A comment on the horses on duty in our city

It is my assumption that the horses that do police patrol in this city feel that they are above the law.

Apparently the 'poop & scoop' need not apply to these four legged creatures.

my question is - why?

excerpts of me

Part I - a group of unrelated blog clips that I never managed to post online.

First and foremost - I owe Anna a blog. Ode to my Anna. Whose relentless love got me a job in the midst of unemployment and who never ceases to make each work day highly entertaining. We had a date last week - and it was fabulous. We went to a friend's film screening, we caught up with a long lost friend (Shannon), I kidnapped Anna to do a drop off in Mississauga, we had dinner - well, I ate my dinner, Anna was too busy dumping it all over herself. Then we drove home in the beginnings of the winter storm that hit Toronto last week. :p All that to say - I need to make a blog like dedication to this woman.


Watch "Dancer in the Dark"


I found old movie stubs. Two of which are of interest to me - on an entertaining side.
i) Little Miss Sunshine - September 2nd, 2006 at 7:00pm
ii) The Host - TIFF - September 8th, 2006 at 11:59pm

The first was a film that Brent and I saw together after he and three other lovely friends (Anna, David and Elaine) helped me move to my current abode. After dealing with a rice incident in the production van I had borrowed, Brent and I decided to go watch a movie. I must admit, that at this point in time, I did in fact have a crush on the poor boy. BUT - he ALSO had a crush on me. This was the first 'non-date' date we had. :)

The second was of a film I saw at the Film Festival. Sadly, I must admit, that I tricked Brent into attending this film with me. I had ordered two tix to see the film. Originally, my brother was going to attend with me (more so cause i can't stand the idea of seeing a midnight madness film alone). I then told my brother (who was indifferent to seeing the film) that I might try to ask the 'boy' to go to this film with me - and that I might fake out with a 'my brother can't make it' scenario. The story played out, and because Softball was cancelled that night, Brent was suddenly 'available'. End of story - it worked, and it was our second 'non-date' date. :)

I have no more 'non-dates' to report - but just to end the story -- the following weekend, four of us went to Tobermory - and in the early hours of Sunday, September 17th all hidden truths were revealed. Funny. The worst part to this story is that talking to someone in the middle of the night - with nothing but 'moonlight' around, is easy. Waking up in the morning and having to sit in a car with said person for four hours in bright sunlight = a whole new challenge to facing one's said feelings.

Last september - a group of UofT frosh were leap frogging across the street in front of our van. Harley and I were driving my new bed (acquired from Naturally, Sadie) to my apartment.

Have you ever seen the optical illusion of the colour castle??? (http://www.johnsadowski.com/big_spanish_castle.php)

2006 was the year of the monarch butterfly - and they literally were all over the place.

The night before (July 1/06) I went skydiving with my dad, I spent a great deal of time with my parents at the Delta Chelsea where they were staying. I kept re-enacting being forced out of a plane and kept flopping onto their bed on my stomach. It was my test jumping time. That night, i watched videos online - I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

At the end of "Naturally, Sadie", I spent a whole Friday collecting as many high-fives as I could from the crew. I can't remember anymore what i got up to - but it was an impressive number.

Terry coloured her hair blue by accident. A blue pen is to blame. The challenge lies in hiding it in blond hair.

One thursday evening, I drove home admiring a beautiful full moon. The following Friday morning, I woke up to spend just as much time driving in to work staring at the same goldenly lit moon.

Before I found out there was a trick to my apartment building's garage door keyhole, I would struggle forever trying to get the dang thing to open. On the plus side, I met a lot of people who lived in my building who would help me get into the darn garage. Eventually, my 7th floor neighbour revealed the magic behind the key.

If you go to the Toronto Film Festival - the the Elgin theatre's VISA Screening room - be prepared for CREDIT CARD DISCRIMINATION. My brother and I were near the front of the line for "Stranger than Fiction" - and just because neither of us hold a VISA card, we were at a loss. Everyone got in front of us because they were considered VIPs. But don't be fooled - you are only a true VIP with the GOLD VISA. FYI.

