Wishing all my readers a safe and happy New Year's Eve and all the best in 2008!!. Thanks for visiting my blog and hope to see you back next year;).
Monday, December 31, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Note on the holidays
Well, Christmas came and went very quickly as it seems to every year. I've never been a fan of the Christmas anticipation that goes on through all of December, but maybe there is something to that. If we didn't anticipate it, I guess it would seem even shorter.
As for how the holidays went for me, let's see once again I've had way too much food, and spent half of it on the phone with my relatives. Over the years it has almost become a holiday tradition. lol.
It was nice to hear from everyone though, especially since Christmas is the only time you really feel that void. Although, on the second day of phone calls I was so done with talking, there's only so many ways you can answer the same question every time lol.
It's funny we're only half-way through the celebrations and I'm already tired lol, what can I say?, the holidays always have the opposite effect on me.
Hope the holidays were an enjoyable affair for all of you and all the best in the coming new year.
As for how the holidays went for me, let's see once again I've had way too much food, and spent half of it on the phone with my relatives. Over the years it has almost become a holiday tradition. lol.
It was nice to hear from everyone though, especially since Christmas is the only time you really feel that void. Although, on the second day of phone calls I was so done with talking, there's only so many ways you can answer the same question every time lol.
It's funny we're only half-way through the celebrations and I'm already tired lol, what can I say?, the holidays always have the opposite effect on me.
Hope the holidays were an enjoyable affair for all of you and all the best in the coming new year.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
An entertaining sum-up to the sport of Tennis
I read this a few days ago, and it had me howling with laugher. So as always I am sharing it here in hopes that it does the same for all of you, enjoy;).
Season's Greetings!
As you already know, our darling Martina Hingis was caught vending at the coke machine earlier this year and subsequently decided to call it a career. This head-scratching anomaly caused quite a ruckus in our little gated community, but we're counting our blessings anyway. Why? Because this year we can subtract Radek Stepanek's place setting from the dinner table. Weird looking manimals belong on the menu, not the furniture.
Let's eat.
Yes, Martina broke his baboon heart, and Radek has now transplanted his love onto 18-year-old fresh-from-jailbait, Nicole "Vacuous" Vaidisova. In fact, they just filed for a marriage license in Florida, proving that it's never too late to rebel against your parents.
Let's drink.
That's what our prodigal son Andy Roddick was saying after he finally won his beloved Davis Cup after seven years of dedicated participation. In fact, since the Bryan Twirps had already clinched the tie that Saturday, it's precisely why he didn't play the dead rubber on Sunday. However, Andy should have delayed his Jager imbibing one more day to give the Oregon crowd their money's worth. Bob Bryan playing singles is not exactly a camera phone-worthy moment.
Quick, in the true spirit of Christmas, repress that unpleasant thought and project the negativity onto someone else. One, two, three: Hillary! Scary.
Let's be merry.
Aunties Mary Pierce, Jennifer Capriati, Monica Seles, Lindsay Davenport are all women in their -- shhh -- 30s with visions of comebacks dancing in their heads. Is it too early to call them tennis cougars? Regardless, three months after giving birth, Lindsay pounced all over a shaky WTA Top 50 and won two titles. Look for her to continue icing the cake in 2008. A woman with a nanny and nothing to lose is dangerous thing. (Heavens to Betsy, why do all roads lead to Britney?)
Pierce and Capriati are still making like Amy Winehouse and rehabbing, but Seles just announced a potential return in March. Va Va Voom Monica is turning heads these days with her fit and willowy figure. And she's glowing like an angelic tree topper. Hopefully this luminescence will translate into a few headlining results of the non-embarrassing variety. No one deserves them more.
And we're so proud to announce that after eight years of sporadic enrollment, Venus Williams has graduated from the Fashion School for the Mildly Interested Millionaire. She's selling her clothing line exclusively through those fine retailers of disposable clothing, Steve & Barry. No need to do laundry; the fabric will disintegrate. Just throw it away!
Lastly, Great Uncle Johnny McEnroe has been seen wandering about town declaring that the Russian mafia has infiltrated tennis. Somehow we think the mafia has bigger fish to fry than Mardy Fish, but it's easier if we let him throw his you-know-what at the wall to see what sticks. Or lure him into the basement with a plate of fish sticks.
Let's open presents.
http://www.islandpacket.com/opinion/columns/clark/story/109474.html
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Tennis: Another year in review
Sadly these aren't as amusing as last year's but still interesting nonetheless.
Player of the Year: Justine Henin did two remarkable things in 2007: She compiled the most impressive record of any player in tennis, and remade her image from austere and aloof to accessible and sympathetic.
The fact that these two accomplishments sprang from the same root seems obvious. Henin repeatedly said that hard-won personal growth made her more at ease in her own formerly prickly skin and expanded her comfort zone on the court.
