Since returning to BC, about three months ago, I've been doing a lot of visiting with my elderly Grandma. Today's the day I'd like to wish her a very Happy 80th Birthday. So, even though I'm back in Alberta, that's exactly what I did. I've got a few funny Grandma stories from over the years... Also a few that helped shape the family story & history while aiding in everything making sense... Grandma is my only surviving grandparent, so today I am entirely grateful that I was able to speak with her, as opposed to speaking solely of her.
Eating a cookie (or pretty much ANYTHING else sweet) with one hand and armed with a back up in the other - my Diabetic Grandmother will deny her sweet tooth... I think it's more like three, but good luck getting her to admit one! I'm not sure if that stems from Grandma being a Swiss girl at heart - the Swiss are renown for their chocolate you know! Or if it has anything to do with the fact that she was a girl raised in the Dirty Thirties.... It could've stemmed from being in Switzerland when WWII was rumbling and rationing came into the mix of everyday life. Grandma's told me numerous times that she used to stock pile her sugar and use it to barter with her own Mum. (She'd give my Great Grandmother her hoarded sugar ration so Great Grandma could use it for baking. Grandma was no fool - fresh baking is super sweet... Especially when you can load it with butter - another of Grandma's favorites that she may deny as she's loading her bread with it! LOL!)
Grandma is the only one of my Grandparents not born on Canadian soil. She was born in Switzerland and immigrated to Canada when she was around 6 or 7. I remember having to do an art project in grade 11 or so and the subject was Family History related. I went to Grandma and wracked her brain for something I could draw out. She told me of her boat ride over to Canada when she was small. She remembered that they came across a Soldier - before boarding the ship- who clicked his heels and expected her father to give the Nazi Salute. He was reluctant at first but eventually gave in. She vividly told me of people getting sea sick and puking off the side of the boat. She remembered Swastikas on the rain barrels of a male relative they briefly stayed with upon their arrival in Canada.... I've come into Grandma's kitchen a time or two and managed to witness her yodelling quietly to herself - a trait learned of her own Mother. (Some of her siblings have been caught doing the same.) Every so often, you'll catch Grandma mumble something in Swiss-German under her breathe - it's usually a swear though. Grandma and my Mum have made the trek back to Switzerland since. I think a more recent trip back is in the back of her mind as well.
Grandma made it to the eighth grade before dropping out to join the work force. After moving across Canada from Dryden, Ontario to Vernon, BC, Grandma was employed in various places - usually as a Machine Worker/Machinist. While my Grandpa was away working for the Department of Highways, Grandma worked on the Machinist lines of the Canadian Club Distillery (Hyram Walker) in Winfield, BC. She was home every night to keep her four kids in line - the oldest of those four being my Mum. I remember Grandma retiring in 1989 after many years of service.
I remember many summers in Grandma's backyard - which was equipped with an above ground pool. (This is where I learned how to do a flip into a pool or appropriate sized/depth body of water.) It was always great to be able to go to Grandma's for a sleep over - especially when one of the cousins was sleeping over with you! I remember one such sleep over.... My cousin, Jessica, always had the flare for drama, singing and just down right entertainment. She got an idea in her head that we could basically do our own variety show kinda deal. We'd play songs popular in the late '80's and we'd dance around and lip sync. Grandma had a video camera and offered to film it.... We even did a "Weight Watchers" commercial and stuffed a pillow up the front of our shirts for the before shot... I'm not sure where that video is in Grandma's pile of stuff... But if it ever turned up, I'd be mortified! Grandma was always good for that though. She was always doing something creative... I've seen pictures where she dressed her own kids up!
Grandma's house was always the centered point of any family get together - whether it be Thanksgiving or Christmas. All my cousins (as Grandma's got 10 grand kids and 1 great grand kid now) would come and aunts and uncles would congregate at Grandma's. (I remember when Grandma and Grandpa moved out of the house I'd known as theirs for the first 15 years of my life... I was pretty sad - the cousins and I would hunt Salamanders in the basement... Where I had numerous tea parties with the special tea sets Grandma kept in her cupboards for us... I still want to buy that house one day.)
A couple summers ago, I had come home from Edmonton for a week or so vacation... I spent a sunny afternoon at the peanut pool with one of my baby, baby cousins Syd and my Grandma. After packing up for the day, then dropping Sydney off at home (which was just up the street from Grandma's), I stayed at Grandma's for dinner. Grandma had decided to make spaghetti but was in a panic for a vegetable to serve with dinner. I laughed my head off and asked if the tomato sauce wasn't good enough to consider a veggie. She replied no and continued making dinner. I laughed even harder when she called me for dinner and served broccoli with spaghetti. I'll never forget that evening, so long as I live!
So, on this day all those years ago, my Grandma was born in Switzerland 6 weeks or so premature. The doctor told my Great Grandfather not to worry about registering his 5 pound daughter, because she probably wouldn't make it. Naming her was optional as well, for the same reasoning. I'm glad that Great Grandpa Gysler registered her as little Rena Gysler because Grandma proved that doctor wrong... Here it is 80 years later, and she's still alive and kicking and I'm proud to call her Grandma!
HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!!!!
