List of Store Closings Due to Recession

I just received this list of store closings, upcoming. If it is true that all of these stores are closing down, I better check my gift cards. Ouch

Circuit City stores... most recent (? how many)
Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide are to be shuttered
Lane Bryant,, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine's to close 150 store nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January
Cache will close all stores
Talbots closing down all stores
J. Jill closing all stores
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores more to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing down
Levitz closing down remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January.
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.
Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ ( New Brunswick )
Macys to close 9 stores after January
Linens and Things closing all stores
Movie Galley Closing all stores
Pacific Sunware closing stores
Pep Boys Closing 33 stores
Sprint/ Nextel closing 133 stores
JC Penney closing a number of stores after January
Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.
Wilson Leather closing down all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stores
K B Toys closing 356 stores
Lowes to close down some stores
Dillard's to close some stores.

baby boomer misconceptions video

Holidays Are Coming! Are you gift ready?

Hi Everyone! Here is a link to an article I wrote for all of you who would like some money saving tips when it comes to gift giving this holiday season.

I would like to divulge a very personal and embarrassing secret about myself. A secret so incredible that even the most open minded of people whom have heard me tell it have gasped in horror and confusion. Here it is. Here is the secret. Are you ready? I. Love. Holiday. Shopping.
Holiday shopping for me is a contact sport complete with pre game strategizing, mental preparation, and warm up stretches. Come game time, I have focus, I have drive, I have what it takes to take on every single store in that mall and come out on top! How can I love it so much, you ask? The crowds, the wasted money, the other people's whining, peanut butter covered kids attached to your leg in a three hour long Toys r Us line up? The answer is simple; I skip those parts. Here is how ...click here to read article...

Why I Can't Take Him Anywhere

So the bf are at a very nice dinner being held by a client-turned-friend's house. In other words, she is my friend but she is primarily a client and so I have to display some level of professionalism in her presense.

So, I ask how her business is, she asks how my business is, and we chitchat about business. In retrospect, this must have been more than a little boring for the bf but, whatever, I do the same for him in a different capacity.

So somehow the topic turned towards clients who expect services for free and clients who have difficulty with the concept of services rendered (we both had gripes about this although neither of us mentioned the specicific clients with whom we were experiencing trouble). She was about to tell me what specifically she says to clients when they try to receive free services,

"I just firmly but politely tell them..." this is the point in the conversation when my boyfriend's attention somehow drifts towards the conversation, but not really, and he blurts out "Cracker gots ta get paid!"

Dead silence.

We both look over at him, her with her mouth slightly ajar, but he does not even notice because he is too busy fiddling with his napkin. "Craker got's ta get paid?" I repeat incredulously.

"What?" he asks
"What?" I ask
"Cracker got's ta get paid?" he asks
"What?" She asks
"What." he says.
"Pass the wine, please?" I ask.

And we moved on.

lolcatting my day away...

Work is boring...go see more lolcats instead!

Images From the Eaton Centre

Okay so I am at the Eaton's Centre this week and I saw this couple:

They were helping out Lush with a promotion, which is cool. I am going to facebook the bride so that she can get a copy of the above photo.

So I keep walking and I see this guy:

He was not helping anyone out with a promotion, he just likes dressing up as Little Bo Peep. This may sound like an easy hobby for a grown man to have but it is not. He has, he told me, his own dress maker, which is awesome because if he tried to fit into an off-the-rack Little Bo Peep dress, he would just end up looking stupid.

So I then go outside and walk around the Eaton Centre a bit and what do I see? This guy:

He is dressed up like an army figurine. Remember those little plastic ones you would try to melt with a magnifying glass? That is what he was dressed up as. Which was awesome and people loved him so they gave him all of their spare change.

This got me to thinking, if the bride, groom, and Little Bo Peep stood outside the Eaton's Centre instead of inside, I bet they would have a much more lucrative day. Which of course means that I am once again missing the point.

Ice-T on Celebrity Family Feud

I actually saw the episode, it was hilarious! I was hoping to find the uncensored version on YouTube but this is what I found. Still funny!

Stumbled Image of the Week

Eco Friendly Sale, Free Gas...wtf?

Most Disgusting Thing EVER. Krispy Kreme Bacon Cheese Burgers

This, ladies and gentlemen, is a photo of Krispy Kreme bacon cheese burgers. I am not joking, it's real. It is a bacon cheese burger with a glazed donut instead of a bun served at a bar in Georgia. They call 'em the LUTHER BURGER. Also on the menu at this place is the HAMDOG, which is a hot dog wrapped in ground beef and deep fried.

Thanks so much to the Al Dente blog for sharing this image, which I will never ever ever get out of my head. Ever.

Stumbled Image of the Week

Ice Cream Personality Test

Here is my super cool ice cream pesonality:

Your Ice Cream Personality:

You are an incredibly modest person. You don't feel comfortable bragging about yourself... or even receiving complements. You have a wild reputation, but you're not as wild as you seem. You take risks, but only measured risks. You are a fairly open minded person with a wide range of tastes. You are quite accepting of unusual ideas and people. You are a natural multitasker. You feel alive when you're doing more than one thing at a time. You are fun loving and sweet. You tend to enjoy joking around and teasing people.

