Luck was NOT a lady today!

Picture this:

...a set of stairs leading up to the Vancouver Art Gallery
...on the stairs 150 white cowboy hats...15 rows of 10 across
...under one hat, a red envelope holding a prize of an all expense paid trip for 2 to the Calgary Stampede
...price of admission...FREE

On my way to lunch at one of the food trucks near Robson Square in down town Vancouver, I happened upon this little promotional event.  I've got time, so I sign up and get a little yellow coloured bracelet promising me an opportunity to pick a white hat which may have this free trip underneath.  Every 30 seconds, 10 people will be permitted into the area to select their hat by standing beside it.  I'm in the 5th group of ten to select.  Right from the get-go a little voice tells me "pick a hat that's 2nd in from the outside".  Well, that doesn't really narrow it down.  Should it be 2nd in from the left...from the right....up high....or down low???  Some of the choice had been removed from my hands as 50 some odd have already chosen their hats before it's my turn.  I find a hat, second in from the right hand side, up near the back...3rd row down from the top.  Very shortly after, all hats are picked...the countdown begins....3.....2....1, I bend down with the 149 others to pick up my hat....it does NOT contain the red envelope holding the free trip.  The winner of the free trip???  The young guy standing right in front of me....2nd hat in from the right....4th row down from the top.  The only consolation....he was already in place when I took up the spot behind him.  Oh well, my little voice got me as close as it could given the choices I had to make.  Everything happens for a reason....today, luck was not a lady....it was a young guy.  Tomorrow....you just never know!

I didn't win the trip...but I got to keep the hat.  Not too shabby!

WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK:  Vancouver is a nice place to visit....don't think I'd want to live here!!!  It's just too big and reminiscent of my days in Toronto!  But had I won a trip to Calgary today....then both Vancouver AND Calgary would have been my favourite places!!!!

That's Insanity!

It's been a long 10 days here in Vancouver, so as a reward I bought myself something that I've been hearing a lot about lately.  It's a 60 day workout program called "Insanity".  Who'd have thought the day would come that I would consider a workout program a reward?!  That's how serious I'm starting to take the East vs West Weight Loss Challenge.  (Watch out Shelley....I'm gunning for you now!!)  I've got to get with the program...and when I get away from these Purdy's Chocolates, we'll ALL be better off!!!  Unfortunately, I won't be able to start my 60 days until I get my knee looked after next week.  All the R&R just haven't fixed it, not to mention all the jet therapy in the hotel hot tub.

It's been a very interesting visit here, and I've got to spend time with my old friend Maureen.  We've taken in 2 documentary films with the DOXA Film Festival, ate out at some very retro diners (the Acme Cafe...where I had THE BEST tomato soup....ev-ah!, and Save-On Meats), and saw lots of tourist attractions.  The only way to top this whole trip is if I get that elusive upgrade to business class on my return flight home.  Time will tell!!

WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK:  There's a new program offered at the Starwood Hotel Chain.  If you forego housekeeping services, you'll be offered a $5 coupon towards food service in your hotel.  It's called "The Green Choice".  It can be accumulated, but must be used prior to check-out, or can be converted to 500 loyalty points per coupon...so tomorrow night, I'll be dining in the hotel restaurant with some nice credits, compliments of the Sheraton.

And oh what heights we'll hit....on with the show, this is it.

It's been a weekend of facing my fears, moving outside my comfort zone, and scaring the bejeezers out of myself.  Why do we do these things to ourselves??  What is the purpose of it??  It's not like I'm competing in the Amazing Race and have to do these things for a million dollars.  (BTW my team won the Amazing Race last night....yeah Rachel and Dave!)  I just wanted to be able to say I did them....I guess.  My Saturday started with a trip up Grouse Mountain on the gondola.  Don't remember the exact figure, but somewhere in excess of 3000 meters.  I was just one of many sardines jammed into the gondola...only I was right by the window...and for some strange reason, all I could think about was the headlines in the paper should the gondola, or the sardines inside, fall to the ground.  Coming down seemed easier.

Wayyyy up....and I'll call Rusty!

View of Vancouver from the gondola

Once I got over that little excursion, we stopped at the Capilano Suspension Bridge.  Imagine how thrilled I was to learn that they've expanded beyond just the Suspension Bridge, and now have a Tree Top Walk and Cliff Walk.  I mean really....how difficult can it be....I've done a Suspension Bridge in Northern Ireland, and a Tree Top Walk in Australia...so how bad could it be....right??  Well, the bridge was tons longer than the one in N. Ireland...and much bouncier!  There had to have been 30 people on the bridge at one time!!!  It was verrrryyy scary.  But, applying the philosophy of mind over matter....I got across...and then back.  Again...I just kept imagining the headlines in the paper...

The return trip across...you may notice a "deer in the headlights" look.

Then there was the Tree Top Walk.  It wasn't as tall as the one in Australia...but I was reeling after having just moments before gotten across the bridge.

Luckily you can't see the white knuckles!

And if those two things weren't enough....we had to do the Cliff Walk...with the glass overhang.  Could it be any worse than what I'd just done??  Well, maybe not worse, but definitely equally as scary.

Maureen right out on the end of the overhang....I drew the line at that!

Maureen and I on the Cliff Walk

After I accomplished all these things, I had to go into the gift shop and get my completion certificate and a commemorative t-shirt.  I wasn't counting on the chest pains that came as my heart started to return to a normal rhythm!  But, alas, it was just what my mother would call a "stitch".

Needless to say, the observation deck that we went to when we got back into Vancouver was nothing after what I'd already been through!!

WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK:  I really don't like heights....so I think that dream of a hot air balloon ride...well, I'll defer that.  Not much sense paying big $$ for a balloon ride and then spending the entire time curled up in the fetal position on the floor of the basket!!!

Good news, bad news

There's been a few minutes of sunshine here in rainy Vancouver, so I headed out to enjoy some hot tub time.  I wanted to get some heat/jets on my knee injury that just won't go away.  It was certainly a worthwhile exercise as my knee feels better already.  I'll have to incorporate this jacuzzi time into the rest of my days here and perhaps my knee will be totally fixed by the time I head home.  It seems that with every month I develop a new ache or pain.  Shoulders, knees, what next??  The good news is that at least my bones aren't brittle...the bad news is that I had to have a fall in the bathroom to confirm that.  Yup, it was a bad combination of marble floor tile and wet feet.  All the good of the hot tub may have been quickly erased.  I'll know more in the morning if I can't get out of bed!!

Looking forward to Thursday evening when I'm meeting an old friend for dinner.  I met Maureen 20 years ago when I took a trip to Mexico and got roomed with her.  We got along so well as travel mates that we ended up taking another trip together a couple of years later.  I haven't seen her now for about 8 years, so we're getting together to catch up.  Although contemporaries, we are certainly from opposite ends of the spectrum as far as personalities/interests/hobbies goes.  I guess she might be called a "granola head".  But we always have a great time when we get together and she leaves me motivated to "get involved"...she's big into community, culture and networking.  Where I'd go see the latest Hollywood blockbuster, she goes to a Documentary Film Festival.   I'm anxious to see what restaurant she recommends...I'll keep you posted!!

WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK:  Most gifts have strings attached....well, those from Air Canada certainly do.  After our trip to Australia last year, we earned "Prestige" status on our Aeroplan accounts.  With this status, we got to pick some "perks", so we opted for passes to the Maple Leaf Lounge and some upgrade coupons.  To date, we've not had any luck using the upgrade coupons, and I couldn't figure out why.  We are permitted to request an upgrade 48 hours prior to our flight departure.  Twice now I've made the request, but have not been successful.  On my flight out to Vancouver, I requested the upgrade at precisely 48 hours before departure.  "I'm a shoe-in", I figured.  Imagine my surprise when I didn't get the upgrade....again.  I did find out why, though, so all was not lost.  I didn't get the upgrade because most other people of a higher status get to request their upgrades 96 hours in advance of their flights.  Gee, thanks for that gift....yeah, thanks for nothin'.

