I'm in Love...

I've recently discovered a new show, Dexter [insert sigh here].

My attraction started right away with the opening credits. The music is quirky, off beat, catchy but not in that typical pop culture way. The imagery is graphic: mosquito caught in the act and then snapped out of it's existence, title coming into focus with blood oozing down, man cuts himself shaving and the dark red contrasting drops hit the white sink near the drain, followed by hot sauce dripping on eggs-over-easy, effortlessly being sliced through with a sharp sleek blade, a standard kitchen knife slices juicily through a orange, it's a blood orange and that soon becomes apparent as the life and it's juice is violently squeezed out of it. The final shots show his strength as he first flosses then tightens his shoe laces with a strength you just know could snuff the life out of someone. They had me with mosquito! Check out the opener for yourself on

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5WpxxJpL-g

Anyway "Dexter" came on after I had watched an episode of Cold Case. I was so intrigued I watched the entire episode all by myself in the darkness of my mother-in-law's living room. Of course there were many missing pieces of the series puzzle (aka back story) that I could not know but I still very much enjoyed the show & knew I wanted more. I've since rented the first season on DVD and have now enjoyed 7 episodes but am not yet at the one I caught on TV.

I must first warn you, before you decide to rent it for yourself, it is not for the faint of heart. Viewers discretion is advised as the show contains nudity, obscene language and violence. Or the trifecta as I call it. The base premise is that Dexter is your typical socio-path with no emotions or feelings. He moonlights as a serial killer who snuffs out the bad guys that got away while his day job is in forensic blood analysis. He is constantly on edge as he tries to fake his way to "human" but tends to identify more with the monsters he kills.

What draws me to such a show? I'm not positive. Possibly the same unidentified trait that got me reading true crime and vc andrews books in junior high. I am completely petrified of these monsters and the lives they destroy but at the same time fascinated with their stories. At one point I even considered a career as a Criminal Psychologist...however had a quick change of heart after watching the "Silence of the Lambs" in Grade 12.

I love "dexter" because it dares to be different. It dares to challenge us, the viewers, to like and cheer for a protaganist who might just be a bad guy as well. It gets additional brownie points for its well timed humour, potty mouthed sister character and for casting Julie Benz (one of my favorite actress finds that I love to watch). So I challenge you to watch it and let me know what your verdict is, have I become just another desensitized person in this warped world? Or is there a little evil in all of us that likes to be nurtured an hour a week?

If you want to watch the first episode for free here is parts 1 & 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhDxeCV-3u4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YFxURdviag&feature=related

The "intelligence" of Fox TV

Have you ever gotten into a TV show in it's first few episodes, been left with a cliff hanger only to find out that the network in it's infinite wisdom, cancelled the show? This happens quite frequently as very high ratings are required for shows to maintain their timeslots and the general public seems to favor the ever stimulating reality television over quality writing these days. Don't let my snobbery fool you: I am a mega fan of Big Brother, America's Next Top Model and Hell's Kitchen. However I came across a message board discussing how Fox seems to ditch great, unique series' and I thought I'd dedicate a blog to some of my favorites from Fox that once got the cut...(and after doing some internet research added other network shows also.

For more info on any of these series' check out the amazing www.imdb.com

FOX:
Strange Luck 1995/96 - featuring the very delicious D.B. Sweeney
Get Real 1999/2000
John Doe 2002/03 - starring the very yummy Dominic Purcell
Kitchen Confidentail 2005
Family Guy, yep although it returned & is currently on the air, fox axed it from their schedule TWICE
The Mole (reality show but way cool)

Other Networks:
Men Behaving Badly 1996
Inside Schwartz 2001/02
Popular 1999-2001
Breaker High 1997/98, ah Ryan Gosling
Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place 1998 - 2001, the adorable Ryan Reynolds
Family Plots 1994 (reality show again but way cool)
Life's Work 1996
Leap of Faith 2002
Committed 2005
the Naked Truth 1995-98, Tea Leoni
Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn - talk show, only a few episodes :-(

Best Game Show Ever: Supermarket Sweep!!

Recently Cancelled Potental Gems:
Miss Guided

Oh & apparently an Office spinoff is in the works. Woot!

Texas' Most Eligible Bachelor: Nate!

the Cutest Boy/Man in Texas:

When I went to Dallas for my BeautiControl Leadership conference I had the pleasure of meeting lots of fabulous people. One of which is Nate! While Diane & I were eating our breakfast at the airport & waiting for our flight, Nate was our server. He was completely adorable, funny, cute oh and gave great service as a waiter. I couldn't help myself, I had to ask if he was single & in the market for a girlfriend as I have a few single lady friends who would benefit from meeting him!

Well Nate proved himself to be a good sport & very friendly. He gave me his email that I can use to hook him up with some Canadian hotties. Though he did express some concern, asking us "Do y'all do this for a livin'?" The whole thing is a hilarious story from start to finish but writing it on here wouldn't do it justice so you have to ask for the in-person telling of it! In the meantime, check out these pics I could salvage of Nate from his myspace.com and drop me a line if you're interested in writing him. He has no age restrictions or "type" and his major priority is "no bad breath & good teeth". LOL But don't confuse this with desperation, he was just putting his trust in me that I'll find him a great lady!

Pictures

1. with some peeps

2. with his sister, & check out those pants, you know he has a sense of humor!

