Pay It Forward

I watched Pay It Forward tonight, and I'm not ashamed to say I cried my eyes out - you'd have to be pretty detached from humanity if it didn't touch you in some way. The rules are simple: #1 It has to be something that really helps people. #2 It has to be something they can't do by themselves. #3 I do it for them, they do it for three other people. The concept is that you help three people do something (or become something) that they couldn't do for themselves (or by themselves), then they have to help three others in return. In theory this is a noble undertaking - to have enough blind faith in humankind that they would actually return the favour by paying it forward themselves. I've had my house and my vehicle broken into, I've been let down and betrayed numerous times, I've been used beyond belief by those that are supposed to be my friends...all this, and you want me to have faith in humankind? I guess this is what makes a person completely selfless - having the ability to have that faith when all around you is saying it would be a complete waste of time and effort.

I have always been the kind of person to help others (even sometimes when they didn't want the help I was offering) and never expect anything in return - I do things because I want to do them, not because I think there might be a payoff at the end. I actually feel awkward when someone tries to "pay me back" for a favour. I'm your friend, I don't keep score. I don't always have the means or the time to do the big things for others, but I sure enjoy the feeling I get when I can do the little things for people. I've been in the lineup at Tim Hortons and bought coffee for the person in line behind me. I've paid for a friend's tab at the bar when I left so they could be surpised later. I've driven half way cross the city to pick someone up or drop them off so they could spend time with their friends. I've stopped and helped a complete stranger load boxes into their vehicle when they're moving. I've bought lunch for a homeless person (more than once). I'm sure if I sat here an picked my brain I could think of several other things I've done as well, but after watching Pay It Forward I'm left wondering if it's enough? Have the things I've done been important enough to make a difference and cause others to Pay It Forward? Somehow I doubt it. Do I need to part the Red Sea, or turn water into wine in order to compell others to want to help others? Where are we going if all we can think of is ourselves?

Organizing Life

Do you ever notice that when you start to organize the junk drawer in the kitchen, you end up organizing every nook and cranny in the whole bloody house? It's called a "snow-ball" effect - I'm sure you are all familiar with it. Whether it's the theory of one drink turns into ten, opening the jar of peanuts and only having ONE peanut, or reading one more paragraph before lights out - it's all the same concept; once you get started, you just can't stop! I've spent the last three weeks organizing my home - I've made numerous trips to the store to pick up tote-bins, tool boxes, boxes, hangers, shelves, everything and anything to do with cleaning up the clutter - I'm exhausted, but still don't think I am done. I sit down at night with a pen and paper on the coffee table beside me just so I can add to the list the many things I have forgotten to pick up, or jot down the next idea for how I'm going to organize the next room. It all starts with that bloody junk drawer in the kitchen...wait a minute, I don't have a junk drawer in my kitchen - AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Facebook

It has been a very long time since my last blog...thanks to Facebook! I love it, and I hate it. It has been good in connecting me to people I haven't seen in ages...it has been bad in connecting me to people I have been "ducking" (yes, there's always the option of declining a friend request...but that would just be plain rude don't ya think?). It's great at keeping me updated with what's going on with friends when there's just no time to call (during "appropriate" hours)...it's bad at almost being a "spy-tool". I could go on and on about all the pros and cons - trust me, for every pro there is a con - but let's just say I like the fact that I have the option to turn it on at my leisure and gawk at what's going on in all my friends' lives...hahahaha!

This guy's gotta go!!!

This is a singing contest, remember???? What's this guy still doing on the stage???

Girls Got Rhythm

I know there's only 6 girls left now, but these are my top 2. I had Jordin and Gina in my top 3 right from the start, along with Sabrina (sad to see her go), hopefully America doesn't let me down completely! The show's about to start, gotta make some popcorn!

Talent

So let me get this straight...American Idol is a competition where they weed out the singers from the screamers, and eventually you get down to where you hopefully have some talent. What channel is that on? I mean REALLY!? Sanjaya? PULEEEEZE! Clean your ears America!

American Idol

So tonight I missed Phil's performance at the beginning, I didn't even catch the judges reactions so I have no clue how he did (sorry Phil, I can't put you in my top 3 on faith). I thought Chris Richardson was FANTASTIC! And I LOVED what Blake Lewis did! I have to add Chris Sligh to the top 3 today 'cuz he was pretty damn good too. I'm watching the last performance now (yes, as I write this); it's Sundance. I just can't put someone named Sundance in the top 3 - I know it's not his fault, but I just can't. He did do a good Mustang Sally, but I just can't.

...and the Oscar goes to...