What she did competitively this year while enduring a divorce and reconciling with her long-estranged family would be admirable for a person in any profession, let alone someone under the media microscope.
Some fans will never forgive Henin for past transgressions, like the first-you-see-it, then-you-don't gesture on Serena Williams' serve in the 2003 French Open semifinal, or her midmatch withdrawal from the 2006 Australian Open final against Amelie Mauresmo.
We think it's time to put those incidents to rest. Unless there's a reprise of that behavior, Henin deserves the benefit of the doubt now, and credit for coming of age, at last, with grace.
I have to wholeheartedly agree, Justine has had an extraordinary year, despite all her personal troubles she still came out on top. Hopefully with all the recent accolades people will start forgetting her aforementioned mishaps.
Part of me really wished that Hingis would have been able to draw some inspiration from Henin and rise above as well. But sadly the whole drug fiasco put the kibosh on everything.
Match of the Year: A tie between the Henin-Venus Williams U.S. Open semifinal and Henin's marathon, last-woman-standing victory over Maria Sharapova in the year-end championships.
Honorary mention to Serena Williams' cat burglar performance in the Miami final. She was bagled in the first set, then staved off two match points and clawed back to pilfer the title.
I remember the U.S. Open semi's that was a hell of a match! it's matches like that that make the women's game so much more exciting then the men's. Sadly I did not see the year end championships. But reading that makes me want to YouTube it;).
Worst High-Level Match of the Year: The other U.S. Open semifinal was as wretched as Justine-Venus was great. Svetlana Kuznetsova survived Anna Chakvetadze in a demolition derby that featured 81 unforced errors against just 31 winners. Kuznetsova carried that negative mojo into the final and didn't give Henin much of a match.
Yep, this was a definite yawn-fest. I have a feeling there'll be more of those to come next year.
Comeback Player of the Year: Jointly awarded to Venus and Serena Williams, who won a Slam apiece in the same season for only the second time in their careers (2005 was the first).
A year ago, the sisters had been written off. Now they're cozied up at Nos. 7 and 8 on the WTA hit parade, and their penchant for defying convention shouldn't negate their accomplishment. Honorary mention to Lindsay Davenport, who fooled a lot of us by bundling up baby son Jagger and going back out on tour, apparently healthier and just as motivated as she was when she left 11 months earlier.
She won two of the three singles events she played and has her sights set on the Beijing Olympics. All three of these players should remind us that women's tennis careers in the 21st century could be a lot more fluid, as great athletes feel increasingly free to get on and off exit ramps.
If there were 2 players in the WTA I care less about those 2 would be it. Well, ok I have to give props to Venus for being the more mature of the pair, her playing ability is not too bad either.
Ah, yes Lindsay the strategist lol. That move was brilliant. I have to say I was genuinally surprised when she announced she would return after having the baby but I'm certainly glad she did. In fact I hope more veteran players have as much success as her. What I wouldn't give to see Monica Seles back next year, here's hoping it happens.
Here to stay: Ana Ivanovic has a terrific game, a terrific personal story that began with practices in an empty swimming pool, and a terrific impact on people.
Now all the fourth-ranked Serbian needs to do is figure out how to solve Henin and the Williams sisters.
The Williams sisters are definitely beatable, as for Henin well there's a reason why people are calling her the female Roger Federer.
Player to Watch in 2007: Hungary's soon-to-be-19-year-old Agnes Szavay won a midseason clay-court tournament, then showed she had stuff on hard court as well when she reached the final in New Haven, Conn., and the U.S. Open quarterfinals before beating Jelena Jankovic indoors in the Beijing final.
Szavay is ranked 20th with a bullet. Honorable mention to No. 26 Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, whose cherubic exterior masks a nervy game. Radwanska, 18, charmed the press corps by rattling on about her pet rats in Miami and again six months later at the U.S. Open when she rhapsodized about Louis Vuitton handbags after upsetting Sharapova. How quickly they grow up. P.S.: Her younger sister Urszula can play, too.
I'm in total agreement once again Szavay is definitely the one to watch, and after watching the Sharapova/Radwanska match earlier this year I totally became a fan. Granted Sharapova played that match horribly but all credit goes to the 18 year old for over coming her nerves and holding her ground.
Most intriguing newcomer: Seventeen-year-old Tamira Paszek of Austria has precocious poise and shotmaking skills that were displayed to best advantage this year at Wimbledon, where she knocked off two top-20 players. The next chapter should be interesting.
Hmmm.... the name is very familiar I just can't place the face, but I think I'll definitely be on the look out for her in the future.
Biggest upset: No contest here. Who knew that France's Marion Bartoli would be the last player to upend Henin in 2007 when she played her unorthodox two-handed, double-winged game to perfection in the Wimbledon semifinals?.
