My Youth Part 1 - New Kids on the Block

On Monday I attended my 2nd NKOTB concert in 7 months. Crazy! Right? I can't explain it. The music isn't that good, they can't really sing or dance. Despite these obvious truths, I had the best time in long time. Why? My youth. I remember when I attended my first NKOTB concert, I was 13 and wasn't really familar with them. A friend, invited me to go to the concert and her older sister agreed to accompany us. We stood in line for over 7 hours to buy our tickets (no internet then). At the time, I didn't undertsand what all the fuss was about, and then the day of the concert arrived. The lights went down and then they took the stage, one look at Jordan Knight and I was in love. I still don't know what came over me, but I was a fan immediately. Two years later I was over my love, replaced with Nirvana, U2, Sinead O'Connor or anything else that was playing on the radio, or so I thought. Last spring, Ingrid and I discovered that the Kids, at the ages of 36-40, would be going on tour again and the love returned. So I danced, screamed and jumped my way back to a teenager, and it was a wonderful time. And I still can't explain it.

My favourite teen crushes:

1. Ralph Macchio

2. Jordan Knight

3. Dana Ashbrook

4. Ethan Hawke

5. Robert Sean Leonard

Cooking Tip of the day: Pizza was delicious and a favorite when I was a teenager and still is, especially with bacon.

International Women's Day

Today is International Women's Day. Does this mean anything to you?   Why do we celebrate it?  I think sometimes living in a privilaged western society we forget about it's importance. Are women still treated equal in our society?  No.  When male managers comment on the colour of my blouse instead of my record breaking fundraising totals, I would say no.   When a hiring manager deciedes against a woman is their 20's or 30's, because they may get pregnant, again I would say no.  When many woman feel that they are not adquate because they do not look a certain way, I would say no. I am sure you can think of millon more examples. What's upsetting is you probably know some examples from personal experience.    As cheesy as this may sound, I guess  one thing we can do is think about these issues and act accordingly.  I truely believe many of the worlds problems will be solved once woman and men are truely viewed as equals.

Many of the reasons, why I am lucky to be me:

1.  I love my job and the people I work with

2.  I have amazing friends and family

3.  I get to do what I want when I want, no restrictions (although I may change my mind one day)

4. I think for the first time I am starting to be comfortable in my own skin

5. I have freckles

Cooking tip of the day:   Don't beat yourself up  if you come home and you don't feel like cooking, you are not lazy.  Instead  pick an activity you love (watch your favorite TV show, read a book or a magazine, spend some time with family or friends) and order some take out from a new place you have been meaning to try, and enjoy!

Where does the time go?

I am constantly amazed by how fast time flies. I cannot believe that I am 33. It really does feel like yesterday (more like 9 years ago) that I graduated from University. It was not to long ago that I was staring out my window wondering how will all that snow melt, and now I am thinking about the impact fall will have at work. It really blows my mind! One year blends into the next. Do you remember when you were younger and one month seemed like forever, now it doesn't seem long enough. I am not complaining.... just an observation.

What's worth the wait?

1. When an ambition or milestone is realized

2. Roasted garlic

3. The season premiere of a favorite show

4. A perfectly prepared and delicious meal

5. Love (speaking of which extra, extra old cheddar cheese)

Cooking tip of the day: Slow roasted anything tastes wonderful. It enhances and adds depth to whatever your eating and is worth the hours it may take. Try slow roasting tomatoes and adding the to your favorite pasta, soup or on their own. Delicious!

The Perfect Day

OH MY GOD. I had the perfect 'Kylie Day'. So good that I had to tell you all about it, NOW. I am in New Orleans for work. So here goes:

This morning I woke up at my leisure. I walked downtown to the French Quarter. Walked around for a few hours (nothing opens until 10 am) Had a cafe au lait with a croissant for Breakfast and headed to the shops. I went to Sak's fifth avenue were I was treated like I had a million dollars to spend. Oh the clothes! The makeup! The Christmas decor! Wonderful.

The afternoon was spent at the conference. THEN... it gets better.

A cocktail reception with a delicious gin and tonic and then it gets better. ....Dinner at Nola's (one of Emeril Lagasse's restaurants). OH MY GOD. We were able to make reservations through the hotel's concierge. Usually there is a few months wait, but I guess they leave room for tourists. Here is what I ate; I had the daily specials paired with a wine with each course.

