Spring has Sprung
Forget the Farmer’s almanac. Pay no attention to the ground hog. Don’t listen to the meteorologist. The best indication that spring is finally here has officially happened!

Portia has started ‘blowing’ her coat.
That’s what it’s called when a dog starts losing thier winter undercoat due to warmer weather. Last night, Portia and I sat down for her groomies (which she LOVES!!) and instead of the usual ten minutes, it took me almost thirty! I kept getting more and more hair – the thick, dense white fluffy hair underneath her multicolored fur. I came away with enough to build a whole other Portia!
Rocky has no coat to blow since Jenge got him trimmed short for summer when we came back from Mexico. That’s his new haircut to the left. Doesn’t he look sharp?
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TV Junkie

My name is Squirrelly girly and I am a tv junkie.

I love to watch tv. Good shows, bad shows – it doesn’t really matter. I find alot of people these days turn their noses up at TV. They say there’s nothing good on, it’s all crap – to which I reply – you must be a boring person with no personality if you can’t find at least one show you tune in weekly to watch. TV is kinda like magazines – there is something for everyone! Not that it’s all good. Some of it’s bad. Some of it’s so bad, it makes it full circle and becomes good again! Some of the shows Jenge and I watch, we spend the entire hour ripping apart the story, the dialogue the scenery – but we have a blast doing it. Here’s a list of what I’m currently watching:
1. Stargate SG-1
2. Battlestar Galactica
3. 24 (I’m new to it this season so for those of you who say that this year sux, I don’t know any better!)
4. Grey’s Anatomy
5. Supernatural
6. Numbers
7. Gilmore Girls
8. Bones
9. CSI’s – I watch them all in re-runs on Spike TV and the History channel.
10. Discover Civilization channel – you can find out so much by watching this! Of course, none of it will ever come in handy, but damn! I’m like an expert on the Egyptian Culture of the Apis Bull now!

I’ve also been known to tune into several movie channels just for the hell of it. Last night I watched Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (seriously, can you get better looking than Paul Newman? Not humanly possible) and Son of Frankenstein (Jenge came down halfway and was like “Is this supposed to be funny?” and I said, well no – it was made in the 30’s and was quite serious then but now we view it as kinda campy).

There’s nothing like a weekend of veggin out in front of the telly. Currently, Jenge is watching the Lost World on Space. In her own words, it’s kinda bad, but I sat down and watched a couple of minutes anyway.

So stand up, tv junkies and be proud!

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Best Vaycay Ever!

Well, I’m back from my vacation. The laundry is complete, the suitcase is unpacked and all is back to normal.

Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

It was the best vacation ever!

We stayed in an all inclusive resort – The Samba. The staff was wonderful, the food was good, the drinks were free. What more can I say?

Jenge and I went on 3 excursions as well. On Monday we went Zip-lining (so awesome and we have pictures to prove it!). On Thursday, we went swimming with dolphins and sea lions (that’s Monico above, such a sweetie pie! He gave us all a kiss). On Friday, we went for a jeep ride through the Sierra Madres, topped off by a barbeque on a private beach and then tequila shots on the ride back. Fantastic! I also went kayaking (first time ever! and I have the scars to prove it!) and on the Sierra Madre tour, Jenge got to hold a tarantula and let it climb up her shoulder!

Jenge had to give serious consideration at the end of the tour about whether or not she was going to chuck it all back in Calgary and stay in Puerto Vallarta and become a dolphin trainer. In the end, she decided that it would be too hot for Rocky.

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Vaycay!

Whoo hoo! My vacation is finally here! I’m packed up to spend a fun filled, sunny week somewhere in Mexico.

Don’t know exactly where. Why you ask? Because in trying to “grow” as a person, I have left all the travel details to Jenge. She booked us, knows where we are staying, knows the buffet menu, has been buying our stuff for us, booked the puppies in a doggy resort and has all my tickets.

Normally, I would be online right about now researching my vacation, planning out my days, getting maps of the city, seeing the hotel on its website but this time it’s Fly-By-The-Seat-Of-Her-Pants Gita who’s in charge!

Ack! I hope it all works out!

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Calendar Girl
Yes, mes amis, it’s that time of year again. The time where Stage Mother Gita comes out full force and shines her baby up! It’s time for the 2008 ARF Calendar Submissions!
This is OUR year! I KNOW it!
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Are you infected?

Someone told me today that we are all infected by the virus and it is hate, fear and doubt. We come into the world virus free and slowly (or quickly depending on the circumstances) become more and more infected until we cannot tell who we are separate from the sickness. She said the virus makes us doubt ourselves, makes us fear, makes us mistrust and we knowingly and unknowingly pass it on to others every time we do something hurtful or mean. The only way to cure ourselves is to figure out who we are apart from the virus. I’m not sure what it all means yet, but I’m working on it.

