Wordless Wednesday: Storm Front VI

It's been a gusty night in London, Ontario, my freaky friends!

Lots to discuss, but for now, my best shot of the night:



This storm was like nothing I have ever experienced before.

My thoughts if the thunder or tornadoes thrashed you tonight,

L

Watch Your Tongue, Newfoundland!

In other news.... I caught Newf saying "whatevs" today.

I told him if he keeps that up he is going to have to eat the at the table with the rest of the sixteen year old girls.

Let's just say, he didn't like that. I had to make my own lunch. It was delicious: peanut butter on whole wheat.

Serves me right, I suppose.

Do you have any throwback sayings? I'm a big proponent of "eh". What can I say, I'm a proud Canadian.

Getting saucy with the spouse,

L

It's a Gaggle....Of Geese

I know that it isn't Wednesday, but I'm feeling a little dangerous and wanted to break back into this blogging with something a little droll.

The Newf snapped and sent me this picture on his way home from work. We were still in Toronto at the time.

Something about this straggling gaggle just seemed fitting. They look like my kind of geese - the feisty, flapped, Canadian kind.

Giggling at the gaggle,

L

*Note: Let it be known you should not approach Canadian geese - they can get a little nasty. When I get a goose (and I will get a goose) it will be of the white garden variety. I will feed it toast from the window and give it a good Dutch name. I promise.

DUKE NUKEM (Forever)

Earlier today (or yesterday, if you want to get technical) the Newf and I went for a drive around town.

We ended up shopping for some games for the Newf's new Nintendo DSi.

He got incredibly excited when he saw that the "DUKE NUKEM: Forever" game finally has a release date.

He got so excited, the Newf showcased his sensitive side:

It's a rare occasion, so it needed to be marked. To celebrate we purchased a "Happy Birthday" slab cake which we brought home to a house filled with the Parentals, the sister and brother. It was complete with smiling flowers, bumble bees and a GIANT sun.

There was no birthday, but there was cake.

Then, the Newf got drunk. I painted my nails. It was a good day.

How was yours?

Seeping with silly,

L

Montreal (Needs A Little Old MacDonald Tonight)

Do you watch hockey? More to the point, are you cheering for the Habs?

If, like me, the Montreal Canadiens are the hoochie to your mama during this NHL playoff season you may be slightly disappointed tonight. Like a true adult, I'm sobbing away in my beer after tonight's loss - in double overtime nonetheless.

I needed to smile. I didn't have to look far.

Numero Uno (and I'm not talking Arnold) ... Rowan Atkinson is invited to the Royal Wedding! It seems Mr. Atkinson is close friends with Prince Charles himself. One small step for an actor, one giant leap for Mr. Bean - and we could all use a little more Bean.

Deuxième ... THIS. My apologies about the link, but click it. Click it good. You won't regret it (unless you don't like to smile).

That's all for now folks.

With some sheep,

L

Beckham for the Bug Eyed

When you are done watching the Beckham, watch the ball.

You won't regret it.

That is all.

That's one special sphere,

L

The Apple of my Storm

Darling readers,

Tonight I sit and wait. Tonight, the snow is coming.

For days the weatherman has promised the snowstorm of the year - high winds, lots of snow and even "thunder snow" (if you imagined snow and thunder, you'd be right). Services and schools have been cancelled in advance, and the sheep of the city have been bustling about collecting supplies and fretting about the frost.

Friends, I am not concerned. It is just a little bit of snow - this is what we Canadians are built for.

I am old enough to remember the Ice Storm of '98. I am old enough to remember when losing power was a problem and we had a kitchen full of neighbours huddling around our gas stove. Finally, I am old enough to remember my father filling up every pot and container we had with water, lest we really get snowed in.

Those were the best snow storms.

Tomorrow, instead of cursing the commute, think of those who call the street home. Think of those who are really braving the cold. Consider what we can do to help.