3. st. patty's day

Movie: August Rush

I knew, from the moment I saw the previews, that I would like this movie. Do you every have that feeling? That no matter what happened in the movie you were going to like it? I have had it a few times & this was one of them.

First off, I would just like to say that my opinion of Keri Russell, the lead actress, has really improved over the last two movies I've seen her in. I used to watch her in 'Felicity' back in my high school days and like her originally but as the series got lame my feelings transfered to her. So I avoided movies with her in them for a while. However, I watched 'Waitress' a few months back and she did an amazing job portraying a difficult character but keeping her likeable. It was a fresh movie concept compared to most of them out there. And left me feeling all warm & fuzzy. Well August Rush was the same so kudos to Keri for making great movie choices.

August Rush: the movie starts out in present day with an 11 year old orphan boy who hears music in everything around him. For some reason he knows that if he can capture that music and play it, his real parents will find him. I don't want to give much else away as it'll take away from the magic of the movie. I've heard the movie described as fairy tale like and I agree. Oh & yes I shed many tears during it.

Talent: the actors

Freddie Highmore - the boy. You might have seen him in Finding Neverland or Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. He's completely adorable & lovable in the latter & I have yet to see FN but I'm sure it's amazing too.

Keri Russell - his mom who comes from a classical background (cellist).

Jonathan Rhys Meyers - his dad who comes from a rock band & irish background.

Terrence Howard - a social worker who actually cares. I've seen this actor in 'the Brave One', 'Crash', and 'Awake' and I've liked his work in all of those.

Robin Williams - lets just say I liked him better when he played a happier character like Mrs. Doubtfire.

*Another movie with Keri Russell that I love is 'The Curve'. If you haven't seen it you MUST check this one out.

Public Breastfeeding Debate

I was driving home from Medicine Hat today and listening to one of my favorite programs on Sirius Cosmo Radio which is "Cocktails with Patrick". He wanted to discuss something that happened during his morning commute on the subway (New York City). He said he was on a very crowded train, when a very attractive woman started breastfeeding her baby.

Now his issue wasn't with her breastfeeding so much as he was questioning whether it was kosher to do this without bothering to use any discretion whatsoever. She didn't use a blanket, coat, shirt etc to cover her breast in anyway so her areola (the dark circle of the nipple) was visible to the entire crowded train including but not limited to the strange men sitting on either side of her. Patrick also said that he took in the reaction of the other people and every single person on the train seemed to have a look saying that what she was doing wasn't appropriate.

So how do you all weugh in? Let me share with you my view point and then some of the listeners that called in. In my opinion it is fine to breastfeed in public but it is common courtesy (and personal comfort) that a woman should make an effort to not expose her privates to the public (a.k.a. use a blanket to cover up the act). My reasoning being that we live in a very sexualized society where the breasts are a sexual organ. If it is censored on public television that you shouldn't be able to have a live showing of it right? I have spent 25 years of my life covering up my "bathing suit" area and not letting just anyone see it so I can't imagine converting to a public breastfeeder myself let alone doing it with visible nipples showing...my experience with my exhibionist breastfeeding sister-in-law has only strengthened this viewpoint! Why would I want to allow others to see my breasts without earning the privledge??? Ha ha

The majority of the listeners who called in supported this (saying that breastfeeding was fine but that she should have covered herself up somehow) with a rare few saying it wasn't a big deal and she should be allowed to do that and that people should just get over it. Here are some of the specific comments that I remember:

• 100% if the states say it is legal to breastfeed in public & it is not an indecent act.
• Yes breastfeeding is a natural act however we all do lots of natural acts that aren't appropriate for public viewing at different levels of extremity (a.k.a. passing gas to going to the bathroom to having sex to making out, etc).
• As a mother you should be prepared for circumstances such as these by carrying either a bottle for feeds or even just a blanket or bib to cover yourself.
• There is something called a "Hooter Hider" that is an apron like thing you can use to safely cover your baby for private breastfeeding (check it out at http://www.psychobabyonline.com/site/epage/28160_533.htm)
• The mom might not thing it's a perverted act however you can't control the minds of the perverts beside you!
• Some breastfeeding mom's said when your milk lets down you gotta breastfeed no matter what cuz it is so painful.
• Another listener pointed out that young men are taught from a very young age that breasts are a private thing for woman so having them on display would be very hard for them to understand public breastfeeding plus seem like a "naughty" and thus arousing thing when faced with it.

Patrick himself said that he felt both aroused and put off by this woman's apparent lack of concern for her boob hanging out on a crowded train. Where do you weigh in? Please post your comments!

How Life Changes...Part II

First I just want to give a shout out to my "loyal readers" who obviously keep checking for blogs even though I have been so neglectful... I love that you guys read this and are interested in what I have to say!

Okay, so where was I? Hmm, oh the good doctor wanted to offer me the position after he "worked out" the details, whatever that meant. Again, I was quite surprised as I really didn't have any faith that he was going to offer it to me. When I left, I got the impression that he didn't like me much. It was weird. In fact, when the phone first rang I saw that it was him and decided not to answer it yet but to call back a few hours later (as I assumed it was a 'thanks but no thanks' call). So I agreed to meet with him Tuesday morning, after I got back from Texas, so that he could show me in detail his exact expectations and what he was willing to offer me.

