quote tuesday

Last week, I started a new blog item - and I plan to keep up with it.  Here is this week's installment:

"Laugh when you can. Apologize when you should. Let go of what you can't change. Love deeply and forgive quickly. Take chances and give your everything - Life is too short to be anything but happy. You have to take the good with the bad. Love what you got. Always remember what you had. Forgive but don't forget, but always remember that life goes on." 

I stole it from a friend's status on FB. I don't know who wrote it, or who she stole it from (heh, maybe she even wrote it herself), but, I like it. Now, it's your turn...

And GO!  (Feel free to send me a fav quote in the comments, even - I like to collect them).  

Happy Easter

E C M A-mazing!!!*

I've been meaning to tell you about last weekend!  'Twas a whirlwind, which actually started early, and ended late.  2011 marked Charlottetown's turn to host the ECMA events.  Now in addition to having some of the friendliest people on the planet, the East Coast has a lot of friggin TALENTED people, too!  It's no secret on my happy place that I have an adoration for Matt Andersen, NB's East Coast prince.  So, when we knew it was our own city's turn to host, let's just say Chris and I were SUPER pumped to be able to take in as many ECMA events as we could, especially those where Matt played a part.

Wednesday night, we took in the Export Stage event at the Delta.  It was a showcase event, where many 'biz' folks were in attendance - people like booking agents, etc, scouting out the talent. I guess in years previous, this event was reserved only for the business folk, not the general public.  The general public raised enough of a chatter that this year, they sold 100 tickets to the general population.  With thanks to BarbaraB, I was able to land 2 of the 100 tickets, and that was part of Chris' Valentines Day gift this year.  There were 4 bands slotted for the show, including, The Olympic Symphonium, The Once, Matt, and The Trews. It was an awesomely entertaining show.  And, in true Prince Edward Island fashion, there was even a potato bar!

Friday, we went to the Stanhope Beach Resort, where Matt played a spectacular show to open a new season at the resort.  He took along the Hupman Brothers to play with him, and Scott Prudence of the Dungaree Brothers also stepped up to the mic for a few songs.  It was a packed house, and probably one of my most favourite of all of Matt's shows (though, I'm pretty sure I say that after every show, don't I?).  It was stellar.  We scuffled ourselves up to the front by the stage, and I couldn't help but laugh as Matt laughed at me and my reaction (hands clasped together and a wee little giggle like a kid on Christmas morning) to hearing the beginning of Magnolia.  I like to think that he chose to play that one for me.  So, yeah, Matt, thanks eh? ;)

The Stanhope affair was actually an evening special at the resort - exclusive, in fact - where the purchase of the tickets to the event included your entrance to the show, a room for the night, and continental breakfast the next morning.  After Matt left, Mike Biggar came up to entertain the crowd.  Matt had to get back to C-town as he had another gig scheduled for later in the evening at the Mack.  I hear it was fabulous.  I have to admit to having a little bit of remorse for not actually getting tickets to that as well...but, it just didn't seem logical to trek all the way back to town, and then back again to sleep in the hotel, so we opted to drink beer instead and stay put.  SUCH a fun night.

Saturday, after a quick cat nap we then headed back into town where we popped by the Old Triangle.  Irish Mythen was playing there at 2pm.  We had already purchased tickets to go to the Globe for the very same time, but, Irish is a friend of ours (and spectacularly entertaining, talented, and down-right awesome in her own right), so we really wanted to try to catch her set.  Turns out we should've skipped out on the cat nap and headed there as soon as we had traveled back to town from Stanhope.  The place was PACKED - there wasn't even standing room to see her play.  We listened to a few songs, undoubtedly getting in the way of other people's views, then made a quick stop to the Urban Eatery for a quick sammie for lunch, and then hoofed it down to the Globe. 


Our poor planning time-wise for the Triangle was unmatched by the poor planning for the Globe, too.  By the time we'd made it in there was standing room only - by the bathrooms.  We then moved upstairs to the balcony area (pretty sure the top of Chris' head was grazing the ceiling).  I could see very little, and my poor tootsies were burning after standing in my boots for 5 hours, but all the pain was worth it when the big guy hit the stage!  Matt was the 'finale' of the show, and he wowed the crowd with a few blues numbers, and even a few popular singalong numbers like Hand Jive, and ended the show, as they opened the big door so the crowd gathering outside could also sing along to Round and Round, Wagonwheel (a rarity nowadays for him), and Ain't No Sunshine.  Incredible!  Kudos also go out to PEI's Got Blues band, Mike Biggar, and Ross Neilsen and the Sufferin' Bastards, who rocked the crowd before Matt came out.