This was THE match of the tournament for sure, and no doubt made Bartoli a more household name.
Jaw-dropper of the year: We were ready to nominate Martina Hingis' sudden and sad revelation last month that she had tested positive for cocaine at Wimbledon, accompanied by a vehement denial of wrongdoing.
The looming battle to try to clear her name, along with nagging injuries, compelled her to retire for the second time in five years.
Then the other shoe dropped. Head-spinning news crossed our transom this week that Hingis' former fiancé Radek Stepanek, 29, has apparently proposed to fellow Czech Nicole Vaidisova, 11 years his junior, only a few months after he and Hingis split. We'll refrain from bad jokes about bouncing Czechs.
No big surprise here, this was a given really. The marriage thing however was a low blow to Hingis, he certainly didn't waste any time.
Put us out of our misery: Ditch on-court coaching. Please.
I second that statement.
Ill-advised shot of the year: A Sharapova overhead smash that hit Serena Williams in the first set of their lopsided Australian Open final. Williams was up 5-0 at that point and didn't need further kerosene dumped on the fire.
The long, malevolent stare and muttered response Williams gave Sharapova was operatic in its intensity. Maybe it's coincidence, but Sharapova and her serve didn't fully recover until the end of the season.
LOL, Yeah maybe there's something behind that.
Most testy exchange with reporters: Serena Williams, deeply perturbed by her third straight quarterfinal loss to Henin at a Slam, told reporters at the U.S. Open she only showed up for the news conference because she didn't want to get fined. If there was a bright side to the churlish four-minute session, it showed that Serena still cares -- a lot.
Yes, just like Sharapova, Serena has always been a class act LOL. Just one more of the many endless reasons why I will always love Hingis.
Good call: We dubbed Jankovic our Player to Watch a year ago when she ended the year ranked 12th. OK, so that wasn't exactly going out on a limb -- but we REALLY hit the bull's-eye.
The personable Serb has figured out what it takes to close big matches, set a real example with her fitness, and wrestled her volatile emotions to the floor.
Heck, her flirtatious chemistry with Jamie Murray at Wimbledon even made mixed doubles interesting. The more we see of Jankovic, the better, but we would like her to think about pacing herself a bit more so she's not played out at the end of the season.
Out of all the Serbian players on tour at the moment she's my favourite and my pick to perhaps one day be #1.
Click here to read the rest
What she did competitively this year while enduring a divorce and reconciling with her long-estranged family would be admirable for a person in any profession, let alone someone under the media microscope.
Some fans will never forgive Henin for past transgressions, like the first-you-see-it, then-you-don't gesture on Serena Williams' serve in the 2003 French Open semifinal, or her midmatch withdrawal from the 2006 Australian Open final against Amelie Mauresmo.
We think it's time to put those incidents to rest. Unless there's a reprise of that behavior, Henin deserves the benefit of the doubt now, and credit for coming of age, at last, with grace.
I have to wholeheartedly agree, Justine has had an extraordinary year, despite all her personal troubles she still came out on top. Hopefully with all the recent accolades people will start forgetting her aforementioned mishaps.
Part of me really wished that Hingis would have been able to draw some inspiration from Henin and rise above as well. But sadly the whole drug fiasco put the kibosh on everything.
Match of the Year: A tie between the Henin-Venus Williams U.S. Open semifinal and Henin's marathon, last-woman-standing victory over Maria Sharapova in the year-end championships.
Honorary mention to Serena Williams' cat burglar performance in the Miami final. She was bagled in the first set, then staved off two match points and clawed back to pilfer the title.
I remember the U.S. Open semi's that was a hell of a match! it's matches like that that make the women's game so much more exciting then the men's. Sadly I did not see the year end championships. But reading that makes me want to YouTube it;).
Worst High-Level Match of the Year: The other U.S. Open semifinal was as wretched as Justine-Venus was great. Svetlana Kuznetsova survived Anna Chakvetadze in a demolition derby that featured 81 unforced errors against just 31 winners. Kuznetsova carried that negative mojo into the final and didn't give Henin much of a match.
Yep, this was a definite yawn-fest. I have a feeling there'll be more of those to come next year.
Comeback Player of the Year: Jointly awarded to Venus and Serena Williams, who won a Slam apiece in the same season for only the second time in their careers (2005 was the first).
A year ago, the sisters had been written off. Now they're cozied up at Nos. 7 and 8 on the WTA hit parade, and their penchant for defying convention shouldn't negate their accomplishment. Honorary mention to Lindsay Davenport, who fooled a lot of us by bundling up baby son Jagger and going back out on tour, apparently healthier and just as motivated as she was when she left 11 months earlier.