Upgrade, smupgrade!

How was Vegas, you ask?  Well, it was hot....stinkin' hot!  For the first time in the past couple of years, we've actually had fabulous weather.  The last few times we've found it cold there.  This time the weather was hot...but the machines were cold.  No luck!  None at all!  Nodda!  But hey, it's "Vegas, baby"...there's no such thing as a bad time.  Although we did agree, this will likely be our last trip down.  No....really....we mean it this time! 

It may be soap box time again....wait a second....while....I....pull.... this...heavy.... platform.... over....and climb up on it....so as better to project my rant.  What this time, you ask??  Incompetence.  It's rampant!  Some say it's the new generation.  I don't know if you can generalize.  "Why this" and "why now", you ask?  Well, it's all about this waitress...oh, excuse me...server we had for our last supper in Vegas.  We had a perfectly lovely meal at a trendy pizza joint.  We had just learned that we had $44 in primary comps which we had to use before leaving town, and also $35 in other comps that we could save for a later date.  The fellow with the rewards desk told us to enjoy our dinner, use the $44 first and any overage, take from the $35.  "Just tell them to use the 'primary comps' first".  Simple....right??  It's not simple when you've got an incompetent server who doesn't really like her job.  To make a rather long story short, we almost got arrested for the ole "dine n' dash".  It all got straightened out, but not before little miss ray of sunshine...or should I say, little miss mid-life ray of sunshine (she was no young thing with cushions on her shoulders which her head bobs off of with each side to side exclamation of "what-ever") dismissed us....totally...we had more questions for her and she just walked away..."dissed" ..totally. Guess I should have taken Kier's advice and lightened up her tip a bit, which she foolishly left on the table....oh well....what-ever!

WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK:  Upgrades are not always better.  I learned this at the hotel we were staying at this trip.  It's actually a first that I insisted on being moved to a lesser room because it was nicer than the upgrade.  First of all, we reserved a king room, non-smoking.  Pretty simple request, I thought.  Apparently not.  We got 2 queen beds in a non-smoking room that smelled like the Marlboro Man had stayed there and chain-smoked for a month.  The peep-hole was gone from the door.  No, the hole was there....just the little peep hole that prevents people from looking back at you when you look at them...or worse, from them putting something into your room through this 2 inch diameter hole in your door.  Oh, and did I mention that you couldn't change your mind in the bathroom, the safe was locked OPEN and the curtains were broken?  When we went down the next morning the woman was quite indignant that we didn't appreciate the upgrade we'd been given.  I told her that if that was an upgrade, then for heaven's sake...DOWNGRADE ME PLEASE!!!  I tried to tell her that for an upgraded room, they might want to fix some of the things that were wrong with the room....but she interrupted me with something else and wasn't interested in hearing about the problems...did I mentioned how I abhor incompetence??  I know what you're thinking....."what-ever"!!

I'll have the burger...but hold the ham!

I have this friend.  I used to travel with her.  After 3 trips I realized that she couldn't be pleased, so I vowed never to travel with her again.  Apparently I'm insane...after all, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results... but it was always the same..."there's nothing good to eat"; "the yogurt's too runny"; "the sand is too sandy".  (Okay, I just made that last one up...but it was almost that bad!!)  I tried to maintain a friendship with this person and went for the occasional meal figuring that was safe.  Wrong!  I remember one lunch in particular.  She ordered the lunch special which was pizza.  Pretty simple, right??  Wrong, again.  This is how the order went:  "I'll have the lunch special...but instead of pizza sauce, I'll have tomato sauce on my pizza.  Oh, and no onions.  And extra mushrooms in place of the onions I'm not having.  And no onions on the salad.  And can I have the salad dressing on the side??"  Oh, you just know that didn't go well!  Okay, so travel is out, and meals are out...but surely the occasional movie would be alright.  I mean, really, what could go wrong at a movie??  The other night I found out just what can go wrong at a movie.  She made the choice (I always let her pick...it's just easier that way) and advised it started at 6:45.  We arrived at exactly 6:45 (did I mention she's ALWAYS late??), the movie started at 6:30.  So...we're entering the theatre in the dark, the movie's already started...and it's packed!  I head to the front...there are empty seats in the third row back from the front.  It's a bit close for my liking, but it's easy...and when you're arriving after the movie has started, it's always best to opt for easy.  My friend comes behind me and eyes 2 seats in the 5th row back...but there are 2 elderly men sitting at the aisle.  I hear a real loud whisper...what I would call an "outside whisper"...ie not real quiet.  "I can't be bothered." followed by "He's got a cane!".  I immediately do an about face, and return to the 3rd row where I was ready to sit all along...but when I didn't respond, she interpreted my silence as not having heard her the first time....so she repeated "I can't be bothered....he's got a cane!".  The entire theatre must have heard her.  You ever have one of those moments where you wish the floor would open up and swallow you?  I just wanted to tell her "Do you think he just dug out a cane for the night to INCONVENIENCE YOU??  But I'm sure it would have been lost on her.  So, as I was saying...I have this friend....who I don't do anything with...

WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK:  I don't like high intensity.  So I didn't like "The Hunger Games".  When it was over, I couldn't get out of the theatre fast enough.  I didn't even wait for the lights to turn on...and it wasn't entirely because I didn't want anyone to see who was with the nasty woman who was harrassing the elderly man with the cane ;)

Hoppy Easter everybunny!!

Okay, first week of the new job completed.  So far I've worked 4 days and have 4 days off.  Then I'll work 10 days and have 10 days off.  I'm thinkin' this is a good gig!!   Can we continue on this pattern for the next 18 months??  Yup...18 months, not a year.  The contract has already been extended.  Go figure.

We've had a few treats over Easter.  One worth noting is an ice cream called Egg Hunt.  It kind of tastes like someone put the Easter Bunny in a blender...quite sweet.  And it's yellow and purple colouring with little chocolate Easter eggs only adds to the sweetness.  And, of course, it wouldn't be Easter w/o a few Easter Creme Eggs...they're my favourites.  Well, those and Cadbury Mini Eggs...I like them too!  Okay, okay, I like just about anything that involves chocolate....Easter or not.  But tomorrow....back on the diet....I hope! 

WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK:  I learned a couple of things this week.  First off, you appreciate time off more when you work then when you're retired.  For the year I was off, everyday seemed like Groundhog Day...but now that I'm back at work, I couldn't wait to have that 4 days off.  I really appreciate the time off now.  And secondly...I learned I don't like rapini.  I've been reading that it's just a wonder vegetable...but, alas, I've tried it, but don't like it.  Too bitter for me.  Yuck!  Back to broccoli I go.

Woohoo Foxwoods!!

It was a long trip home, and we arranged to spend a night in Mystic, Connecticut.  Why Mystic, you ask?  Well, for you trivia buffs, one of Julia Roberts' first movies was called Mystic Pizza.  It was about a young girl who worked at a Pizza shop in....you guessed it, Mystic, Connecticut.  I'd like to say that it was such a good movie that I've always wanted to go see Mystic, Connecticut...but that wouldn't be necessarily true.  We stayed the night in Mystic because it is verrrrry close to Foxwoods Casino, and the hotels are much more reasonably priced there than at the Foxwoods Resort complex.  But let me tell you, anyone that is as interested in casinos as we are, but doesn't want to go to Vegas or Atlantic City, Foxwoods is a very good option.  It's only about a 1 hour drive past Boston and is actually 3 casinos in one complex.  It is huge, and quite good really, with lots of restaurant and shopping options to boot.  Plus, Mohegan Sun is very close by.  It's another casino complex, although we didn't have the time to check it out.  So, if Moncton and Bangor casinos are too small, then consider a trip to Foxwoods.  You won't be disappointed.