Saturday, 19 March 2011
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Thursday, 17 February 2011
A Woman's Love of Shoes : A Tribute of Sorts
Sure, shoes serve a purpose - protecting one's feet... This could mean from weather - like snow or rain... Or from the heat of the pavement on a hot Summer's day... True - shoes also protect one's feet from sharp and uncomfortable things - like rocks or glass... They can also protect other things - like proper running shoes protect from shin splints and joint pain... We've even got steal toed boots to protect us while on the job. Shoes can make an outfit, they can make a person taller, they can help correct one's posture and a bazillion of other things... Maybe these are examples of why the stereo typical woman has so many pairs of shoes. And as a woman, I'd love to be able to completely explain why women have heaps of shoes... I'll try my best to do so, from my perspective, though I don't speak for every female out there.
I moved a few months ago, and the sheer amount of shoes in my collection astounded me! I had two very large garbage bags full. (That didn't even include the duffel bag full of slippers - which in my mind are just shoes acceptable to wear in the house.... Winnie the pooh, Eeyore and Shrek are just a few of my slipper characters... And that doesn't include a few of the "plain" pairs I have... Ridiculous!) Compared to some Ladies out there, that's a minuscule amount... To me it just seemed nuts! I was in full out moving purge mode and trimmed that down by half..... I got rid of old, warn out pairs that had already been replaced... There was easily about $500 worth of shoes there... And by no means do I own a pair designer shoes of Jimmy Choo status. I don't even own a brand name pair of shoes! They're all middle of the road, not overly expensive department store brands.... Okay, so I do have a pair of Columbia boots that are kind of expensive - but they were part of a uniform that I didn't have to pay for... But I did get to keep the boots! =0)
While purging, I also got rid of a couple pairs that I would never wear again... I'm not going to lie... It literally hurt to wear them... Why do we do that to ourselves my fellow Ladies? I've wandered through the shoe sections of various department stores and have wondered how some people are able to walk in some of the styles out there! The honking high heels for example. If I could make it out the door without snapping an ankle I'd be impressed... And if I managed not to injure myself throughout the evening's events, the dang things would leave me crippled by knee and foot pain for a couple days. I will admit - even though I graduated from high school coming up on 12 years ago - I still have the shoes I bought and wore especially for grad. They are high heels, borderline hooker shoes... I can't seem to bring myself to part with them, even though they've been worn twice and I doubt I could walk in them again.
I've probably got at least one pair of every style of shoe out there... I've got steel toed boots - which of course were required foot wear for a few jobs I've had... I've got a couple different styles of winter boots - a dresser pair, my favorite "sh!t kicker" ankle boot style, and a pair of mid-calf functional winter play boots... Let's face it, I'm Canadian and there's bound to be snow at one point or another. (Now that I'm no longer in Edmonton, I hope the snow stays in actual Winter months and doesn't make a surprise appearance in the middle of July!) I've got a couple pair of comfortable formal flats... Runners/Work-out style shoes, yep you'll find them in my collection. My favorites though - sandals and flip flops... That's where most of my shoe money's been sunk! I've got a pair of for every mood or necessity one can imagine - with the exception of a pair of "Hooker Boots"... And Heaven forbid I find another cute pair out there!
I just came in from mucking around on the muddy country road I live on, in my newest footwear acquisition.... Gumboots, or Rubber boots if you will. Yeah, I said it - Gumboots! Out here it would be crazy not to possess a pair. While coming in more stylish patterns than I remember growing up, Gumboots are functional.... They serve a purpose. One can go outside on a soggy Spring or Fall day, do yard work and not worry about ruining a pair of shoes that are otherwise still acceptable to wear in public... They clean up really easily and are waterproof... So, you don't have to worry about getting your feet wet either! Gumboots are functional - one of the reasons why Women love shoes! (Oh Gumboots! I don't know why I waited so long to own a pair again!)
I can't really explain it... I just love shoes! I guess I have so many so I have a variety of choice... If I'm lazy and don't want to bend over and it's nice enough outside - I've got sandals... It's snowing - I've got boots. It's spring and mucky - I've got gumboots... Going on a job where regulated foot wear is required - steel toed boots are there... Going for a walk or exercising - there's the runners... They all serve a purpose and protect the feet in one form or another... Most of them even look cute while doing so! Everybody needs to take care of their smelly feet to make sure they're not all gnarled out for when we're older... Shoes are just the forefront of preserving our foot future! (It would "stink" to have arthritic feet due to improper foot wear!)
It's not always about me... While I have a healthy love of shoes, I'd rather be running around bare foot year round. Figure that one out!
I moved a few months ago, and the sheer amount of shoes in my collection astounded me! I had two very large garbage bags full. (That didn't even include the duffel bag full of slippers - which in my mind are just shoes acceptable to wear in the house.... Winnie the pooh, Eeyore and Shrek are just a few of my slipper characters... And that doesn't include a few of the "plain" pairs I have... Ridiculous!) Compared to some Ladies out there, that's a minuscule amount... To me it just seemed nuts! I was in full out moving purge mode and trimmed that down by half..... I got rid of old, warn out pairs that had already been replaced... There was easily about $500 worth of shoes there... And by no means do I own a pair designer shoes of Jimmy Choo status. I don't even own a brand name pair of shoes! They're all middle of the road, not overly expensive department store brands.... Okay, so I do have a pair of Columbia boots that are kind of expensive - but they were part of a uniform that I didn't have to pay for... But I did get to keep the boots! =0)
While purging, I also got rid of a couple pairs that I would never wear again... I'm not going to lie... It literally hurt to wear them... Why do we do that to ourselves my fellow Ladies? I've wandered through the shoe sections of various department stores and have wondered how some people are able to walk in some of the styles out there! The honking high heels for example. If I could make it out the door without snapping an ankle I'd be impressed... And if I managed not to injure myself throughout the evening's events, the dang things would leave me crippled by knee and foot pain for a couple days. I will admit - even though I graduated from high school coming up on 12 years ago - I still have the shoes I bought and wore especially for grad. They are high heels, borderline hooker shoes... I can't seem to bring myself to part with them, even though they've been worn twice and I doubt I could walk in them again.
