Growing up...sucks!

Believe it or not, it's inevitable - people grow older. No matter how hard you try, the human body gets older. You can try and stay young by using wrinkle creams or dressing younger or living the life of a youthful chap, but reality is that you can't escape those pestering things in life that remind you that you're no longer 12 years old.

I often reflect back to a time when I didn't know the true meaning of income tax or what a credit card bill was or even that you had to change the oil in your car based on a regular, responsible schedule. My only concern was if I'd be found during the neighborhood hide n' seek game or if there was another way of staying out longer even if the sun had gone down an hour ago and I was already pushing my luck. Life seemed simpler back then and maybe it's because each home didn't have a laptop computer linked to the world or cell phones weren't in everyone's pockets. Regardless, times were easier with less responsibility.

So, what was it today that made me reflect on life as a child? Scrubbing my non-self cleaning oven.

Growing up does suck!

Pet Peeves.

Pet peeves! Plain and simple, we all have them.

The other night I went to a movie with a friend and after having the "please turn off your cell phones and texting devices" screen stuck on the large screen for several minutes before the movie started, people still ignored it. During the movie, one cell phone rang (out loud) - causing the person to answer it and talk for a short while and another one was never put away because texting was too important. I should probably note that there were only 8 people in the entire theatre. What are the chances that 2 of those people are disrespectful - apparently pretty high!

Dictionary.com defines a pet peeve as "a particular and often continual annoyance; personal bugbear".

As comic relief, I thought I'd list a few. Enjoy!

1. People who drive too slowly.
2. Crumbs in the butter.
3. Being able to see inside the toilet when you walk into the bathroom.
4. Seniors who own the same car as mine.
5. Paraphernalia hanging from a rearview mirror.
6. Password resets that don't allow you to use the same password over again.
7. People who ride the brake when driving for no apparent reason.
8. Fingerprints (that aren't mine) in the hair modelling paste that I buy.
9. Toilet paper should always be over the roll, never under!
10. Stepping onto a wet mat with dry feet (ie: the bath mat).
11. Talking to people on the telephone while they are having a conversation with their house pet.
12. Musical birthday cards.

So, in conclusion, please, turn off your damn cell phone ringers in theatres. I don't care that you think you're important!

As an added bonus, I think I'll leave this post open for future pet peeve additions. Be sure to check back to see if yours made it on the list.

Gaga for the Lady!

Although I wouldn't consider myself a true concert expert, I'd like to express my interest in the concert I recently attended. After purchasing tickets on the internet (www.stubhub.com), we were fortunate to get seats that overlooked the entire stage from the Platinum area (seats located in front of the private boxes) at a reduced price.

Now, I must admit, Lady Gaga attracts a certain audience, and they definitely came out to play. Costumes were donned in true Gaga fashion by a lot of people attending. Cigarette sunglasses, soda can curlers in the hair and every type of bra or breast covering ever invented were worn - all ages of both genders all trying to best any outrageous costume Gaga has every created. Did I mention this was all BEFORE the actual concert started?

The opening act left something to be desired (Semi Precious Weapons - unless you're into hard rock and a lot of profanity, I suggest passing on their album). As for the main act, Lady Gaga not only shone bright, but represented the absolute definition of entertainer. The songs were great, the stage was amazing and the energy in the building uncontainable. Not only was every person on their feet dancing for the whole concert but most were singing along while trying to memorize her fascinating costumes for future reference.

With the encore being "Bad Romance", the place was vibrating. Everyone sang, everyone danced and everyone enjoyed that moment as Lady Gaga entertained. Looking around the arena was awe-inspiring and spirit-lifting. With that, I highly recommend her concerts to anyone who may be thinking of venturing to her live shows.

Lady Gaga - you definitely won me over!

Happy Canada Day

On this day, I am truly lucky to reflect on the many different places within Canada that I have been able to visit. All of it's natural beauty, amazing people and major accomplishments as a nation; I am, and will always be, honoured to be Canadian.



Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Alberta (named after Queen Victoria's fourth daughter, Princess Louise Caroline Alberta)



Provencher Bridge over the Red River in Winnipeg, Manitoba (this being the third bridge built in this location, completed in 2003)



Rest stop along the Ottawa River in Deep River, Ontario (the Ottawa River, for most of it's length, defines the border between Ontario and Quebec)



Peggy's Point Lighthouse in Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia (the current lighthouse was built in 1914, replacing the wooden structure built in 1868)



Confederation Bridge (links Prince Edward Island to the mainland of New Brunswick. The bridge took 4 years to build and is a total length of 12.9 km).