My Tour of America
These pictures gave us quite a giggle. Enjoy.

The Friday Five

1. Do you remember your first best friend? Who was it?
No.

2. Are you still in touch with this person?
No.

3. Do you have a current close friend?
I have three close friends that I love and trust.

4. How did you become friends with this person?
All my friends were introduced to me by other people.

5. Is there a friend from your past that you wish you were still in contact with? Why?
I often wonder what Jane and Lule are up to. We were part of the ultra hip, too-cool-to-talk-to band and french immersion gang through junior high.

I'm Corny. Get Over It.

I had meetings on Wednesday and a meeting tonight;
I haven't seen my hubby for two or three nights!

My yogurt was sour, and it made me spit,
and I've a spot on my chin that's likely a zit.

But...
I have a new outfit and shiny clean hair
That swings when I walk like I haven't a care.

The sun is shining with such a fresh gale,
It's better to sleep and easier to inhale.

My mom had surgery - she's doing just fine.
We'll visit on Sunday and bring some nice wine.

Friday is coming and my boss is away!
I hope that you all have a very nice day.

Bridezilla Stirkes Again!
A colleague of mine is getting married on Saturday. She is so beautiful, and such a warm person; I can't imagine a prettier bride (she's no Bridezilla - it just makes a snappy headline). I asked a few polite questions about the flowers, the dress, the wedding... until it appeared that she was about to cry! I had forgotten how stressful the final countdown days were before my wedding. I distinctly remember Mr. Crabby chopping wood in the driveway after a phone call from my mother left me in tears. I asked for a turn with the axe, hoping to relieve my wedding stress, and he said "Like Hell!"

I learned, however, that my pretty colleague's guest list was finalized at 373 people. Sweet Jesus, I thought. No wonder she's about to cry! Mr. Crabby and I had about 85 guests, and if we had a second kick at the can, we'd invite about 20.

What were the most stressful aspects of your wedding planning? How many guests did you host? And which of them behaved badly (there's always one)?

Seen and Heard
New restaurant at Broadview/Gerrard: Pho Mi Kim My. Foamy Kimmy! Let's go!
On my front porch: Cold Shoulder's half-eaten bikini top, delivered to us by her puppy.
In backyard, on table: mangled, half-eaten bird, delivered to us by HRH Huckle. There just isn't enough Clorox.
Movie rental last night: Dark Blue. Geeze Louise it was a hateful movie.
On 505 streetcar: "Hey kid. Asshole. Yeah, you. Get your sorry lame-ass out of your goddamn seat so this lady may sit down." Hurrah! A human-spotting!
In Little India, last evening: "Hey Lady! Get It Here!" (ed. note: the "come before you buy" sign is still posted).

It's a Mad, Mad, World
This year's Human Development Index, part of the U.N.'s Human Development Report 2003, ranks Canada as the 8th best country in the world in terms of living conditions. This article, written by some idiot I'd like to have a word with, states that "US, Australia, even (my emphasis) Belguim" are better places to live than Canada.

I've been to Belguim. It's glorious. I could only stay three days, but fell in love immediately, as I often do. Every place I visited - even downtown Brussels, smelled bakery-fresh, or like new grass (the kind under your feet). Their social systems far outpace what's left of Canada's pillaged structure, and their cultural battles are much hipper than our tired "oui ou non" issue. "Even Belguim". That's like saying "Even Scaramouche is better than McDonalds." Sheesh.

So how did this happen? Just over a decade ago, Canada ranked #1 in the world. Yay us! Now we are ranked 8th. Is that Chretien's legacy? "Hey, at least we beat Sierra Leone." Way to go, pal.