She won two of the three singles events she played and has her sights set on the Beijing Olympics. All three of these players should remind us that women's tennis careers in the 21st century could be a lot more fluid, as great athletes feel increasingly free to get on and off exit ramps.
If there were 2 players in the WTA I care less about those 2 would be it. Well, ok I have to give props to Venus for being the more mature of the pair, her playing ability is not too bad either.
Ah, yes Lindsay the strategist lol. That move was brilliant. I have to say I was genuinally surprised when she announced she would return after having the baby but I'm certainly glad she did. In fact I hope more veteran players have as much success as her. What I wouldn't give to see Monica Seles back next year, here's hoping it happens.
Here to stay: Ana Ivanovic has a terrific game, a terrific personal story that began with practices in an empty swimming pool, and a terrific impact on people.
Now all the fourth-ranked Serbian needs to do is figure out how to solve Henin and the Williams sisters.
The Williams sisters are definitely beatable, as for Henin well there's a reason why people are calling her the female Roger Federer.
Player to Watch in 2007: Hungary's soon-to-be-19-year-old Agnes Szavay won a midseason clay-court tournament, then showed she had stuff on hard court as well when she reached the final in New Haven, Conn., and the U.S. Open quarterfinals before beating Jelena Jankovic indoors in the Beijing final.
Szavay is ranked 20th with a bullet. Honorable mention to No. 26 Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, whose cherubic exterior masks a nervy game. Radwanska, 18, charmed the press corps by rattling on about her pet rats in Miami and again six months later at the U.S. Open when she rhapsodized about Louis Vuitton handbags after upsetting Sharapova. How quickly they grow up. P.S.: Her younger sister Urszula can play, too.
I'm in total agreement once again Szavay is definitely the one to watch, and after watching the Sharapova/Radwanska match earlier this year I totally became a fan. Granted Sharapova played that match horribly but all credit goes to the 18 year old for over coming her nerves and holding her ground.
Most intriguing newcomer: Seventeen-year-old Tamira Paszek of Austria has precocious poise and shotmaking skills that were displayed to best advantage this year at Wimbledon, where she knocked off two top-20 players. The next chapter should be interesting.
Hmmm.... the name is very familiar I just can't place the face, but I think I'll definitely be on the look out for her in the future.
Biggest upset: No contest here. Who knew that France's Marion Bartoli would be the last player to upend Henin in 2007 when she played her unorthodox two-handed, double-winged game to perfection in the Wimbledon semifinals?.
This was THE match of the tournament for sure, and no doubt made Bartoli a more household name.
Jaw-dropper of the year: We were ready to nominate Martina Hingis' sudden and sad revelation last month that she had tested positive for cocaine at Wimbledon, accompanied by a vehement denial of wrongdoing.
The looming battle to try to clear her name, along with nagging injuries, compelled her to retire for the second time in five years.
Then the other shoe dropped. Head-spinning news crossed our transom this week that Hingis' former fiancé Radek Stepanek, 29, has apparently proposed to fellow Czech Nicole Vaidisova, 11 years his junior, only a few months after he and Hingis split. We'll refrain from bad jokes about bouncing Czechs.
No big surprise here, this was a given really. The marriage thing however was a low blow to Hingis, he certainly didn't waste any time.
Put us out of our misery: Ditch on-court coaching. Please.
I second that statement.
Ill-advised shot of the year: A Sharapova overhead smash that hit Serena Williams in the first set of their lopsided Australian Open final. Williams was up 5-0 at that point and didn't need further kerosene dumped on the fire.
The long, malevolent stare and muttered response Williams gave Sharapova was operatic in its intensity. Maybe it's coincidence, but Sharapova and her serve didn't fully recover until the end of the season.
LOL, Yeah maybe there's something behind that.
Most testy exchange with reporters: Serena Williams, deeply perturbed by her third straight quarterfinal loss to Henin at a Slam, told reporters at the U.S. Open she only showed up for the news conference because she didn't want to get fined. If there was a bright side to the churlish four-minute session, it showed that Serena still cares -- a lot.
Yes, just like Sharapova, Serena has always been a class act LOL. Just one more of the many endless reasons why I will always love Hingis.
Good call: We dubbed Jankovic our Player to Watch a year ago when she ended the year ranked 12th. OK, so that wasn't exactly going out on a limb -- but we REALLY hit the bull's-eye.
The personable Serb has figured out what it takes to close big matches, set a real example with her fitness, and wrestled her volatile emotions to the floor.
Heck, her flirtatious chemistry with Jamie Murray at Wimbledon even made mixed doubles interesting. The more we see of Jankovic, the better, but we would like her to think about pacing herself a bit more so she's not played out at the end of the season.
Out of all the Serbian players on tour at the moment she's my favourite and my pick to perhaps one day be #1.
