I am looking forward to the Olympics and the decision by the various networks not to broadcast new episodes just so I can catch up on all the TV shows and movies that I have collected on my tivo, dvr and laptop. I'm about 20 hours behind and the pile of shows just keeps getting deeper.

Cheers, Olympians! Your years of training and hard work will not be all for naught.

I've been making icons again.

It's funny how I spend so much time making fancy icons when I rarely post, and when I do, I forget to change off of my default. I figured I'd just show off the new batch otherwise I would be the only one to see them.

        

            

   

The brain bleach one isn't exactly new, but that took so many layers to get the right splash effect that I wanted to include it.

Vitamin water - $1

Tostitos - $2.50

DVD copy of Little Big League - $5

Scott Patterson in his jockeys - PRICELESS

It's been 11 weeks since I last updated my journal, so I figured it was time. I like the number 11. It's so... parallel.

Not much happening here. I've already done a good portion of my Christmas shopping (Kohl's coupons rock) - I have all of my gifts for my family purchased and a good portion of what my mother will give my sisters, what my sisters will give my mother and what my sisters will give each other. I should be a professional shopper.

The only thing I have no ideas about is what to tell people to get me. Everything I want that I haven't already bought for myself are big ticket items or remodeling things - I want new counter tops, backsplash and floor for the kitchen, a new tub and floor for the bathroom - not stuff that can be easily wrapped. I guess I should just ask for money or hardware store gift cards. Not much fun or a surprise, but practical.

I did consider asking for a Casio keyboard I saw in the Target ad. I'm not musical (if you don't count my melodious voice), and never learned to play an instrument (if you don't count my wicked tambourine skills), so the idea of being able to tickle the ivories tickled me as well. Plus, I imagine it being easier to learn than the guitar or bassoon. Has anyone learned an instrument as an adult? Is my hard-wired brain capable of learning something this complicated? I keep thinking that I need to expand my horizons. Take classes! Learn a second language! Meet people! Have adventures! Then I see what is on TV and decide self-improvement can wait 'til tomorrow.

Ah, procrastination. My one true friend.

Know what sucks the most about curly hair? (Besides being a victim of humidity)

Bang envy. I can never have a forehead full of luscious, evenly cut bangs.

I want that.

Has anyone else noticed how being a waitress at Merlotte's is like being a red shirt? Any actress to get cast in the role better not put an offer on a house, 'cuz you're not going to be around for long.

I hate posting about vacations and experiences. I just don't know how to convey what I did and went through - I'm more of the "I lived it, it's over" school.  But I feel obligated to give this past weekend's adventures a go.

I guess I should give Friday night's Ryan Shaw show a mention. I ended up going alone because both my friend Diana and
annabelleonyx and Bert couldn't make it. Not a big deal, it was a free show (GA) and I stood off to the side behind a bunch of people who were sitting down so I had a great view. Boy, can that man can sing. He started with Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come", did some stuff off of his first album, a couple new songs and threw in "Redemption Song" and "Piece of My Heart". A great show on a beautiful night.

On Saturday I headed north to Huntsville, ON (about 3 hours north of Toronto) where I met up with dawezl, muppetfromhell, sallyk and others for a Barenaked Ladies show to benefit the Canadian Women's Olympic Hockey team. It was the first time I've seen them perform live since Steve left the band. It was...different and yet the same. I mean, 4/5th of the band is the same - it's just one voice that's missing. But it was the strongest voice.

So many of my favorite songs have Ed singing lead, so I'm not disappointed when it is an Ed-centric show. But when Ed sang Steve's songs, it was lacking something. I think it was the underlying anger Steve brings to his vocals. Ed is so damn happy all the time, it comes across even in the most angst-filled songs. Oh, well, things change.

They did sing a few new songs from the album they've been working on. I loved the song that Ed sang lead on, but I will never like the sound of Kevin's voice. I know they are being democratic in letting everyone sing, but I really think this is the time they need to rely on Ed's vocals to re-establish their sound. Are there many other bands that have multiple leads? The only ones I can think of are The Beatles and The Monkees.

Oh! I also bought some Ben & Jerry's "If I Had 1,000,000 Flavours" in honour of the weekend. It wasn't bad - not a taste explosion on my tongue, but it kind of snuck up on me. The hidden bits of white chocolate, chocolate-covered toffee and peanut butter cups were delicious and I didn't even notice the almonds that were supposed to be in there (that's a plus for me - I'm not a fan of nuts).



On Sunday, I decided to indulge my other fandom and go in search of the original Luke's from the pilot episode of Gilmore Girls. They filmed that first episode in Unionville, ON, so I detoured on my way back to Toronto to see this slice of Stars Hollow history.  The day seemed to have a Gilmore theme since, on my drive I passed Kirk Line and Taylor Rd.  Meant to be.