Sunday night the Gala was being held at the Confed Centre.  We opted to watch it from home, as Bell Aliant was streaming it live online.  Chris hooked up the 'ol Mac, and it was almost as good as being there.  A huge congratulations to all the nominees and award winners, as well as the organizers for pulling off a fabulous week!  Cannot wait til it's 'our' turn to host this event all over again!!!

*All photos in this post courtesy of, and used with permission, by Chris Wilkinson, spinphoto.ca.  If you see any you like, feel free to purchase a print or two, or, contact him if you have an event that needs coverage!

Spring is in the air?

Spring has reared its head a few times already.  There have been a few delicious bbq'd meals consumed. I took out my spring jacket, more than once.  I took a long, forlorn look at my poor disastrous feet and contemplated a pedi to ready my little piggies for another sandal season. Many a crocus reared its pretty head.  Spring.  You could smell it. 

And yesterday?  A winter storm watch.  And yes, that's +9 Celcius in the 'current' conditions prior to being on the watch for a potential 10-15cms of white stuff.

'Tis life in the Maritimes.  There's a blanket of white out there as I type.  It'll be gone by day's end, no doubt. It just goes to show that Mother Nature is always in control.

Easter weekend is upon us, and a fabulous ECMA weekend is behind us.  I have much to say about it all, so there will be a few new reads in the coming while ;).  Til then, happy "Friday" - enjoy your long weekend with your families.  Happy Easter :)

Quote Tuesday

Isn't it awesome how the Internet works?  Thanks to Toughie, I'm participating.  Toughie discovered this idea over on Pepper's page, and I hope you wanna play along, too!  Every Tuesday, let's share a favourite quote.  Maybe you just like it.  Maybe its message resonated through your mind enough to get you through a rough patch in your life.  Maybe it makes you laugh, or just smile.  Maybe it's naughty, or silly.  Maybe it just makes you go, 'huh'?

I came across the following quote while perusing status updates on facebook (where in Gawd's name would we be without FB, anyway?).  I love it.  It's cute.  And, it really reminds me of the relationship I'm in with TheChris:

"We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love" ~ Dr. Seuss

Thanks Pepper (and Tough) for passing along this idea.  I will try to be back every Tuesday with a new quote.  Go on over to Pepper's page to play, too, won't you?

"weight" just a minute!

Remember how avid a watcher of American Idol I've been?  Well.  This season, scheduling conflicts have interfered with my routine, and I've only caught bits and pieces so far.  Today, I have quit the show.  Why? you ask? Well, I shall tell you.  See the photo to the right*?  I've borrowed it from Mix FM's website.

This pretty, young girl won a radio contest to participate in the AI audience.

She was banned from the front row....

...........

...because she was....

 "too big". 

I'm purely, utterly, and absolutely appalled, and disgusted. 

Sadly, society as a whole has made it so that one's size dictates their 'worth' or their 'well-being'; or, what 'we want to look at', or 'what we want to be'.  And it's wrong.  So very wrong.  Growing up a little fluffier than the average gal, I know the heartache, humiliation, and torture society can place on a person for being overweight.  And it's about damn time we break the silence and say collectively that this IS NOT RIGHT. C'mon, ya'll, get on up here on my soapbox and join me, would you!??

*http://www.mymixfm.com/blogs/post/savery/2011/apr/12/american-idol-says-girl-was-too-fat-sit-front/

I *heart* PB*

I'd blog, but, I'm a little consumed right now.  I might also have a fairly large crush on Wentworth Miller. Ladies, trust me.

*And I'm not referring to peanut butter.

P.S.A.*

WHY do people figure they can get everything they want for free?  WHY do amateurs undercut the professionals? I love what this guy has to say, and I wholeheartedly agree!  Don't you?

*language warning, you know, if you're browsing my blog at work or something ;).

customer service

Last week I had supper with a girlfriend.  We opted to to go to Pizza Delight as it was close to where I get my hair done, and I was meeting her after my hair appointment.  It's not like it was 5-star dining, so we weren't expecting any award-winning service or anything like that.  But, as a consumer, one is entitled to having a few expectations of food service, I think, whether you find yourself at your nearest Tim Hortons or a fine dining avenue. 

To start, I waited longer than I should have at the door for a table.  It was later in the evening, so there was no supper crowd the staff were contending with.  They were just, well...not there.  Finally a very friendly girl offered to get me seated, and offered to get me a drink while I waited for my friend to join.  Moments later, the same friendly girl sees my friend to our booth, and my friend was offered equally friendly service for her drink.

Then came our waitress.  She laid down two menus, mute...and walked away.  My friend and I both shared a raised eyebrow.  Not five minutes later the mute waitress returned, pen in hand, asking if we were ready to order.  We politely asked for another few minutes, wondering where that friendly girl went to.