Our (my Director Diane & I) flight to Dallas was scheduled to leave Calgary at 7:00am, so with the latest international flying restrictions we were encouraged to arrive at the airport about 2 hours prior. Factoring in the drive to Calgary we should have left Red Deer at about 3:30am. I was carpooling with Diane there (her husband was kindly driving us there so we didn't have to park a vehicle) and she figured if we left her house by four that should be enough time. Me, ever so anal, was freaking out about not having enough time but just smiled and agreed. Since I am both a procrastinator & a night owl I stayed up all night getting packed and preparing for my trip. I got to Diane's about quarter to four hoping to get an earlier start then planned but she wasn't quite ready. I was disappointed to learn that we were going to be taking her Mustang to Calgary (P.S. She won that Mustang through BeautiControl!), not because I don't like Mustangs but because they are mainly a sports car and maybe not the best option to take all my humungous luggage on the newly snowed on highway. My assumptions were both correct: only my luggage squeezed into the trunk (diane's got moved to the backseat) and the roads got very crazy between Drumheller and Calgary. However I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had plenty of leg room in the backseat!

Long story short: although we got to the airport at about 5:30am we still arrive well in time to sit in the lounge for about 20 minutes before boarding. Not too rushed but not too long. Through the drive I only managed about a half hour's sleep and then I got about another hour on the plane one my seatmate felt sorry for me and refused to continue our conversation so I could nap...I really enjoyed my flight to Dallas as I scored an emergency row!

Dallas looks a lot like a combination of Lethbridge & Calgary...except with American flags all over! The weather was gorgeous (20s & sunny) if not a little humid. When we went to register for our rooms there were over 150 people waiting in line to do the same! Thinking on our feet we went to register for our conference first and scored with no lines! However when we went back to room registration the lines were just as long (though no longer). Diane had a Director's meeting she had to be at shortly so I offered to check into our room while she headed to her meeting. After waiting in line for over an hour and a half the attendant wouldn't let me check in as my name wasn't on the room, only Diane's (let this be a lesson to all of you!), even though I had cash to pay for the entire three nights for both of us (so nothing to be left on her credit card).

Um, well as you may have guessed if you picked up on the lack of sleep, I had a bit of a breakdown...with tears. I hate crying in public because I don't cry pretty - we're talking red blotchy face, snot, the works - and cuz I hate looking unprofessional especially in front of 150 of my new peers. I headed to a bathroom to have my breakdown in private and sought help when I thought I was prepared to talk without crying. Unfortunately I misjudged my ability and couldn't stop crying in front of guest services and then the manager. Fortunately it resulted in me not only getting checked into my room but also getting two double beds instead of the one king size we thought we'd be stuck with. Score!

That was the only negative of my trip and again it might not have been so bad if I had the appropriate amount of sleep to deal with it in a calm manner. From that point on my weekend was fabulous. I'm not sure how to quantify it with words but I'll try...

• 
  
  I met many other fabulous & fearless woman,


• 
  
  Everything was well organized, fun/exciting, geared for women, and inspiring,


• 
  
  Each woman who spoke on stage had a diva presence in a positive way. They knew they were fabulous, they love what they do for a living, they get pampered with all kinds of prizes and recognition, they are every day people and they each had a personal, emotionally driven story about why the material awards are only the icing on the cake.


• 
  
  I felt like I belonged to a company that truly wanted my success, for me to succeed to the best of my ability and wanted to give me the tools to get there,


• 
  
  I felt like BeautiControl was really excited to have me on board (along with the other 3000+ people in attendance),


• 
  
  I was really excited about our new product launches and was confident that the products we market are truly the best available. Our VP of Research & Development has sound great energy and spirit that you can't help but adore him!


• 
  
  I believe/believed that every man and woman could benefit from my products,


• 
  
  I felt that I could have any amount success I wanted: if I could dream it I could have it,


• 
  
  I felt like I didn't want to miss a second of anything - much different from other conferences I have been too!


• 
  
  I felt that I truly belonged in that place at that time and that it was my destiny to walk this path.

Why so sure of this last point? Let me tell you a quick story about one of my "signs". As I went to bed our first night in the hotel I decided to set my cell phone as a back up alarm as I wasn't all that used to getting up before noon lately. I scrolled through the default ringers and decided that I'd like to wake up to "the saints come marching in" ringtone. It had no particular meaning to me, it just sounded the least intrusive for the next morning but with enough zing to wake me up. So it worked and off we went to our Friday of fun. At the end of the Friday festivities, Tim (VP of Special Events and Promotions) announces that the Spring Recruiting trip will be to New Orleans. Okay, I say to myself, I wouldn't mind a free trip there. And at this point I was fully "sold" on pursuing BeautiControl as a full time career. But just in case I wasn't listening, a band emerged from behind Tim, playing trombones, trumpets, etc and what song are they belting out? Yep, The Saints Come Marching In. As I have started paying attention to the signs in my life recently I was like OMIGOSH! The universe was saying 'here's your wake up call Crystal!" Very cool.

I officially decided at that moment that I couldn't go back to Red Deer and take this boring ol' chiropractor job. I couldn't settle for another job when what I really want is a career. I don't need a boss determining what I am worth and my level of success. I don't need yet another authority figure telling me why I shouldn't worry my pretty little head about the business details as I couldn't possibly understand why things are done the way they are. I went to school for Business Marketing and what better way to apply that then to market my own personal business/services? I am happy to report that I had great encouragement from people around me: Tyler (my husband), my Mom, my Director Diane (she has been a great & genuine source of inspiration for me) and even my old co-worker/supervisor Cynthia.