The Ice Cream Personality Test

Check out Stella Bella's ice cream personality over on her blog.

WOOFSTOCK THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!

Funny Story About My Mom (but mostly about Sean Kingston)

I have to share this funny conversation I had with my mother in the car the other day.

We were driving along, listening to the radio when a yucky Sean Kingston song came on. I tried putting up with the stupid song but after about 10 seconds I changed stations.

"I hate that song." I said to my mother.

"Aww, I think it's cute."

"Really? you actually think it's cute? C'mon, mom, you do not!"

"Well, no I don't think it's a great song or anything but I think its great how all of the radio stations are playing it."

"Why is it great that the stations are playing a shitty song over and over and over again? That doesn't make any sense."

"Well..." My mom says "Y'know... I think that this young man should be proud of his efforts. And we should support him by putting his song on the radio. It will encourage more mentally handicapped people to reach for their goals."

"Mom, are you saying that you think Sean Kingston is mentally handicapped?"

"Isn't he?"

"No, as far as I know he is not mentally handicapped."

"Oh my gosh, I was going to buy his album! I wanted to show my support!"

Hahaha! I am still laughing and my mom still feels like someone was trying to trick her into buying his crappy album.

Canada's Place on the World Stage

My great aunt sent me an email today, it is labeled as an article taken from a Sunday Telegraph from today's UK Wires.

Before posting the article, I will say that it is an interesting read but I must admit, just in posting it, I cannot help but feel I am wallowing a little in self righteousness. I personally feel that Canada has made a much larger contribution on the world stage than the history books gives us credit for. That said, I do not think that is neccesarily the fault of America or "Hollywood". It is simply the price Canadians pay upkeeping our "good guy" image. We are so interested in being the freindly neighbour to the entire world that we downplay our own actions and heroism in an effort to appear as though we are simply lending a hand, nothing more. And when our efforts are largely ignored after the fact, we suddenly turn into grade school children repeating words of wisdom from our parents: "We did not do it to receive a thank you". Or "An act of kindness is a reward in itself".

I personally enjoy, as I believe other Canadians do, the status of Canada right now. I do not mind being the Ned Flanders in a world of much more entertaining characters like Homers and Burns. I like the fact that our country continues to live in relative obscurity despite the fact that we have participated in so many wars and are now in Afghanistan, and that our immigration system is wildly different from that of any other country, or that we have made unique strides in touchy areas such as gay marriage and maijuana legalization.

Canadiands right now are like those lucky celebrities who manage to stay out of the tabloids while the Lindsay Lohans and Paris Hiltons have their every move and words scrutinized. We may not get credit for the awesome roles we've played, or the charities we've dedicated ourselves too, but at least we do not have up the skirt shots of our Brittanies being passed around the net at record speed.

Here is the message sent to me from my aunt:

British news paper salutes Canada . . . this is a good read. It is funny how it took someone in England to put it into words... Sunday Telegraph Article From today's UK wires: Salute to a brave and modest nation - Kevin Myers, The Sunday Telegraph LONDON

Until the deaths of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan , probably almost no one outside their home country had been aware that Canadian troops are deployed in the region. And as always, Canada will bury its dead, just as the rest of the world as always will forget its sacrifice, just as it always forgets nearly everything Canada ever does.

It seems that Canada 's historic mission is to come to the selfless aid both of its friends and of complete strangers, and then, once the crisis is over, to be well and truly ignored. Canada is the perpetual wallflower that stands on the edge of the hall, waiting for someone to come and ask her for a dance. A fire breaks out, she risks life and limb to rescue her fellow dance-goers, and suffers serious injuries. But when the hall is repaired and the dancing resumes, there is Canada, the wallflower still, while those she once helped glamorously cavort across the floor, resume to blithely neglect her yet a! gain.&nb sp; That is the price Canada pays for sharing the North American continent with the United States , and for being a selfless friend of Britain in two global conflicts.

For much of the 20th century, Canada was torn in two different directions: It seemed to be a part of the old world, yet had an address in the new one, and that divided identity ensured that it never fully got the gratitude it deserved. Yet its purely voluntary contribution to the cause of freedom in two world wars was perhaps the greatest of any democracy.

Almost 10% of Canada 's entire population of seven million people served in the armed forces during the First World War, and nearly 60,000 died. The great Allied victories of 1918 were spearheaded by Canadian troops, perhaps the most capable soldiers in the entire British order of battle. Canada was repaid for its enormous sacrifice by downright neglect, its unique contribution to victory being absorbed into the popular Memory as somehow or other the work of the 'British.'

