October 27, 2014 Municipal Election Day.

Today was just one of those days.  Every task seemed to take longer than it should.  There were too many things to take care of and not enough time.

Today is election day here in Toronto.  Finally our chance to get rid of Rob Ford and Doug Ford. FINALLY.

I will say however, that I did not vote strategically. I struggled with it for a good 4 weeks. Had plenty of discussions with family, read the candidates platforms, watched far too many debates, and spent a crazy amount of time on Twitter with my new community of anti-Ford, pro-Toronto Twitter friends. So many people are voting Tory to get rid of Ford. Believe me, I want to get rid of every member of the Ford family from Toronto politics and news, but I could not vote for a conservative. If there was no Ford in the race, I would NEVER vote for John Tory.  His Smart-track plan, in my opinion, is to move people from the suburbs into the city core and back home again.  He neglected the whole Northwest corner of the city where I spend 3 hours a day on a bus and where there is more than one priority neighbourhood. It is not a plan at all to help Torontonians move around the city.

My candidate is Olivia Chow.  I voted for who I want the Mayor of Toronto to be. Where I am in the world and life, she is my best representative. The polls close at 8pm so by 9pm.....I'm sick just thinking about it.

Today is one of those days where a 20 minute cuddle and fuss of Crockett would make my day perfect. I miss him every day. I miss him today.

I'm a Witch!

I decided to Halloween up my Facebook & Twitter pics :)  Halloween is on a Friday this year!  Perfect for all the kiddies and costume parties!

Fed Up - The Movie

Adam and I watched this documentary FED UP and wow, it was so terrifying. I have struggled for what seems like years, to become Vegetarian.  With nut allergies, and a host of other excuses really, I've not removed all meat and fish from my diet. Aside from the occasional  serving of Bacon, I have stopped eating Pork and Lamb.

I admit fully that once I get home from a long day and commute, it is easier to go to processed foods.  Also, what I take for lunch seems to be among the worst possible choices.

More than just getting to a body weight within the suggested BMI, or being able to fit into a certain goal size, I am interested in health.  What I want for my family and loved ones is health.

The truth is, nothing worth doing comes easy or without effort so, I best get a move on.

Wild Boar

Among the many treasures we brought home from my Father-In-Law's 2 weeks ago was a stuffed Wild Boar. It's about as big as a pineapple and it has a curly white tail.

One night, I came out of the loo and Adam had placed it on the floor facing the door.  The hallway light wasn't on and well.... it scared the living bejesus out of me and I let out a small scream.

On and off over the past week, the little critter has shown up outside the door, each time startling me.  I got Adam once at around 2am when I couldn't sleep.  He was up & went to the loo and I placed it just inside his office facing the door.  He was startled. He didn't scream, but I still got him.

Tonight again, I was coming out of the loo, not paying too much attention and thinking about a million things, and there it was.  This time though, it really frightened me and I let out a high pitched scream.  Amazing what the brain does when it thinks it's seen a small critter.

Music

I am happy that in High School, I took music, learned to read music, played an instrument, was in both concert and jazz bands, and learned to appreciate different genres.

I've always had music in my life. As a kid, I had Disney albums, sang into the vacuum cleaner handle, and played piano on the edge of the kitchen table. I had the Grease Soundtrack and K-Tel compilation disco albums in the 70's. As a teen in the 80's I bought my albums through the Columbia House Record & Tape Club. I would pull the speakers out of our living room stereo unit, put a pillow on the floor, turn the speakers inward and then build a fort around myself with the sofa cushions. Heaven.

I sound like my Dad when I say music made today is noise, not music. I think it was 2006 or so when I stopped digging the Top 40.  I'm not into the new music.  It no longer seems to be about talent. I want to listen to someone who lives for their music and who does whatever they need to make it their career, versus some kid who thinks it'd be cool to go on a reality show and become a star. Although, I will say, I like Kelly Clarkson. That girl can sing!

Take lyrics for example.  Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here vs. Nicki Minaj Anaconda

Pink Floyd -  Wish You Were Here 

So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell, blue skies from pain.
Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?

Did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
Did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?

How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found?
The same old fears.
Wish you were here. 

When I hear this song on the radio, I have to stop what I'm doing, close my eyes and live it. I love it. Acoustic guitar, David Gilmour's voice...pure magic.