I've probably got at least one pair of every style of shoe out there... I've got steel toed boots - which of course were required foot wear for a few jobs I've had... I've got a couple different styles of winter boots - a dresser pair, my favorite "sh!t kicker" ankle boot style, and a pair of mid-calf functional winter play boots... Let's face it, I'm Canadian and there's bound to be snow at one point or another. (Now that I'm no longer in Edmonton, I hope the snow stays in actual Winter months and doesn't make a surprise appearance in the middle of July!) I've got a couple pair of comfortable formal flats... Runners/Work-out style shoes, yep you'll find them in my collection. My favorites though - sandals and flip flops... That's where most of my shoe money's been sunk! I've got a pair of for every mood or necessity one can imagine - with the exception of a pair of "Hooker Boots"... And Heaven forbid I find another cute pair out there!
I just came in from mucking around on the muddy country road I live on, in my newest footwear acquisition.... Gumboots, or Rubber boots if you will. Yeah, I said it - Gumboots! Out here it would be crazy not to possess a pair. While coming in more stylish patterns than I remember growing up, Gumboots are functional.... They serve a purpose. One can go outside on a soggy Spring or Fall day, do yard work and not worry about ruining a pair of shoes that are otherwise still acceptable to wear in public... They clean up really easily and are waterproof... So, you don't have to worry about getting your feet wet either! Gumboots are functional - one of the reasons why Women love shoes! (Oh Gumboots! I don't know why I waited so long to own a pair again!)
I can't really explain it... I just love shoes! I guess I have so many so I have a variety of choice... If I'm lazy and don't want to bend over and it's nice enough outside - I've got sandals... It's snowing - I've got boots. It's spring and mucky - I've got gumboots... Going on a job where regulated foot wear is required - steel toed boots are there... Going for a walk or exercising - there's the runners... They all serve a purpose and protect the feet in one form or another... Most of them even look cute while doing so! Everybody needs to take care of their smelly feet to make sure they're not all gnarled out for when we're older... Shoes are just the forefront of preserving our foot future! (It would "stink" to have arthritic feet due to improper foot wear!)
It's not always about me... While I have a healthy love of shoes, I'd rather be running around bare foot year round. Figure that one out!
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Don't Suffer in Silence: Depression Stinks
"Sunshine, blue sky, please go away,
My girl has found another, and gone away
With her went my future, my life is filled with gloom,
So day after day, I stay locked up in my room
I know to you it might sound strange,
I wish it would rain (oh how I wish that it would rain)"
~The Temptations "I Wish It Would Rain"
Lately, I've noticed that I haven't blogged nearly as often as I used to.... And not as much as I would like to... As I've promised that I would. I'd like to say that it's just the post~Christmas/Winter blues.... I'd like to say that it's being single just before the massively commercial Valentine's Day... I know these aren't the reasons, however... I've figured what the issue is ~ Depression.
While growing up, I remember my Grandma suffering from bouts of Depression... Sometimes, those bouts were pretty hardcore... Grandma has been treated with Anti-Depressant drugs over the years, and they seem to help keep her on a more even keel. I know most, if not all, of Grandma's siblings have suffered from Depression as well - including her only brother. One of her sisters has dealt with a very serious case of Depression that has been treated with Shock Therapy sessions. One of Grandma's Uncles, back in Switzerland, committed suicide due to a heavy bout of Depression.... My Mum has followed in Grandma's footsteps and has been diagnosed and treated with Depression/Anxiety Issues.
I remember my own Depression started as a teenager. I'd come home from school and sleep until dinner was served. It wasn't until I had a break down in 2001 in the Doctor's office, after moving away to go to college, that I was diagnosed with Depression/Anxiety issues of my own. The straw that seemed to "Break the Camel's Back" was a hard core year of personal turmoil. I lost my Gramps in January... My first serious boyfriend and I broke up in March - after two and a half years together. I moved away from home for the first time by myself to go to College. My other Grandfather was pretty sick when I left and passed away three weeks after my move. (He also passed away two and a half weeks before my 20th birthday. It didn't help that I lost both my Grandfathers within 9 months of each other, almost to the day.)
My depression symptoms included being tired all of the time... Even if I slept for 8-12 hours a day.... I'd go for periods without eating very much at all. Then I'd stuff everything and anything in my mouth food wise. I gained a TON of weight. (I graduated from highschool at about a weight of 125 pounds. I stopped weighing myself at 210.... And I know I gained more after that - the clothes that fit almost comfortably at 210 were becoming tight.) The weight gain only added to the depression. I had no energy and my body seemed to ache all the time. I know the added weight didn't help the aching, but it's not the sole reason for the ache.