The Second World War provided a re-run. The Canadian navy began the war with a half dozen vessels and ended up policing nearly half of the Atlantic against U-boat attack. More than 120 Canadian warships participated in the Normandy landings, during w! hich 15, 000 Canadian soldiers went ashore on D-Day alone. Canada finished the war with the third-largest Navy and the fourth largest Air Force in the world. The world thanked Canada with the same sublime indifference as it had the previous time. Canadian participation in the war was acknowledged in film only if it was necessary to give an American actor a part in a campaign in which the United States had clearly not participated - a touching scrupulousness which, of course, Hollywood has since abandoned, as it now has no notion of a separate Canadian identity.

So it is a general rule that actors and filmmakers arriving in Hollywood keep their nationality - unless, that is, they are Canadian. Thus Mary Pickford, Walter Huston, Donald Sutherland, Michael J. Fox, William Shatner, Norman Jewison, David Cronenberg, Alex Trebek, Art Linkletter and Dan Aykroyd have in the popular perception become American, and Christopher Plummer, British. It is as if, in the very act of becoming famous, a Canadian ceases to be Canadian, unless she is Margaret Atwood, who is as unshakably Canadian as a moose, or Celine Dion, for whom Canada has proved quite unable to find any takers.

Moreover, Canada is every bit as querulously alert to the achievements of its sons and daughters as the rest of the world is completely unaware of them. The Canadians proudly say of themselves - and are unheard by anyone else - that 1% of the world's population has provided 10% of the world's peacekeeping forces. Canadian soldiers in the past half century have been the greatest peacekeepers on Earth - in 39 missions on UN mandates, and six on non-UN peacekeeping duties, from Vietnam to East Timor, from Sinai to Bosnia.

Yet the only foreign engagement that has entered the popular on-Canadian imagination was the sorry affair in Somalia, in which out-of-control paratroopers murdered two Somali infiltrators. Their regiment was then disbanded in disgrace - a uniquely Canadian act of self-abasement for which, naturally, the Canadians received no international credit. So who today in the United States knows about the stoic and selfless friendship its northern neighbour has given it in Afghanistan? Rather like Cyrano de Bergerac , Canada repeatedly does honourable things for honourable motives, but instead of being thanked for it, it remains something of a figure of fun. It is the Canadian way, for which Canadians should be proud, yet such honour comes at a high cost. This past year more grieving Canadian families knew that cost all too tragically well.


********************* Please pass this on to any of your friends or relatives who served in the Canadian Forces or anyone who is proud to be Canadian; it is a wonderful tribute to those who choose to serve their country and the world in our quiet Canadian way.

Bhopalis demanding justice in New Delhi: Show your support

A good friend of mine sent this to my inbox today so I am posting it here:


Bhopalies have been in Delhi protesting for over 50 days and things are tense. We really need to show support. A lot of you signed this last year and it helped then.

Click on this link to send the fax:(http://www.boston4bhopal.org/write_fax.htm) to support the Bhopalis demanding justice in New Delhi. If you have already sent a fax, thank you; we have revised the fax, and we're asking you to take action again. For info about what's going on check out www.bhopal.net for the blog. It is really interesting.

In February a group of survivors of the 1984 Bhopalchemical disaster left their homes in Bhopal to walk to New Delhi to ask forjustice from their government. They have been sitting in at their Dharnasite in New Delhi for over 45 days, they have met with a Group of Ministers,they have had nearly daily protests and press conferences, and yet the PrimeMinister still refuses to meet with them.

The Bhopalis' demands are simple and reasonable:

1. Set up a Special Commission on Bhopal for the next 30 years to addressthe following issues: - Medical Care Research and Monitoring - Social and Economic Rehabilitation - Environmental Remediation - Safe Drinking Water

2. Take legal action against Dow - Seek money from Dow Chemical for toxic clean up in Bhopal - Move for extradition of the authorized representative of Union Carbide Corporation and prime accused Warren Anderson
- Revoke approval given to Reliance Industries for purchase of Union Carbide's Unipol technology, which is intellectual property that must be confiscated as Union Carbide has been absconding since 1992
- Cancel registration for all four pesticides, including Dursban, obtained by bribing Agriculture Ministry officials as established by the Securities & Exchange Commission, USA.

Because the Prime Minister still refuses to meet with the Bhopalis, we needsupporters from all over the world to continue to communicate with him, andurge him to do so. This is why we have revised the fax to him, and we are asking you to take action now, by sending a free fax http://www.boston4bhopal.org/write_fax.htm.

You could also add the link to your facebook, msn, myspace.

Thank you for your support.

Almost Random Thoughts

As some of my loyal reader know (no that was not a typo, it was my attempt at humour) , I am in marketing. It is what I went to school for and it has been my day job ever since. So when I read this infomational web page describing what a list broker is, I read nothing new.

I am sure that the company that I work for has used list brokers in the past but we do not presently use anything like that. Sometimes the lists are shoddy and sometimes they are very useful and up to date. The article likely explains it better than I do.

Anyway, my lunch break was over 36 minutes ago so I better get back to it.

Where's Stella?

Where's Stella?

Where's Stella?

There's Stella!

