over to see Joanne's guilty pleasures, and share your own guilty pleasures in the comment boxes.



 

 

 



Literary Masterpieces in Canada...aka...why I feel like the village idiot.

Selecting a book to read in Canada is like shopping for cream at the grocery store. You could go buy the mediocre american made cream. Or you can spend a fortune for the fresh cream milked straight from the cows teet, the cow having rested in a bed of clouds and fed only the finest grain of the land.

That's kind of like books. You could buy the mediocre American books full of frivolty and chick lit. Or you can truly aspire to read books of the sophisticae elite and read Canadian Literature.

Our authors win stuff. Lots of stuff. If there is a literary book prize, our authors are usually on the short list with a high chance of winning.

Canada is blessed with the likes of Mordechai Richler, Margaret Atwood, Rohinton Minstry, Micheal Ondaatje and company.

I read Chatelaine's annual summer book list "must -reads" and there are always a handful of Canadian books listed. There is the CBC's website which lists all these great books. And when viewers can comment, they always list books by Canadian authors with the smug knowledge that not only have they read them, but that all the other readers who comment on that book on are "in the know".

Then there is me. I can't pretend anymore. I have not read many Canadian books. I feel ashamed to admit this, but I shop for generic cream. I have these great intentions of reading these literary masterpieces, but 9 times out of 10, I reach for a romance or something equally low brow.

Here we are, in the land of talent. And while I can identify who is a Canadain author, I cannot admit ot having read many Canadian books. I yearn for the expensive cream so that I can be 'in the know', but I opt for the cheap stuff each time.

This summer, it will be different.....I am going to read ever "must -read" can-lit book so that I can join the ranks of smug book snobs. I am up for the challenge.
This year, excluding whatever books are in my book club, I am going to ready 50 Canadian Books. Operation Dani wants to be a Can-Lit Book Snob commences!

Do it today: Motivation and the Journey forward.

What have you done today to make you feel proud?

It's never too late to try

What have you done today to make you feel proud?

You could be so many people

If you make that break for freedom

What have you done today to make you feel proud?

We need a change

Do it today

I can feel my spirit rising

We need a change

So do it today

Cause I can see a clear horizon

What have you done today to make you feel proud?

**********

"If you really take care of yourself, your body will take care of you". ~Bob Harper.

What steps do we take to make our weight loss goals a reality? In yesterday's blog, I spoke about the pitfalls of relying solely on motivation, specifically from others. But today, I wanted to focus on how we can use motivation as a source of strength.

In thinking of what to write today, I was going to come up with ideas. But when I started writing, I realized I was about to fall in the same trap that inspired this post in the first place. I realized that I cannot tell or force my ideas on others. That the things that might motivate me, may not work for others. And if I argue that our role is to inspire our friends instead of motivate our friends, then I bloody well couldn't just sit here and tell people how to motivate themselves.

So what do I write about then? How do I take the idea of motivation and move forward?

Then it hit me. Like someone going to McGyver to fix them out of a jam, I need to go to my McGyver. My person that can explain things in a way that makes sense to me. So who is my McGyver? Well, it all comes back to Bob..... Bob Harper that is.

It's not exactly a state secret that I LOVE BOB HARPER. And who better to talk about motivation then Bob Harper. View this and I will continue on.



What can we learn from Bob?

• Don't just sit back and wonder, get out and inquire
• Give it a try, and allow yourself to take part in the journey.
• Success is often found when you least expect it, but never found if you don't at least try.
• There is nothing wrong with travelling down a different road on your journey, whether it be by choice or by circumstance. If we keep taking the interstate, we end up missing the sights along the way.
• Even if you find success, that doesn't mean you have to settle for just that. Always seek your calling or allow yourself to have your calling seek you.
• Are you ready? Yes you are. The next step is to just do.

By the way, the song at the top is an excerpt from the song Proud, which is the theme song of the Biggest Loser. No better words to get you started, eh?

