This Used to Be My Playground.

As we embark upon another impossibly heat sweltering but short summer, I have become nostalgic towards summers past. I can reckon back to a time when my only concern was how many times mom was going to yell at me to come in for dinner before she got really mad.

As time goes by and responsibilities grow forth, summer play time becomes replaced with endless work hours. If you are lucky, you might be able to take one week of paid holidays off, in which you proceed to waste away catching up on the errands you don’t have time for during the other 52 weeks of the year.

The other day, Joanne and Steve, were going to the field down the street to play baseball and I ended up joining them (along with mom’s boyfriend Gary and my sister Jennifer). We ended up having one of the most enjoyable evenings I have had in along time. It didn’t cost anything or require any long commutes or planning. It was just a spontaneous game that we truly enjoyed. Memories were made that evening (“I’m throwing with my tetnus arm” and “thank-you Bob Uecker”).

At the end of all this, I started yearning for uncomplicated play time like we did when we were kids. When we were kids, we didn’t think about how stressful our school day was or how busy our day was going to be tomorrow. We certainly didn’t use either as an excuse to not do anything but stay home and zone out to mindless t.v. for hours on end.

Nope. We put school behind us as soon as it was over and rushed home to play outside for hours on end, not thinking of what school was going to be like tomorrow. Yet somehow, as adults, all we do now is reflect on work and prepare for work. We have lost the ability to just play without a worry in the world. We have so few parks anymore that haven’t been ripped up and turned into a condo unit, that the few places we do, they sit their idle except for the few kids who aren’t playing video games.

Well I say no more. I’m done with living my life without play time. I’m taking back my childhood spirit. Bring on the baseball games! Bring on the cheap family events! Bring on the bocce ball, and the outdoor skating, and the swimming centers!

Because if there is one thing I know, I was a hell of a lot happier as a kid then I am now, so clearly the way I am living my life now just isn’t working! I’m taking back play time!

Dani's Top 6 Favourite Prime Time (non-soap) T.V. Theme Songs: 80's Edition

I feel a special affection towards my auntie television. It babysat me when I was a kid. No matter what mood I am it, it has a story for me. It was an avenue in which I could explore my hobbies. It opens a world that I can dream of (thank-you travel channel).

So it comes as no surprise that I love t.v. theme songs. Like pavlov's dog, all I need to hear are the first few notes of some programs and I come running.

However, there are some that stand out more than others. I have no criteria other than happy memory to guide my choices. So sit back, relax, dream of days of synthesised music...and enjoy.

#5- Taxi Theme Song.
I loved this show as a kid. I only had about 4 channels so this was an afternoon institution. It's dorky in the retarded younger brother kind of way.



#4- Hill Street Blues
I didn't necessarily appreciate the show when I was a kid as much as I do now, but my parents (my stepdad) used to watch this show every week. It's kind of sad...but it's also equally sad that I don't have a cop to hump on weekly basis, so meh.



#3-Airwolf
This was the coolest show ever and had a kick ass theme song to boot. Plus he was hot.




#2 Degrassi Junior High
This was a bonafied Canadian Institution. I do not know one person who could not recite the lyrics....very angsty.



Tied for first- Dukes of Hazzard
I sooooo wanted to be Daisy Duke. This appeals to my inner white trash.



#1 - MacGyver.
All good things can be solved by McGyver. Thus, this song is cool.




While I realize that there are far better shows and far better theme songs...tough titty. This is my blog. Plus, I have the top 80's soap songs pending...haha.

Creative dry spells and random ramblings.

Have you ever just sat there and could not think of anything to write about, despite having a list of awesome ideas in the back of your head? Or you have this awesome idea, but cannot articulate yourself for the life of you?

That is me right now. If you only knew all of the awesome things floating in ye olde noggin right now...but I just don't have the energy/stamina/thought process to take the idea and expand it beyond a few sentences.

I could write about my idea half-assed. Or I could just save them until later. Which I will do because nothing is worse than a great idea posted blandly. But here are some random stuff anyways just to tantilize my fellow 4 readers with the possibility of something exciting down the pipe.

1) *inside joke moment that only two other's will get* : I think that Pantless Jones and Shirtless Jones needs to have a long lost African-American cousin/brother(played by that hot guy that is dating the chick from The View). He can be "Wet T-Shirt Jones". Junior...this is a huge plot twist idea that you could totally work into the story. Maybe he is the "mysterious man"....

2) The Biggest Loser is having their finale this week. I will blog more about this later (as I have so many things to say since my last post, and I am already sad about the idea of a few months without Bob Harper)....but needless to say, I am stoked. I so want either Tara or Mike to win. It is on Tuesday and I can't wait to see all the transformations.

3) Speaking of weightloss, I have a bet with my friend on who can loose the most weight in a 10 week period. Since there is cash on the line, I have to get my ass in gear and get serious now!!!

4) I'm becoming a Lector at my church. I am very excited as they are coming out with the new readings at the end of Pentecost. I hope I sound as good as I think I do. LOL.

5) Speakin of church....ashamed to admit this...but a certain Deacon's son is very hot. Like smoking hot. I'm going to hell for impure thoughts about the Deacon's son. LOLZ.

