2.220 - The One with the '06 Year in Review

wow...06 kinda flew right by...so much happened...so much to look back on and remember. We said hello to old friends, new loves, newly weds, new cities and farewell to hockey legends, Wednesday night karaoke, best friends to Africa and to singleness.

here are my top 10 memories of 2006:

10. - getting my new golf clubs for my birthday. Gotta love TaylorMade
9. - Columbus, Ohio trip with J-Ray. Humid & hot all week...the basketball tournament was ok...the dunk competition was off the hook, making stops at White Castle, shopping at Easton Town Center, golfing...and of course...going into a Tim Horton's in the states.
8. - World Cup Germany 2006...the games were brilliant...Zidane's headbutt was infamous
7. - Last Christmas in Ottawa with the Engs
6. -Seattle trip to see Tomo...seeing the mountains again, kayaking, golfing, ballin', Mt. Rainier, Pike Place Market, the Space Needle...just an amazing time.
5. - weddings...I was at 5 this year. Congrats to Mark & Yvonne, Bud & Erin, Rebecca & Jered, Amanda & Travis and Kristina & Pat.
4. - all the great times with my friends...the Dock, bbq's, pool parties, hot tub sessions, movie nights, shopping, golfing, basketball, hockey, playing videogames...the list can go on and on...you guys are amazing...I can't thank you enough
3. - NYC trip with Trav-Who...it was an amazing time...which city shall we conquer next?
2. - my first date with Naomi
1. - Naomi

well...hear's to 2006...thanks to all who participated in my small part of it. Happy New Year, may 2007 bring happiness and joy to you and yours.

cheers

2.119 - The One with the division leader

Don't look now...but the Toronto Raptors are at the top of the NBA's Atlantic Division. Mind you it's a very weak division with all the teams well below the .500 mark. BUT...if the Raptor's can stay up there by the end of the season...it means PLAYOFFS!! As an added bonus...the Raps are winning without Chris Bosh who's out with an injury...just wait until he returns...

3 days till New Years...time flies when you're having fun!!

2.118 - The One with the change in weather

***This just in...

it's snowing for Christmas in Ottawa...even though it started late in the evening...it's still snow. Too bad that it's not staying on the ground...I guess I have somewhat of a white Christmas after all. Time for bed...next up...Boxing Day shopping...***

2.117 - The One with the Christmas Carols

looks like that we are going to have a green Christmas where I am this year. Not many times has this happened to me. Usually there is maybe at least a centimeter of snow on the ground...or it snows a little on Christmas day. This year...nothing...sunny and mild. I think the only other year that I remember that I didn't have snow was when I was in Hong Kong over the holidys. That was a fun time...no snow but I had lots of smog. So hear's to a White Christmas..

White Christmas

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

...and for once I can sing this carol and mean it

I'll be Home For Christmas

I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow
And mistletoe
And presents 'neath the tree

Christmas eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

Christmas eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

where ever you are spending your Christmas...may it be full of fun, love and laughter. From my family to yours...Merry Christmas

2.116 - The One with the Pursuit of Happyness

If you get a chance to see a movie this busy season, I recommend going to see The Pursuit of Happyness. It's based on a true story about a man who has hit rock bottom and how he battles to get what he wants out of life while he takes care of his son. This is my favourite quote from the movie, Chris Gardner (the father) is talking to his son:

"Don't ever let someone tell you, you can't do something. Not even me.

You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can't do something themselves, they wanna tell you that you can't do it. You want something? Go get it. Period."

check out Robin's latest post on her blog...remember the reason for the season.

2.115 - The One with the Suicidal Snowmen

This is the new holiday cups at Tim Horton's this year. I think they are pretty festive. An improvement from last year which it was just red with words...but take a closer look. The snowmen are holding hot beverages in their hands and intently wanting to drink them...

2 snowmen + 2 hot beverages = -2 snowmen

I wonder if the artist was thinking about this...and even worse...the person who approved this design...

lastly...

Hot Apple Cider from Tim Horton's...oh so good

2.114 - The One with something missing

Tomorrow is Wednesday...