It was so strange to find this place. It is in the middle of suburban sprawl - there are tracts of oh-so-Canadian brick houses, shopping plazas, and curling clubs, then BAM! there is this quaint little main street. The quarter-mile stretch was crawling with tourists who were walking in and out of boutiques, cafes and ice cream shops. Oh, and a Starbucks which came in handy for a needed rest stop.

I never got the chance to look at the opening scene of Lorelai walking down the street, so I had to rely on my memory (which is crap). I knew that Luke's was supposed to be a Bridal shop, which I found right away, but it didn't look right. I thought an ice cream shoppe down the street looked more like the building. So I took pictures of everything.  I was supposed to meet up with jewelsverne, but she wasn't able to make it.  Next time, we'll go together and I'll have a better idea of what I'm looking for.



One added note: as I was driving out of Unionville to continue on to TO, I turned on my Zen and what should randomly start playing? Lorelai singing "I Will Always Love You". 

Meant to be.

I made a LOLCat that was rejected by the site. I feel a bit miffed at the slight. Really, is it that bad?



In other news, cramps.

May the Fourth be with you.

Why do apple slices taste better than taking a bite out of a whole apple?

Hmmm...

Resolved:

I will write my Christmas cards tomorrow.

At this rate, I think I will call them End of December/Beginning of January cards.

Good day, flisters.

I'm at work, killing time, and thought I'd put fingers to keyboard and tell you what's the haps.

I bought a new washer and dryer yesterday. (Yes, I was shopping on Black Friday. I made a concession and went out at 8 am - 5 am is just crazy... and fatal for some people it seems. Is a flat screen TV really worth all that?) Anyways - I got a frontload washer and dryer for $599. I really only need the washer (my agitator doesn't agitate anymore), but you had to buy the set to get the sale price. I also bought Psych S2 - how could I not for $14?

I only need to buy gifts for 5 people, yet I have a room full of shopping bags. I really have to go through all this stuff and see what I bought for who (whom?). I think I'm going to be doing some returns pre-Christmas.

New favorite song! I wanted to post about it a couple of weeks ago, but I'm lazy in my posting. Now, EW has included it in their Must List and I look like a bandwagon jumper. But I liked it before they did! I listen to bands that don't even exist yet!


I almost forgot - it's called "Another World" by Antony and the Johnsons. (Love the song, hate the video - close your eyes and listen)

On the way home tonight I saw search lights sweeping across the sky and, like Mighty Joe Young, I was tempted to follow them to see where I would end up. I went grocery shopping instead.

When I got home, I discovered someone had raked my front lawn. No idea who, but thanks whoever you are.

I watched Casino Royale again today. Daniel Craig is so damn hot. I think if he and Jason Statham ever appear on screen together, they'll burn up the projector. Mm mm mm mm mm.

The Old 97's were on World Cafe today and played this live. I lurve it.



I hope you like it. It took me forever to figure out how to post the video.

I have a theory.

I think this drop in gas prices is the oil companies' attempt to lull the American public into believing all is okay with the economy and electing their puppet politicians into office. The same thing happened just before the elections in 2006 - gas prices dropped and then went back up after the elections.

I'm getting too cynical.

There are things that continually pop into my head that I think, "Hey! That would make a great LJ post," and then they go back into the dark little corner, only to be seen again when I am on a long rode trip or trying to fall asleep. This is one of them:

I have it in my head that Rob Morrow is short.  Like 5'4" short.  I have several actors who I consider short - Rob Morrow, the guy who plays Ted on HIMYM ...there are more but I'm blanking - and in reality, they are of normal height.

I think Miles on Murphy Brown has created a stereotype in my head. Any guy with that look, (dark hair, glasses - maybe a bit Jewish looking) in my head, he's short.  Now, there are those that fall into this category who are short (Danny Strong, David Krumholtz, Mike from The Young Ones (thus, the icon)) and they only re-enforce the stereotype.

Just had to get that off my brain.

Any non-short short guys for you?

Happy birthday, sallyk !



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I was thinking about something as I was doing my daily commute on the thruway. When I was young, I learned the art of alerting oncoming traffic to police laying in wait by flashing your brights. I was taught that it was a courtesy, hopefully returned somewhere up the road, preventing you from getting a speeding ticket. Drivers united against The Man.

My question is, is this still done? Am I the only fool who flashes their brights at oncoming traffic, to drivers who don't even know why I'm flashing my lights at them? Is this an archaic practice?

It's been a year since Rob died. But this post isn't about sadness. It's about cuteness.

We had a benefit ride to raise money for Rob's memorial motorcycle awareness program and I took pictures of my great nephew, JT, and great niece, Raena. Looking over the pictures, I have come to the conclusion that my family produces some of the most round-headed children on the planet.

Poll #1167970 Tivo: Worth it?
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 13

I bought a Tivo box, yet am hesitating to sign up for a plan. Help me make up my mind.