~Dani.

*Tomorrow I will unveil "Shoot the Shit Saturday", my post of random, light hearted stuff to end the week*

St. Patrick's Day: Why I Love the Irish.

Of all the saint's days on the litergical calendar, my favourite has to be St. Patrick's Day. St. Patrick's Day represents to me the first major mass celebration we celebrate that I can associate with Spring. My love of the Irish, & all things Irish, probably goes back to my childhood. While I for sure had my share of upheaval, I have learned that if you can survive life with an Irish step-father, you can pretty much overcome any upheaval in life.

But my love goes beyond that. For as much heartache and excitement that one has growing up in a Irish home, I know that deep down inside, I will always be tied to the Irish by the things that I truly love. My little obsessions as it were.

So without further ado, here are a list of 5 things I love about the Irish.

#5- Irish Sweaters: The Irish seem to get that people want to wear sweaters for comfort and warm. None of this cheap material crudely sewn together crap. No siree. The quality of an aran sweater is unparalled to anything else constructed. I can just imagine a hard working farmer's wife, weaving sheeps wool, using a standard design passed on from previous generations.

Plus, take a look at the picture on the side. Is that not the most romatic image? A normal sized average woman wearing sweats and a sweater, with a hot guy to snuggle with. *SIGH*

The Irish give us love by way of a sweater!

#4- Irish Jewellery: My sister Jennifer, more Irish then I, loves Claddaugh Rings. Having never heard of them, Jennifer took me to the Irish booth at Heritage Days, were she I proceeded to buy one.

Like most Irish jewellery, the design is very deliberate and has a history behind it. Like celtic crosses and other jewellery that the Irish produce, there is a complex design and story behind everything that is crafted. I don't normally like or wear gold, except for Irish jewellery. When I get married, I pray that it's to an Irish man who will buy me Irish jewellery. Or a regular guy, as long as he buys me Irish jewellery. ;)

#3- Irish Alcahol: I think this picture pretty much says it all. *edited to add that the the building in the picture is a beer store* 'Nuff said.

#2- Irish Entertainment: I love all things when it comes to Irish Entertainment. The Irish more than any other culture can tell a good weaving gripping story. While mostly pathos and angst (as seems to be the defining narrative), in story, song or movie, there is an enduring hope and a loving endurance.

I love movies that take place in Ireland or tell Irish stories (examples: In the Name of the Father, Angela's Ashes, P.S. I Love You, Circle of Friends, In America, Boondock Saints, Waking Ned Devine, Micheal Collins and so on). The books take those emotions and extend it to the core of you.

One book I am reading right now is Angela's Ashes. I saw the movie a few years back and am finally getting around to the book. I can relate to so much, even if my situation was signficantly better. The situations of living in an Irish family may very, but the emotions are the same.

Finally, can you include a post without mentioning Irish music? I think not. When I think back to the my favourite groups, or my favourite songs, chances are they are compose by an Irish composer. U2 is the obvious group that everyone things of, and I could list to Sunday Bloody Sunday all day long. And what is a bar song without House of Pain ?

*jump around, jump around, jump up, jump up and get down...jump jump jump". <--you can thank me later when you are trying to sleep at night but this song won't leave your head.

But the less obvious muscians include The Cranberries. This was the first group that mom and I liked together. They came out in the 90's and they sound Irish.

The best singer by far though is Enya. When I'm stressed, when I'm relaxed, when I need to concetrate, or when I'm going for walks in the rain...Enya will be in my MP3 list.

Go have a listen: http://www.enya.com/videos.php?vid=p

***So...that leaves me with one thing that I love about the Irish. What can I possibly love more than music, and books, and movies, and rings and sweaters and beer??? Tune in tomorrow as I reveal my number one Irish obsession. ****

P.S. Although anyone who knows me knows what is missing..ha ha. It will be so obvious tomorrow.

~Dani