...I miss karaoke

2.113 - The One with the bad taste

talking with D-Ray this morning as I'm going out the door for work...he needed me to mail a letter fro him and as he is sealing the envelope, he had the most disgusted look on his face after he licked the envelope. Which brings me to my question of the day...why can't they make envelopes with the lick 'n seal taste better? Ya know...like strawberries or something? D-Ray retorts with, "why would they invest money into that?" To him I reply, they have seedless watermelon...why not tasty envelopes?

I'd buy them, wouldn't you?

2.112 - The One with the so called weekend off

this is my weekend off...I'm dead tired...and find myself busier than if I was working...what's with that?

Shakespeare spelled his own name several different ways.

2.111 - The One with the 2 feet

After a week of unbelievable warm weather...it finally decided to snow. I think there is a good 2 feet on the ground...and it's staying. NOW it feels like Christmas. Snow is that magical ingrediant that makes this Christmas season just right.

Let me say this for the record...I love having a 4x4 when there's lots of snow to drive through....like a warm knife through butter...

2.110 - The One with the tree

What a trip...NYC is a great city to visit. So much to see, so much to do. As promised I've posted some picture of our trip. The big tree at Rockafeller was pretty neat...it stood about 7 storeys and apparently over 100,000 people where in and around Rockafeller Center to see it. We stood on 5th Ave. and had a great view of the tree, but after standing for 2 hours, not being able to see anything but the tree, not being able to see or hear the show that was going on, we decided to head back to the hotel, watch it on TV and then head back later. Getting back to the hotel was an adventure...NYPD had most of the streets going east and west around the area blocked off so we had to make a huge loop around. So many people trying to go too many different directions. I can't imagine what New Years is like at TImes Square. All in all it was a fantastic trip...a few things that I've observed about NYC:

• from Times Square everything that you could possibly want is within walking distance
• In Manhattan every other vehicle is either a police car or a taxi, in Brooklyn not as much
• I've never seen so many one way streets before
• the taxi drivers are either going full throttle or slamming on the breaks
• bus drivers are the best drivers around
• I could never ever drive in Manhattan
• the sights, sounds, smells and the hustle and bustle of people at TImes Square reminds me of almost every street in Hong Kong
  

Roxy's Deli...home of the B.A.S.

Trav attempting to bite into his B.A.S.

The marque outside the ABC & ESPN studios

Times Square

The Nederlander Theatre - home of Rent

3 story ferris wheel inside Toys R Us @ Times Square

McDonald's on 47th off Broadway

Hersey's Factory outside our Hotel

The view from our hotel room

34th street entrance of Macy's

the many badges from the EMS volunteers of 9/11

The Empire State Building

Subway station across from the WTC site

The Manhattan Bridge

Ground Zero

this building was 1/2 the size of the WTC towers standing at 55 storeys

Crysler Building

United Nations

Ouside the Ed Sullivan Theatre waiting to get into the Late Show

This was originally in the middle of the WTC site...it survived 9/11 and now it on display at Battery Park

Registration Room at Elis Island

Lady Liberty and I

The big bull by Wall Street

Trav outisde The Radio City Music Hall

The Brooklyn Bridge

Me at Times Square

The Big Tree at Rockafeller Center

The Apple Store on 5th

Giant Piano at F.A.O. Schwarz - from the movie 'Big'

Grand Central Terminal

No Soup for You!

Our friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man

2.109 - The One with Lady Liberty

NYC day 3

First thing on the agenda...take a cruise to Liberty Island and Elis Island. It was quite a sight. Just the history of the statue and the imigration into New York City way back when really made me think. I couldn't imagine how much those people went through to sail across the ocean in ships, often cramped the standard of living was little to none. But as they approached New York harbor and the sight of The Statue of Liberty, it brought so much joy into their lives. As they landed on Elis Island they went through a vigirous imigration process.

The Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall was incredible. What was even more incredible was the ending. They showed the real Christmas story and explained why we celebrate Christmas. I was very impressed.

As we continue the theme of big things...for dinner we were at a restaurant called Carmines. Family sized portions...for the two of us...it was way too much food. You order one dish and you share it...they don't hold back on your portions. I think that the dish we got could have fed 4-6 people...

real shopping tomororow...Macy's and checking out 5th Ave. where the celebs shop...then to the lighting of the Tree at Rockafeller.