Click here to read the rest
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
90's nostalgia
With the writers strike still in effect I have been spending even more time online (didn't think that would ever be possible lol). Anyway, while browsing I came across VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 90's page.
Naturally I had to check it out, looking at all the lists made me realize my musical tastes have really changed in recent years. Back in the 90's I listened to a lot of #1 chart topping hits and music mixes. Now I prefer the less mainstream songs and undiscovered artists. I still can't stand rap or hip-hop.
My likeness for certain genres has also changed, I definitely listen to more alternative songs as opposed to the pop/boy band stuff of the Backstreet Boys variety. Man, I really listened to that a lot back then! LOL.
Well, ok there's one boy band I've stuck with over the years, but it's one I don't regret. And speaking of it's good to see that aside from "MMMBop" the song "This Time Around" made it on to the list:), 'cause it is definitely kick ass but of course I'm buyest:D.
Actually something just occurred to me "This Time Around" came out in 2000, so why exactly is it included as part of 100 greatest songs of the '90's?. Shouldn't that include songs up to '99? or am I missing something...
In any case this was a great trip down memory lane, it again made me realize how much better music was even just going back 17 years. Which is precisely why I think it's completely weird that the 90's are now considered retro!.
And I really wish VH1 would allow their international users to view the videos instead of limiting it to U.S. only:(. I hate when websites do that, drives me nuts!.
Oh, and one last thing the songs on the almost made it list should have totally been included, how can you not include "What's Up", "Kiss From a Rose", "Black or White" , "Cryin' " "To Be With You" and "Torn" in the best of the 90's that's just wrong.
Naturally I had to check it out, looking at all the lists made me realize my musical tastes have really changed in recent years. Back in the 90's I listened to a lot of #1 chart topping hits and music mixes. Now I prefer the less mainstream songs and undiscovered artists. I still can't stand rap or hip-hop.
My likeness for certain genres has also changed, I definitely listen to more alternative songs as opposed to the pop/boy band stuff of the Backstreet Boys variety. Man, I really listened to that a lot back then! LOL.
Well, ok there's one boy band I've stuck with over the years, but it's one I don't regret. And speaking of it's good to see that aside from "MMMBop" the song "This Time Around" made it on to the list:), 'cause it is definitely kick ass but of course I'm buyest:D.
Actually something just occurred to me "This Time Around" came out in 2000, so why exactly is it included as part of 100 greatest songs of the '90's?. Shouldn't that include songs up to '99? or am I missing something...
In any case this was a great trip down memory lane, it again made me realize how much better music was even just going back 17 years. Which is precisely why I think it's completely weird that the 90's are now considered retro!.
And I really wish VH1 would allow their international users to view the videos instead of limiting it to U.S. only:(. I hate when websites do that, drives me nuts!.
Oh, and one last thing the songs on the almost made it list should have totally been included, how can you not include "What's Up", "Kiss From a Rose", "Black or White" , "Cryin' " "To Be With You" and "Torn" in the best of the 90's that's just wrong.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Holiday favourites
We all have our favourite Christmas Carols that we listen to over and over on the radio every year around the holidays.
Personally I love all the traditional ones sung by artists like Bing Crosby or Dean Martin.
But there's a modern one that's near and dear to my heart it's a song called "At Christmas" by Hanson.
Snow is falling down as you step out of your car
Presents in your arms and you’ve traveled far
Someone opens the door with a smile on their face
And you know you’ve come to the right place
Family nestled by the fire
Christmas hopes to inspire
Loved ones by your side
You know you’ll kiss your babies goodnight
At Christmas, Christmas
No matter who you are
How far you've come
This is where you belong
At Christmas
Memories ‘round the Christmas tree
Are the sweetest ones that remain with me
It’s a comfort deep inside
Though you can’t stop the race of time
To know that Christmas will always be
Family nestled by the fire
Christmas hopes will be inspired
Loved ones by your side
You know you’ll kiss your baby good night
Well can't you feel the changing, the anticipation
Can you tell we're almost there
Well precious time we're takin', memories we're making
It's Christmas in the air
Now this is what Christmas means to me
Being together with your family
And the wise men who followed that star
To where our baby Jesus lie
Family nestled all around
Baby Jesus asleep so sound
His star shined so bright
On the very first holy night
"At Christmas" ~ Hanson "Snowed In" '97
There's just something about these lyrics, they always remind what the holidays should be about.
And, yes I realize the album is 10 years old, but that's why they call them classics and this album is no exception.
Seriously if you've never heard it before I suggest you put it on your Christmas list you won't be disappointed. I still break it out every year to get into the Christmas spirit.
Personally I love all the traditional ones sung by artists like Bing Crosby or Dean Martin.
But there's a modern one that's near and dear to my heart it's a song called "At Christmas" by Hanson.