One time when my parents were in Toronto for a weekend away - my mom and brother went to see the Blue Man Group and my father and I went to see Lord of the Rings (theatre). I really appreciated the time I had with my dad prior to the show - we were able to walk around downtown Toronto and talked about our family. I learned a lot of things - and it was just a wonderful moment. :)

During the summer a friend once told me that screaming at the top of your lungs in your car can make you feel a lot better. I tried it - and it didn't help at all. Actually, it made me feel silly. And then i just smiled - cause God was being ridiculously silly this summer. But from this, I grew to truly appreciate all that He is for me. A surreal appreciation. But I do remember that night - I think it was the last time i banged my head against the steering wheel after softball. Funny.

Sometimes I feel like I'm trapped in a box. Sometimes, when I'm driving, and it feels like all the cars around me are going the same speed as me, and I can't move - I wonder if this is a physical manifestation of my emotional state. Sometimes, when you can't quite express your true emotions - you feel trapped - and all you can do is cry.

There are two feelings in the world that I despise. Being chased (it really just freaks me right out) and being bound and tied up. I can't say that i've ever been tied up, but the idea of being kidnapped and tied up and being rendered completely helpless is a fear that I have.

An episode from "Meet the Bulgers"

Easter.

It was like driving home for a Christmas holiday or something. Snow all around. Hwy down to barely two lanes near Barrie. It's the beginning of April.

It's that foolish snow fall, right before spring really arrives. I say that now, seemingly forgetting that it's slushing outside (wet snow fall).

The weekend was lovely. It was Brent's turn to meet the parents. I guess it's easier when your family lives in the city that you live in. His family is all in Toronto, so meeting them is easier to coordinate. The first time we were going to travel up north to 'meet the parents' was at the beginning of March. Those plans were foiled by that terrible onslaught of a winter storm. So when I phoned home the Monday before Easter, I was a little shocked to hear my dad say 'we're keeping our eye out on the weather'. What weather? I'm completely out of 'the know' of the world. Lack of tv (trust me, I welcome the lack of TV - it's terrible how much time people waste in front of that glowing box). Hop onto ye ol' Weathernetwork.ca to find a snow storm is to hit ontario on the exact day that we plan to travel home.

Yeah, I didn't cancel my plans this time.

So home. Ah, i find such joy in scaring the crap out of people before they meet my parents (two of the most chill parents around). Michael had a hay day with Brent. We put out as many caution signs as we thought he could handle. poor guy. Once we hit the city, we had fun taking Brent around our neighbourhood, extending that agonizing period before the meet & greet with the folks. Although it might not appear at the moment, I do have a heart...deep down inside.


Meet the Bulgers (and the Clark grandparents). The weekend was lovely.


A point form account.

I did my taxes with my father (thank you father). I did not make my 'returns quota', so we will not be attending a night at Medieval Times on la Alison anytime soon.

We watched the Masters with my Hardcore Fan grandparents.

We played Taboo - my mom and I took on Brent and Mike, and kicked some serious butt. Maybe not serious - but i was very impressed about my partner. Considering how late we ended up playing the game, i'm shocked we all did so well. Final score 68 - 61.

I broke Lent with Brent with a Neopolitan Milkshake at 1:00am on Sunday. I didn't go crazy sugar on Sunday - cause my tummy couldn't take it. Also, i feel too healthy now. :p But the milkshake was wonderful. My dad mixed it for us, and Brent and I drank from these twirly plastic straws we used all the time as kids. Memories. Well, I almost made it to the milkshake itself, but caved mid-mix, and ate a spoonful of ice cream. You don't understand - there were soooo many homebaked goodies in my face for two days prior to Sunday - it was soooo challenging. Nonetheless, I don't even really want sugar at this point.

We went to see the obnoxiously decorated easter house. (what you see in the picture is only ONE side of the house) This man is talented in yuck. Apparently he was given a ticket for causing public obstruction or something -- as his house creates traffic issues on Cassels (a somewhat busy street in North Bay). This year, he's really big on the 'inflateables'. For Christmas - there was sooooo much junk around his house and like 8 different Santa and Reindeers. I would love to sit and have a conversation with this man and ask him what inspires him. Then try to figure out where he stores all the stuff in the off seasons.

Touring around North Bay, Brent and I ran into two deer crossing Ferris at Booth.

We laughed a lot this weekend.

Got a glimpse of my grandparents new Toyota Avalon. I must say, that it was a fine choice to go with Toyota. And with a very sexy blue. sweet.

We watched "The Latest Buzz" and the 'Poco Loco' and the theme song are now implanted in my brother and Brent's brains. Funny.

Left Claude in North Bay so that he may take off for Rome at the end of the month. We also introduced Finn to the family...a new beanie shark.