2.108 - The One with the Late Show

Ever have a moment in which you thought you were dreaming but you were wide awake? We were at Ground Zero this morning and it was the most surreal thing that I've ever experienced. Standing there at the site, seeing some of the memorials, going on the Tribute WTC 9/11 walking tour with 2 guides who had lost a love one during the rescue attempts was something that will be etched in my memory forever. What really got me was when they pointed out a building that was half the size of the two towers...and trying to imagine how high they stood. They were massive structures...and all that's left is this huge hole. Surreal.

Things seem so much bigger on TV than in real life. We attended the taping of "The Late Show with David Letterman" earlier tonight at the Ed Sullivan Theatre on Broadway. When you watch it on TV it seems so big...but in reality...not as much. It was fun though...we were seated in the 5th row dead center. Now you'd think that they would be great seats...but in reality we saw more of the cameraman than Letterman. Paul Shaffer and the CBS band were amazing, the guests were pretty interesting. The first was a 16 year old William Beacom who makes things with Duct Tape, we actually ran into him at the Hersheys store later on in the evening. Actor Danny DeVito was funny and really short, and the Silversun Pickups were the musical guest. Tune in on Friday to see they show...we attended the taping of Friday's show...not the Monday night show. They only tape on Monday through to Thursday, kinda weird if you ask me...but hey...the tickets were free and it was a great experience.

Statue of Libery, The Christmas Spectacular at the Radio City Music Hall and more shopping tomorrow...

2.107 - The One with the "B.A.S."

Ahh NYC...where everything is bigger than it seems

the first place that we stopped at to eat in NYC was a deil called Roxy's. Not knowing what were getting ourselves into, Trav and I proceeded in sit in the restaurant and take a look at the menu. At first glace it looked really good...then we looked at the price of the sandwiches. The cheapest was $13.99. WOW...that's a pretty expensive sandwich. Then we looked around at the other tables...the sandwiches were HUGE. Trav ordered a Roasted Corn Beef and I had the Chicken Salad. 1 pound of beef and 1 pound of chicken salad were carefully placed between 2 pieces of bread and strategically placed on a plate and brought out to us. So in the spirit of comedian Dane Cook...we've labeled these "B.A.S" or Big Ass Sandwiches. After eating a meal like that we needed to walk it off. Good thing that NYC is a walking city...pictures are coming...be patient...

2.106 - The One with the big apple

yep...it's time...time to go to New York City...I might come back...

2.105 - The One with "Little did he know..."

"This is the story about a man named Harold Crick... And his wrist watch."

As the first lines of the movie are spoken, I knew this wasn't going to be your typical over the top Will Ferrell comedy. Then came:

"Little did he know it would lead to his imminent death. "

2.104 - The One with the big aspirations

for the superhero in all of us...

2.103 - The One with the reboot

so my computer in my room decided that it didn't like me anymore...halfway through watching a video, it decided to have a hissy fit and freeze. I hit the reboot button and everything looked normal...until it rebooted again...by itself. Did it boot to Windows? Nope...it reboot itself yet again. Don't you love Microsoft?

switch

2.102 - The One in Bedlam

Main Entry: bed·lam
Pronunciation: 'bed-l&m
Function: noun
Etymology: Bedlam, popular name for the Hospital of Saint Mary of Bethlehem, London, an insane asylum, from Middle English Bedlem Bethlehem
1 obsolete : MADMAN, LUNATIC
2 often capitalized : a lunatic asylum
3 : a place, scene, or state of uproar and confusion
- bedlam adjective

This past weekend I was once again up at MBC with our Jr. Hi's for their Bedlam retreat. i think that Bedlam is the perfect name for them weekend. Stuck up in the Muskokas with a bunch of kids grades 6-8...it's shear mayhem...but very fun. I'm still sufferening from the rock hard bunks we slept in...my back is killing me and the lack of sleep is playing a pretty good factor this morning. Not moving very fast...