Snow is falling down as you step out of your car
Presents in your arms and you’ve traveled far
Someone opens the door with a smile on their face
And you know you’ve come to the right place
Family nestled by the fire
Christmas hopes to inspire
Loved ones by your side
You know you’ll kiss your babies goodnight
At Christmas, Christmas
No matter who you are
How far you've come
This is where you belong
At Christmas
Memories ‘round the Christmas tree
Are the sweetest ones that remain with me
It’s a comfort deep inside
Though you can’t stop the race of time
To know that Christmas will always be
Family nestled by the fire
Christmas hopes will be inspired
Loved ones by your side
You know you’ll kiss your baby good night
Well can't you feel the changing, the anticipation
Can you tell we're almost there
Well precious time we're takin', memories we're making
It's Christmas in the air
Now this is what Christmas means to me
Being together with your family
And the wise men who followed that star
To where our baby Jesus lie
Family nestled all around
Baby Jesus asleep so sound
His star shined so bright
On the very first holy night
"At Christmas" ~ Hanson "Snowed In" '97
There's just something about these lyrics, they always remind what the holidays should be about.
And, yes I realize the album is 10 years old, but that's why they call them classics and this album is no exception.
Seriously if you've never heard it before I suggest you put it on your Christmas list you won't be disappointed. I still break it out every year to get into the Christmas spirit.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Phone frustrations
Over the past couple of weeks we have had an obscene amount of phone-calls. Which is not unusual for this time of year, but it's no less irritating.
I honestly thought of unplugging my phone and leaving it off at least till the end of the holiday season.
Well, ok the thought of throwing the phone against the wall crossed my mind more then once too lol.
But miraculously I was somehow able to curb that impulse and all my phones are still intact. Now don't get me wrong, I completely understand all those charities and telemarketers, it is their job and that's how they make their money.
Which is why I always try to treat them with the same respect I would want to be treated. But after the 5th or 6th call in a given day even the most patient person can only take so much!.
Now of course you're thinking, why the heck are you picking those up, that's what answering machines are for, right?.
Well unfortunately (thanks to the advancements in communication technology many of them will call back using a different number).
Thereby suckering you into thinking they're a different person. In my case many of those are also very similar to international numbers, and since almost all of my family live over seas we have no choice but to pick up.
I'm sure some of you are also thinking, ok so the ringing of the phone can be irritating, but that's why they invented the volume button.
And you'd also be right but it's not just the ringing of the phone that pisses me off, it's the pushy sales methods of the person on the other end.
It's no wonder some people loose all decorum with these guys, when you have to say "I'm not interested" 10 times and they're still not getting the message, there really is no choice but to either start yelling or hang up.
Anyway, that fills my rant quota for this year, I better end this before it turns into a novel LOL.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Fair-feathered friend showing some love
It's been a long time since I've talked about my lovely little pet so I thought I would do a little update. Plus with things being so dull lightly (due to the continued t.v. strike and being so close to Christmas) I have nothing else to talk about lol.
So, let's see what can I tell you, well Cuba is still acting like the king of the castle, especially when it comes to a particular dvd shelf on my desk. He will spend endless hours sitting on top napping and prining.
Actually his favourite place to nap is on the head of one of my beanie babies LOL, right next to the speaker.
I've discovered he loves to groove to certain types of music, so far it's Kelly Clarkson, Celine Dion and James Blunt. Sometimes he'll put his little head right next to the speaker ( yep he's got the adorable thing down pat).
As for his behavior with humans well, he still won't let me pet him much, but I've made huge progress in the trust department and can finally get him to step on to my hand and take him out of the cage without too much hastle.
Every once in a while he can be a sweet little charmer towards me, I've managed to capture some pics as proof so enjoy;).
Doing some stretches
Cuba exploring the blanket hanging over my chair
So, let's see what can I tell you, well Cuba is still acting like the king of the castle, especially when it comes to a particular dvd shelf on my desk. He will spend endless hours sitting on top napping and prining.
Actually his favourite place to nap is on the head of one of my beanie babies LOL, right next to the speaker.
I've discovered he loves to groove to certain types of music, so far it's Kelly Clarkson, Celine Dion and James Blunt. Sometimes he'll put his little head right next to the speaker ( yep he's got the adorable thing down pat).
As for his behavior with humans well, he still won't let me pet him much, but I've made huge progress in the trust department and can finally get him to step on to my hand and take him out of the cage without too much hastle.
Every once in a while he can be a sweet little charmer towards me, I've managed to capture some pics as proof so enjoy;).
Doing some stretches
Cuba exploring the blanket hanging over my chairThursday, December 06, 2007
Top Ten Google Searches 2007
The month of December never seems to be a busy blogging month for me, as I'm sure you've all noticed by the sporadic updates. The lack of Martina Hingis news really slows things down to a crawl.