ASIDE - i love the moment in "Toy Story" when Woody spends his first night in the toy box. In the morning he asks if anyone has seen his hat, and the sqeeze toy shark pops up saying 'look, i'm woody. howdy, howdy, howdy.' before having the cowboy hat ripped off his head by Woody. Ultimate favorite TS moment.

I slept at the top of the stairs on the first night. For like 20mins. On the most comfortable pillow.
Typical, I fell asleep on the couch on the first night.

Didn't find Mike's old soccer gear - but I have to confirm with James if i'm playing or not. AHHHH. Can i afford new gear???

Ate turkey (the dinner was lovely and delicious). And turkey and dressing sandwiches.

The weather was up and down, so staying in was the thing to do.

It's always nice to be home. A nice relaxing weekend.

Wore my new glasses all weekend. I'm still deciding almost. I'm weird about glasses - they're not my thing...but I think I like these ones.

Church.

Good Friday service. My mother, grandmother, Brent and myself went to Holy Name church to attend the Good Friday mass. Right off the bat, we were all split up into different pews. First, they sat my grandmother, then my mom, then Brent and myself. Ack. It's always hard for me to go back to this catholic church. Maybe it was just the service itself, but it was difficult to sit through. There was this very strange moment midway through the service that I felt was contrived. Also, throughout the whole service, I kept looking around me, trying to find God in the community and I just couldn't find it. Maybe i wasn't being receptive enough, but it felt so empty. On such an important day in the Christian faith, it was really difficult for me. Maybe it's cause we had just finished driving from Toronto. I dunno.

So for Easter Sunday mass, Brent and I decided to check out this Pentecostal church near my house that I've always wanted to know more about. Gateway is the name of the church. A very loving and open community. Such a great little service on Sunday. This church is home to a very small community - but very friendly and welcoming. It was an interesting service. Comprised mainly of worship and prayer.

One song, that I have to point out, that really stood out to me was "Indescribable" by Chris Tomlin. One of the lines really stood out to me: "You placed the stars in the sky, and you know them by name. You are amazing God!" It just really stuck with me.

It's a reminder about how precious we are. We are a very specific detail in God’s plan. There are bible passages that speak of how much we (humans) worry so much about possessions and clothes and food and basically God’s provision in EVERY way, yet He will provide for the flowers who do not sow their own ground, and He provides for all the animals of the world, and we are worth more to him than these. He knows every hair on your body. I don't know, but this song is really beautiful, and it really got me thinking about these passages. I was shocked when I discovered I actually had it in my iTunes library.

A beautiful reminder to TRUST IN HIM.

Just do it. Not enough people do.

One thing that I thought was really strange – on the drive back to Toronto, we realized that we didn’t have communion at this new church. On Easter Sunday...that just felt strange.

After we got home from church on Sunday, Brent and I made turkey and dressing sandwiches and when we got into the kitchen, I was overwhelmed by how wonderful I felt about life. Everything seemed so great. I was overcome by the spirit of Easter. An incredible smile to embrace God’s renewal.

The drive home – clear as day. The day started with many inches of snow over the northern city. By the end of church, all was melting away.

We stopped off at Webers on the way home. I can’t believe it was open. My brother was craving.
One downfall was constant knee pain whilst driving – dang it. Mother suggests getting a second opinion on the state of my knees. Dually noted.



Other happenings...

On Monday night, I had a lovely chat with Mr. Ottier. It's been too long.

I love when the sun is setting in the evening and shines a bright cast of light against a building that is backdropped by a stormy cloud setting. The way the building pops is incredible.

Damn facebook. So time consuming.

ON A SUPER HAPPY NOTE - my dear friend Hannah is engaged – congratulations lovely!

Work is calm. There are only a handful of us in the office. We spend lunch eating together - and it's been very lovely being in that setting. I really do love this group of people.

LIVING ROOM - wow. Can I just tell you how wonderful it is to be with this group. This is my second week with this group (work has kept me from attending prior to this - and before that my old living room sadly dissipated, but luckily joined up with Sam & Kat's LR). It's incredible how well we mesh. This week we had to revisit the history of our living rooms. When we started talking about how our LR came to be - it was amazing to see the stories come up. I just want to say how much of a blessing it is to still be able to share my LR experiences with Sue and Dan (and Rachel) but also start something new with this new group.

Wow.

I'm so happy right now.