WHAT I LEARNED SO FAR THIS TRIP:  After this trip to Myrtle Beach, our plans of taking a month long trip to Florida next year will likely be cancelled.  After this trip, we just don't want to spend that much time on the road.  Florida would be another 2 days driving beyond Myrtle Beach.  So, if we decide to do Florida, we'll fly there for a couple of weeks and rent a car.  No more long car trips for me...

BTW - There will be a change in frequency of my blog posts due to my new employment status.  So, you'll be seeing "WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK", as I will only be posting on the weekends from now on.  Stay tuned!

Ick, ick, ick, ick, ick

Several years ago there was a movie on that became a bit of a cult sensation.  It was called Snakes on a Plane.  I wouldn't go see it cause, like my friend Joanne, I HATE snakes.  Well, imagine my displeasure when I discovered "snakes in the lakes"!  Well, it was actually more like "snake in a lake", cause I did only see one.  But when you hate snakes like I do, one is definitely enough.  Ew, ew, ew, ew ew....I was going after one of my balls that went "astray" into some water on the 4th hole.  When I saw what appeared to be a little head in the water, I wasn't put off cause I'd seen so many turtles in the golf course waterways, I just assumed it was another cute little turtle.  Wrong!!  Ew, ew, ew, double wrong.  It was a 2 foot long black snake.....ick, ick, ick, ick, ick!  Needless to say, I didn't go near any other water on the course.  I'm sure the trauma of the event put me off my game...cause I lost today.  Mind you, it was one of the worst courses of the whole week, and it was an extremely slow game and a very hot day.

To run down our week's courses for any of you contemplating coming to Myrtle Beach for golf in the future, this is how we rate them:

1)  River Oaks - a 27 hole course that was in great shape...I liked it best cause it's where I played my best game.  You don't get to pick your 18 holes, though.  The starter assigns you to 2 of the 3 courses.
2)  Wicked Stick - a great course, well maintained, and great staff
3)  Possum Trot - also a great course, although not worth the extra $$.  It was our most expensive course, but I didn't see the value for the extra $$, so I rated it third.
4)   Azalea Sands - the only reason it got rated fourth was cause they had nicer golf carts here than at the #5 course.
5)  Indigo Creek - it was probably a bit better course than #4, but they had such terrible golf carts that they got listed as the worst.

If I was ever to return to Myrtle Beach, I likely wouldn't play #4 or #5 again...and I'd think long and hard before paying to play #3 again.

WHAT I LEARNED SO FAR THIS TRIP:  There's a new Pepsi on the market down here in the U.S.  It's called Pepsi Next.  It has 60% less sugar than regular Pepsi, so suits people like me who don't like the taste of diet soft drinks, but are trying to avoid the high test stuff.  It tastes every bit as good as regular, and you can drink it w/o the guilt.  It's much better than the new Dr. Pepper 10 that is new on the market.  It has only 10 calories.  Unfortunately, it tastes too much like Diet Dr. Pepper for my liking.  Pepsi Next reminds me of that Coke product that was on the market several years back.  I think it was called C2.  It was 1/2 the sugar as regular Coke, but didn't stay on the market very long.  I'm hoping that today's society is more health conscious, so perhaps this new product will have longer shelf life.  I'm not taking any chances though...I'm filling the trunk with it before I head home!!!

Once may be luck...but three times is skill!

The first victory might have been chalked up to luck, but when I beat Kier yesterday when playing at River Oaks, and again today at Wicked Stick, it can only be attributed to my developing skills.  Yesterday was my best round EV-AH!  I broke 100, scoring 98 on 18 holes.  We played the first 9 with a couple of fellows from Ottawa, who I labeled my "lucky charms" as I finished the front 9 with a score of 46.  Today's win wasn't quite as pretty, but a win none the less.  Tomorrow is our last 18 holes at a course called Azalea Sands.  The pressure will be on!

WHAT I LEARNED SO FAR THIS TRIP:  Golf is way more enjoyable when you're winning!

Have I mentioned that it's a small world???

Yesterday it was golfing at Indigo Creek.  Have I mentioned how I prefer to golf in a twosome, instead of getting paired up with someone else and feeling like every shot is being scrutinized by strangers.  Well, it doesn't happen very often here in Myrtle Beach that they let you go out by yourselves.  They say it's for our benefit, so we aren't sitting and waiting so long when the courses are so crowded.  Nay, nay, I say, it is for their benefit...more paying customers per hour.  We were fortunate on our first day out that there were no other twosomes to pair us up with.  Yesterday, though, we did get paired up.  And where did this couple come from??  Would you believe Canada?  Would you believe N.B.?  And would you believe Rothesay, N.B.?  They live just 10 minutes from us.  Who would have thought!!  Today while playing at Possom Trot, we were paired with a couple from Boston.  Both days we got along famously.  Wonder what tomorrow will bring??  Who will we meet?  Where will they be from?  Will it affect my performance??  Time will tell...

WHAT I LEARNED SO FAR ON THIS TRIP:  I am getting better at this golf game.  Well, that or Kier is getting worse....cause I BEAT HIM!  I...BEAT...HIM!!  I WON, I WON, I WON!!  He LOST, he LOST, he LOST!!!  Woohoo!!!  I WON, I WON, I WON!!  And no...I didn't rub it in...not much anyway!!  ;)

Shopping Heaven

I've been in a shopper's heaven since leaving home.  There were great outlets in Atlantic City, and then great shopping in Fredericksburg, Virginia.  And I haven't even mentioned JR's.  It's a spot at Exit 97 off the I-95 through North Carolina.  It can only be compared to a Mardens on steroids.  But be prepared to leave there feeling depressed.  There's a sign posted on the door that anyone looking younger than 40 will be asked for identification when purchasing liquor or tobacco.  So, when I'm checking out with my 3 little daiquiris I tell the cashier "I've got ID here, cause I saw the sign so I know that anyone who looks under 40 will be asked for ID".  Her reply..."that's interesting"...but she didn't want to see the ID.  And then, to add insult to injury, when Kier stepped up with his bottle of wine, the cashier says...you guessed it...."Do you have any identification?".  Maybe it's time to go back on the bottle....the dye bottle that is!!

Shopping here in Myrtle Beach is certainly plentiful, too.  There are outlet malls, Kohl's stores and our all time favourite, Ross Dress for Less.  It's the best.  I think that's where we're off to until our tee time after lunch.

WHAT I LEARNED SO FAR ON THIS TRIP:   When you've got a Cadillac, it's hard to be happy in a junker.  My treadmill is the best....as far as treadmills go.  It does everything but run for you.  So imagine my disappointment when I went to use the fitness room and found the treadmill to be inferior to what I have at home.  You'd think these facilities would have the best...but I guess with the ocean at your doorstep, most people opt to run outside...but not me...I don't want to get a mile or so down the beach and be too tired to make it back.  Ya just never know!!

How do you spell "Lucky"??

I was all set to tell you about how much luck I've enjoyed since leaving home on this trip.  I mentioned before how I was able to gamble for 2 days in Atlantic City using THEIR money.  Of course I did dip into my own funds on day 3.  We made it the rest of the trip w/o incident, and arrived to find our unit was a beautiful one-bedroom apartment with an ocean view.  Check this out...

Okay, so it's not an UNobstructed view, but hey, by the look of that short little building, it could collapse any day now!  And my good luck peaked when I put on my golf outfit this morning and reached inside my vest pocket to find...$129 US (woohoo...don't ya just love 'found money').  Then...well, then we went to play golf at Wicked Stick.  After a few holes in torrential rain, we decided it was time to put away the lightening rods and pack it in.  We got a rain check (no really...now I know where that term came from), so will return on Wednesday to play 9 more holes.  Tomorrow it's Indigo Creek...and let's hope for better weather.  Although they do say the odds are one in a million that you'll get struck by lightening...hmmm....that would be my luck!!!