But tonight, when you are happy at home, enjoy the moment.

I know that with a Newfoundland man to my left, a Newfoundland dog to my right, and the Environment Canada radar onscreen, I'll be just fine.

My lights are off, but we are all home. We are the freaks who fret about a lack of snow.

Hoping for some havoc,

L

And a New Year Begins...

Happy New Year, my lovelies!

Hopefully you rang in the new and said goodbye to the old with a vengeance.

I, on the other hand, am battling a nasty cold. The way I see it, I'll rid myself of all the bad karma early in the year so I can enjoy the end!

Unfortunately, it seems as though my dear computer has caught wind of my cold and I must send it into the dealer for repairs. Fingers crossed that I will not be without my good friend for long.

This is an exciting week - I start school on January 11, and the Newf and I have plans to visit the Toronto Boat Show with the Parentals this coming Saturday!

How has your year begun? Good? Bad? Indifferent?

I hope you had a wonderful holiday, and all the best getting back into the grind tomorrow!

That is all for now!

Blowing my nose,

L

Dad, Your Boat is Showing

Are you freezing yet friends?

As you may recall, the Parentals flew in for the holidays. For those of you who are not aware, the lucky buggers spend their time floating around the Caribbean on their sailboat.

I guess that is their reward for raising three children.

Never one to disappoint, Mother Nature was there to welcome them with a wallop of snow.

A full frontal shot of the house.

That black bit is the dog - my full grown Newfoundland, aka The Beast. He digs snow.

The darling Mini Cooper. We left it clean and cozy at midnight.

Never to disappoint the neighbourhood, my father ventured out in the subzero weather to snap these pictures. While he was outside he chatted with a couple across the street. The catch? He was wearing nothing but a bathrobe.

Thank goodness the wind wasn't blowing and the garage was full of liquor.

I missed you Dad.

Check out his blog for the full sized shots, sailing stories and anything else suspiciously screwy.

Spawn of the strange,

L

My Christmas Card Carol

After a very long night with pen in hand,

I've just finished my Christmas card demand.

You may snicker, you may sneer,

But I've beat my record from last year.

In need of a stiff drink for my stiff hand,

L

Music Monday: The Logical Song

With all of this snow, it can only mean one thing: it is time for SUPERTRAMP!

Always one to brighten my day, Supertramp is a delight, using both standard and contemporary sound effects. Sure you can hear the keyboards and castanets, but can you also pick out the Mattel electronic football game or the Trouble "Pop-o-Matic" bubble? They are there, I promise.

We both know you remember the board game "Trouble". Don't deny it. If you don't, I sincerely suggest you jump back into the eighties and have a go; it's pleasure is ranked slightly above "Hungry Hungry Hippos".

This song tells the story of a man who was ripped from his childhood, educated for adulthood and realizes that his future is expected to be lacking in any spontaneity.

Sound familiar? It gets better - the man feels constricted in his freedom of speech, feels the pressure to conform and ends up confused, without a clear self-image.

See if you can pick out the story (or just dance madly around your room, as all snowy Monday's should be spent).

Obviously not the official video, these girls do a good job of keeping the words onscreen to help my ailing brain. It's a generational thing, I think.

I don't know what my generation has been dubbed, "The Mini X's" maybe, but we are certainly walking around confused.

Here's hoping you start your weekend on a roll.

Kinda cold and certainly confused,

L

It's All About Me: Time to Go Back to School

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that I had some big beans to spill. As an extremely superstitious person I tend to hold back on announcements, waiting until contracts are signed and bills are paid.

Today is that day.

You may remember that I recently asked for your help with a project I was working on.

You, my lovely readers came out in spades to assist me - something I am completely grateful for.

Well, that project was my photography portfolio. And that portfolio was successful. I start school in January.

This is exciting for a number of reasons, one of which being the incredibly cool camera I bought today. But the biggest reason this acceptance has me grinning from ear to ear is the very simple reason that I thought my plan was a long shot.