Katyanna Performing in DownTown Toronto This Weekend

Saturday, May 10th8pm-12midniteJoin us for fantastic food, ambience and the sounds of Jazz

Katyanna – Vocals
with Stacey Macgregor- Keyboards
Sly Juhas- Drums

http://www.oneup.ca/130 Dundas Street West(Bay and Dundas)416-340-6349

Book an intimate get together, dinner, a night out after the theatre for dessert…or?The menu is available to peruse, as well as the owner has promised wonderful 3 or 4 course dinners for your enjoyment as well at varying prices.Perhaps you would like to come for dessert and drinks or specialty coffees.

or
If you would like to just come for music and drinks there is a $10 cover at the door.

Stella's Bath Time

Aww C'mon! Just when I get a good stink on!

But I like how I stink?

You may have won this round but I will stink again.



This tub stinks

You stink.

$2 Tuesday Beer Ban?

A brawl broke out at last Tuesday's game in the $2 section. Apparently over 100 people were kicked out of the stadium. Paul Godfrey, the team president and chief executive officer, watched the whole thing, likely from his box seat, and immediately banned alcohol in the $2 section.

So they have banned beer in the Blue Jays $2 Tuesdays section of the Rogers Centre. And they may ban $2 Tuesdays all together.

Am I the only one who is completely insulted by this?

I have been a big supporter of $2 Tuesdays. I had even started planning and organizing a $2 Tuesday Jays night outing for international students/backpackers staying at my friend's international hostel. I also have gone to regular priced games and, on occasion, sat just a few rows behind the home plate. Yet apparently because I am the type of person who takes advantage of $2 Tuesday, I am also the type who should be banned from buying beer?

How about, instead of stereotyping and placing blame solely on bored fans (that's right, I went there, when you don't play well, we get bored) you take a look at your management and servers. Perhaps you should train your staff not to serve more beer to obviously intoxicated people? Have these servers even been sent to a Smart Serve class? When a booze induced brawl breaks out, perhaps you should start asking why these people were not cut off. Oh, and just and aside, one of the most obvious clues that a Blue Jays fan is intoxicated? They no longer grumble at the price of $10 beer as they fork over the dollars.

Well despite the fact that, regardless if my seat section, I rarely drink more than a diet soda I for one will not shell out $2, $20, or $200 to see the Blue Jays play until this is resolved and the bartending staff take a little more responsibility for this brawl.

Stumble(d)Upon Image of the Week

No matter how bad this winter has been here in Toronto, at least none of us had to deal with this!

I Stumble(d)Upon this image at: http://selfdestruct.net/misc/geneve.jpg

Celebrity Apprentice and The Backstreet Boys

Yes, I watched the entire two hour finale for Celebrity Apprentice last night. Even though it went on about an hour too long, even though we all wanted Trace to win but knew it was going to be Piers. Even though the last person I ever needed to see again on prime time televisions was Omarosa (let alone in a sequin suit [yuck], spouting off racial slurs against the English), I watched the show in it's entirety. And I would probably do it again.

I have to admit, I was incredibly moved by the efforts of everyone involved on behalf of various charities. After watching I had the urge to grab my ladle and run to the nearest soup kitchen. With that said, there were very few surprises to the whole shebang. With the exception, maybe, of how willing the Backstreet Boys were to look like total asses on national television.

Did they not realize that there every request was being filmed? That the general public might find humour and a touch of distaste to the fact that black nail polish and wheat grass juice was a requirement for performing for charity?

I am sure the guys are actually very nice...they were after all performing for charity event. I am also sure they would have gone on without all of the fancy water and polish (they did reluctantly forgo the wheatgrass juice, after all) BUT the damage has already been done simply by implying that these demands needed to be met in order for them to fulfill their obligation to charity. Ugh.

Stumble(d)Upon Image of the Week

Found on //sTATiC weird and funny stuff

Garbage Fees In Effect This Summer For Toronto Buildings: Top Ten Tips For Apatrment / Condo Dwellers To Eliminate Waste

Another great reason to reduce, reuse and recycle. As of July 1st, 2008, Buildings will be charged for garbage pickup. How long do you think it will take property management to pass those charges along to us? They will likely hike up our maintenance fees (again) or find a less obvious way to pass the buck.

I personally put lot of effort into minimizing my garbage output, so I feel as though I am trying to do my part. Still, my building does not have an organics/composts option, which means I am throwing perfectly compostable materials such as potato peelings and egg shells into the garbage. Do any buildings in downtown Toronto offer this option or is it just my building that ignores this opportunity to reduce waste?

Keeping in mind that composting is out for me (for now), here are my tips for helping Toronto Condo owners and renters eliminate waste:

1. Use fabric bags instead of disposable plastic.

2. Purchase in bulk and refill containers. This goes for shampoo, soap, and cereal, everything possible.

3. Don't purchase individual bottles of water. By a Britta and re-fill you washable water bottle.

4. Try not to purchase individual portions of any beverage. Again, Refill a washable water bottle.

5. Put your recyclables directly into the recycling. There is no real need to tie them up in a plastic bag first. If you must use a bag, make it paper.

6. Try to cut down on packaging. For example, the other day I had the opportunity to purchase batteries (A) with minimal packaging or batteries (B) with excessive packaging. I made the immediate and conscious effort to choose batteries (A).