WHAT I LEARNED SO FAR THIS TRIP:  You just can't have blind faith in a GPS.  Especially one that hasn't had the maps updated for a few years!!  After a little incident in/around Boston, we had some real issues in North Carolina.  There was one point that the "dash bitch" almost found herself re-cal-cu-lat-ing on the side of the I-95, but thanks to an old fashioned Rand McNally, we were able to find our way.  And of course, using our own brains once in a while has proven helpful!!

Atlantic City or Las Vegas

It's been 24 years since I first visited Atlantic City.  To say that it has changed would be an understatement...if I could remember what it was like on my first visit, that is.  So, the big question is, how does it compare to Las Vegas.  I knew you'd be asking, so here goes:

Weather - well, it's a no brainer.  AC being in "Joisey" means that this time of year it was quite cool.  It wasn't too bad, but lets just say, the short pants never got out of the suitcase.  Fog seems to be an issue too,  as we had it every day.   Vegas on the other hand....always guaranteed good weather, no fog, always warm.

Flights - for us on the east coast of Canada, a short flight out of Moncton to Philadelphia and then another short connector into AC makes for little time in the air/airport.  Plus, if you play your cards right, you can use Aeroplan points of about 15,000 for the flight.  Vegas means a good 10-11 hours travel time and if you're lucky enough to use 25,000 Aeroplan points, you'll be getting that lovely "red eye flight" home.

Resorts - there are fewer hotels to pick from in AC, and the ones there are quite spaced out.  Four downtown, 2 more on the end of downtown, and 3 more at the marina, which is a bit away from downtown.  Vegas, of course, has the entire Strip full of options.  Having said that, we had the BEST room EVER while at Caesar's in AC.  A nice upgrade to a corner premium room with a view of the ocean didn't hurt.  And to prove it...just check this out....

Colliseum Tower Room 3818

Activities - the boardwalk is certainly a plus in AC with nothing to compare in Vegas.  You can walk/run for miles.  I did find one "water show" in the Pier at Caesar's.  It is a bit of a take-off of the Bellagio fountains, but that was about all I could find.

Shopping - in this area, AC has it heads and tails over Vegas.  You can just walk from Caesar's to the outlet stores.  There are about 40 - 50 in an area called "The Walk".  Very convenient.  Although Kier says the deals aren't really "outlet worthy".  Vegas you have to take a bus to the outlets.

Gaming - well, as usual, I can only speak about the slots, cause that's all I play.  And I'd have to say that I had more luck in AC as far as how long my luck lasted.  I was still playing with "their money" after 2 days.  I didn't win any big pots like I did in Vegas the last time, and I didn't come home with any extra money, but overall, it seemed the slots in AC are "looser".  Kier would certainly disagree!!

So, all in all, we figure we may make a trip to AC again in the future, especially if we can use our Aeroplan points to fly there and Caesar's will comp us again.  Don't know that I would drive there again.  Why, you ask?  Well, just see below.

WHAT I LEARNED SO FAR THIS TRIP:  I've become a very nervous passenger.  Not so bad when I'm behind the wheel, but I'm definitely nervous in that right hand seat.

Where DOES the time go????

In another couple of weeks, on March 29th to be precise, it'll be a year since I had to drag my carcass out of bed to go to work.  And what have I got to show for my time, you ask???  Well, I'm living in a new house that we helped to build;  I had a fabulous 5 week retirement holiday in Australia; and I found several new hobbies. Okay, 2 new hobbies....plus a few of the old ones are still hanging in there.  I play bridge once a week with a great group of women who are very patient and I'm working out regularly.  Now that curling is finished for the season, I'll be joining a book club, and we're starting golf season with a trip down to Myrtle Beach.  So all in all, what I would call a productive year.  Were there days when I found myself at odds with retirement??  Definitely, but as a friend of mine that retired a couple of years earlier than I did once told me "Katrina, there were days at work that were boring too".  Good point, Ed!  So what am I going to do on the 1st anniversary of my last day at work?  Well, I'm going to go back to work!!!  Yup, you read that right.  I've gotten an offer that I can't refuse in the form of a contract with my previous employer.  It'll be for a year to 18 months, and I can do that standing on my head!!  I can't wait to get started with this new challenge.

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  Good things come to those who wait.  This job offer has been 9 weeks in the making, but it finally came through.

Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle

I love commercials.  Always have.  Sometimes I think I only watch the programs to keep me entertained between commercials.  My current favourite is the new "Ms. Brown M&M" commercial.  I just LOVE it.   Seeing Red pull off his candy coating and start dancing to "I'm Sexy and I Know It", makes me laugh every time I see it.  Especially when it gets to the part where he "wiggles".  Yup, it's great.  And it goes without saying that I was upset to learn that "Salty" is missing AGAIN.  Poor Pep....when he cries those little pepper specks on the sidewalk underneath Salty's "Missing" poster....aaaaahhhh...heart wrenching!!   Some would say I've got too much time on my hands....other's would say I need a hobby...and those remaining would say I need a life.  I, on the other hand, just appreciate the value of a good commercial.  They're not all gems, though.  'Splain this to me....why does the Cadbury Easter Creme Egg want to melt himself in front of the hair dryer?????  Don't get that one.  Hmmm, gotta run....I'm now craving an Easter Creme Egg!!

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  My blood pressure is normal again!!!  Yeeeaaaah....pass the popcorn!!!

Where do things go when they go missing?

Every time we move, something goes missing.  Once it was the back off a Director's Chair.  Another time it was the pendulum off a clock.  Then a jacket of mine and this time a book.  Considering the amount of times that we've moved, it's surprising that we have anything left.  Yes, I did say that with a straight face.  Some of you think that I am like my mother...a bit of a pack rat.  My mother has spent the first half of her life filling the basement, and now spends the last half of her life trying to empty it.  But me, no, I only keep the important stuff.  So why has it taken this long to identify a missing book, you ask?  Well, I'm still unpacking!  Yes, it's true.  In an effort to find my missing book, I've finally gotten to the last 2 boxes.  And no, I didn't find the book.  But I did find something very important. 

And, no,  it's NOT just a pink pig.  It's a very important pink pig.  It's the pink pig that I got as a gift from my cousin Gael and her husband Jim when they got married 41 years ago.  It was my duty, along with another little girl, to circulate the guest book...which I did admirably.  How do I know??  Cause I've got the pink pig to prove it!! 

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  Buying a BBQ is not an easy venture.  We found a great sale at Canadian Tire in Quispamsis yesterday, but, of course, they only had the floor model left.  But there are three in Sussex, they told us.  So this a.m. we called Sussex, prepared to travel there to pick one up.  Yes, it was THAT GOOD of a sale.  But, as the ole saying goes, "ya snooze, ya lose" and Sussex were sold out.  So, in to Saint John store we go to check for ourselves.  They don't have any, but Fredericton has three, they say.  After a couple of attempts to speak to someone in the know in Fredericton, we learn they don't have any after all.  Back to Quispamsis to see if they'll sell us the floor model.  Yes, they will, and for a further reduced price.  So onto the back of the truck it goes, strapped down so it doesn't fly off in transit.  Just as we're leaving the parking lot, Kier's cell phone rings...it's the store in Fredericton...they found two BBQ's...they'll hold one for us.  But, as the ole saying goes, "ya snooze, ya lose"!!!

Some days are diamonds

Every once in awhile a day happens that is just right...in every way.  Everything from the Roger's tech guy comes, on time, at the beginning of the 3 hour appointment window, and fixes all your cable tv issues in 30 minutes or less.  You have a great run with no aches or pains.  You have your favourite meal guilt free.  And the best thing about the day....you receive your income tax refund less than 2 weeks after you e-filed.  It doesn't get any better than that!!!

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  It's the simple things in life that make me happy.  For details...just re-read the previous paragraph!!