My friend was torn between a few items on the menu - and had a question.  There is a "combo" special advertised for a certain price, and, the exact same dish advertised on the main part of the menu for a few dollars less.  She wanted to know what the difference was.  Was the combo one a little larger?  Did it come with another side dish, perhaps?  The menu made them appear identical.  Perhaps it was a typo? Inquiring minds want to know!  And we were inquiring minds!

So when the mute waitress returned once more, my friend approaches her, asking what the difference was between the two menu items.  She looked rather blankly, and said, "Wow.  That's kinda wierd".  We voiced our query ..., "Is that one a bigger serving?  Does it come with an extra side?"... Her reply, "uuuhhh,...I dunnno".  Not, "Let me find that out for you", even.  Just, "That's wierd...he he.  Are you ready to order?"

SERIOUSLY.

To give you a mental picture, she looked like she'd just fallen off the turnip truck.  Her long hair was pulled back in a pony tail that may have started out in the back, but had slid to the side, hanging there, loosely.  When she wasn't talking (which was most of the time), her lips just sorta gaped open.  Oh, and the finale?  When my friend went to pay for her bill she handed her Visa to the waitress.  She brought it back, and stood over her, waiting for her to calculate the tip and sign. 

Needless to say the tip wasn't favorable.  Nor did it even cover the tax.

I can't make this sh!t up.  I sure hope she has bigger aspirations in life than to perfect the skill of being a waitress.

Thinking of Corey

I remember getting the call that day...the day I'd found out you'd lost your struggle.  Finally, your pain was over, yet, ours was just beginning.  Ironically, I had already been in a sad place, because it was the day after the anniversary of Dad's death just 2 short years prior.  I refused then to say good-bye to you, and I still do.  Because you're not gone.  You're always here.  There's not one gathering where your name is not mentioned multiple times.  Little things constantly remind us all of you...

We shared a lot of laughs, and a lot of happy memories.  You were also there to offer your strong shoulder that night I was sad...and I'll always remember that, Corey.  You were a gentleman.  You were a fabulous friend.  You're a Guardian Angel to so many.

It's been 7 years.  7 years since we saw that big smile and heard that big laugh.  You're so missed, Corey.  So missed.

I know you're up there nibblin' on sponge cake until the day we can all dance again together - for the 'ol times...xoxo.

"I have only slipped away into the next room, I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Play, smile, think of me. All is well."
~ Henry Scott Holland

"What the heart has once known, it shall never forget"*

Today is an anniversary. 9 years ago we lost you.  It seems like forever ago, yet it seems like only yesterday.  Not one day goes by, not one, that I don't think of you, and miss you.  You were the best Dad that a girl could ever, ever ask for.  So much of me, is a part of you.  You've helped shape me, and make me into the person that I am.  I miss your twinkling eyes.  I miss your big bear hugs.  I miss your laugh.  I miss you.  God, I miss you so much....xoxo

To Those I Love
If I should ever leave you whom I love
To go along the Silent Way, grieve not,
Nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk
Of me as if I were beside you there.
(I'd come-- I'd come, could I but find a way!
But would not tears and grief be barriers?)
And when you hear a song or see a bird
I loved, please do not let the thought of me
Be sad... for I am loving you just as
I always have... You were so good to me!
There are so many things I wanted still
To do-- so many things to say to you...
Remember that I did not fear... It was
Just leaving you that was so hard to face...
We cannot see beyond... But this I know:
I loved you so-- 'twas heaven here with you!

~ Isla Paschal Richardson

* Author unknown

I'll play a fool for you*

I walked up the stairwell to the entrance door at work today to find a sign, "Please use other door!". 

There's a brightly coloured, very professional looking, sign on the printer to advise that it's now voice enabled, with user-friendly instructions: "Using Voiceover is Easy.  1.) Stand close to the printer  2.) Simply speak one of the following commands: "PRINT"; "COPY" or "SCAN"  3.) You may also speak additional information: "PRINT FIVE COPIES"; "COPY THIS TWO TIMES ON A4 PAPER".

I work with a bunch of hooligans ;).  I can proudly say that I was not fooled by either message. But, as I sit right next to the printer, I can honestly say that there were at least two others that questioned: "Well, will it still work if I just hit the buttons?  'Cause I'm not going to talk to the printer....". 

Kudos to whoever came up with the devious trickery.  It was quite amusing.

So, tell me --- were you fooled today?  Other than forgetting my watch and leaving my freshly brewed, piping hot travel mug full of coffee on the kitchen table, I managed to escape the foolery unscathed.  Fortunately, I can finally say that the weekend is on the horizon, and a very long, VERY busy week is behind me.  That's my tiny blessing for today!
Happy Friday!

*post title courtesy of the wonderful Matt Andersen lyric