7. When possible, avoid those clear plastic bags in the produce section of your grocery store. If you are only purchasing one onion, you do not need to put it in a bag, right?

8. Donate. All of those items and clothing that used to be cool but now look a little junky can be donated instead of thrown out. I am sure someone will still find them cool!

9. Trying using natural, all purpose cleaners like vinegar, baking soda (purchased in bulk, of course) and lemon instead of all of those single purpose cleaners like Windex, Toilet bowl cleaner, and Tile cleaner. At the same time, use old clothing as rags, don't buy disposable cloths, or go crazy with the paper towel.

10. Try to stop using cling wrap, baggies, and paper towels. Why not put your sandwich in a re-usable container instead?

Please feel free to leave a comment to add on to this list. I am always looking for ways to eliminate garbage.

Toronto Weddings For Everyone!

It seems that this is the summer all of my single friends in Toronto are getting hitched.

I am only exagerating a little when I say that I can call almost any given number stored in my cell phone and and up discussing wedding invititations, wedding dresses, or flowers. I am not complaining, mind you. My plan is to live vicariously through my engaged friends now so, should the time come that I am ready to choose my own wedding invite, wedding dress, and flowers, I will be armed with valuable knowledge and experience. In fact, just this week I learned an interesting new tidbit of wedding ettiquette knowledge; people are sending out pre-invites now?!

When did pre-invites start happening? I just received the prettiest photo card from a girlfriend announcing that she was getting married on July 5th, so I should reserve the date, a formal annuncement would follow. What a great idea, I think. As I said earlier, hers is just one Toronto wedding of many going on this upcoming season and now she has dibbs on July 5th.

Anyway, I am going to sign off now, my coworker has just come back from her wedding and honeymoon in Jamaica, I most go congratulate her!

Why CoWorkers Catch Me Surfing

I saw this photo and could NOT stop laughing. At work. Again.



pht courtesy of: Bling it

New Hip Hop Forum

Seeing as how I am a 30 year old white woman who has a growing collection of overpriced clothing for her dog, most people would not expect me to have an affinity for hard core rap music. Here is the thing, though. I seriously do. That is why I jumped at the opportunity to review one of the very few hip hop forums out there. It is brand new.

Immediately upon landing on the site I was impressed. Snoop Dogg, Jay Z, Ice Cube and Eminem jumped out at me, along with a great colour scheme. The forums are actually interesting; a great mix of old school and new. Black Sheep? Are they still around? Holy Sh*#, that's awesome! I LOVED them when was a teenager.

Aside form the Forum, there was also artist listings and news on when new albums are dropping, among other stuff.

Definitely a site worth bookmarking.

Tim Hortons Roll Up The Rim To Win: Are you feeling lucky, punk?

Roll Up The Rim is back (until May) at Tim Horton's. The coffee vending machine guy has not even bothered to stop in and refill the machine since the Roll Up The Rim campaign started up again. No one is complaining, really. Everyone just takes turns going to Timmy's

How many free coffees have you won? I have won 4. I am currently drinking an extra large Tim Horton's coffee as I write this so that number may increase once I have reached the bottom of this cup. Another question, do you use your teeth or fingers to roll up the rim? I will not use my mouth becuase I feel sorry for the poor server being paid mimimum wage to take a section of my used coffee cup in exchange for coffee. My bf on the other hand does not seemed to be bothered by her predicament.

Actually, thinking on that, I hope she washes her hands between orders. Ugh.

photo courtesy of Ending Joy EveryDay blog...because she can.

Make Your Own George W. Bush Speech.

I had to share this page I just Stumbled Upon. It allows you to create your own George W. Bush speeches. Unfortunately we cannot record our masterpieces and forward them to friends but it is still a fun game.

Make Your Own George W. Bush Speech

I love Stumble Upon!

Stella's Out of Bath Experience

Is it over?

I am the QUEEN of clean

Is that...is that a camera? Seriously, I am NOT cool with that

Probably Why I Am Not an Economist.

Unless you live under a rock, you are probably aware that the state of the US housing market is, well, too completely understate the situation, not so good. The state of the Canadian housing market is still going strong but I know that a lot of people who were thinking about investing in real estate are now putting off those plans to see “where the economy goes”.

I wonder if people in other countries are not taking such precautions. The UK and Europe’s economy is not so closely linked to the US as Canada’s but still...they are probably keeping an eye on US happenings. I know I would be.

So, if people are holding off on investing in real estate but they still want to spend (after all, how is putting your money in savings going to help the economy?), what are - or should they be - thinking about investing in? Hmmm...What about real estate? I know I sound like a crazy person, but what about commercial real estate? If you are not worried about a depression, which not many people are really, why not take advantage of commercial real estate and Commercial Mortgages? After all, if people aren’t buying, they have to be renting, right? I think I would like to look into a commercial spot with a profitable apartment above.