I've always been a little more mad scientist than moody artist. My university career began in chemistry labs and ended in breaking apart bones in the forensics wing. My life and judgements tend to fall in one of two categories: black or white.

As a logical being I never thought I would have a place in art, but I've proved myself wrong.

The Newf, who has been incredibly encouraging as I spend money we don't have, thinks it is a perfect fit. He is convinced I will be take the world by storm and is sickly supportive of anything that will get me onto a boat.

I've got my work cut out for me. Until yesterday I had never laid my hands on a DSLR, let alone own one. However, I have the next two years in a program to begin my love affair with my new best friend: my Nikon D7000.

Friends, thank you for your ideas and thank you for your support.

Soon to be a student (again),

L

Showing My Geeky Side: Gaming Giggles

Good evening my darlings, how was your weekend?

Did you enjoy the extra hour of sleep this morning?

I sure did. So much so, I got giddy and decided to share a few pics that (actually) made me laugh out loud.

Enjoy, and happy Sunday.

Surfing on a Sunday,

L

Small Things: Ads CAN Make you Smile

I saw this ad yesterday while streaming some Mantracker online.

I love it. Not only is it clever but the faucet is pretty cool too. Problem is, if I owned it I would spend hours turning it on and off, just because it was fun.

The two-button water-saving toilet entertained me for days when we moved into our current place.

Small things, simple things.

Enjoy.

It gets me right at ". . . even make a pizza pie!"

Do ads and commercials ever make you smile? What's your favourite?

Amused by ads,

L

The Best Day of the Year: It Isn't Christmas

Friends, it is a glorious day. One to be remembered and noted in history books.

Today is the first regular season hockey game. Be still my beating heart.

I am a hockey fan. A hardcore hockey fan. I may not know all the rules or the players' statistics but I can jump and yell with the best of them. I wear my team's colours with pride and a piece of me dies with the end of the playoff season.

But now, today, that piece has had new life breathed back into it. As I write this the arena is rearing to go. GO LEAFS GO!

Do you watch hockey? What colour is your blood?

Bleeding blue and white,

L

SMILE! (Always Love Yours)

Love your smile (even if it's a little crooked).  Hopefully that little head is big enough for you!

Taken while headed Westbound on the 401 through Toronto

Never underestimate the power of a smile, whether it be yours or someone else's.  Smile when you are in a bad mood, smile when you are approaching what seems to be a nasty person and smile when you are on the phone.  It really will make you sound happier and you may just find that the nasty person is just as unsure as you.  

This little guy put me in a good mood for the rest of day.  Hopefully it perks yours up too!

Positively yours,

L

It's A Wicked Wednesday: Garnering a Nemesis

Over here in Linnie Land, I find pleasure in the oddest of places.  It keeps me happy (my booze budget just isn't there).  Today, on this Wicked Wednesday, a word on enjoying your nemesis.

I have an enemy and I love to hate her.  My skin crawls at her mention and yet, I cannot get enough of her.  She is my opposite in so many ways and yet I find her so incredibly intriguing, I just cannot get enough.  

Who is this girl, you ask?  Who is the evil soul who plagues my psyche?  She is unspeakable, she is my nemesis.

Everyone has a nemesis, they just don't like to admit it.  Very few have the ability to enjoy their nemesis but you can.

If you don't have a nemesis I suggest you find one, pronto.  Man or woman you need a nemesis.  People are defined by the food they eat, their friends and their nemesis.  If you don't have a nemesis what does that say about you (it says nothing and who wants to be nothing)?

The key is to properly appropriating a nemesis is to avoid becoming so wrapped up in your foe that you take it seriously.  It's not.  The last thing you want to be is deranged or the new stalker in town. 

To be a proper nemesis one must:

1.) Be an individual.  I know, I know, it would be so much easier to dislike the entire group but that is just too taxing a task.  There is enough hate in the world, use your nemesis as an outlet, not a hate-mongering business.