Why not pursue my dreams right now? What better time to take a risk? I am young, intelligent, ambitious and don't have a lot of things holding me down. I have spent the last few years happy about what I do have in my life (great husband, adorable pets, quality friends, higher education, a lovely home) but have been jealous of my perception of other's freedom. Freedom to travel, to do something crazy like go back packing in the Amazon or uproot their lives and move to Fuiji. Freedom to take advantage of any opportunity that comes their way. I got a taste of this when I went to New York, one of my top three places to see. I thought, what the hell am I doing? I should just come live in NY for 6 months! Why not? I got a taste of how successful I could be with direct sales by doing Home & Gift Collection. The last tally had me at #3 in sales for New Consultants (all across Canada).

So here I am, taking the bull by the horns. Getting laid off from AFSC is a blessing. I am going to prove that, so that everyone who is unhappily in a job, there or elsewhere, can see that we don't have to be stuck in them. We can pursue our dreams AND make a living. I have about 2 years until my ten year class reunion and I am determined to not only be a Director of BeautiControl by then but to have earned my own Mustang*. That way I can arrive with my friends for life in style :-D My personal challenge to you is: join me. Success is so much more fun when you can share it with friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*By the way, you know those cosmetic companies that give away cars? Ask them if they really own them...by definition: could they sell them for cash? if they quit can they keep them? if they don't meet their targets do they get to keep them? The answers may surprise you! Let me tell you, without hesitation, with BeautiControl the car is yours to do with it what you may...and they don't stop at Mustangs, the next car is a Lexus and after that a Benz!

OH! One final comment: Tyler quit his local job on Friday and started working at a job in Edmonton as of Wednesday. I am sad that he won't be home every night but I am looking forward to him actually enjoying his job again. The great thing about pursing BeautiControl is that I now can have the flexiblity to drive to Edmonton to spend time with Tyler or even not working Fridays so I can have the whole day with him. Plus now he is making more money again and we get benefits again (hello dental & prescrition woot!), which is ever so important if we want to have babies. My business is something I can take with me where ever his work ends up being and I look forward to a day when I can be the major breadwinner and he can pursue a job that gets him excited to get up every morning.

How Life Changes...Part I

Well for those of you who don't know, I ended up getting laid off from my "traditional" day job working for the government, at Christmas. While getting laid off bruised my ego, I looked on the brightside of things which was that I didn't LOVE my job and I was just comfortable there. My analogy of it is, it's like when you have a boyfriend that you're just not that into, who you have considered breaking up with, but he dumps you first. It doesn't mean you want to date him again, it just bothers you that he ditched you first.

So, after many discussions with family & friends, I decided that I should take a much needed "break" from the workforce. I started my first official job at KFC when I was 15, I had been babysitting since I was 12 and hadn't had a break from school, work or both since! However very shortly after making this decision I decided to apply for a job with the City of Red Deer. The most attractive thing about this position was honestly the pay! I got myself an interview and was told I did a great job but they had an internal candidate with equal experience & education but she had the edge of being an internal candidate. Again I was okay with this decision as I would've just went straight from one blase job to the next.

I applied for several jobs that interest me and attempted to cross items off my "to do" list that I had been neglecting. Before I knew it the end of February was arriving, I didn't feel rested nor relaxed or even like I had accomplished anything. I had decided to embrace the business opportunity that BeautiControl had to offer and to do that 100% I wanted to attend their Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas. About a week before I was scheduled to go I got a phone call from a chiropractor that had advertised a couple positions I had applied for about a month prior. He asked me to come in for an interview as the girl he had hired he "wasn't too sure was working out." At the interview there was only myself and one other girl. Chatting with her I discovered she was still in college. The interview was a group based one. First we were told about the position, then we were asked about 10 questions which we had to have written responses to, then we had a "test" that involved identifying transposed numbers, alphabetizing, and taking a personality test. We finished with a 30 second spiel in private on why we are the better candidate.

Most people know me well enough to know that at the mere mention of test & an indication that it was a "race" my competetive nature gets my adrenaline pumping and mixed with the iced caramel mochiatto i had, I got very very shaky. This served me well for the test (yep I got it done first & got a perfect score) but wasn't so great for the one-on-one part. I left thinking I had done my best but that I probably hadn't left the best impression. Needless to say I was quite surprised when the chiro doctor called me back to tell me I was his top choice and to schedule a time when I got back to meet and further discuss details...

More to come, stay tuned!