Send a Fax Showing Your Support of Bhopalies Fight for Justice

A good friend of mine sent me this email yesterday. In an efort to spread the word, I am posting her message here:


More than 50 people from Bhopal are on the 13th day on their way to New Delhi. Walking and calling for support. When they reach New Delhi they'll have walked for more than a month - 500km for basic rights that many take for granted.

They are demanding:
Special Commission on Bhopal: To provide Safe Drinking water, Medical care & research , social and economic rehabilitation
Legal action against Dow Chemical: Continue request a deposit from Dow in clean up case, cancel registration of pesticides from Dow which were obtained by bribery
- including Dursban (banned in the US), Move for extradition of Union Carbide & former Carbide CEO Warren Anderson.

Send a Fax Showing Your Support of Bhopalies Fight for Justice. http://www.boston4bhopal.org/write_fax.htm

TELL YOUR FRIENDS. Have you talked about this to your friends and asked them to join in? Well, there you go. Still many do not know what is happening in Bhopal. Awareness is critical. Check for facts @ www.studentsforbhopal.org

ORKUT/FACEBOOK/BLOGS: Write a story about Bhopal on your orkut profile/websites/blogs and let everyone notice it.

OK… you are saying 'I do not have time for all those things'.
Here is something you can do passively :

EMAIL SIGNATURE: Remind people with an email signature. See, that is easy. Or include an image and link it to the fax action page.
Download this picture.
http://www.geocities.com/prakaash_77/misc/Bhopal_March_Banner_White_SMALL_V2.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/prakaash_77/misc/Banner_Large_V2_Fax_Link.gif
http://www.geocities.com/prakaash_77/misc/Banner_Large_V2_More_info_Link.gif

Excerpt from the daily blog of the march: '
How on earth do the older people (and young) walk 800 kilometers to Delhi without major problems? I stand in awe of these survivors, their ill health is evident as is their poverty, yet all are powered by a mysterious force of will more powerful than ill health or blisters. This power manifests day after day as the distance to Delhi decreases.' Read More.. Get updates from http://www.bhopal.net/march/padyatra2008_blog.html

Back From Vacation. Sigh.

I am sad to be back from my vacation, of course, but I had so much fun. I guess that a lot of Floridians had blackout issues but I had no problems at all while I was there. The weather was great, I had a wonderful time, I can't wait to go back!

Unlike most vacations, I cannot pick any single event or place to be the highlight of my trip. Disney World was awesome, Discovery Cove was amazing, golphing was good, so was the Gulf of Mexico boat Tour and the beach in Clearwater. Do I sound like I am bragging? I am sorry, I don't mean too....I will stop now.... I FED STING RAYS...okay, now I stop.

Sheriff Dumps Quadriplegic on Floor Police Station Floor

A sheriff in Hillsborough County dumped a quadriplegic man out of his wheelchair after he repeatedly told her he could not stand. A few other members of the police department did nothing to stop her or help the man. In fact, they frisked him before unceremoniously dumping him back in his wheelchair.

The sheriff who had tilted his chair forward until he fell to the floor appeared smiling and happy for the remainder of the day. She obviously did not feel the least bit apologetic or guilty because she had no problem making eye contact with the victim at the end of and smiling.

Oh by the way, the reason the victim was being booked in the first place? Failure to Appear for a traffic violation.

Here is the full story and a video: Deputy Dumps Quadriplegic out of Wheelchair

Chinese New Year: Year of the Rat

As many of us know, yesterday, Thursday, February 7th, was Chinese New Year! One of the girls in the accounting department gave out yummy Chinese candy! A yummy, flakey, peanutbuttery treat in very cute packaging so I just had to take a pic (I am a little trigger happy with my new camera).

It Sucks to Be a Star

Having no insight whatsoever into the glamourous powder keg that is Hollywood, I have no other obvious choice than to blame the media for all of these young stars going down in tragic flames.

I was as devastated as I can be over the loss of life of someone I have never met when Heath Ledger's death was announced. I have been convinced that he is an endearing and sensitive individual ever since being introduced to him in 10 Things I Hate About You.

I was shocked and dismayed when I learned of Eva Mendez' decision to enter rehab. She is one of my favourite actors, I love her in The Rundown, which is such a goofy fun movie. Now, just now, I learn that Kirsten Dunst is in rehab.

It must be too dificult to be a star in this day and age. I know there are some out there (like my bf) who think I am being too soft but I don't think so. The paparazzi and the Internet render it next to impossible to attain privacy. If the media decides that your life is newsworthy, you are in very big, very public trouble. There are many who say that the media just give the people access to what they want to see. I do not think that is true. The media gives us train wrecks. We do not want to look but, when it is right in front of us, we can't help but look.

I think Lindsay Lohan is adorable and talented. I still have hope that she will get back on track. And yes I do believe that Brittany has a shot at returning to sanity. People just need to leave other people alone once in a while.

Report: Kirsten Dunst Checks Into Rehab

California Refinance Help

looking to refinance in California? Well Dollarblvd.com can help you, and anyone else interested really, with your California Refinance. They offer FIVE free quotes, which is very cool, and they have an easy to use, very navigable online quote form.