Friends and Family had tried to cheer me up and would take me out to "get my mind off of things" - but it didn't help. I began drinking and partying pretty heavily.... Heavily enough to wrack up a couple credit cards - which again, only added to my depressed state of mind. That's when the crying fit in front of the Doctor came into play. I was so embarrassed when I started blubbering away in front of the Doc - I hate crying in front of anybody, but in front of the Doctor seemed that much more embarrassing. He had asked me about family history of Depression - I told him the same as I've written here - and he prescribed an Anti-Depressant/Anti-Anxiety medication for me.
I had to stop drinking and partying in order for it to work properly... So that's what I did. I gained a new group of friends who were more supportive, and drank less... With the help of them and the pills, I slowly became more even tempered... I wasn't prone to crying fits as much. I ached less and my appetite became a little more regular. My weight stayed pretty close to the same though - but now I had the energy to go for more walks to help rectify that.
Under the Doctor's guidance, I started weening myself off the medication after about 6 - 8 months. Everything seemed to be going alright. I was doing well enough in school. I had some pretty great friends. I was starting to lose a bit of weight - rather than gain it. Every so often I would have a few "Down Days" but other than that - life was pretty good. I finished my College Education, moved back home for about 2 weeks, and then moved to Edmonton.
While in Edmonton, I was treated for Depression.... Again... The boyfriend, that I moved to Edmonton with, and I were arguing all the time - I could see a real change in him and I really didn't like it one bit. We split less than a month after moving there... (He only lasted a few months in Edmonton before moving back to BC.) So here I was, alone in a new-to-me City, with only one friend and no family around what so ever. (Thankfully I had that one friend - or I would have completely lost it) I was working at least - which helped keep me going...
I found myself falling back into the same Depressed routine. I was sleeping a lot... Crying a lot... My appetite was gone... I was always achy... I was riding the bus and was constantly anxious I was going to miss the bus and be late for work... Even when I was on the bus I was anxious that I was going to be late for work... Even though I knew that wasn't true. So, I was medicated again for both conditions. I remember being so happy once I got to work because I knew it was time to take my pill that would help me calm down, relax and feel more sane. It was this time that I started to lose the weight I had gained the first time around.
As in the song at the beginning of this post, most days I wished it would rain. If it was bright and sunny outside, I'd feel guilty for being holed up in my room due to the lacking energy to get out into the sun. I felt bad wasted days and lack of interest in anything... Even going outside for a cigarette was a chore and required a three hour nap to "recover". I guess I scared my brother enough he read my journal because he was worried I was planning to off myself. (I wasn't... And I was pissed he read my journal... But I was glad to know he was concerned enough - he and I had a pretty strained relationship for most of our lives.)
I've been off any anti-Depressants/anti-Anxiety medication for about 5 years now. I know my signs of Depression, and if they ever come back - I'll be medicated again. I don't enjoy the pills because I feel too much like a drone... But I know they work to help even me out... If I have to be on them for a few months to help get back to a regular, functioning human being... So be it... I'm doing alright now without the meds though, and I'm glad for that. I don't regret the times I did have to be medicated - mainly because they helped me not do something "crazy" like jumping off a building. Things are starting to look up for me, so I will be badgering y'all with more posts - not to worry! =0)
It's Not Always About Me... Being diagnosed with Depression is nothing to be ashamed of... Please DO NOT think you are alone! Get the help you need and DO NOT suffer any longer. Depression is NOT a sign of weakness, it's just a sign of trying to be strong too long.
Below is a small list of Celebrities/Famous People who have suffered from Depression as well. (I know there seems to be a LOT listed below - but the list is only a portion of the MASSIVE list on Wikipedia and other sites.... I just took some of the ones I recognized.)
Famous People with Depression:
- Hans Christen Anderson (Children's Author)
- Buzz Aldren (Astronaut/2nd Man to Walk on the Moon)
- Woody Allen (Film Director)
- Terry Bradshaw (Former Football Player/Now Commentator)
- Jim Carrey (Comedic Actor)
- Drew Carey (Comedic Actor)
- Kurt Cobain (Recording Artist/Songwriter)
- Leonard Cohen (Recording Artist/Songwriter)
- Winston Churchill (British Premiere)
- Charles Dickens (Author)
- Kirsten Dunst (Actress)
- Rodney Dangerfield (Comedian/Actor)
- John Denver (Recording Artist/Songwriter)
- Harrison Ford (Actor)
- Nelly Furtado (Recording Artist/Songwriter)
- Vincent Van Gogh (Artist)
- Anne Hathaway (Actress)
- Ernest Hemmingway (Author)
- Clara Hughes (Canadian Gold Winning Olympic Athlete)
- Janet Jackson (Recording Artist)
- Ashley Judd (Actress)
- Billy Joel (Recording Artist)
- Beyonce (Recording Artist)
- Hugh Laurie (Actor of "House" Fame)
- Heath Ledger (Actor)
- John Lennon (Recording Artist/Songwriter/"Beatle")
- Abraham Lincoln (US President)
- Ewan MacGregor (Actor)
- Mozart (Composer)
- Conan O'Brien (Late Night Host/Comedian)
- Gwyneth Paltrow (Actress)
- Edgar Allen Poe (Author)
- Anne Rice (Author)
- J.K. Rowling (Author)
- John D. Rockefeller (American Industrialist)
- Brooke Shields (Actress)
- James Taylor (Recording Artist/Song Writer)
- Mark Twain (Author)
- Owen Wilson (Actor)
- Brian Wilson (Recording Artist/Beach Boy)
- http://www.besthealthmag.ca/embrace-life/mental-health/mental-health-what-you-need-to-know-about-anxiety-and-depression
- http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2011/02/6-apps-that-support-mental-health.html
- http://news.sympatico.ca/SpecialReports/Articles/clara-hughes-lets-talk
- http://lifestyle.sympatico.ca/home/qa_margaret_trudeau_on_drugs_depression_and_help/50554367
- http://letstalk.bell.ca/?EXT=CORP_OFF_URL_letstalk_en
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Stephen Harper, Don't Stand So Close To Me!