The Power of Editing

Okay so have you ever went to a movie or rented one thinking it was one type of movie and found out the trailers were completely misleading? Well there are some excellent editors out there that have made fun of this by creating & posting hilarious cuts of movies accompanied by movies to make them look like a completely different film. There are tons of ones on www.youtube.com but I've taken the liberaty of collecting some of my favorites that are of a higher caliber. Enjoy!

the shinning recut - a feel good movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmkVWuP_sO0&feature=related
mary poppins a.k.a. scary mary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T5_0AGdFic
the notebook - thriller
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQXSbxWbHnk&feature=related
the incredibles - scary!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdW_GxefIU4&feature=related
silence of the lambs - love story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCxF6idjqnk&feature=related
the ring - feel good movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgxayErS5As&feature=related
dumb and dumber - psycho stalker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wykhY321nnw&feature=related
willie wonka - scary, which i always thought it was anyway ha ha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1lWF-_Lpic&feature=related
american pie - frightening
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2WSW2sYKx0&feature=related
wedding crashers - suspense thriller
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRbw_J2Kzh4&feature=related
toy story - i had to stop watching half way through cuz i almost wet my pants in fear!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuNF7Z7sAt8&feature=related

Heath Ledger

I was in my car heading out on an errand and I turned on my Sirius to the Cosmo station ("Cocktails with Patrick" is often entertaining if not insightful). Patrick was talking about the 'passing of heath ledger' and I was like what? Is it April Fool's? Is this some sort of sick joke? Unfortunately when I kept listening & further listened to other stations (another entertainment channel as well as Headline News on TV) it was confirmed.

I think the news is so shocking because:

1. Mr. Ledger was not one of those typical celebrities of nowadays who takes part in binge drinker, hard drugs and a fast life.

2. Heath doesn't make the headlines much in celebrity magazines except when he was being photographed with his ex Michelle Williams during their dating & with their child Matilda.

3. He was a young person to leave so soon, only 28.

4. Heath has always struck me as a genuine talent in acting, rather than just a heart throb (though I do/did find him deeply attractive). Especially as he seemed to take great care in picking each role rather than just whichever one paid the best. He took a giant risk portraying the role in 'Brokeback Mountain' proving that he was anything but typecast.

5. He seems to be maintaining a consistant career with the recent Oscar win from Brokeback Mountain and the upcoming Batman flick.

6. The original details surrounding his death were indicating a potential suicide or drug overdose both of which seemed out of style with what was public about his life.

While I couldn't possibly begin to say that I am experiencing the pain in his passing that would accompany me knowing him personally, my heart aches knowing that his family & friends are suffering - especially his young, young daughter. I am also saddened by the fact that I believe we lost an important person from this world. He had begun doing great things with his celebrity and now we'll never know what his full potential could have been. With every great person that we lose, I fear the good are leaving and the bad remain. I think part of it is also that as each year passes the reality of our mortality sinks in more and more for me.

I do appreciate the information the media brings to me & that they do it in a timely manner. However I am irked by each and every time I hear the words "Heath Ledger is Dead." Is there not a nicer way to say this? Even a minor change to it into "Heath Ledger has died" seems softer and more caring. I was also frustrated to hear the public (& police) immediately jump to the conclusion that because he's a young actor it must have been suicide or a illegal drug overdose. I cannot claim to know Mr. Ledger personally but from what I feel I've seen of his character, he doesn't seem the type to take the so-called easy way out, especially since he now has a daughter. Plus in the descriptions I heard that he was a) naked, b) had a massage scheduled & c) had sleeping pills near him. With all my CSI and Law & Order watching + crime novel reading my first reaction was to say: people who are planning to commit suicide generally don't make plans for a relaxing massage the next day & don't get naked before doing the deed. How many want their last impact on this world to be naked? (P.S. I told my theories immediately to my friend Mel within hours of hearing the news).

If, as the latest information seems to be indicating, Heath's death was an accidental sleeping pill overdose, then this story is a sad and deeply tragic reminder to all people to respect all drugs, prescription and OTC (over the counter) as well as herbal remedies. It is also the second major loss that Australia has had in less than two years, the first being Steve Irwin who's presence on Earth I also really enjoyed.

One more thing that struck me, is that it's been said that Heath's latest character, the Joker from Batman, has been haunting him. Here's a few article exerts:

#1: It is a physically and mentally draining role — his Joker is a “psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy” he said cheerfully — and, as often happens when he throws himself into a part, he is not sleeping much. “Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night,” he said. “I couldn’t stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going.”

#2: Even as filming continues on “The Dark Knight,” Heath Ledger is reflecting on the character he has finished portraying. “It’s the most fun I’ve had with a character and probably will ever have.”

The second one is creepily insightful as that may have been his last major role. The joker character may have been haunting him but now the whole idea is haunting me. The following is a quote from a posting on Heath's imdb profile...it conveys how I felt that day & how I still feel:

I can't get him out of my head, hearing his voice on screen and seeing
him smile and thinking "wow, he died today."

Selected Filmography (make it a heath ledger tribute weekend):

the Dark Knight, 2008*

Casanova, 2005*

Lords of Dogtown, 2005*

the Four Feathers, 2005

Monster's Ball, 2001*

A Knight's Tale, 2001

the Patriot, 2000

10 Things I Hate About You, 1999

*I've not yet watched.

LAST WORD:

Upon looking for some quotes for this blog I came across another piece of shocking information: the lesser known actor Brad Renfro (b. 1982) also died a few short days ago on January 15, 2008. Allegedly committing suicide. Brad is nearly 2 months older than I. Correction, was.

This led me to wonder if other famous or quazi-famous people had passed that I was unaware of. Here are the ones I don't remember hearing about:

Pavarotti - Sept 6, 2007

Ike Turner - Dec 12, 2007

Similarly I also didn't know that Nicole Ritchie had a baby boy (Max) and that Christina Aguelara (sp?) had a baby girl (Harlow).