Seared Rare Yellowfin Tuna with Baby Spinach, Shaved Onion, Orange Supremes and Citrus Braised Fennel Vinaigrette with 2006 Chablis 'Champs Royaux', William Fevre (Burgundy France) *** This was my favorite course, believe it or not***

Braised Pork and Goat Cheese Ravioli with Kiln Dried Cherries, Sage Cream, Root Vegetable Crisps and Port Wine Reduction (2003 Pinot Noir, Alois Lageder (Alto Adige, Italy)

Buttermilk Fried Breast of Chicken with Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Smithfield Ham Cream Gravy and Sauteed Sugar Snap Peas. 2004 McCrea Counoise Ciel de Cheval Vineyard (Red Mountain, Washington)

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Pie

(2005 Muscat 'Casta Diva', Gutierrez de la Vega, Alicante, Spain)

I think the dreams of the Year of the Kylie have been fulfilled.

Cooking tip of the day: Spend the money at a gourmet restaurant. It is worth it.

STRIKE

Today I walked my first picket line and I really hope it is my last one. I hope that my union CUPE 2424 and Carleton University come to an agreement soon. Over the last few weeks, I have thought a lot about the place of unions in today's society. I know there is still a need for them, I also know I am well taken care of at Carleton. Would that be the case if there wasn't a union? I am not sure. The one thing that I hate about this whole thing is the tension a strike or lockout has on a workplace. Today, the first day of our strike, there were already some moments of high tension, moments when people could have gotten hurt (car vs. picketer). I also witnessed someone from our union (I do not know who they were) cross the picket line, and you knew in that instant whatever office they work in on campus things would not be the same. I am also frustrated because I hate not knowing what is happening one day to the next. So think of me at 6am when I am on the picket line tomorrow!!

Social Activities that don't break the bank:

1. Go for coffee or bubble tea
2. Go to cheap night at the movies (Tuesdays only costs $4.25)
3 Go to a museum or art gallery on a Thursday - it's free!
4. Read a book.
5. Go to a CBC radio live event - again it's free!

Cooking Tip of the Day: Kraft dinner is delicious and so cheap!!

A Good Blog

I discovered a blog during the NHL playoffs. A co-worker forwarded me Scott Feschuk's blog as he had some pretty funny entires on hockey. Since then I have regulary read his blog. Mr. Feschuk has been a speechwriter for Paul Martin and a writer for This Hour has 22 minutes. Pretty interesting carreer. Though they are suprisingly related, he had to write bullshit for both. Anyways, read up, I hope you get a laugh or two.

http://forums.macleans.ca/advansis/?mod=for&act=dis&eid=13

Take a look and let me know what you think!

What August brings:

1. Back to school ads ( sometimes I still wish I was going shopping for back to school supplies)

2. Many birthdays to celebrate (Andrew, Kevin, Tammy!)

3. Many Humid Days (bleh!)

4. The SuperEx

5. Late, great summer flicks (see last post).

Cooking tip of the day: Be sure to pick up some corn on the cob. It's now ready. It has been suggested that when cooking the corn, you leave the husks on when boiling the ears (of corn - silly!). It will allow for better tasting corn and apparently the husks and all that stringy stuff will just fall off. I would suggest removing the outer husk first, prior to cooking.

Summer Movies

Over the last few weeks I have seen some summer flicks. What did I think?

No Reservations falls short. It's cute and leaves you hungry (the food looks delicious) and it's other redeeming quality is Aaron Eckhart. Rent it only if the premise appeals to you, don't bother going to see it.

Hairspray, I really enjoyed this film, it's very entertaining and very funny. Some people feel that John Travolta is a draw for this film, I find him more of a distraction. Travolta playing a women is never believable. If you like musicals pay full price, if not consider it on a half price Tuesday.

I then moved on to the Simpsons. I have never been a huge fan of the Simpsons, mostly because my brother liked it when I was growing up. But I have always appreciated it's commentary on modern American life. My brother was excited to see it, so I thought it would be best to see it with him. It was pretty funny. Although I thought the movie would take more chances, and go beyond it's normal sitcom boundaries, but it didn't. It was well worth the $4.20 admission.

Finally, I saw the movie of the summer. The Bourne Ultimatum. This movie is great, not only does it star Matt, but it is exactly what an action movie should be. It has a great cast, and uses them to their ability (i.e. Julia Stiles has maybe 5 lines, but is in the film for maybe 45 minutes). The action scenes are wonderfully orchestrated. It's a non -stop ride. The film is never gory, but allows you to understand the pain that the characters feel and did I mention that Matt is in it? Pay full price to see this film. In fact, if you need someone to go to this film with you, I will. I wouldn't mind seeing it again.

What I did this long weekend:

1. Had some bacon with Neil and Cindy (okay it was a delicious pasta with some bacon in it)

2. Bubble Tea

3. Pizza with the folks from Diabetes

4. Dinner with Adelaide, Andrew and Christie (Happy 31st birthday - Andrew!!)

5. Brunch with my brothers, mom and a visit to the Treasures of China Exhibit at the Museum of Civilization.

Cooking Tip of the Day: On hot summer days, prepare a salad. Just be sure to add some sort of protein to make it a complete meal. Serve with some fresh rolls. Delicious.