You can't suck in a double chin .....part II

No, you can't suck in a double chin, but it is possible to eliminate one...and I'm slowly working my way towards that goal.  I don't know if it's the diet, the exercise, or a combination of the 2, but everything is starting to come together.  Watch out Shelley!!!  I've lost 2 more pounds in the past week.   It won't be long till I'm back to only one chin!!!  They say that the first place you lose weight is the last place you put it on....hmmmm, makes me wonder where that is exactly, cause even though the scales are showing a reduction, I'm not seeing any drastic changes. 

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  What I miss most about work isn't really the paycheque, or the people, or even the stress and responsibility.  What I do miss about work is office pools.  Now that Survivor and The Amazing Race are back on, I don't have an opportunity to be involved in any pools.  There was always an office pool somewhere on the latest reality show.  I loved being involved, and even won an Amazing Race pool when I worked in Halifax.  It just makes watching the show a bit more exciting.  So, I guess I'll go on the record and make my picks.  For Survivor, although I'd like to pick Monica, I just don't think the women are going to have a chance, sooooo, I'm going to pick Tarzan (not Troyzan...who picks a nickname like that anyway??).  And for the Amazing Race...although I'd really like to see Nary and Jamie win (you know, because of their professions), I think it'll be Rachel and Dave.  Stay tuned...and feel free to weigh in on your choices!!

Just because you asked

Many of you have been wondering (oh, I knooooow you have!!) what music I use as motivation to get my little arse (that's poetic license for those of you that think I'm just plain exaggerating on the size) down the stairs to do my workout.  Okay, maybe you didn't ask...but I'm going to share it with you anyway.  It's a very eclectic set of tunes, some 300 or so on the old mp3 player by now.  No, I'm not going to share them ALL with you.  My goodness you faithful readers...you are getting more vocal these days!  And yes, I can hear your voices...albeit in my head...eeewh...maybe that's NOT a good sign??  I'm just going to give you a taste of what keeps me going from day to day while chalking up those miles and going nowhere.

River Deep, Mountain High (the Glee version, not the Tina Turner version....although I'm sure hers is good too!)
Fox on the Run (by the Newfoundland band Siochana)
The Devil's Right Hand (Steve Earle)
Waterloo (Abba)
My Maria (B.W. Stevenson)
Peace Train (Cat Stevens)
Let's Go Higher (Johnny Reid)
Bridge Over Troubled Water (Celtic Woman)
Sunglasses (Divine Brown)
Viva la Vida (Coldplay)
Womanizer (Britney Spears)
Fat Bottomed Girls (Queen)...no, I don't relate to it....I just like the song!!!

And those are just the highlights.  I've not included any of my Madonna, Cher or Bon Jovi.  Like I say, it's an eclectic collection, but it keeps me going....day, after day, after day...

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  Now that I've kicked the Coke habit, it's time to kick the Diet Coke habit.  It was a sad day when I had to give up my "nectar of the gods" because of the high sugar content, but it only took about a week to convert myself to the Diet Coke habit.  Don't get me wrong.  Diet Coke pales in comparison to "the real thing", but one gets awfully bored drinking nothing but water all day.  Sort of like a diet of lettuce 24/7.  Yech!  So what has prompted this need to eliminate Diet Coke from my diet, you ask?  Well, a few years back I went to a Naturopath about my perimenopause symptoms....night sweats, hot flashes, blah, blah, blah.  She told me that first and foremost, I had to give up any drinks that contained Aspartame.  That was all I needed to hear to get back on my Coke habit.  (I think I was going to weight watchers at the time, so was drinking Diet Coke).  She said that as bad as the sugar was for me, the Aspartame was worse, and also contributed to my symptoms.  Hokey, I thought, but hey, it justified me going back to my all time favourite beverage.  But hokey, really??  Nay, nay!!  Since I've been back on the Aspartame in the past 3 weeks, I've experienced a noticeable increase in night sweats.  Theyyyyy'rrrrre baaaaack!!!

 

Happy Leap Day!

I've found a new love.  I'll give you a hint...it's NOT my treadmill....but it is something that makes a noise.  Give up??  It's the tv show The Big Bang Theory.  I don't know who I like more...Sheldon, Leonard, Howard or Rajesh.  It's my new Friends, my replacement for Seinfeld.  And the good news is that there's not an evening goes by that it's not on one channel or another.  I don't know how many seasons it's been on, but I seem to see the same reruns over and over again...but they still make me laugh.  What can I say...I've got the memory of a goldfish...three seconds and it's gone from my mind.  What can I say...I've got the memory of a goldfish....three seconds and it's gone....whoa, waaaiiit a minute....deja vu???

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  An 8-ender in curling is very rare...so rare that none of us on our team had ever given up one....before tonight.  Yup, beaten by a team that got an 8-ender on us.  Luckily it happened on Feb. 29th, so we will not have to be reminded of it again until the other team celebrates the anniversary of the big event....in another 4 years....and NOT UNTIL!!!!!

Stay-cation over

I've been on stay-cation from my blog, but I'm back.  I've been keeping a pretty low profile of late.  Nursing a knee injury...still...and getting out to skate a couple of times a week.  You know, skating is definitely NOT like riding a bicycle.  You do forget how to do it.  With all those figure skating lessons long forgotten, I liken it to skiing.  It's not me that I have to worry about....it's everyone else!!  Although, without the knowledge and ability to stop on demand, I guess it is me that I have to worry about!!  And I've developed this fear of falling that I never had when I was younger.  I guess it's cause the fall is alot farther now than it ever was when I was a wee-un.   The ice is quite unforgiving...and the bones are brittler!!  Not a good combination when you've got a golf trip coming up in a few weeks.

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  Yet another Costa cruise ship is currently in peril after losing power in pirate infested seas.  The old cruise ship industry is going to be taking a hit for sure....especially those owned by Carnival.  Probably time to find some good deals on the entire Carnival line of ships, which includes Princess and Holland America.  I think we'll start looking for sales!!! ;)

It's a man's world after all.......... (Sung to the tune of It's a Small World After All)

We're in the 21st century, aren't we??  Or did I fall asleep in a time machine and wake up in the 50's??  I didn't think so...so call me surprised to see that age old stereotypes and mindsets still exist.  Especially when it comes to men and women.  You'd think that given my past employment, this would be NO surprise to me...but, ya know...it is!  My friends and I were out the other night...you know, that age-old tradition of "girl's night out"...and we got to trading stories, like women do.  There was the story that one of my friends told about buying a car that the dealership offered to her husband for $3000 less than what they offered to her.   Granted this was a few years ago...but this mindset is alive and well today.  In fact, just minutes before going to pick the girls up, I called to make a room reservation at the casino in Moncton.  I had a promotion code which entitled me to a free room, however, the fellow I spoke to told me that that promotion was NOT available for the night I wanted.  So...2 minutes later Kier called again, spoke to a fellow (no doubt the same one), provided the same promotion code as I had, and "Voila"!  Room booked!  What's with that!!  I'm also going through a bit of a disagreement with my bank right now.  I think they are more interested in gaining Kier's business  (they assume he's a man...so he must have more $$ than I do) than in keeping mine and I've told them that in so many words...but, they still don't want to appreciate my business in the way I think they should...so, I've told them I'm meeting with other banks about making a switch.  They seem surprised...and THAT...well, that surprises me!!

The girls at Brit's Pub for a great meal before heading to the theatre.

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:   It was a good day today...I learned 2 things.  That doesn't happen too often!!  1) It never hurts to ask; and 2) Sometimes people will make exceptions.  Yesterday I rec'd an e-mail about a special promotion for a green fees sale down in Maine which ended at midnight last night.  I didn't make the purchase yesterday, because I didn't have accommodations lined up.  Today I find my accommodations available, but now too late for the green fees sale.  What's a girl to do???  So I sent an e-mail stating that I missed the deadline, but only by one day...and I really enjoyed playing the course last year when I did take advantage of the promotion.  Low and behold...within minutes I heard back from them saying that, as a repeat customer, they would give me the same deal today...so, what did I do...I did what any good woman would do....I bought TWO!

Enough already!