Dear Stephen Harper,
You seriously need to get voted out of power as Canadian Prime Minister... Then you need to get the hell out of my country! I'm not a very political person, mainly because I don't understand them... But I do understand that I don't like you and how you want to screw my country over! I am sick and tired of people like you being dirty, lying maggots and it being acceptable on the sole reason that your a "politician" and it's "expected".
Enough with your smear campaigns and tactics... Maybe you should be focusing on what you're doing... Like bending over and taking it from the USA. We, the Canadian People, aren't interested in becoming the 51st State... So, honestly, quit kissing ass already! (No offence to any Americans reading this... Your politicians are just as screwed as ours... Don't make me start dropping names!) Or maybe you should focus on what you're not doing, and rectifying those issues.... Like not standing up for your country. Instead of focusing on your competition's shortcomings and issues, which just makes you look like more of a poof than you already look.... Maybe you should try focusing on how you can improve this country and how your going to fix things around here...
You need to remove the multiple pickles from your rectum and take notes from Prime Ministers passed... I think you could learn something from Pierre Trudeau, or Lester Pearson... They were proud Canadians.... And they were eager to stick up for Canada and go toe to toe with anyone who tried to walk on the Canadian people. True, you either loved or hated both Trudeau or Pearson... Guess what Pal... I severely dislike you. You're a sell out and are washed up... My only regret, that's not even my fault... I wasn't born early enough to enjoy Pearson or Trudeau's terms as Prime Minister....
I do have a question for you though... Why are you such a sell out? I mean you extradite the "Prince of Pot", for what? Because you want some brownie points with US Politicians? Didn't I just see one of your smear ads talking down Michael Ignatieff because he worked for a while down at Harvard? Yet you bend over backwards to get in good with the Politicians down there... Disgusting... While I admit, Canada's culture is similar to that of the US of A, purely out of proximity to the US... We, the Canadian people, have our own culture - which I think most Canadians are pretty proud of... So, either get on board on your Nation's side... Or step down, Goof!
And what's the deal with you treating people like crap??? You deported the "Prince of Pot" to the States for US prosecution? I don't necessarily support drug use... But Marijuana is pretty minor in comparison to say... Cocaine or Heroine... (Will be blogging later on regarding Weed/Pot/Marijuana...) I just think you were in it for more US Brownie points... What's with not repatriating the kid from Guantanamo Bay? I realize he is charged with a very serious crime... Come on though! The kid was 15 when he was enprisoned and is now 21 or 22... Drag his ass up here and put him in the clink... He's a Canadian! Oh, I forgot... Unless they are Caucasian and heterosexual, you don't care! Yeah, I said it! You are a racist, homophobic DICKHEAD! While being on the topic of you being a racist prick... Is it true that you don't know the difference between an India Indian and an Aboriginal Indian? Seriously, if you don't know the difference - you have absolutelly no business being in any sort of political office, let alone "running" the country.... Honestly, I don't know how you were elected... I think the Canadian people should stone you before sending YOU to Guantanamo Bay... You'd make somebody a pretty little bitch!
Seriously Stephen Harper... I despise you... I don't like you... I don't like how you run this country... I guarantee I've never voted for you... I guarantee I never will... I think you should call an election and pack your stuff to leave...
Signed,
It's Not Always About Me
PS You may be Canada's Prime Minister on paper... You will never EVER be my Prime Minister... You're embarrassing.... Get a hair cut, you're not doing a real job... (Not doing a real job of running Canada anywhere, that is. Except into the ground.... So, while you're down there, eat dirt!)
Enough with your smear campaigns and tactics... Maybe you should be focusing on what you're doing... Like bending over and taking it from the USA. We, the Canadian People, aren't interested in becoming the 51st State... So, honestly, quit kissing ass already! (No offence to any Americans reading this... Your politicians are just as screwed as ours... Don't make me start dropping names!) Or maybe you should focus on what you're not doing, and rectifying those issues.... Like not standing up for your country. Instead of focusing on your competition's shortcomings and issues, which just makes you look like more of a poof than you already look.... Maybe you should try focusing on how you can improve this country and how your going to fix things around here...
You need to remove the multiple pickles from your rectum and take notes from Prime Ministers passed... I think you could learn something from Pierre Trudeau, or Lester Pearson... They were proud Canadians.... And they were eager to stick up for Canada and go toe to toe with anyone who tried to walk on the Canadian people. True, you either loved or hated both Trudeau or Pearson... Guess what Pal... I severely dislike you. You're a sell out and are washed up... My only regret, that's not even my fault... I wasn't born early enough to enjoy Pearson or Trudeau's terms as Prime Minister....