The thought of following another players career has crossed my mind, but none are of any real interest to me at the moment. I just can't get excited about anyone else the way I did with Hingis.
No one else seems to possess the same qualities. I think a part of me will always be hoping and praying Hingis comes back again one of these days, even though my mind knows it's an impossibility. It's sad I know lol.
Anyway, that's the end of my mini-rant, moving on to the subject of this post. Something (hopefully) a little more cheerful.
Last year around this time I posted a list of Google's top 10 searches of the year. And I thought it might be fun to do it again, so here it is:
1. iPhone (I'm sure none of you are surprised lol, many of you probably have it on your Christmas list lol)
2. Webkinz- stuffed animal you can play with online (never heard of it but sounds like fun)
3. TMZ (again not surprising considering all the supposed celeb scandals this year)
4. Transformer Toys (Ah, yes one of my many childhood fascinations, it's amazing how many 80's characters and toys keep coming back, guess you just can't keep a good robot down).
5. YouTube- the video sharing Web-site (Ooh shocker! LOL, I don't really have to explain this one do I?, seriously I would be more surprised if this wasn't on the list lol).
6. Club Penguin- children's networking site (another one I'm not familiar with but I think the reason why is fairly obvious;)
7. Myspace- the social networking site (ah, yes my first love/addiction, before it was replaced by the evil that is Facebook LOL)
8. Heroes (the television show?, really? sorry to all the fans out there, but I just don't get the fascination)
9. Facebook- the social networking site (Ok, this I'm surprised about I was sure it would be much higher on the list considering I know so many people including myself who spend almost every waking hour on this thing, or maybe it's just the Canadians LOL).
10. Anna Nicole Smith (can you say, overexposure)
Source
Also I should note these are searches from Google.com (I might do a Canadian version if it's interesting enough).
Now that we're nearing the end of the year expect a lot more of these lists to come;).
The thought of following another players career has crossed my mind, but none are of any real interest to me at the moment. I just can't get excited about anyone else the way I did with Hingis.
No one else seems to possess the same qualities. I think a part of me will always be hoping and praying Hingis comes back again one of these days, even though my mind knows it's an impossibility. It's sad I know lol.
Anyway, that's the end of my mini-rant, moving on to the subject of this post. Something (hopefully) a little more cheerful.
Last year around this time I posted a list of Google's top 10 searches of the year. And I thought it might be fun to do it again, so here it is:
1. iPhone (I'm sure none of you are surprised lol, many of you probably have it on your Christmas list lol)
2. Webkinz- stuffed animal you can play with online (never heard of it but sounds like fun)
3. TMZ (again not surprising considering all the supposed celeb scandals this year)
4. Transformer Toys (Ah, yes one of my many childhood fascinations, it's amazing how many 80's characters and toys keep coming back, guess you just can't keep a good robot down).
5. YouTube- the video sharing Web-site (Ooh shocker! LOL, I don't really have to explain this one do I?, seriously I would be more surprised if this wasn't on the list lol).
6. Club Penguin- children's networking site (another one I'm not familiar with but I think the reason why is fairly obvious;)
7. Myspace- the social networking site (ah, yes my first love/addiction, before it was replaced by the evil that is Facebook LOL)
8. Heroes (the television show?, really? sorry to all the fans out there, but I just don't get the fascination)
9. Facebook- the social networking site (Ok, this I'm surprised about I was sure it would be much higher on the list considering I know so many people including myself who spend almost every waking hour on this thing, or maybe it's just the Canadians LOL).
10. Anna Nicole Smith (can you say, overexposure)
Source
Also I should note these are searches from Google.com (I might do a Canadian version if it's interesting enough).
Now that we're nearing the end of the year expect a lot more of these lists to come;).
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
When animation had class
So, I was browsing on YouTube as I usually do every time I'm bored lol, (that thing is addictive although not as bad as Facebook) anyway I came across some old "Animaniacs" clips.
Man, do those cartoons take me back. There's just something about the warped yet witty mind of Mr. Steven Spielberg. Here are a few of my faves:
I always thought these were completely hilarious and one of my favourite cartoon segments
This one is a classic LOL.
The musical numbers were always a hoot LOL
I have mixed feelings about this one I loved cute little Mindy but the fact buttons the dog always got in trouble for saving her life infuriated me and the fact that he did it so many times didn't help lol.
I'm not really sure why I decided to share these, I guess some part of me longs for the good old days when cartoons had class and timeless humor (the likes of Bugs Bunny) instead of all that violent anime stuff. Thank goodness FOX brought back "Family Guy" eh? :).
I also figured since those cartoons were filled with pop culture jokes (half of which I didn't get when I was younger lol) it totally fit the blog;).