I like to watch the Academy Awards each year; I always try to see all the movies that are being nominated so I have a more informed opinion when they announce the winners...but each year I watch, I go "huh??" because I see them announcing nominees for movies I've never heard of. What's up with that??? I DID see The Departed (LOVED IT), I saw Blood Diamond (AWESOME), The Devil Wears Prada (good), Pirates of the Caribbean (FANTASTIC), the Good Shepherd (kind of boring), Black Dhalia (not so good), and I saw Children of Men (again, not so good). Now that I've seen the Oscars, I really really want to see Babel, The Prestige, Pans Labyrinth, Queen, Marie Antoinette, and the Last King of Scotland. Next year I'll try to get them all in BEFORE the Oscars!

This year I told myself I was going to watch all of American Idol...partly because I like the show, and partly because I'm tired of missing episodes and not being able to keep the people straight. Here we are only a few weeks in and already I've missed two shows. I watched all the auditions (that's the best part, I LOVE Simon), the first two shows of Hollywood week, and then bam! I missed the one where they went from so many down to the top 24 that would make the performance stage! I got to see the guys on Tuesday, then missed the girls last night. Tonight I will watch the first "bye-bye's" and then make my 3 fav's from the girls next week. Here are my top 3 favs for the guys (sorry guys, I know I've probably just ruined any chances you just had by picking you as my favs...that's just how MY luck works sometimes):



Phil Stacey



Chris Richardson



Blake Lewis

Dinner with Friends

We went for dinner tonight - the crazy bunch who USED to work at KN. As usual, we had a riot, but this time we didn't harass and embarrass the poor waiter. We were missing Sheri unfortunately, but a new person joined the group tonight; her name was Colleen. I guess she used to work at KN too, but that was before my time. She is a hoot (as my new workmate Corrine would say)! We laughed so hard at so many memories. I heard stories tonight about people I used to work with that blew me away...and some that didn't surprise me at all. Still, we are all very glad that we no longer work at KN! We are having a fondue in about 5 weeks (I know, it seems like record time and we're back at it...but THAT'S the way it should be!) and I can't wait! I love to spend time with my friends! Raise your glasses girls, here's to you!

Children of Men

Two words. Don't bother.

New Windows Internet Explorer

I downloaded the new Windows Internet Explorer this weekend. I haven't had a lot of time to play around in it, but from what I've seen so far, I really like it. Everything seems to run from a more central hub now; gmail, picasa, bookmarks, blog...everything runs from the homepage now - and with only one sign in! I'm curious to see if I can access everything (bookmarks and all) from a remote computer with my google sign in same as I can from home. Note to viewers...if you look at my Jodi's Album link on my blog and see your picture, but don't want it there - let me know and I'll gladly remove it.

24 - Season 6

How many people have been anticipating tonight with the same anxiety as a six year old child on Christmas Eve? If you haven't guessed, I am talking about 24! Yes, that's right, Jack's back and I can't hardly wait! I purposely timed the watching of Season 5 (all 24 episodes in one and a half days) for the end of December, just so that I wouldn't have the looooooong wait from one season to the next "Fox-time". Only trouble is, now I am a slave to the TV - I HAVE to be home when it's on (I have this dread in the pit of my stomach that if I try to set the VCR, something will happen - like the power going off - and it won't get taped, then I'm fucked!), no ifs ands or buts about it! Bree will understand what I mean. There's a two hour season opener on tonight, and another two hour show again tomorrow - DO NOT expect me to answer my phone for those four hours!!!

The Good Shepherd

Friday night Gary (brother), Mel (friend & brother's girlfriend) and I went for dinner and a show. I got to pick the restaurant so it was Red Robin (I LOVE their bonsai burger!!!), and Mel got to pick the show. We saw The Good Shepherd. I had no idea what to expect - which is good because normally I have a preconceived notion of what it should be like, then I usually end up disappointed - but it was good. The acting was good, the story was good, the whole movie was good...but I'm not convinced that the writers resolved the story entirely. I left thinking that there should have been a little more explanation at the end. Would I recommend this show to friends? Sure...but not wholeheartedly.

Blood Diamond

This movie was fantastic - I went with my friend Anne and we both enjoyed it immensely! Leonardo DiCaprio was awesome, as were the other actors & actresses. The story line was intense (A farmer, a smuggler, and a syndicate of businessmen match wits over the possession of a priceless diamond.) as it was based on a true story - highly disturbing that this actually goes on in the world! I recommend this show to everyone!

The Departed

WOW! You MUST see this movie! That's all I'm gonna say; see it or don't, it's up to you; like it or hate it, that's your opnion, but I recommend this movie to everyone.