I do have a question for you though... Why are you such a sell out? I mean you extradite the "Prince of Pot", for what? Because you want some brownie points with US Politicians? Didn't I just see one of your smear ads talking down Michael Ignatieff because he worked for a while down at Harvard? Yet you bend over backwards to get in good with the Politicians down there... Disgusting... While I admit, Canada's culture is similar to that of the US of A, purely out of proximity to the US... We, the Canadian people, have our own culture - which I think most Canadians are pretty proud of... So, either get on board on your Nation's side... Or step down, Goof!
And what's the deal with you treating people like crap??? You deported the "Prince of Pot" to the States for US prosecution? I don't necessarily support drug use... But Marijuana is pretty minor in comparison to say... Cocaine or Heroine... (Will be blogging later on regarding Weed/Pot/Marijuana...) I just think you were in it for more US Brownie points... What's with not repatriating the kid from Guantanamo Bay? I realize he is charged with a very serious crime... Come on though! The kid was 15 when he was enprisoned and is now 21 or 22... Drag his ass up here and put him in the clink... He's a Canadian! Oh, I forgot... Unless they are Caucasian and heterosexual, you don't care! Yeah, I said it! You are a racist, homophobic DICKHEAD! While being on the topic of you being a racist prick... Is it true that you don't know the difference between an India Indian and an Aboriginal Indian? Seriously, if you don't know the difference - you have absolutelly no business being in any sort of political office, let alone "running" the country.... Honestly, I don't know how you were elected... I think the Canadian people should stone you before sending YOU to Guantanamo Bay... You'd make somebody a pretty little bitch!
Signed,
It's Not Always About Me
PS You may be Canada's Prime Minister on paper... You will never EVER be my Prime Minister... You're embarrassing.... Get a hair cut, you're not doing a real job... (Not doing a real job of running Canada anywhere, that is. Except into the ground.... So, while you're down there, eat dirt!)
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Genealogical Numerology & Coincidences
I've always been a little obsessed with where I came from... Genealogically that is. I've always enjoyed Astrology, Numerology and Genealogy, but am no where near an expert in any of these subjects... Just a hobby if you will. I've tried to trace my family tree, and admittedly, haven't gotten very far... From what I have managed to untangle about my family tree, there are a few oddities that are of interest.
My first example of such phenomena is the fact that this year seems to be a big one for a few of my family members and I... In March, my Grandma (Mum's Mum) will be turning 80. In June, an Aunt (my Mum's sister) is turning 50 and an Uncle (my Dad's brother) is turning 60. Three cousins and I are turning 30 this year. (One in March - a cousin on Dad's side, one in May - a cousin from Mum's side, and finally another cousin on Dad's side and I will have our turn come September.) Though it's not a BIG 3-0, 5-0, 6-0, or 8-0 birthday, another cousin will hit the 25 year old bench mark in April... Bizarre state of affairs, but that's how the pickle's squirting this year.
I've noticed that there are a few busy, busy birthday months and others that don't have any at all. March, April and September seem to be those busy months, at least in my family. March seems to hold birthdays for four of my cousins, a great Aunt and my Grandma. Grandma and one cousin share a birthday of March 19th - granted that cousin is on Dad's side... Another cousin and my Great Aunt share a birthday of March 21st. So, with a grand total of 6, March is pretty hopping. April is another kicker. My bro, three cousins, an Aunt (Who's name is also April) and two Uncles are April babies. No overlaps to report here, just 7 birthdays. Finally September babies are on the high side as well. I'm a September baby and so are two cousins and two aunts. I also would have shared my birthday with my Grandpa's Grandpa - my great, great Grandfather - if he were still around. For all the busy birthday months, January, February, and December seem to make up for things. (One, maybe two, family members born in these months.)
The 21st also seems more prevalent in the family than any other day. My cousin and Great Aunt were both born on March 21st. My Auntie April, the April baby, was born the 21st... My Dad was born the 21st of his birth month. I was born September 21st, and so was my great, great Grandfather. (I was also born a year and a day after my parents were married... So I was a day late for their first anniversary.) And finally, my cousin's Daughter was born August 21st. If you impose 21 to the number 12, my little cousin was born November 12th. (She's the closest member of the family, on either side, to be born close to a holiday...)
Something else, that can be considered an oddity, would be my Grandpa (Mum's Dad) and my Dad... Both were born in the same month... If you inverted the last two numbers of the year Grandpa was born, you'd wind up with the year my Dad was born. (For Example 1936 becomes 1963. Neither are the actual years of Grandpa's or Dad's birth.) Coincidentally, the two were both a lot a like... Both were on the quiet side, until they got a couple beer in them. (Both enjoyed their beer.) Both worked away from home, as in on the road. Both were highly respected in their professions. The list of similarities could go on, these were just what came to mind first.
I'm sure, as I delve further into unearthing my family tree, a lot of other cool and interesting facts will arise. I'm not sure if I'll find more overlapping birthdays or others born on the 21st... I'm not sure if I'll find other similarities in personality characteristics... I'm not sure if there are ancestors that were linked to major historical events, or were involved in the building of famous landmarks still a part of today's society... I'm not sure what I'll find... I am a keener and will enjoy the adventure, which ever direction my family tree takes me.