The DollarBlvd.com site offers help with a lot more than just home refinancing as well, so if you have the time and the need, click the link to check them out.

Pics of my Boston

Heeeeeeeere's Stella!!!!!!! or as some people call her, Little Monster!!!

Review: Toronto Major League Search Website

I had the opportunity to review a funky new site this evening, called Toronto Major League Search. It is a business locater website. It has a map function, a satellite function, and then a hybrid function incorporates both functions. That is really cool feature because there is so much detail.

The site is especially cool because, as the name implies, it is local to Toronto and it seems to have a lot of business links built up already. Plus, while it is obvious the site is designed to earn money through Google Adsense, the Adword campaigns are not “in your face” or annoying. Actually the site looks pretty clean, fun and cheery.

I played on TorontoMLS.ca for a little while, searching for things like dog treats (my company did not turn up on the search…sigh). The one disappointment I had (aside from my lack of face time on the site J) was that, when I click on a specific company, the name, address, phone number, and map location show up, yet the company’s web address is absent. In this day and age, I think the web address is a pretty important piece of info to have, even if I might just be on there for directions.

Despite the lack of address, I think the site is functional and pretty darn cool. I will very likely visit it again when I next want to do a local Toronto search.

Vacation Can Not Come Fast Enough!

I am SO looking forward to my vacation to Florida in just two weeks. I plan to visit Disney World and Dicovery Cove. I am also looking forward to spending time with Mark's family so I will not be able to do too many tourist activities in Orlando. I have the feeling, though, that I this will not be my last trip to Florida.

Believe it or not, I believe my mother is looking forward to us visiting Mark's parents as much as Mark's parents are. It is because we will be leaving both Stella and Nellie at her house while we are on vacation. Both my brother and mother love Stella and Nellie, and take every opportunity possible to spoil them rotten. We will, of course have to do some extensive re-training with Stella but, whatever. Why worry about that until after vacation. :)

Video: Big Box Mart

Anyone and everyone who knows me, knows I HATE Walmart. I am not alone, there are billions of haters all over the world, I am sure.

Check out JibJab's "Big Box Store" video. It is a sad kind of funny, but funny none the less.

World's dumbest criminal stuck in liquor store

Okay, I know this is not a new video but it is still so funny! Especially the very end!



I love dumb criminal stories and this one takes the cake!

Thoughts of Spain Keeping Me Sane

As the weather remains cold and wet, I remain cranky and grumpy. My irritability is at an all time high while both my boyfriendnd and dog enjoy frolicking in the goopy white stuff, him with a snowboard, her with a stick.

It is all I can do not to book a flight ot some exotic, non wet, snow filled environment....like Spain. Ah is has been a life dream to go to Spain and enjoy the food, the culture, the shopping, the food (yes, I know I metioned it twice). Being of a gentle nature, I doubt I would watch the bull fighting but there is so many other attractions in hoteles en españa!

Think of all the attractions I could see if I booked at one of the many hoteles en barcelona! La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's architecture ,Zoo in Parc Ciutadella. I would also definitely want to see the birthplace of Picasso and Three Kings Parade.

I would also go book at one of the hoteles en madrid , of course, and then once I was done visitnig Spain (Could I ever really be done?) I would catch the train to Paris and book at one of the hoteles en paris ! Oh what I would visit in Paris, the Louvre, Eiffel tower, Notre Dame, just to name a few. I have been to Paris before and it was amazing!

Ugh. I just looked out my window, more snow! Maybe if I start saving now....

More on American Idol

In my earlier post today, I wrote a few comments about the American Idol season premier. As soon as I logged out, of course, I immediately saw a headline on MSN promising video footage of the show. When I eagerly clicked on it, here is the photo that jumped onto my screen:

How could I forget this guy?!?! His chest hair was both distracting and disturbing Paula, and the rest of us, so he actually went, got it waxed, and came back to audition with red skin glowing. Then did not let him audition for more than half of a second despite Paula's mild protests so his efforts were all for nothing.

And what about the creepy crawly stalker with a pentrating gaze directed solely at Paula. My BF says that he must've lost a bet with someone...let's hope that is the case but security did step in and pull him away from the jusdging table and out the room.

Another tear fille dmoment for me was of course the wedding singer with the sick duaghter, oh I am such a softie!

Here is the article from MSN, I think you will find the video there, too!

Bad Credit Score Help

You do not need to be an economist to see that the US has gotten itself into "quite a bit of a pickle", as my grandmother would say, financially speaking.

The stock market is volotile, the housing market is volotile, and bad credit loans are rising by the day. It is a scary sad and it seems like the more we try to prepare ourselves for what is to come, the deeper we dig. As my boyfriend (who likely would have gotten along quite well with my grandmother) would say "Dig up, Stupid."

The best a lot of people can do right now is to whether the storm. I do not mean to sound like a doomsday-er, I think there is a lot we can all do to prepare ourselves, the sooner the better, and the less effected we will be.

I am not telling anyone what to do but if you feel yourself slipping, maybe there are people out there who can help you repair your credit now before it gets worse.

