Saturday Sportsplex Stupidity

Scene: It's 6am, a tired (and maybe a little bitter) customer service representative (with a luke warm coffee) tries to arrange team dressing rooms for hockey tryouts at a busy community centre.

Mano: "Good morning..."
Coach: "Which way to rink #2? "
Mano: "It is at the very end of the hall on your right. "
Coach: "Thanks "
Mano: "I don't have any information on what teams are playing. Can you tell me what other team is going on the ice with yours?"
Coach: "Well...it is his team and our team "
Mano: "Pardon? "
Coach: "We will be playing the other team... "
(No shit, really?!)
Mano: "Do you have team numbers, names or colors so I can put it on the rental screen so others know? "
Coach: "No, sorry..."
Mano: "Ok then..."

Currently the rental screen shows:
"His" Team - Room #1
"Our" Team - Room #2

Surprisingly, no one has said anything...

Via South Carolina...

I have been informed that perhaps alpha cat was trying to put me out of my misery and end my suffering. Apparently I am not the sleeping beauty I imagine myself to be...

Thanks TG.


**REVISION: TG was not so harsh as to say that the cat was trying to "put me out of my misery" however TG did suggest that "perhaps he was just trying to get you to be quiet?" I exaggerated.
PS - I do not snore.

WWE Lightweight Title Goes To Alpha Cat

I think karma is trying to kill me - maybe not kill but for sure suffocate or choke.
Let me explain...
It started with a perrier cap being baked into the bread I requested at a nice Italian restaurant this past weekend. Following that I choked and spit up raspberry crystal light after nearly swallowing a plastic bread tie that was in the juice jug - that wasn't fun to clean up.
Finally, since TG has been gone I have found the kitties to be quite well behaved and even friendly towards me especially "his". On the first night we cuddled and I woke up in the middle of the night and to find the alpha cat coiled tightly under my arm - sweet. Little did I know I was being set up for the night to come...
Yesterday I was feeling like shyte and slept a lot. In the middle of the night I was woken up by a flying pile driver off the tv onto my head by said alpha cat. I think he thought this was funny because after I checked my face for noticeable bruising and open wounds, the cat was all cuddly and purring - I think he is starting to take hints from the little one! Not to be mistaken the cat again tried to suffocate me when I woke up breathless at 4:30am. I thought my eyes were open but I could not see. I thought I was speaking but my words were muted. I thought I would sit up but my head felt heavy and unbearable. I had the taste of fur in my mouth and a cat laying on my face.
Needless to say that I combed my chicken soup for bones at lunch and will be sleeping with a helmet on tonight.
Maybe it was the clean sheets or the extra treats I gave him to try to get on his good side but something made alpha cat go bonkers! There is a small one snickering from the sidelines too - not impressed.
Maybe the kitties are picking on me a little or maybe karma has enlisted the kitties as soldiers in getting even with me for switching the tags on the house house tomatoes? I have been good otherwise - I swear.

Don't Let the Kitties Pick On You!

TG is in South Carolina for the week. I miss him already because Amazing Race just wasn't the same, however I DID enjoy having the bed to myself! I will equally enjoy sharing it again on Friday night.

We are only 2 weeks away from the "ziggy zaggy" and I am really looking forward to it this year - should be a good (and busy) weekend!

Lately I have observed how people change and particularly how my friends (and I) have changed. Weddings change people, family and new families change people, and being on the outside changes people. Conversations change focus and sometimes it feels like you are the only one who remains constant - good or bad I don't know?! It is very interesting to see my friends get what they have always wanted or needed - lemony goo, a car seat in the back of a volkswagon, a loft apartment, a commitment, a promotion, distance, whatever...it amazes me how it has all come together in the last 6 months for us all. You cherish what you need and weed out what you don't - that's life.

Lets Go Raiders, Lets Go...Hoo! Who? What They Won?!

Not only did TG and his soccer team win, but TG scored the winning goal in penalty shots! The team fought to the very end and what a game it was! I was glad that I came despite the rain that came during the final shoot out - very dramatic!
My only complaint is that Crouch would have been disappointed at the double fist and would have MUCH rather seen the robot. It was nice to know that the thought crossed your mind!
I officially take back the "shiteous" comment and look forward to your pedicure and having my purple water bottle back.

Beep! "Sorry We Do NOT Accept Food Stamps!"

There are a few reasons I am in charge of food for TG and I...

Reason #1 - I get to bring good healthy food into the house which helps me stay on track.
Reason #2 - I like to be in charge of food and grocery shopping and I don't mind cooking/preparing meals.
Reason #3 - If TG was always in charge of the groceries, we would always end up spending $70 when all we really need is creamy soup and tomatoes...