It's not always about me; I just find these things kind of cool and amusing... Even if no one else does!
My first example of such phenomena is the fact that this year seems to be a big one for a few of my family members and I... In March, my Grandma (Mum's Mum) will be turning 80. In June, an Aunt (my Mum's sister) is turning 50 and an Uncle (my Dad's brother) is turning 60. Three cousins and I are turning 30 this year. (One in March - a cousin on Dad's side, one in May - a cousin from Mum's side, and finally another cousin on Dad's side and I will have our turn come September.) Though it's not a BIG 3-0, 5-0, 6-0, or 8-0 birthday, another cousin will hit the 25 year old bench mark in April... Bizarre state of affairs, but that's how the pickle's squirting this year.
I've noticed that there are a few busy, busy birthday months and others that don't have any at all. March, April and September seem to be those busy months, at least in my family. March seems to hold birthdays for four of my cousins, a great Aunt and my Grandma. Grandma and one cousin share a birthday of March 19th - granted that cousin is on Dad's side... Another cousin and my Great Aunt share a birthday of March 21st. So, with a grand total of 6, March is pretty hopping. April is another kicker. My bro, three cousins, an Aunt (Who's name is also April) and two Uncles are April babies. No overlaps to report here, just 7 birthdays. Finally September babies are on the high side as well. I'm a September baby and so are two cousins and two aunts. I also would have shared my birthday with my Grandpa's Grandpa - my great, great Grandfather - if he were still around. For all the busy birthday months, January, February, and December seem to make up for things. (One, maybe two, family members born in these months.)
The 21st also seems more prevalent in the family than any other day. My cousin and Great Aunt were both born on March 21st. My Auntie April, the April baby, was born the 21st... My Dad was born the 21st of his birth month. I was born September 21st, and so was my great, great Grandfather. (I was also born a year and a day after my parents were married... So I was a day late for their first anniversary.) And finally, my cousin's Daughter was born August 21st. If you impose 21 to the number 12, my little cousin was born November 12th. (She's the closest member of the family, on either side, to be born close to a holiday...)
Something else, that can be considered an oddity, would be my Grandpa (Mum's Dad) and my Dad... Both were born in the same month... If you inverted the last two numbers of the year Grandpa was born, you'd wind up with the year my Dad was born. (For Example 1936 becomes 1963. Neither are the actual years of Grandpa's or Dad's birth.) Coincidentally, the two were both a lot a like... Both were on the quiet side, until they got a couple beer in them. (Both enjoyed their beer.) Both worked away from home, as in on the road. Both were highly respected in their professions. The list of similarities could go on, these were just what came to mind first.
I'm sure, as I delve further into unearthing my family tree, a lot of other cool and interesting facts will arise. I'm not sure if I'll find more overlapping birthdays or others born on the 21st... I'm not sure if I'll find other similarities in personality characteristics... I'm not sure if there are ancestors that were linked to major historical events, or were involved in the building of famous landmarks still a part of today's society... I'm not sure what I'll find... I am a keener and will enjoy the adventure, which ever direction my family tree takes me.
It's not always about me; I just find these things kind of cool and amusing... Even if no one else does!
Monday, 17 January 2011
Should Anyone Be Crowned, King of Late Night?
I've found that since recently becoming employed at a Taxi Company, on graveyard shifts, has really cut into my Late Night Television consumption... Not that I really mind though, I've found the scene stale of late.The battle between Jay Leno and David Letterman is a thing of the past. The controversy of Jay Leno taking back his spot from Conan O'Brien has simmered down... Conan's premiered his own show on an entirely different network now - surprise, surprise. We've got the likes of Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and Craig Ferguson all vying for your viewing time as well. But can anyone really fill Johnny Carson's shoes for the title of King of Late Night? I don't think anyone truly can however....
I can't say I've watched a single episode of Jimmy Kimmel or Jimmy Fallon... I didn't find Jimmy Fallon funny nor amusing while he was on SNL, so I'm not wasting my time... Jimmy Kimmel I find offensive... So, again, not wasting my time...
I've always preferred Jay Leno over David Letterman... Sure, Leno's a little "cleaner" and has taken a bit of flack for being a bit of a dork... But I still find him amusing from time to time. Even so, I think I can count on one hand the amount of times I've watched Leno over the past couple years.... I might even have a spare digit or two left on that hand... I find him to be on the stale side of things. Sure he took over for Johnny back in the day... Johnny had staying power though! He didn't need to have a face off with Letterman for ratings... Or to have controversy run up his ratings with taking back his slot from Conan. So, sorry Jay - I don't think your the King....
I've watched Letterman a few times and don't know what the big deal is with him... This guy was involved in a sex scandal, like, Really? Have you seen David Letterman? Gross!!! Was it a case of a publicity stunt for ratings? Or was it just another case of a horny person of fame thinking that he, too, could get away with having multiple affairs? Either way, gross, but I will give the guy credit... He may not be funny, but at least he apologized for his scandalous behavior... Top 10? Lame... And honestly, skid Paul Shaffer's ass! That dude is super ANNOYING! I switch the channel because of the obnoxiousness of Paul Shaffer... Gag me with a spoon already... Sorry, Letterman... I don't think you're the King of Late Night either...