Man, do those cartoons take me back. There's just something about the warped yet witty mind of Mr. Steven Spielberg. Here are a few of my faves:
I always thought these were completely hilarious and one of my favourite cartoon segments
This one is a classic LOL.
The musical numbers were always a hoot LOL
I have mixed feelings about this one I loved cute little Mindy but the fact buttons the dog always got in trouble for saving her life infuriated me and the fact that he did it so many times didn't help lol.
I'm not really sure why I decided to share these, I guess some part of me longs for the good old days when cartoons had class and timeless humor (the likes of Bugs Bunny) instead of all that violent anime stuff. Thank goodness FOX brought back "Family Guy" eh? :).
I also figured since those cartoons were filled with pop culture jokes (half of which I didn't get when I was younger lol) it totally fit the blog;).
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Thoughts on Holidays
We live in a greedy little world--
that teaches every little boy and girl
To earn as much as they can possibly--
then turn around and
Spend it foolishly
We've created us a credit card mess
We spend the money we don't possess
Our religion is to go and blow it all
So it's shoppin' every Sunday at the mall
All we ever want is more
A lot more than we had before
So take me to the nearest store
Can you hear it ring
It makes you wanna sing
It's such a beautiful thing--Ka-ching!
Lots of diamond rings
The happiness it brings
You'll live like a king
With lots of money and things
Ka-Ching~ Shania Twain
I was listening to this song recently and thinking of how weirdly appropriate it seems for this time of year, with everyone running around spending crazy money, trying to find the perfect gift.
It's really very sad how materialistic you become as an adult, although I suppose the same can be said for many kids these days.
that teaches every little boy and girl
To earn as much as they can possibly--
then turn around and
Spend it foolishly
We've created us a credit card mess
We spend the money we don't possess
Our religion is to go and blow it all
So it's shoppin' every Sunday at the mall
All we ever want is more
A lot more than we had before
So take me to the nearest store
Can you hear it ring
It makes you wanna sing
It's such a beautiful thing--Ka-ching!
Lots of diamond rings
The happiness it brings
You'll live like a king
With lots of money and things
Ka-Ching~ Shania Twain
I was listening to this song recently and thinking of how weirdly appropriate it seems for this time of year, with everyone running around spending crazy money, trying to find the perfect gift.
It's really very sad how materialistic you become as an adult, although I suppose the same can be said for many kids these days.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Little something to get you into the spirit
Well, since we're now in December and getting close to Christmas (already? feels like we just had it lol).
Anyway in honor of it being December and all, I thought I would share my all time fave Christmas parody.
Just 'cause I can and it always makes me laugh, hope it does the same for you;).
I don't know about the rest of you, but that's Christmas to me in a nutshell lol.
Anyway in honor of it being December and all, I thought I would share my all time fave Christmas parody.
Just 'cause I can and it always makes me laugh, hope it does the same for you;).
I don't know about the rest of you, but that's Christmas to me in a nutshell lol.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
SAG goes "Speechless" on behalf of WGA
In an effort to bring the writers strike to a close the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in collaboration with Screen Actors Guild (SAG) created the Speechless campaign.
Bringing together the most famous A listers in Hollywood and putting them in a commercial of sorts. Here are a few of my favourites:
The Holly Hunter one is my absolute favourite purely for the geek factor;).
As for how effective these will be, nobody knows. But personally I'm hoping it helps to penetrate the brains of all those Executives and CEO's making them realize just how important writers really are.
For all those wondering how they can help (as fans) here are a couple of ways:
and
http://community.livejournal.com/wga_supporters/108254.html
Bringing together the most famous A listers in Hollywood and putting them in a commercial of sorts. Here are a few of my favourites:
The Holly Hunter one is my absolute favourite purely for the geek factor;).
As for how effective these will be, nobody knows. But personally I'm hoping it helps to penetrate the brains of all those Executives and CEO's making them realize just how important writers really are.
For all those wondering how they can help (as fans) here are a couple of ways:
and
http://community.livejournal.com/wga_supporters/108254.html
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Too cute for words
These were just too adorable and too funny not to share:). It's amazing what people keep as pets these days lol.
Awwwwww!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Zac Hanson to become a dad!
Zac with wife KateWhen I joked about this back in June (when Isaac became a father), saying that Zac was next in line I really didn't think it would happen so fast lol.
And I thought they weren't in a hurry to become parents. Guess I was wrong. Either that or it was an unexpected surprise, I'm going with the latter.
Oh, and I had to laugh at Kate saying it's the most romantic thing they've ever done (creating a baby). Yeah, wait until those 3am feedings Kate, it'll take the word 'romance' right out of the equation lol.
So this makes it baby #5, and the eleventh family member overall. I'm starting to think the Hanson's are trying to give the Osmond's a run for their money LOL.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
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