Enough is never enough.  Especially when you start to age.  A few weeks back, in the name of health and fitness, I went out and purchased a treadmill.  It'll facilitate an increase in exercise, I say.  And, yes, it would....if it didn't also cause me to have a flare up of something in my knees making both running and walking almost impossible.  But, I soldier on...I rest a while, I try walking, I rest some more, I try walking again.  I ice, I heat.  I all but give up sugar in my diet, only getting a little bit from my desert...if you call yoghurt desert...which I now do.  (Oh how times have changed!!  Yoghurt....desert!!  Is life worth living??)  Anyway, yesterday I got a brainwave.  I dug out some orthotics that I got a few years back.  Maybe wearing those again will help me with my exercising.  Anything so that I don't have to curl up in the fetal position for 5 days after a run.  So far so good.  I'm not doing marathons yet, but hopefully that will come.  Today I was off to the doctor's office for a little follow up on my blood pressure.  It's GOT TO BE GOOD!  I've been doing all the right things!  But like I said....enough is never enough.  The BP is a bit high, not real bad, but just enough to raise an eyebrow.  So what now...its time to eliminate salt from my diet.  OMG!  No sugar and now no salt...where will it end??   It just takes ALL the FUN out of eating!  Oh well, gotta run.  It's lunch time...pass the celery please!

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:   Everything in my cupboard/fridge contains sodium.  Feta cheese....huge sodium content.  Tomato soup...now I know why Campbell's was so heavily advertising their sodium reduction efforts a while back...still a huge sodium content.  The whole wheat Kraft Dinner that I consider a treat, even though its no where's near as good as the original stuff...large sodium content.  The dill pickles I'm snacking on right now cause really, they are just little cucumbers, right??  Sodium!  Every spice in my spice drawer....full of sodium.  And that Montreal Steak Spice that I've been using for years on anything BBQ'd...it's, like, 400% salt.  It's a miracle I haven't blown the top of my head off!!!  How despressing!!  Aahhhhhhhhh...Mrs. Dash....where are you????

Striking back at the Empire

I know it's been a while since I was 17 and had a part-time job.  And I know I've never worked in a movie theatre, although it was on my list of potential part-time jobs when I retired.  But what is it that these young employees do when they start their shifts?  In my 50 year old mind, (like I say, it's been a long time since I was 17 and had a part-time job) I think I would start my shift stocking up supplies and getting the concessions ready for the movie-viewing public.  So why is it, then, that when I happen to attend a show on the weekend, and it's the first show of the day at 12 noon I might add, that I find not one, but both becel dispensers already empty?  I think I'm about the 10th person that's arrived at the theatre so far that day, so I'm fairly certain that 9 people have neither all bought popcorn, nor drained 2 dispensers of becel.  And there have to be 10-12 employees wandering around.  What are they doing besides calculating their days wages in their heads?  Now granted, it does take 8 of them to run 4 concession stations ...don't get me going on that!!!  And the young girl who is taking tickets, right beside the becel/straw/napkin stand, was oh so un-concerned/interested when I advised her that both becels were empty.  There was no "I'll get someone to look after that", or "I'll let someone know about that", or even a "who cares", although her body language screamed that very loudly.  She did respond with "there's another one up around the corner".  Oh well, I distracted her, even if for only a moment, from the "knot plus knot, carry the one" in her head.  Hmmm, I'm thinking its time for another letter!!!

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  I'm way out of touch with the latest music trends.  As uninterested as I was in the Super Bowl last night, I did make an effort to catch the Half Time Show because Madonna was performing...and hey, she's from my generation!!  I quite enjoyed her performance of the oldies "Vogue" and "Like a Prayer".  But tell me this...who the heck are LMFAO and M.I.A.??  I guess I've been listening to too much talk radio lately.

That's Jumbo Shrimp....you (oxy)moron!

Oxymorons are everywhere.  I said "oxy"morons....(Although I'm sure there are morons everywhere as well, this really isn't about them! There will be opportunities when I can write about them another day!)  I've managed to incorporate many of these sayings into my conversations on a regular basis...pretty ugly, almost exactly, same difference, seriously funny, and they go on and on.  But there is one that I will never, ever, ever use....sugar free chocolate.  While doing some cross-border shopping yesterday, I found some sugar free Turtles.  Wow, I thought, those will be good!  They'll help me get over those candy cravings.  NOT!  There's just no replacement for the real thing.  I'm not sure what it is that they're passing off for chocolate...and I'm afraid to ask really.  It's brown and smooth, but with a few nuts...hmmm...nope, not going there!  But I do know one thing for certain....it AIN'T chocolate!!!  Will I eat them anyway, you ask?  I guess that will depend on just how desperate I get...ask me in another few weeks.  And if you hear me humming that familiar tune and mumbling the catch phrase "Hmmm, I love turtles"...you'll know it's a bad sign!!!

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  Sitting in the front row of the Imperial Theatre for a comedy show is THE BEST place to sit!  We were there for last night's John Pinette performance.  It was great and contrary to popular belief, we didn't get a kink in our necks from looking up at him.  (I think people who say that are just jealous that they're in the "nosebleeds"!)  We were on the end of that front row and had a perfect view of all the action.  It helped that he really used the stage and walked over right square in front of us for much of the performance.  He's one big lad...but he puts on an excellent show...well worth the price of admission...especially if you had those front row seats.  We're wondering if Jerry Seinfeld will be able to compete!  We see him tonight....but unfortunately, we don't have front row for him.  That's okay....cause I'm sure the people in the front row at Harbour Station will have kinks in their necks from looking up at him!! ;)

Game On!!

The definition of "accountability", according to good ole Merriam-Webster's on-line dictionary, is "the quality or state of being accountable; especially: an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions".  I like accountability.  I particularly liked it 5 years ago when I tried Weight Watchers.  Just knowing that one person was going to see my weight loss (or gain...depending on the week) made me work a bit harder to make sure the scales went in the right direction.  After all, there would be no one to blame should the number go in the wrong direction but myself...thereby making me solely accountable.  That time around I lost 13 lbs in 4 months. 

As some of you may know from earlier posts, I've entered into a bit of a challenge with an old friend (and troop mate).  She lives on the other coast of the country, so this is truly an East vs West challenge.   And in honour of our time together....a whole year between language training and Depot...we've decided to make this a marathon, not a sprint.  So in my twisted logic, if I lost 13 lbs over 4 months only being accountable to the one person who weighed me in...imagine how good I'm going to do with all my readers holding me accountable!!  I'm guessing (read hoping like hell) it can only be better!!  Therefore, you'll notice an addition on the right hand side of the blog which will reflect my progress on a monthly basis.  Okay Shelley....Game On!!!!

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  Today's tidbit is likely only going to be of interest to other like-minded Corrie fans like myself.  Okay, I've probably just lost 95% of my readers right there...but hey, I learned this today, and I think it's worth writing about....so there!!  We all know that William Roache, aka Ken Barlow, is coming to Halifax in March.  (Well, you would have known it if you read my blog way back when!)  I'm unable to go as I've got a golf trip to Myrtle Beach already booked...otherwise, I'd have been there, front and center.  But, yes, I know, that's old news.  What I learned today is that another Corrie show is coming to Canada and it will showcase the old Corrie characters Ashley and Clare Peacock, Andy McDonald and Reg Holdsworth.  So far, it's only going to be available at certain Ontario locations....and...all around the last week of March...the same time that Ken Barlow is in Halifax...and the same time I'm in Myrtle Beach.  Damn it...DAMN it... DAMN IT!!!

The Oompa Loompas are coming! The Oompa Loompas are coming!!

Well, it's been over a week of my new "lifestyle" and things are going well.  I've been getting alot of use out of the new treadmill and have incorporated some diet changes.  I've drastically reduced my sugar intake.  I've not eliminated it completely, but significantly, for sure.  I'm pretty serious.  How serious, you ask?  I went to a movie today and gave away the Smarties that came with my combo!  How's that for serious!!! I'm expecting the Oompa Loompas to arrive at any time now to hold me down and force chocolate down my throat.  I'm sure the Chocolate Factory is at risk of closing up a wing or two.  Oh, is that the doorbell I hear???

