People Watcher

One of my favourite things to do is to people watch. Tonight I was in the restaurant at my hotel observing two very different scenarios.

The first was a couple on my left, in their mid 40's, who barely said a word to each other the whole time they were there. They didn't seem to enjoy each other's company at all, and couldn't find a conversation that they seemed to have a vested interest in on both sides. My impression was that marriage had probably run its course. He seemed helpless and she seemed disinterested.

To my right, the somewhat opposite. A woman in her late 50's, early 60's. She was originally from New York and had been living the last few years in Florida (Pensacola I think she said). She's apparently been coming to Biloxi for many years. One day she just told her husband she was going, he said ok goodbye, and she got in the car and drove 7 hours to get here. She's happy as spit to be enjoying the "her" time, just relaxing and eating her pecan pie.

That'll probably be me when I'm her age. Not a care in the world, off to the freedom of my heart's content, driving endless miles just to be someplace that grounds and humbles me. It would beat being the other couple for shizzle. I actually found myself thinking "if I'm like that when I'm married that we can't even talk to each other like we enjoy being with each other, then just shoot me".

As a cliff note, pecan pie is huge in the south for some reason. I don't get it.

Tia

I've Taken a Fall too Shania

Everyone's talking about Shania's fall last night at the CMT Awards. One facebooker even said she "makes even falling look beautiful". There's some truth to that, as it was the most graceful fall ever caught live on camera.

We've all had those moments. In the early 2000's I was leaving a Christmas party...ahem...banquet....slipped on some ice and biffed it good. I got up and polished myself off like nothing happened, wanting to seemingly still appear somewhat cool to all the those driving by in traffic. I was not as lucky as Shania though. By the time I got to the corner, my wrist was on fire and pretty much just hanging there. I ended up spending a lovely night with the good folks at the Regina General hospital waiting for a surgeon to come in and put me back together. Morphine and I were BFF's by the time that episode was done.

In hindsight, I too wish I had those shoes to auction off. I'm sure Steven Tyler would applaud Shania's get back up attitude. Good on you girl!

And the Wiener Is....

Terri-Ann, one of my old roomies in Lethbridge, used to call them Mystery Tubes. I have friends in Toronto who call them Street Meat. Whatever you call a wiener or hot dog is completely up to you and your imagination.

Here's the thing: we all have our visions of pigs feet and horse lips in wieners, but they've been a life-saver the last couple of days. I've had an on-going stomach ache for about 3 days now. The first day I was afraid to eat anything. By the second day, I had to eat something. My diet yesterday consisted of hot dogs and pro-biotics yogurt. I can't make this stuff up. And it was actually the first night I went to bed without pains shooting through my stomach all night.

We'll just chalk it up to that whole Mystery Tube thing and leave it at that.

Election Nerves

In 1995, I remember sitting on my living room floor in my house in Moose Jaw that had no furniture. The radio life, don't ask.

 

It was the referendum on Quebec sovereignty, whether Quebec should seperate to become an independant state, or remain a part of Canada. Do you remember that? I'll never forget it, mostly because the results were so close: 49.44% "Yes" to 50.56% "No". I was honestly scared for the future of our country that night.

 

I feel those same nerves today on the eve of our election. I sincerely hope we've done a better job at stirring up those apathetic voters and encouraged our youth enough that both will continue to take a vested interest in our country's direction this election and all elections in my lifetime. Here's hoping.

 

Tia

I Sure am Social

Do you ever take stock of how much social media activity you have under your umbrella?

I have: 2 facebook accounts, a Twitter account, a Twitpic account, a LinkedIn account, a bityl account, 2 hotmail accounts, a work FB page to manage, a Blogger account, a YouTube channel, a work website to manage, iChat, and let's not forget personal texting.

My mother's always harping on me for not calling her anymore. Seriously mom, why do I need to do that? I keep in touch with everyone without even having to talk to them. I have to save my voice you know.

I'm a social butterfly by all accounts. Or a geek. Either or.

Tia

Is there anything more awkward....

Than going to the dentist? You lie in this chair, turn this way, look up, open up, bite down, try to fit this is your mouth, make funny slurping noises, have to cough at the wrong time, and I could go on!

The one that gets me the most - when they ask you a question and try to initialize conversation while leaned over you with 6 tools in your mouth that's stretched open to it's full capacity. I'm sorry, I can't answer you right now for obvious reasons, please leave a message and I'll get back to you on that one.

After 3 years of braces and ortho appointments and a broken jaw that was wired shut, I'm so done with people being in my mouth. Having said that though, I got this awesome new toothbrush last night and mint floss. Yum.

Moral of the story...floss, floss, floss!

Tia

Tiffany Vs Debbie

I was an 80's child and it was a fabulous time for music. Genesis, Lionel Richie, Wham, Culture Club, Madonna, Michael Jackson - the list could go on. The fold of the 80's changed however when we got into '89 or so, when bubblegum pop took over. Along came Tiffany and Debbie Gibson.

Tiffany was rough around the edges, from a broken home, and different look-wise with that flaming red hair. Debbie was the princess brought up in Long Island from a seemingly perfect world. I liked both and had cassettes from both. But when it came to who, I as a teenage girl related to the most, Tiffany won out. In fact, my first ever concert was a Tiffany concert at the Northlands Colesium in Edmonton. I also met her totally by chance earlier in the day at the West Edmonton Mall at a Dalmy's store.

That was over 20 years ago. I've grown up, she's grown up. But she's still kicking around the music scene and in fact is getting ready to release a country album and calls Nashville home. The last few years she had released a couple of albums which, although not huge sellers, received great critical acclaim. So I'm truthfully excited to hear this new album. What can I say, still a fan after all these years.

But if there was any doubt about Tiffany's singing ability, watch the video enclosed. She could probably outsing anyone in the industry today. This song even though it came out in the 90's, still gets me right there. Enjoy my trip down memory lane.