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The Power of the Jenge

After last night’s Battlestar Galactica, Jenge was adament (or would that be “Lee ADAMAment) that I tell the world SHE CALLED IT! She said that Tighe and the chief were cylons about six months ago and while others scoffed and pooh poohed, she remained resolute. She’s not even a sci-fi geek, only getting dragged into watching those shows because we only have one tv.

Even Rocky bows to the power of the Jenge.
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Step 1: Read the Directions
Ever since Ashleigh introduced me to Miss Snark’s Blog I have been an avid reader. Miss Snark is a literary agent in NYC, and it’s always helpful to read her thoughts on stuff, espcially her snarky ones. But what I’m most amazed with, is the stupidity of some people. Miss Snark says when you submit your book you should FOLLOW THE DAMN DIRECTIONS. Generally, this means send a query when you query, send a partial when asked for a partial. Send in MS word when asked for MS word.

And then the questions start:
Q. What if I pdf my book before sending it? Just in case they can’t open word
A. Follow the damn directions.

Q. They asked for an e- copy, but I find it cold and impersonal. I like paper. Can I send them all 1000 pages of my book?
a. Follow the damn directions.

Q. I saw this place that will print out my book in 6*6 size instead fo 8.5*11 – easier to carry for the agent. Aren’t I thoughtful?
a. Follow the damn directions.

You know, it looks like writing is a damn hard business to crack into, so why are these frak ups risking it all because they dont’ like the way the agent wants their book? The agents want what they want and prolly don’t give a $#it what you want! Give them what they want!

When we were looking for researchers at work, I carefully scrutinized each applicant. For qualifications? Sure – Step 2. For the font they chose? Step 3. For the letterhead they used? Step 4. But the first thing I checked was – did they follow my directions? And the ONLY one who got it letter perfect ended up being our best researcher (Hi Ashleigh!!). Coincidence? I think not.

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Top Ten Songs on my iPod

Here’s how the play counts stand:
10. Beautiful People – Marilyn Manson. Count = 65
9. This is How a Heart Breaks – Rob Thomas. Count = 66
8. Bridge to Nowhere – Sam Roberts. Count = 70
7. Disease (iTunes original version) – Rob Thomas. Count = 73
6. Don’t Be So Cold – Stabilo. Count = 74
5. Cemetary Drive – My Chemical Romance. Count = 75
3-tie. All That I Am – Rob Thomas. Count = 81
3-tie. Helena – My Chemical Romance. Count = 81
2. You Won’t be Mine – Matchbox 20. Count = 84
1. The Ghost of You – My Chemical Romance. Count = 273 (no that’s not a typo, I really like that song!!)

Runner’s Up
Flawed Design – Stabilo
The Grace – Never Ending White Lights
The Sharpest Lives – My Chemical Romance (impressive since it’s also pretty new compared to the others)
They – Jem
Sexy Back – Justin Timberlake

About to Crack 50
Pretty Life – Jakalope
Barely Listening Pilate (actually, think they are called Pilot Speed now?)
Forever Love (Digame) – Anna Nalick
Graduation Day – Chris Isaack
Rest Stop – MatchBox 20
Precious – Depeche Mode
I Write Sins Not Tragedies – Panic! At the Disco
The Hideout – Sarah Harmer
Bulletproof – Blue Rodeo
Moondance – Michael Bublé

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Evolution
I was thinking about my Grandmothers today. Not that I knew either of them very well, one lived in Nova Scotia, the other in Greece. But I was thinking how different their lives must have been from mine. As I walked from my car to the Sobey’s, I thought about how I was wearing leggings that, frankly, could use a wash. My shirt, hidden underneath my coffee stained coat, had a small hole in it. I wasn’t wearing socks and my runners were muddy and have seen better days. Ah yes! I was a vision of weekend lovlieness! So I was wondering what my grandmothers would have said if they could have seen me. I don’t know for sure, but I doubt either one of them were the pant-wearing type (unless we are referring to the rule of the household ;)). So would they have yelled ‘Brava!’ and applauded the freedom I can enjoy with my wardrobe, or would they have hung their heads in shame, telling the other dead grandmothers that I didn’t, couldn’t, belong to them?

And then I decided I was going to make dinner. So I bought pre-made garlic bread (bake in oven for 10 minutes), pre-made ceaser salad (assembly required), pre-made tortellini (boil for 10 minutes) and pre-made pesto (spoon on tortellini and toss). I thought, what would these two women who had to bake bread over a wood fire have thought of this? Would they be astounded by modern convenience, or would they just be disgusted that my idea of cooking is “assemble and re-heat”?

Yup, it’s a different world now from the one they lived in, that’s for sure. I wonder what they think of it.

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