Home Party Girl

So I think I am officially the home party girl. I just last night/today signed up to be a Partylite consultant. Here's my story of how I signed up for Partylite:

My friend Vanessa had an incredible party at her house with sales os over $1600 so she was able to get a free kit + $1400 in free product if she signed up. She is a very cautious person & didn't want to sign up with partylite as she feels there are too many consultants in her area (peace river) & she just signed up to do home & gift under me (woo hoo). Anyway I told her she was crazy not to take it as it was such an awesome deal. She was like "well do you want it" so I said "Sure! Why wouldn't I?" So the deal we made was that I got the free kit & we split free product & 1/2 price items & I would sign up as a consultant. So for very little committment or energy on my part I just got a free partylite kit, $700 in free stuff + three 1/2 priced items. Sweet deal eh? So if you every want a partylite party or want some products I will hook you up. However I think I will be my own best customer as I am a partylite freak!

Have you every heard the saying "Jack of all trades, master of none?" Well I'm beginning to worry that, that is where I am headed. So for all of you that are wondering, here is my master plan...

Partylite: Have people aware that I sell it so if they are interested in booking parties or purchasing product I can be their contact. Abuse my position to get wicked deals for myself and spend only about 5% of my time on this business line.

BeautiControl: Continue introducing people to the product as I love it & believe in it. The sign up is a minimal committment for others and a huge bargin so I will definitely be sharing that with everyone and also if they just want to purchase products, allowing that. Spend about 15 - 20% of my time pursing parties and leads as the rewards & perks with this company are A-MAZ-ING (more to come on what I've gotten so far!).

Home & Gift: Ultimately this will be my main focus. For me it is the easiest to book parties for and it is more in my comfort zone. Plus I have been successful with it so far so I believe that forecasts future success as well. I'll be allocating about 75% of my time to this.

Offspring Responsiblities

Okay so my brother-in-law Tyrone is staying at our house this weekend along with his 1 1/2 year old Kira. My mother-in-law Mary & her boyfriend Robert are here also. For those of you familiar with our house Tyrone is staying in our purple room, named appropriately so because of it's liliac purple walls. This room happens to be my baby cuz it is very feminine, has beautiful 'woman' colors and is decorated with the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Betty Boop and butterflies.

Well today Tyrone is off in a crib tournament with my husband and my mother-law-in was charged with babysitting (presumably I am incapable of babysitting but it is fine cuz I was able to sleep into the afternoon this way LOL). When I finally got up Kira was napping so she wasn't around. After tidying up the main floor I decided to go upstairs & work in my office as Mary & Robert were in the middle of a movie, Bourne Ultimatium, and I didn't want to see what happened as I haven't seen the first two! So while working there I heard Kira get up. I figured Mary would hear it too so I didn't respond right away. However the TV was cranked pretty loud so she must not have heard Kira banging around. Finally I got up to check on here & as I forced open the door the stench that hit me was overpowering. The smell of nasty, dirty diapers. I looked down & found Kira diaperless but all smiles. I took Kira to Mary who took care of her but I think the smell is coming from a pile of diapers in that room. So...

1. Why wouldn't Tyrone take the diapers & put them in our outside trash can?

2. Especially cuz he has been sleeping in that room all weekend.

3. I am freaked out cuz that room is carpeted & if it still stinks when they leave I will be very frustrated & upset.

4. What if there are poop or pee stains on my carpet? :-(

I am pouting. I am also flabbergasted. As a guest in someone's home, would you not make every effort to leave the house as you found it? Clean & in good order? I mean not only does the room smell but it also looks like a bomb hit it cuz there are clothes & stuff flung everywhere!

The "bomb" look extends to the rest of my house as well. Common also when Kim & Tyrone were together, they let there stuff lie where it falls, toys strewn everywhere, dirty dishes all over the house etc. And they wonder why they aways forget things. Comments?

Haircuts!

My boys (the male dogs I treat like babies) got haircuts recently. I wanted to document this on my blog because I think their cuts are quite dramatic. In fact I feel like I have different dogs until their fur growns back, I love them the most in their crazy furry stage. But for them it is easiest when they are trimmed short.

BEFORE:

Dominic! (He has grinch hair)

Charlie, looks like an Ewok

AFTER:

And no their eyes are those colors, they are a basic black/brown but they photgraph green & blue for some reason. But aren't they scrawny? Maybe I should fill their food bowl LOL

My parents won the lottery and all I got was a lousy big screen...

Just kidding! We are completely greatful for our new tv. So here's the deal. Shortly before New Year's my dad got a call saying he had won 2nd place in the Cars for Christmas lottery = 2008 Chrysler Aspen a.k.a. an SUV. The lottery value of said vehicle was $64,000 however if my parents wanted cash from the dealership instead of the vehicle they could only give them $37,000 (hmmm, I wonder if that is their basic cost?). So, smartly my parents took the vehicle cuz they had some interested parties who had heard about their winnings via the grapevine. They ended up pawning if off very quickly for $40,000. They might have been able to haggle more from people but the idea of a quick sale + good karma won them over. My parents are fairly generous people so they wanted to treat each of us kids to something with their money, but they are also smart & conservative people so they weren't offering us a 1/5th share! My sister requested her "share" be put into the bank for college (shocking I know!) and my brother's was used to bribe him to go get his learners (he's 19 & for some reason has never gotten around to getting it). I'm happy to say my bro is now the proud owner of a legal ID for driving with a licensced driver!