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  There's a big seat sale on right now with Porter Airlines.  There is 50% off Halifax and Moncton departures.   Just book before February 3rd.  And there's currently a movement afloat to try to get Porter to fly out of Saint John.  To participate in the movement, just register for the VIPorter loyalty program.  Enough interest in the area and Porter will look at the feasibility of flying out of our airport.  I'm sure they'd be a welcome addition and would offer a bit more competition...as long as you can overlook that little incident a year or so ago...remember... where the pilot fell asleep on approach into the airport.  What with the technological advancements of "auto-pilot", I'm sure the pilot is just added weight in the cockpit to keep the nose of the plane down!  ;)

Drastic Times Call For Drastic Measures

I was reading about a celebrity (recently ejected from an airplane for failing to turn off his cell phone when told to do so by the flight attendant) who has lost 30 lbs in 4 months by cutting sugar out of his diet.  It may be time for me to do something drastic like that!  "Can she do it?", you're saying.  Well, I have managed to cut out Coke/Pepsi from my life and now only consume small amounts of diet soft drinks.  "But cutting sugar out completely is tough", you're saying.  Don't I know it.  Sugar is my crack, my cocaine, my heroin.  Is there a methadone for getting off sugar??  Some would say exercise is the answer....to this I say Bull*#^t!  I had a pretty good idea of what foods I'd have to cut out to eliminate sugar from my diet.  They include the big ones....bread, pasta, rice, cereal, and of course chips, chocolate and candy....but did you know it also includes such things as ripe bananas, raisins, flavoured yogurts, potatoes and the list goes on...and on....and on.  This will be a bigger challenge than I'd ever imagined.  And of course, the celebrity no doubt has a chef on the payroll who can prepare the food that stays within the diet restrictions.  Can MY chef do the same??  I've just asked her....and she says "oui, oui"!!

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  When visiting in England a few years back, we met a family friend named Edward Lane.  Back then he was in his early-mid 90's and was an amazing old chap.  Very spry and sociable.  Every day he consumed one hot toddy....just to keep the blood circulating....and to give him a reason to get up in the morning, I'm sure.  Well, I learned that he passed away last week at the ripe old age of 99!  As I said in my e-mail to his daughter Margaret, it may have been Star Trek's Mr. Spock that coined the phrase "live long and prosper", but it was Edward that epitomized it!  RIP Edward!!

Get going Lard Ass!!!

Now that the treadmill is up and working, I have no excuse for not exercising.  None... what.... so.... ever!  But it's not as easy as going down, getting on the treadmill and running.  No, no, no.  There is an entire routine that must be followed (yup, that little OCD kicks in again!).  First off, I hear that voice in my head while I sit on the couch watching Coronation Street.  It says "Get up Lard Ass....get up, get up, get up.  You bought that huge piece of furniture in the basement, now get down there and use it!!"  No, it really is the voice in my head...it's not Kier's voice I'm hearing (although he might be THINKING it)!  Okay, so I get up and change into something warm enough for the basement...but not too warm so that I overheat.  Then, down to the basement to check my water bottle....not full, back upstairs to fill it.  Must stay hydrated!!  Back down to check  my workout schedule....is it a running day, or walking day?  Cause if I'm walking, it's back upstairs to get my book so I can read...oh, and don't forget my glasses...I can't read without them!!  Where are my sneakers...gotta find my sneakers...they're down stairs beside the treadmill.  Back down I go.  And what music do I feel like??  Is it Glee...again??  (Yes, I'm a gleek!!)  And when all that's sorted, I'm good to go.   But I'm tired now.... to many trips up and down the stairs!  Maybe I'll just sit on the couch and watch some Y&R ;)

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  Muscle weighs more than fat.  Okay, okay, I'm not sure I learned that today, or that it's even a scientific fact....but it MUST be true.  This is where you nod and agree with me...cause after 6 days of working out....I've GAINED a pound!!  *#@&*!!

Everyone else, but not me

It's finally happened...I've become one of the people I used to hate when I worked in uniform.  You know the ones...those that disregard all the warnings on the radio to "stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary".  But hey, picking up my treadmill today was "absolutely necessary"!  No, really, it was.  The sooner I get started running on it, the sooner I'll see those numbers on the scale start to get smaller.  The truth of the matter is that the weather just didn't look that bad when we set out from home.  We started to clue in when we saw the first wreckage on the side of the road, followed closely (about 100m) by the second, then the third, fourth, fifth and sixth all within 2 km...and if you count the jack knifed tractor trailer that was just beyond our turnoff, then it was seven accidents all together.  I've never seen anything like it before.  The good news is that the treadmill is assembled and operating...I've got no excuse now...ooooh, maybe I should have waited for the snow to clear up...

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  Drivers in the Maritimes are much less crazy than in other places we've lived (read Ontario!).   Don't get me wrong...I'm not saying they're perfect...not by a long shot...but, they seem to be a bit more self-effacing.  For instance, today when we noticed the accidents up ahead on the highway, everyone immediately started moving into the other lane.  Every car, in turn, moved over, all very ordered and seamless.  Now, had this been the 401, someone would have taken this as an opportunity to "move to the head of the line" and raced past everyone in that empty lane, only to get right on top of the accident and then attempt to force themselves back into the flow of traffic...much further ahead then they would have been before.  Cause some people think they have more important places to be than everyone else...but...apparently not people around here!!  That's a good thing!!!

And the award goes to....

It's the television award show season again, what with the Golden Globes and People's Choice recently on, so I thought I'd present a few of my OWN awards!!

The "Will you ever get that right" award goes to the company who, for whatever reason, just can't "get it right".  After three months of bills, each followed up by a call to customer service and the billing problem STILL isn't resolved....the award goes to....Rogers....nothing more needs to be said about that....many of you can relate!!

The "Who'd have thought you'd get a better deal in the store than on the website" award goes to the company who...you guessed it, offers a better deal to you when purchasing the same item in the store than was offered on their website (which is contrary to what I expected, for sure)...the award goes to ....Sears.  We found the treadmill we wanted on line and on sale...when we ordered it at the Sears store, low and behold...$100 cheaper than the on-line sale price....plus an addition $120 savings for opening a Sears card and getting "10x the points" (whatever the heck that means!) Whodda thunk!!

The "Will you ever get into the 21st century?" award goes to the company who continues to use old billing guidelines so whenever you submit your claims you inevitably exceed the allowable claim amounts so get stuck paying more out of pocket...and the award goes to...the Public Service Health Care or Sun Life as they are better known.  Every claim I submit...dental, medical, prescription, whatever, they always come back with that same line that the amount billed exceeds the provincial limits.  When I ask at the service provider if they are charging over the NB guidelines, they respond with, no, the insurance companies are using outdated guidelines.

And finally, the "No matter how desperate I am for a trip, I won't go with you" award goes to the company that I would rather stay home than travel with (so you know it MUST be bad for me to opt to stay home!!)...and the award goes to Costa Cruise Line...but more specifically, the Captain of the Costa Concordia... sad situation!!

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  No matter how old I get, I still don't look forward to the dentist when I know there's a needle involved.  Got to go for a filling this morning....yech!

Being tall is really over-rated!

They say you get shorter as you age, but they don't tell you that you also get shorter when you drywall.  Yup, it's true.  I was helping out Kier with the basement ceiling yesterday afternoon.  Now this is not the best task for someone battling back from a shoulder injury.  We had the huge sheet of gyp rock propped up over head and I was holding the brace from below when...you guessed it, it fell down and landed flat on the top of my head.  I swear I'm 2 inches shorter now...those sheets are heavy!!  But, the good new is  that a) the gyp rock didn't get broken...oh...and b) I didn't get a concussion.  Both good things!  BTW, I really am NOT a carpenter!! 