6) I need a new bra. But why do bra's for big chested woman come in the form of a military issued underwire? They can poke eyes out!\

7) So far, my book tally is nilch. But I still love being Canadian and I want to post more about this soon!

Cheers all!

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!

Stomping Tom Connors, where have you been all my Life? *Canada Week Post*

In honour of my Canadian ways, I am dedicating the next week or so of posts to all things Canadian! Yes mon amies. I will post all things about what it is to be Canadian and the joys (and sometimes pitfalls) that comes with being a hoser.

I was inspired the other day when I was sitting with mom and there was a Stomping Tom Connors show on (filmed in '73...when it was cool to be Canadian). The above link is the actual movie we watched. Of course, I promptly (and politely) went to the Wee Book Inn to barter for some CD's of Stomping Tom. I am not ashamed of my blatent geekiness. In fact, this might be the first time that the sales guy actually looked to me with that "you are so cool" instead of the usual scorn I get when I buy CD's from hippies. But I digress.

For those who don't know, Stomping Tom Connors is an institution. He is one of those iconic symbols. He is as proud a Canadian. In fact, did you know that he returned all of his Juno (a Canadian equiv. of the AMA award) in protest because he felt the Juno's were honouring to many forign acts. He also is going to be featured on an upcoming stamp. His life story is beyond cool. See this link -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stompin'_Tom_Connors

His songs are totally funny hokey. He was a comedian singer long before the likes of Dennis Leary and Adam Sandler. In fact, I would say it was because of him that the genre became popular at all. Plus, you have to love the guy that gave us the hockey song, our unofficial third anthem.

He's the kind of guys that just takes random thoughts in his head and turns it into a folk song. Does't matter what the topic (potatos, ketchup, hocky, drunk whores), if it's good enough to ponder, it's good enough to sing.

If fact, check out but some of his songs on You Tube (search Stomping Tom Connors).

So to Stomping Tom Connors, I salute you!

Best picture ever!

I stole borrowed this picture from Junior. It totally rocks and pretty much describes me on a daily basis. At work, at home...it's all the same. But no one wants to make me feel better anymore. Nobody kisses my boo boo's. *sniff*.

Weight Loss Wednesday's: Letting yourself loose

Last night was very exciting because my favourite contestant, the one that inspires me, was a guest host last night...and she continues to look awesome!



But one thing bothered me about last night's episode.

Tara, one of the contestants that I can most relate to, let herself loose a competition. She has lost over 105 pounds and has also lost the greatest percentage of weight. She has won so many competitions, even with more obstacles (such as pulling a car with extra weight that the other competitors gave her).

So last night, she decided she was going to give up a 1 pound advantage at the weigh in because she didn't want everyone to target her....she wanted to show that she doesn't win all the competitions and that there are other competitors just as strategic flying under the radar.

I get her point. But I felt that with all her success, she sold herself short by allowing herself to loose.

There is this Kenny Rogers song that goes "you've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em" referring to cards.

But here's the thing. Yes, you have to know when to fold 'em...but if you have a winning hand, why do you have to not play them just to make the other people feel better?

I think I feel upset because I realize that I do that all the time. I give in so that others feel better. At work, with my friends, my family...I don't know when to keep on holding them. I fold all the time...conciously or unconciously.

So if you think about it...why when it comes to weight loss do we let ourselves fail? Why not just try winning even if it pisses others off.

Just a thought...

Final post...my day so far.

Thank-you work for sucking my soul out of me today. My holidays are but 3 days away and I will make sure to leave so much work behind. No staying late to make it easier. Nope. I want you to suffer.

Die.

Catch Up Post #3- DILF

Thanks to Joanne's husband Steve, I now have a new lexicon to add to my vocabulary. DILF.

Similar to the MILF, it's when you lust after men old enough to be your father.

So my first official DILF for consideration is ROBERT PATRICK.

Star of The Unit, The X-Files, The Terminator.

He is one hot daddy. Hot. Hot.
Please draw your attention to the strategically placed bulge. Camo can't hide that.

Catch Up Post #2- Catholic Sunday: Tears.

As a general rule, I tend to keep my emotions in check. So when the tears do flow, it's always at the most unexpected moments that catch me completely off guard. I mean, I didn't cry at my grandpa's funeral, but I sobbed uncontrollably when Megan died on One Life to Live (a soap opera). I broke my leg and no tears, but I cried hysterically at the Luxor in Las Vegas when I found out that my cat died at home.

So imagine my surprise when I almost burst into tears not once, not twice, not three times....but FOUR times at church yesterday. Having to deal with the topic of forgiveness was harder then I expected. But the realization was that by not forgiving the two men in my life who could have destroyed me, I was continuing letting them destroy me.

Now here it is on Monday...and I still want to cry (beause work sucks, but that's a whole different post). It's like a resevoir has been unleashed inside of me.

I have nothing profound to say...just saying that I'm a bit tearful lately. So if I randomly burst into tears at awkward moments, then you all know why. It's those damn ducks I tell ya...you never have them around when you need them the most.