Anyhoo, Tyler & I were given a budget & told to go pick out our tv as my parents know how anal we are about details & that we (well Tyler) have much more patience shopping around for the best deal. We ended up getting a Samsung 40" LCD Widescreen which was the best deal for our needs. We wanted a flatscreen but didn't want to pitch in extra money of our own as this is just for our main floor. Eventually when we build our "theatre room" in our basement we'd like to get a projection screen & projector to complete the theatre feel (at least that's what we think we want, we'll see when it happens).

I'll attach a picture of our cool new tv with what else on it? My Sims for Nintendo! P.S. in case you are wondering we had a basic 27" toshiba before that now resides in our unfinished basement.

New look for a new year!

Changed the background again as I love change (when it's initiated by me that is)!

New post below:

Confessions of a Shopaholic Housewife #1

Repeat after me:

I will not get hooked on daytime TV and I will try to shop less.
I will not get hooked on daytime TV and I will try to shop less.
I will not get hooked on daytime TV and I will try to shop less.
I will not get hooked on daytime TV and I will try to shop less...

So far the first half has been easy as I've been sleeping until noon and then rushing around each afternoon to remain somewhat productive. The second half has not been so easy as 1) I now have 2 home businesses & the reason I am a consultant with them is cuz I love their products & I really LOVE the products @ a discount, 2) I've decided that I need to go to Texas for a woman's conference and I HAVE to have two dresses for it (one dressy & one springy) so I need to find those as I obviously don't own any dresses other than my wedding dress & my grad dress. If I knew the ladies better I might have tried to get away with that combo (as it does fit the bill) however I think it would alienate me more than making them my comrades! 3) I honestly have an addiction/sickness and you need external support to kick the habit. You also need the desire to kick the habit and I am lacking there also.

Hmmm, so my big hurrah for 2008 was getting this time 'off' and having a chance to really get my house & life in order. Between September & November I was uber, fantastically busy with Home & Gift and my office became a disaster area, as well as my basement & as well as my bookkeeping. My task list is montreous & I can't believe how long it takes to cross a couple items off! So needless to say I am frustrated with my slow progress. Oh well! Getting up at a decent time would help. For instance today I:

-took the boys in for their haircuts @ doggy do's for 8am (yes i was still in my pj pants & hat),

-went home to shower & pretty myself up

-went to your supper solution (add a www & .ca on it to check out the website) for 10am to assemble some meals. came out of there with 12 meals & 2 side dishes that i did plus 3 from the previous month that were already done.

-had a quick orthodonic check up at 12:30pm.

-got a book from the library.

-picked up a parcel.

-picked up my dogs.

-called home & gift to ask 3 questions i've been meaning to ask.

-now am home writing on my blog again (another goal). & it's only 3:11...awesome! i also plan to cook dinner, make marshmellow treats, unpack an order & possibly watch a tv show before tyler gets home. go me, it's your birthday...

Writer's Strike

Since I'm not a big News watcher, I don't really listen to the radio & I think newspapers are boring I tend not to hear communications at the same time as everyone else. We I noticed that most of my favorite shows were in re-runs I figured that Hollywood was just taking bigger advantage of their "hiatus"s. Apparently there is/was a writer's strike on. If you're anything like me and didn't really know that here's a video (or two if I find more) that help you to understand why we shouldn't curse the writers but more the "fat cats" of Hollywood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ55Ir2jCxk

From my favorite show the Office's writers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6hqP0c0_gw

And the facebook group you should all join:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7476916262

Rumors...

Yep it's true. Wait! Maybe I'd better find out which rumor you've heard. The ones that are true:

1. I got a lay off notice. Yep, I got a letter from my company, AFSC, on November 27th notifying me that my position has been abolished effective January 1. I was offered an entry level position in a different department, CAIS, where I started 3 years ago but declined. At this point in my life I don't want to move back 3 years professionally & I have been in intellectual conflict with my companies policies, procedures & processes since I started so time to move on. I am going for a position with the City of Red Deer (positive think for me people) that is both an excellent professional opportunity as well as a financial move up (better pay & benefits). Since I have already booked off my unpaid holidays my official last day is December 21st.

2. My brother is having a baby. Well his girlfriend, Crystal is. Yep my 19 year old brother & his girlfriend who shares my name are having a baby boy due May 9th. He is very excited so share your congratulations in excess. My mom is a little resistant to being called Grandma so I also encourage you to call her that as often as possible LOL

That's all I knows right now! (i did the inappropriate plural of "know" on purpose).

True dat

"To get back my youth I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early or be respectable." - Oscar Wilde

My poem...

My dad is notoriously difficult to buy for (as a lot of men are I think) and he refuses to give us any idea of what to give him for Christmas. I asked my boss, also a male, what ideas he could suggest for a gift. He said to give him a gift from the heart. If you don't know my family history it is as follows:

-my mom got pregnant at a young age & had me at 16 1/2 years old.

-my male biological contributor (as I have coined him) was not someone my mom wanted to continue a relationship with, and further decided I would suffer from any partial relationship he could conjure up with me when the time suited him (and he's since proven this accurate over the last 7 years since I sured 18).

-When I was about 6 years old she married a man I have sinced called Dad & they had two more children that are my brother and sister (half in others' eyes).