2.101 - The One with Deep Thought

"Oh Deep Thought, what's the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything?"

"The answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything is..."

2.100 - The One with the kickoff

Last night we kicked off the Christmas Season by watching both versions of The Grinch and by playing Whoville-opoly. It's the generic version of Monopoly with The Grinch markings and without the official Monopoly trademarks. There were some interesting properties to buy...but it's the same old Monopoly. Travis claiming that he's never really played Monopoly cleaned us out and left us wondering how he got so rich...I never was good at that game...

As of 11am, there are only 1261 hours left until Christmas...

2.99 - The One with the unlikely winner

Don't you love it when the team you cheer for wins the big game? Especially when the 'experts' write them off? Last Friday my St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series...they set a Major League record for the team with the least wins in the regular season to win the World Series. All these so called 'Baseball analysts and expers' predicted that the Detroit Tigers would win it with no problems at all. But with shoddy defense and the inability to hit the ball...the Tigers basically washed their chances down the drain.

Today is Halloween...time for all those kids to run around and collect free candy from people that they don't know. Trav and I were talking about how we could skip Halloween and go right into the Christmas season. It's not like we dress up and celebrate the day...it's basically just a barrier that keeps us...well more Trav...from decorating for Christmas. 'Tis the Season starts tomorrow...book it.

2.98 - The One with the End of an Era

Can you believe it? It has been about a year since we started going to Karaoke on Wednesday nights. We faithfully went week after week...and now, that run has ended. Last night we celebrated our one year anniversary of karaoke and fittingly enough...it was the last one. Our venue wasn't making much money for the last little while and they couldn't afford to keep it running. It's sad to see it go...it was a tremendous time...memories, melodies and harmonies to last a lifetime.

As long as there'll be music, we'll be comin' back again...

2.97 - The One with the reason

I recieved this e-mail from a my buddy Chris...it's so true, enjoy

PEOPLE COME INTO YOUR LIFE FOR A REASON

Pay attention, read between the lines, you will know the reason it was sent to you.

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is... you will know.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.

They may seem like a Godsend. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person may say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. Sometimes they walk away.What we must ask ourselves is, has our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, is their work done, is it time to move on?

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season!

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. They make you smile when you not around and give you butterflies when you are. They teach you passion, love, regret, fear...Your job is to accept these lessons, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

Stand for what you believe to be real, and embrace it. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

--> Stand up, take charge and go after that which you can not see. <--

Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

2.96 - The One with the new phone

Rule number one...liquids and any piece of technology don't mix well...EVER. Don't let anyone fool you...this lesson was reviewed the other night. Coming back from a very successful shopping trip...we were on our way home when I placed my cell phone in the cup holder and my friend who we'll call Naomi (cuz that's her name) put her fountain drink the the holder behind it. Somehow she managed to flip her cup upside down into the the holder which my phone was located, submersing it in diet coke. At first everything seemed to be fine with the phone...I could make and receive calls, same with text messages. The problem came when I tried to charge my phone...all it said was 'unable to charge'. Great...I've come to the point in my life where I can't live without my cell phone. So the next day I went and bought a replacement for my phone...amazing how a little portable phone has such an impact on ones life.

In other news: yesterday was Amanda and Travis' wedding. The day started of with rain, but by the time the ceremony was over the rain had dissipated. The ceremony was held in a little church and it was wonderful. Amanda looked gorgeous...so did her bridesmaids. The reception was great...MC Trav-Who did a fab job, dinner was good, and the party after was spectacular. One complaint is the song selection for the dance...very weak. Oh ya...and Dalton made a cameo...crazy guy drove from Caronport Saskatchewan to Brighton Ontario where the reception was held. I think he said he slept for a total of 8 hours since he left Wednesday evening and arrived Friday night. Let me tell you...when he got there...he recieved a very warm reception and Lesley was beaming. They're such a cute couple...alright on to the pics from last night:

The Wedding Party

Me, Amanda and Trav-Who

Naomi and I (yes the same on who coated my phone with diet coke)

MC Trav-Who

Maid of Honour Lesley making her speech

Rachel having a little too much fun with the plates

Jon & Rebecca

The newly weds