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  Skype...it's not as confusing as it sounds.  Well so far it isn't, but then I haven't actually used it yet.  But I did create a cute little avatar to represent myself.  Oh, and take it from me, when you set up your laptop to go live, be sure it is slightly elevated, like on a shelf or a higher table.  It's preferable that you are looking up at the web cam...trust me, much more flattering ...way less double chinage and jowlage!!  No, I'm serious...you just try it the other way...you'll see what I'm talking about. ;)

Put off at your peril

Today has been an "odds and ends" day.  You know the type...getting all those little niggling things done that you've been putting off for so long.  I got my internet security software installed on all my computers today.  I downloaded my Australia pictures and put all my photos from my old computer onto CDs, I did some income tax research for a small win that Kier had in Vegas in 2011 which had over $500 in withholding tax taken from it (I've got an ulterior motive on that one...I get to keep 1/2 of all the money he gets back from the US Gov't...hey, my fees are high, but my service is worth it!!), and found the air pump to blow up my exercise ball (that one I could have done without!).  The first 2 tasks were particularly important...no one wants to get their banking information, or any other important stuff, hacked.  And it's only a matter of time before that old computer kicks the proverbial bucket taking every one of my photos down with it.  Now, granted, I don't take photos like I used to.  It really requires a major trip or event for me to haul out the ole brownie.  Okay, so it's really a Samsung...but it still takes something major for me to get it out.  But the photos I have taken...I want to preserve...you know, for posterity...

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  It really is winter in Eastern Canada.  I'm really not a huge fan of winter and less so of snow.  No longer being a skier makes me wish for a snow-free winter season.  It's bad enough when its so cold out that you don't want to go out, but even worse when its snowing out and you don't dare got out.  I'm missing a movie tonight because of it...and you know how much I love my movies...I'm not a happy camper!! 

Every cloud has a silver lining

This past weekend was the Provincial Playdowns for the NB Police Curling.  Last year we played in NS and were runner's up.  This year we placed third.  Not bad, right??  Well, it certainly wouldn't be bad...if there had been more than 3 teams in the bonspiel!  We're not too upset about missing out on the trip to the Nationals in Montreal this year.  It would have caused some upset to our scheduled golf week in Myrtle Beach.  There's always next year!!

Although curling remains a popular winter sport in NB, police curling has certainly fallen out of favour.  There was much discussion at the club about how to rejuvenate the whole provincial program and spark some interest amongst the younger members of the policing profession.  Not sure that's possible, but with the newly elected executive of the association, we're hoping for some success.  And speaking of the election...it's easy to see that male chauvinism is still alive and well!!  With 12 curlers in the bonspiel, and only 2 of them female, when it came time to put forward nominations for the executive, they were quick to nominate Kier for a position.  Hmmmm...they nominate him because a) he's a man and it's a man's world after all (wrong!); and b) he retired as a Superintendent so they just assume he'd be a keener (wrong again!).  Just to play into their stereotypes, I volunteered (who's the keener after all??) for the secretary/treasurer position.  I even told them I'd be sure to wear a short skirt for all the executive meetings.  I don't think they understood my sarcasm!!  Surprised?? Not in the least!!

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  Watching the scales is a bit like watching my investment balance.  It's not something I should be doing every day, because you don't see much movement.  But wait to check it every week or two, and BANG...big changes...and usually not for the better...neither one!!!

Decisions, decisions...

First off, I have to start by saying...I hate exercise.  I don't dislike it or just prefer not to do it... I HATE it...full stop.  So that contributes to the difficulty I am faced with in the decision I am trying to make.  I'm torn between joining a gym and buying a treadmill.  Odd dilemma for an anti-exercist (is that even a word)??

Secondly, I must add, I have zero willpower.  So just planning on switching to a menu of lettuce, lettuce and more lettuce, followed by a dessert of celery is destined to fail.  So, the alternative, as I see it, is to just ramp up the exercise program.  Then I'd only have to moderately reduce the snacking between meals, and limit my sugar intake and WHAM...results!!! 

Okay, so which form of exercise will it be??  I join a gym to the tune of $46/month for ev-ver...never actually buying anything, or owning anything, but continuing to "rent" for as long as I grace them with my presence.  Or, I could buy a treadmill for somewhere between $1500 and $2000, set it up in front of a tv, and work out in the comfort of my own home.  Sounds good...and easy...but aside from a lack of willpower, I also have a lazy streak about the width of the Grand Canyon...not a good combination.  The upside, though, is that I'm currently motivated...those numbers on the scale that I've never seen before are helping out there.  The gym has variety, the treadmill has convenience...so that's what it boils down to variety vs convenience.  Which will win out?  Hopefully me!  No matter what my decision, I will definitely benefit from either choice.  Now, for the hard part...deciding!!

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  There are an inordinate number of people from the Netherlands who are looking at (I can't assume they are actually reading it) my blog.  I check my stats on a regular basis to get an idea of where in the world my blog is being viewed.  For instance, this past week I've had 90 page views in Canada...no surprise, seeing as most people I know live in Canada.  But get this, I've had 72 page views in the Netherlands!  I don't think I know anybody there!  Wow!  So what do I say to that..."Welkom"!!

Today a reader, tomorrow a leader

I love books.  I love the smell of them and the feel of them.  I'm a bit quirky about my books too.  I don't like library books, or borrowed ones.  I have to buy new.  I must be the first person to break that binding...hear it snap.  With this passion for the hard copy book, you might think that my transition to e-books must have been difficult.  You know, I thought it would be.  It wasn't.  I love my e-reader.  Especially for travel.  I can pretty much pack my whole library with me when I go.  It's great.  And my reader is full of my favourite authors...James Patterson, Stuart Woods, Carol Higgins Clark, Chris Bohjalian, Jodi Picoult, to name a few.  I occasionally pick up a new author, either through the recommendation of a friend or after hearing the author interviewed.  Sometimes, I get so involved in the story line that I am actually disappointed when it's finished.  Have you ever had that feeling??  You just hate to see the end of the book come cause it was just soooo good.  But on the flip side, there 's nothing quite so disappointing as when you read the first book of a new author and it's just fabulous....so when you see another one by the same author, you jump to buy it...only to find out that lightening doesn't strike twice, and it's a dud...a complete dud.  I just finished one of those, and I'll be striking that author off my reading list!!  I can't wait for when my friend Shelley gets her first book published.  I'm certain she'll be following her first bestseller with several more after it.  And for every one she writes, she's going to remember her friend with the love of books and send me one....autographed...right Shell??  Maybe one day, after she's written 10 or 12 books, I'll even get a dedication!!  (Got to get my pitch in early...before she becomes rich and famous!)

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  It is possible to go to a movie and NOT have popcorn.  I did it today, but I must say, the whole experience is a bit less enjoyable w/o paying way too much for a tiny bag of corn that's been popped, and a jug of pop that could burst your bladder.  And as I mentioned before, it only takes 21 days to create a habit...so another 20 movies w/o popcorn and then I'll have this licked!!  If my New Year's resolution lasts that long...

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

It's that time of year again when we start on the long road to keeping our resolutions.  Mine for the year follow that decade old concept "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle":

1. Reduce...many of the numbers in my life...my waist size, my pant size and the number on the scale.  The only number I want to see increasing is my bank account!!
2. Reuse - see previous...if I start "reducing", I can re-use a lot of the old clothes in my closet.  Most of my contemporaries will know what I'm talking about...you know...the couple of sets of clothes that are hanging there waiting for us to "shrink into them".
3. Recycle - okay, more like re-cycle, or cycle again, you know, get my bike out and do more cycling...or any other form of exercise really which will all help me achieve number 1 and 2 above.

Best of luck to you all in making, and keeping, your own resolutions for the year!

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  Today is the first day of the rest of your life!