So I decided to buy one of those hinged double frames. On one side I will scrap beautifully two pictures I have of my Dad & I: us dancing at my grad & us dancing at my wedding LOL Apparently we don't get our picture taken together too often. On the other side I am going to put the following poem, which I have written myself. Please write your comments!

Dad. A title that is often given,
But rarely earned.
Most think they get it through birthright,
But that’s not what I have learned.

It’s an invest of your time,
Your love and your support.
The good ones don’t test-drive it,
Then get scared & abort.

The job isn’t easy,
But it can be fun,
From Baby to 18?
No you are never done.

The balance between discipline and trust,
Is a hard one to find…
If you analyze it too much,
You’ll probably lose your mind!

We will all make parenting mistakes,
But so long as you try your best,
Part of the forgiveness comes quickly,
And time takes care of the rest.

Now don’t mistake my tone,

There's no sadness or regret,
You’ve taught me many lessons,

None that I will forget!

So I thank you for being a parent,

My Father and my Dad,
As far as I’m concerned,

You’re the only one I’ve ever had.

Being a Consultant

BeautiControl

So if you know me at all you know that I love to shop, I love to get deals and I'm quite impulsive. Some would call those qualities negatives but I embrace them whole heartedly. I have been using BeautiControl products for about 2 1/2 years now. They have a facial care line (maintenance, repair & prevention), spa products (like fun Sugar Cookie scrub) and a make up line. Some items are a bit expensive but some of them are reasonable.

Here's the deal I signed up for:

1. In November they have a special where you can sign up to be a consultant for only $150 dollars which gives you a kit containing products valued at $800 retail. Plus you can expense this cost as you are now an independent consultant for BeautiControl.

a) The kit comes in two parts. The first contains your basic 4 part face line, plus a couple bonus items like the hand scrub, relaxing eye pads and the Lip Appeal.

b) The second half you receive after you attend a one day BeautiU training (mines on Dec 15th). I'm not sure exactly what happens there but I've been assured that it's not a sales pressure thing but more educational based. In the 2nd half you get makeup tailored to your skin tones and spa products. The picture below is both half of the kit.

2. After you have ordered your 1st half of the kit you have 48 hours to take advantage of a special purchase: a minimum order of $750 in products for 55% off (equals $337.50 + tax & shipping)! Plus the 55% off is off of the retail suggested price, so if the company has the product on sale you get 55% off of the sale price! How awesome is that? For this order you can buy the pre-built "Friends & Family" Package (pictured below) or you can customize it & buy whatever you want. Again you can expense this purchase as a consultant & at this time of year you can use this deal to buy high quality Christmas presents for your family [or mostly spoil yourself as I have done]!

3. Of course once you sign up there has to be obligations on your part right? Well the obligation is quite simple, purchase $100 in products every four months, totally $300 per year. For some people this can be quite a lot to spend if you don't have the budget, but if you do, it's a great deal. BeautiControl is all online so if you are computer savvy then you can do this simply enough.

4. As a bonus you can absolutely use this as a opportunity to make a little money. You can sell your products that you've bought if you don't want to gift them or keep them for yourself. You can even become an active consultant and start doing spa parties if you fancy. Or you can simply use your consultant discount for personal use. (P.S. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what kind of discount I get but I will know soon!).

5. This month they had an additional sale opportunity. If you made a $400 purchase or more before November 21st you can take advantage of the "Thanksgiving Sale" this weekend. There will be more sales & I can get my discount on top of them. I am very excited as, hello, shopoholic! Ha ha.

Home & Gift Collection

As some of you may know I have become a Home & Gift consultant this year. Last year I thought there was no way I could do something like this. In the spring of this year (2007) I thought hey I love the product so why not try? Nothing ventured nothing gained & at the very least I'll have gotten some product @ a great discount (starter kit is $100 for $300 in product or $200 for $700 in product) that I can expense.

Well since May (about 6 months ago) I have been able to sell $20,000 in products. I had a slowish start, about 2 parties a month for May, June, July & August. Then in Septemer, after summer holidays it really took off. I had about 7 house parties in September & October in addition to several catalogue orders so I was (& am) super busy. Though even though I feel stressed and a bit tired it's a positive stress. I feel better about myself than I have in ages because I have been so successful. Each party I attend allows me to meet new & interesting people, pushes me to be more outgoing and has enhanced my directional skills (I used to get lost a lot more LOL).

Every month, for each $1500 in sales you have you get a $100 gift certificate for product or $50 for supplies. In October alone I earned $500 in gift certificates to spend how I choose on products. So I could have easily used these for Christmas shopping, though I am planning on saving them for the New Year. As of February 1st we will have a new catalogue so I want to be able to customize my new kit with the products I choose (& I may just have to buy some new items for my house depending what there is!).

Also, super exciting is that by reaching the $20,000 mark I have earned myself half of a Greece trip. The deadline for earning the entire trip is January 1st, so if I can't make up the difference (though I'm not ruling it out ha ha) I can pay the other half and still go. Seeing as Greece is one of the three places I want to travel to before I die I will be attending that trip! I believe Tyler is planning on buying a trip for himself so we can go together. So that will be in May of 2008.

P.S. If you want to order anything or check out my catalogues just let me know! There's still time to get it before Christmas!!!!!!

Yep I've definitely become a Sales Woman!