American Idol New Season Comments

So the BF and I were babysitting my little brother last night. After stirfry and sushi, then an hour of Wii, we all settled in as best we could on my mother's incredibly uncomfortable sofa to watch the season premier of American Idol.

My first comment is about 16 year old Temptress. Did she not break your heart? Only sixteen and already the weight of the world on her shoulders. Even Simon could not sit stoically whilst the girls dreams were dashed. The three judges walked a sobbingTemptress out of the judging room and apologized to her family for the girls lack of talent. It was so obvious that she was not dissapointed for herself but rather in herself for letting down her family, especially her mother whomis obviously very dependant on her.

My second comment is about the crazy angry glitter-faced girl who freaked out after (very kindly, I thought) being turned down unanimously by the judges. Her anger was completely uncalled for and entirely focused on Simon.

My third comment is that Simon remained somewhat removed and only somewhat scathing.

I am not sure how much I will catch of this season's Idol. Like many, I tune in for the auditions and perhaps drift in and out based on what other people in the house want to watch.

Massage Chairs Save the Day?

Seeing as how I am horribly sick and miserable (if I am exagerating, it is not by much)I do not want a single person to come near me, let alone touch me. I know it sounds like I am being quite considerate but I am not, I simply can't stand human contact if I am not feeling well.

Unfortunately my distaste for people touching me when I have a cold or flu does not help out my achey muscles and joints caused by said cold or flu. I am in dire need of a massage yet just the thought of one makes me go "ewh".

I was on a site today that is selling a product that may appear this achey muscle induced conundrum. The website is called HumanTouch.com and their miracle product is Massage Chairs.


Now all I have to do is figure out how to get one in my condo when I am feeling so yucky!

Follow Up to Everyone is Sick

Okay, the cat seems to be over whatever it was that ailed her. The dog seems to have kicked her sniffling habit although I did see her shaking her head quite a bit which is usually a precursor to her reoccuring ear infection. It is so nasty and red, I feel so bad for her when it is back. Luckily I have ear medication on standby.

Mark is past the really sick stage and he is now simply grumpy. I would be grumpy but I am too miserable...I haven't quite elevated to the level of grumpy yet but I am hopeful that it is soon to come.

Prescription Glasses for $8

We are getting well into the New Year here and it seems that the office trend is to get new prescription eyeglasses. It is too bad that half of them have already spent a qazillion dollars or so on their new glasses and i just found out about Great Discovry:$ 8 Prescription Glasses From Zenni Optical. Can you believe it? Glasses from as little as $8!!!! I don't even need to wait for my insurance to purchase these babies! I guess it just goes to show what a company can do for you when it cuts out the middleman.

Everyone is Sick

The BF is just getting over a wicked cold, I am just getting it, I think. Even Stella Bella, our Boston Terrier has the sniffles and, totally gross, the cat has the runs. What a pathetic bunch we are.

We are all totally cranky. The dog keeps bugging the cat and the cat reciprocated in kind. Poor Stella now has a nasty scratch from the bottom of her nose to the side of her mouth. Mark and I have been grumping at eachother. This is when living in 630 ft space can be a real problem.

A few entires ago, I posted a fun wedding dance video. When I saw this student, I thought it was a great follow up.

Fun or Creepy? You decide!

http://www.stupidvideos.com/video/just_plain_stupid/Dan_Is_Good/

All I want for Christmas is...

I was so spoiled this year! I did not really have a list, or any idea for that matter, about what I wanted for Christmas so I was not really expecting much in the gifts department. It turns out, though, that my friends and family know me pretty well. I did not receive one truly crappy gift....well maybe one but, just in case the giver is reading this blog, I will not name names. Although the giver of this yucky gift is quite elderly and does not likely own a computer, let alone read blogs (especially mine) so I am just being overly cautious.

Anyway, in an effort to offset the one truly uncool Christmas present this year, and to congratulate myself for doing an exceptional job at picking out gifts for friends and family (if I do say so, myself), I think I will take it upon myself to pick out a Christmas gift to me, from me. Maybe something for my bedroom like Contemporary Bedding. And then once I have received said bedding, I will curl up in it, unwrap the organic dark chocolate my good friends Dave and Stephanie gave me, and pop my new Chicago dvd from Mark into the vcr and have myself an awesome "Sick day".

Happy New Years

I spent my New Years 2008 with friends at the Madison (Bloor/Spadina). It is a collection of houses, I don't know, like three or five, converted into a multi level, multi patio bar. I have not been in forever so I decided that this was as good a place as any to spend the bringing in of the new year AND my birthday. Gawd, I am so old.

Predictably, the place was packed and there were a lot of girls dressed very hoochie. The ceiling over the dance floor in the basement had a huge leak so there were all of these people crowded around the edges of the soaked floor, dancing cautiously to avoid the steady stream in the centre. A worker came out with the intent to mop up a little but, seeing that it was a lost cause, abandoned the mop and went back to his regular duties. So now, I was dancing around a leak and a mop. I did not really care though, I was quite tipsy and I was having a lot of fun.

Happy New Year, everyone!