2.) Have done something that actually annoyed you.  It is no good to have a nemesis that has done nothing wrong.  They have to majorly drive you nuts, at least for part of the day.

3.) NOT have abhorrently insulted you.  Remember, this is for fun not business.  I am not in the business of creating hate.  We have true evil people to do that for us.

4.) Be visible in a public forum.  You have to keep up on what your nemesis is doing otherwise your love/hate relationship will bite the dust?  This must be done in a public forum otherwise you risk treading onto stalker territory.

5.) Actually have the ability to win.  It is no good to pick a fight you are guaranteed to win.  In fact, that is downright despicable and will never be supported by myself.  You need a challenge and people of proper society always fight a fair fight.

6.) Most importantly, be the beginning of your end.  Whether it be your image, your day, your graduation picture, your nemesis must be able to ruin you (or already have - even Britney had a comeback).  Take this statement however you would like.  I encourage out-of-the-box thinking.

In choosing your enemy show a little gumption.  Be creative.  I was once so angry with my younger brother, Yak, that he was my nemesis for the better part of a year.  His crime?  He "forgot" to reload the toilet tissue and I was left stranded in an isolated bathroom in the middle of my fabulous birthday party.  I spent close to thirty minutes with my skirt hitched up around my ears, my bum sore with its position on the porcelain throne.  I was unable to leave the bathroom for fear of a partygoer finding me bare-assed and rummaging for something to complete my dirty task.  Eventually I settled on a sailing magazine.  Those are thirty minutes (and a shred of dignity) that I will never get back.

So, you've got a nemesis lined up.  You despise them, they make you want to pull out your hair and pretty it up all at the same time.  What do you do with them?

First, a nemesis is an amazing scape goat.  If I have had a bad day the Newf can be sure he will be hearing about how my most-hated crossed me.  Sometimes we (especially women) need something to complain about.  You do not want to solve your problems (what does that accomplish), you just want to rant (much more satisfying).  Who better to rant about than the thorn in your side?

Eventually this gets old and you need a new, more meaningful purpose for your newfound enemy.  Think of this as the ultimate video game.  You aren't out to hurt your nemesis but instead, wish to cause them as much discomfort as you were once caused.  

This is why it is oh-so-important you do not take this notion out of control.  You would hate to truly cause someone pain.  What you do want is to win.  You want to overthrow your nemesis in the game you originally lost.  This way you can hold your head high knowing you have accomplished something truly worthwhile: a sense of achievement.  

In the aforementioned example of Yak and the missing toilet tissue, I waited and hated for almost twelve months until my opportunity came: his first steady girlfriend was coming over for Valentine's Day.  He had cooked her a fabulous meal of tacos (give the little man creativity points), spread rose petals over the table and was feverishly nervous.  That day, before I left, I removed any trace of milk or bread in the house.  The poor kid didn't know what had hit him, but I did: a whole whack of hot peppers.

It was a fair trade, well not quite, but that is why I WON.

Currently, my nemesis is a girl who I quite like.  I disagree with almost every opinion she has but that doesn't mean I don't like her!  She writes the first blog I ever read regularly and she inspired me to start my own writing (at a very difficult point of my life I might add).  Unfortunately we had a difference of opinion and we both walked away wounded.  I was a tad too blunt and she was a tad immature.  She slide into the nemesis position once she blocked me from all of her social media and continued to call me names.  She didn't even give our friendship a chance.  This hurt my feelings; I really wanted to be her friend. 

I am still able to read her blog (making her visible but keeping me from stalker status), but refrain from commenting.  A few battles have been won by my army but I grow weary.

Now, I am slated to be her enemy and we will have to wait an see which of us is victorious.  If we are lucky, and the battle is well waged, we will be equally triumphant.

By now, Blogger She-Nemesis, I would be honoured to call it a draw.

Solidly yours,

L