I used to down right love Conan O'Brien... A co~worker, and friend of mine, would walk in to work and say "Hey! How was your night? Did ya catch Conan last night? Ridiculously Hilarious!" Then we'd both do the puppet dance of Conan and then pretend to cut the string... We'd always reference Conan's trademark hair style too... I particularly enjoyed the show where Conan got "skreeched" in by Natasha Henstridge. I thought he got royally shafted by the bump by Leno and the dismal treatment of NBC... But what am I gonna do about it, right? Not much I can do though... Since Conan's gotten his new show on TBS - I've fallen "out of love" with him... I don't know if it's because he's got a side kick again... Or it's because of who he's got as a side kick... (Andy Ritcher = Obnoxious and Annoying as hell in my world..) Either way, the side kick thing ruined it for me... Sorry, Conan... You used to be the King of my late night world... Ruined...
My new favorite is the Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson. I used to watch both Conan and Ferguson, but now - It's all you Craig. At first I didn't really like Craig Ferguson... I couldn't shake his re-occurring role on the Drew Carey show from my brain... I've gotten passed it though... And the fact that Craig seems to be a bit of a Canada/Canadian basher... That's alright though, he can bash Canada all he wants... He obviously just wouldn't be able to handle being a Canadian... Geoff, his side kick robot, is a little annoying some times... But who can compete with "Balls" and "In your pants" coming from an "appliance" in the corner. To be perfectly honest, it's kinda funny to watch Craig feed off his robotic pal... Toss in an appearance from "Secretariat" and the show is complete. King of Late Night or not, Craig Ferguson is my fave... Even though his antics will never rival Johnny Carson...
It's not always about me: So, whomever you prefer, or don't... That's where I stand on matters of Late Night TV. I doubt anyone currently, or even future contenders, will ever take Johnny's Late Night Crown... He was top notch in my book... I'm just sorry I was too young to really get to enjoy his comedic genius!
I can't say I've watched a single episode of Jimmy Kimmel or Jimmy Fallon... I didn't find Jimmy Fallon funny nor amusing while he was on SNL, so I'm not wasting my time... Jimmy Kimmel I find offensive... So, again, not wasting my time...
I've always preferred Jay Leno over David Letterman... Sure, Leno's a little "cleaner" and has taken a bit of flack for being a bit of a dork... But I still find him amusing from time to time. Even so, I think I can count on one hand the amount of times I've watched Leno over the past couple years.... I might even have a spare digit or two left on that hand... I find him to be on the stale side of things. Sure he took over for Johnny back in the day... Johnny had staying power though! He didn't need to have a face off with Letterman for ratings... Or to have controversy run up his ratings with taking back his slot from Conan. So, sorry Jay - I don't think your the King....
I've watched Letterman a few times and don't know what the big deal is with him... This guy was involved in a sex scandal, like, Really? Have you seen David Letterman? Gross!!! Was it a case of a publicity stunt for ratings? Or was it just another case of a horny person of fame thinking that he, too, could get away with having multiple affairs? Either way, gross, but I will give the guy credit... He may not be funny, but at least he apologized for his scandalous behavior... Top 10? Lame... And honestly, skid Paul Shaffer's ass! That dude is super ANNOYING! I switch the channel because of the obnoxiousness of Paul Shaffer... Gag me with a spoon already... Sorry, Letterman... I don't think you're the King of Late Night either...
I used to down right love Conan O'Brien... A co~worker, and friend of mine, would walk in to work and say "Hey! How was your night? Did ya catch Conan last night? Ridiculously Hilarious!" Then we'd both do the puppet dance of Conan and then pretend to cut the string... We'd always reference Conan's trademark hair style too... I particularly enjoyed the show where Conan got "skreeched" in by Natasha Henstridge. I thought he got royally shafted by the bump by Leno and the dismal treatment of NBC... But what am I gonna do about it, right? Not much I can do though... Since Conan's gotten his new show on TBS - I've fallen "out of love" with him... I don't know if it's because he's got a side kick again... Or it's because of who he's got as a side kick... (Andy Ritcher = Obnoxious and Annoying as hell in my world..) Either way, the side kick thing ruined it for me... Sorry, Conan... You used to be the King of my late night world... Ruined...
My new favorite is the Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson. I used to watch both Conan and Ferguson, but now - It's all you Craig. At first I didn't really like Craig Ferguson... I couldn't shake his re-occurring role on the Drew Carey show from my brain... I've gotten passed it though... And the fact that Craig seems to be a bit of a Canada/Canadian basher... That's alright though, he can bash Canada all he wants... He obviously just wouldn't be able to handle being a Canadian... Geoff, his side kick robot, is a little annoying some times... But who can compete with "Balls" and "In your pants" coming from an "appliance" in the corner. To be perfectly honest, it's kinda funny to watch Craig feed off his robotic pal... Toss in an appearance from "Secretariat" and the show is complete. King of Late Night or not, Craig Ferguson is my fave... Even though his antics will never rival Johnny Carson...
It's not always about me: So, whomever you prefer, or don't... That's where I stand on matters of Late Night TV. I doubt anyone currently, or even future contenders, will ever take Johnny's Late Night Crown... He was top notch in my book... I'm just sorry I was too young to really get to enjoy his comedic genius!
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