I had a friend over for dinner last night (have I ever told you that I like to have people over for dinner?) and made steak (with homemade bbq sauce), asparagus and stuffed potatoes (cheese, bacon, green onion and seasoning). We drank lots of coffee, enjoyed our meal and then went to see The Departed. We left the theatre in awe of the actors who portrayed the characters so brilliantly - what a performance. We caught a trailer for a new movie coming out called 300 - I've reserved my "front seat" spot for that movie with my friend right away. We came back to my place for a drink and looked up 300 on the internet - WOW, I can hardly wait until March 9, 2007 when it comes out.

What an evening, thanks friend.

Nite out with Friends

Back on March 29 I wrote: "So I spent the evening tonight with some friends I haven't seen in a long time, and let me tell you that after all the fun we had, I don't want to wait another 6 months to do it again." Guess what? We waited SEVEN months!!! How bad is that? Don't get me wrong, most of us see each other frequently in between "nites out", but as a group, we are truly pathetic. We started to organize a bbq at Carla's way back in June, then it became August, then we tried for September, September became October and someone had to cancel out for a wedding (which turned out to be their own - Joylynn....), then October turned to November and here we are. We almost had to cancel due to freezing rain, but we braved the elements and said "fuck it, we must go NOW". We went to dinner at Moxies Kingsway, the food wasn't that great, but our server was highly appropriate for the mood we were all in. We ended up naming him "Paco the Cabana boy", turned him bright red a few times and even had him speechless once or twice. Unfortunately for us (and maybe fortunately for him) his last night at the restaurant was that week, he said he was going to knock door to door to raise money and awareness for World Vision or something like that (ask Lynn, she can tell you all about it, she's very passionate about such things). I haven't laughed that hard since the last time we all went out. Isn't it nice that friends can do that to/for one another? That's why it's important to stay in touch and go out frequently. Girls, I say we plan for every second month - a standing date, and we take turns picking the restaurant. What do you say????

39 and holding (or so they say)

This was kind of what my dessert looked like at the restaurant tonight - thanks Glenn! Today was my 39th birthday, and it was a really nice day. I went to my new job, which I still enjoy immensely, had Tim Horton's for breakfast, lunch in the sun with my friend Sheri (even though she didn't know it was my birthday - bag!) and dinner at the Moose Factory with Karen and her new husband Eric, my friend Amanda and Glenn. It was really nice. We had a wonderful dinner, a few drinks, a relaxing coffee (ok, well, maybe 5 or 6 coffee), and then some yummy ice cream dessert that had sparklers on it (thanks Glenn, you know you will pay for that, don't you?!) At least they didn't jump on the chairs, clap out some horrendous rhyme and sing an off-key version of happy birthday! Thanks everyone for making my day special.

Loooong Time

It's been a very long time since I last posted...partly 'cuz I've been to bloody busy, and partly 'cuz I've been too freakin' lazy. So here I am. No promises on how often I'm going to post, no promises on quality or content, no promises on anything. Sorry. I've come to learn that promises mean nothing, deals mean nothing, and time spent is time wasted...for some people at least. Here's where I'm going with this - I changed jobs this week. Yup, I left KN. I started at CH on Tuesday. MAN! What a difference!!! I went from 2 weeks vacation to 4 weeks (plus 5 personal days), 4 sick days to 18 sick days, 50% co-pay on ABHC to 75%, and last but not least $8000 more a year to start! SEE! BIG difference! And that's just the start. The benefits package is much better (and cheaper), there's a pension, there's merit increases on top of cost of living, and just the whole environment is just generally better. When I put in my notice a few people said they weren't surprised, a few people were shocked, but for the most part, no one cared. I went out on such a low note, my boss didn't even offer to spring for my going away lunch, which I pretty much had to plan myself. What a shame. I feel like the last 4 years of my life there were unappreciated, unrecognized and completely wasted. I had to go out of my way to contact HO to let them know what my duties were for fear that no one would know what I did there, 'cuz as far as I could tell, no one here at branch level gave a ratz arse that there was no one being trained to fill the role. The people at HO were very appreciative of my efforts, and sadly disappointed that it had to come to that. What a sad place to work. WhooooHoooo....FREEDOM!!!! There are now FOUR people who used to work at KN that now work at CH...all within the last year - how telling is that? See ya soon...

Pool Tournament

Today marks the beginning of the end - the end of this year's pool season that is. We played for 27 weeks to find out who's who in the division, now we get to play for 5 days to find out who's who in the city. Our team didn't win a trip from the division (we miss Adam!), but we have a chance to do some damage this week and hopefully win a wild card (wish us luck!). We didn't play that shit hot during the season, but when it comes to tournament play I think we become a different group of people and we seem to find that 'next gear' and kick it pretty hard - look out, 'cuz here comes the Dirty Magic!