Nicki Minaj - Anaconda

My Anaconda don't...
My Anaconda don't...
My Anaconda don't want none unless you got buns hun
Oh my gosh, look at her butt
Oh my gosh, look at her butt
Oh my gosh, look at her butt
Look at her butt (look at her butt)
Little in the middle but she got much back
Little in the middle but she got much back
Little in the middle but she got much back
Oh my God (look at her butt)
My Anaconda don't...
My Anaconda don't...
My Anaconda don't want none unless you got buns hun
(Don't don't don't) My Anaconda don't...
(Don't don't don't) Don't want none unless you got buns hun
Oh my gosh, look at her butt
Oh my gosh, look at her butt
Oh my gosh, look at her butt
Yeah, he love this fat ass
Yeah! This one is for my bitches with a fat ass in the fucking club
I said, "Where my fat ass big bitches in the club?"
Fuck those skinny bitches,
Fuck those skinny bitches in the club
I wanna see all the big fat ass bitches in the motherfucking club, fuck you if you skinny bitches. What? Yeah!
Yeah. I got a big fat ass. Come on! 


 All I can say about this is....what the fuck?  I have 2 young nieces and the LAST thing I want them listening to and singing along with crap lyrics like this.

On my way home, another young'un was listening to awful music on their phone without earbuds. Drives me nuts, but I'm not about to give them my bitch face & get shot.

When I got home, I needed to listen to something to replace the thumpa thumpa that was unfortunately catchy and stuck in my head. 

I chose this:

I bought this DVD at BMV Books a few years ago. It is Six Movements for Orchestra, Chorus, and Soloists, recorded live at Salle Wilfred-Pelltier, Place des Arts, Montreal in Feb 2004. 

The score that Howard Shore composed the the Lord of the Rings Trilogy is fantastic. Gives me goose bumps. It is music that makes me feel.

After the DVD finished, I had to of course, start watching the LOTR trilogy.  Tonight I'll get through Disc 1 of 2 of the extended Fellowship of the Ring.

It's good timing, a long weekend approaches and I haven't watched all 3 in a row for awhile. 

Around Here

A few weeks ago I felt like I needed a break.  I was tired. Too tired. It's difficult for me this time of year when the daylight hours reduce and I leave home in the dark.

More than usual, my commutes have been hellish. Traffic delays, lane closures, TTC delays and service disruptions. Rude people, ignorant people, smelly people, loud people, too many people.

Leaving home at 6:30am and getting home between 6:30 - 7:00pm. 8 hours at the office and 4+ hours to and from is enough to make anyone a bit tired so, I booked a week vacation.

The day I decided this I received a call from Adam advising we'd be going up to Keswick to visit his Dad during the 1st weekend of my vacation.  It was the perfect way to start my vacation, a trip out of this loud, noisy, busy city!

We spent the weekend with great company, 2 lovely dogs, good food, fresh air, and a deep deep sleep.  My Father-In-Law put us up at the Inn on the Lake, on Cook's Bay of Lake Simcoe.  I was so excited to see the sunset and the stars without the city lights but the fresh air got to us city folk, and we were both asleep and snoring by 9pm.

We woke up before the sun and were able to enjoy the sunrise. The sound of Geese was soothing and a few "morning's" were exchanged with early morning walkers with their nordic poles.

There was a speed boat off in the distance and I heard a few bangs. I thought it was the echo of the boat hitting the water, but no, it was the opening day of duck season. Thankfully I only heard a few shots. 

What I haven't mentioned is that the Friday night before my vacation started and before we headed up to Keswick, I had a sore throat and some head congestion.  It was a slight irritant during the day Saturday, and a nuisance overnight. Sunday day it kicked me in the face, and by the time we got home late Sunday afternoon, I started feeling feverish and achy.

I knew I needed a break, I didn't know it was my body telling me to prepare for a whopper of a cold.  Although it wasn't how I'd planned to spend my vacation, there was a huge sense of relief that I could rest and get bet better without stressing about work. 

When I woke up Tuesday, Adam was coughing, achy, and had a sore throat. I passed this on to my loving husband and I knew I had more than just a cold.  Hearing the wheezes and whistles that sang out of my lungs, not being able to get rid of the congestion in my chest, and having a blocked right ear, I knew I had to go to the MD.

I was diagnosed with a severe case of bronchitis and an ear infection.  Given antibiotics and a puffer and told that I'd feel better in 7-10 days. Having previously had pneumonia, bronchitis is something to be taken seriously. I guess the ear infection was a bonus.

The week flew by in a daze of kleenex, Buckley's caplets, extended naps, tea with honey, and chicken soup. I've drank more water this past week than the whole previous month.

When Sunday came around, I knew I still wasn't 100% so I booked off 2 more days and will go back to work Wednesday.

As much as I was sick, the time home with Adam, and the rest was exactly what I needed. I wish I could stay home and hibernate until April, but life goes on and I have to get back to reality.

I feel better today than yesterday and am happy that with Thanksgiving coming up on Monday, I'll have a short week and then 3 more days to rest.