Seriously, that was all we NEEDED but we forgot how much we liked chips and dip, ketchup pringles, cheesecake, cadbury thins, and penne rigate (granted it was on sale). WTF?
Needless to stay we are stocked for treats and snacks and after a grumpy game of hide and seek in Canadian Tire we needed the cheesecake!
Here's to making good food choices the rest of the week...

PS - "I do NOT know who your baby's daddy is!" BEEP! Please wait for cashier assistance...

Loosen Up MY Buttons Babe!

WW Success!
There is officially 10 lbs less of me then there was when I re-started this journey in the very end of July! (I guess my recent sobriety has been paying off!)
I actually had a client say to me today that I was "wasting away to nothing in a good way". You think that if it was "in a good way" that the client would have been able to choose better words? My goal is not to "waste away to nothing" and I do not believe that I am - but maybe my buttons are a little looser (a la pussy cat dolls!)

TG Is Kind Of Nifty Like That!

Look to the header of my blog and you will notice an original SATTC graphic created just for me and just for this blog. THANKS to TG!
He is so talented when it comes to things like that! I was so impressed and it far surpassed what I had expected him to do for me - I love it!
On another positive note TG and his shiteous team (I take it back...) are going to the B division finals for his soccer league!
Tomorrow in my WW weigh-in and I feel good - I will keep you posted.

Here's hoping for a little sunshine!

"Tiajuana Here I Come!" Said the Monarch...

Went to the Ovation Music Festival this weekend and despite the chill in the air and my poor preparation for such an event, I had a fun time. I got to know some people I did not know very well and overall good times and laughter for being sober and cold.
Sunday TG took me to see the Monarch migration and the gardens at the Butterfly Conservatory. The Monarchs migrate to Mexico every fall and we got to release one on Sunday in the beautiful sunshine. It is a neat place there and very beautiful tropical gardens with lots of photo opportunities - it smelled and felt like Mexico in the solarium. Ahhh...the memories!
Originally I did not want to go but decided to pick my battles and NOT to sweat the small stuff - imagine that?! I am glad that TG and I went because we had a nice afternoon - xo.

PS - BIG congrats to my swimming, biking, and running IronWoman! You have tremendous dedication - way to go!

Thought...

Waiting to turn left at a busy intersection earlier this week, a man on a motorcycle crosses the intersection in oncoming traffic.
He is distinguished, and handsome and despite the Harley motorcycle, the dark sunglasses, and the leather jacket; I see a face I recognize so well and one that I have many memories of.
We wave to each other like strangers, as if he allowed me to merge into his lane because mine was ending and traffic was tight. It was a simple hand up/hand down gesture and I am sad because I think that we are more then that.

So You DO Kiss Your Mother With That Mouth!

Earlier this week I witnessed something strange and much to my amusement!

As I carried a load of groceries from the car to the condo I saw a nice looking man and an women making their way towards me on the parking lot. They stopped at a small 1980 something escort in mint condition and embraced, then kissed, then kissed some more (a lot more), then embraced again before the woman got in her car and drove away with the man waving as she exited the parking lot.
I stared in AWE at this man and woman throughout this entire scenario - WHY YOU ASK?

Well, because the man was a fairly good looking 30-something, and at first glance I would have thought it was his MOTHER that he was walking with. On second glance (ok...stare) I STILL thought it was his mother. SO Bizarre!

I wonder what it is with guys and older women (in this case MUCH older)? I mean I get the Demi Moore and the Cindy Crawford men but Betty Crocker?! I wish I was exaggerating but this woman had the grey set hair, sweater set, and matching broach - everything I imagine Betty Crocker would wear. Best of luck to them both, I am lucky my guy likes'em young!
I secretly hope I witness another encounter of theirs, I was fascinated!

"Earl's" Pedicure vs. Soccer Karma

For the last little bit TG has had some "rough patches" on his feet. They are not that bad but having him notice it and then mention it to me in conversation, I assumed that it must bother him.
Since I LOVE to go to the drug store for no reason, I thought at least having a reason to go there would be good and I offered to pick up a pedicure type foot file for him. TG smiled as though he would appreciate something like that and agreed that it would be a good idea to pick one up. Given the amount of money I've spent over the years at Shoppers/Pharma I am surprised I do not own one already...I swear I did!

Fast Forward...

TG came home from soccer with a huge smile on his face having finally won a game with his shiteous team. (Believe it or not these guys may actually be going to the "B" finals - here's hoping!) TG scored 3 goals and was quite pleased with himself.
TG: "I am gonna have a shower..."
Mano: "Good - BTW, I got one of those foot files for you" (Offers it to TG)
TG: "I don't want that, I scored 3 goals." (Looks at me in disgust/shock)
Mano: "So then you are not going to use this?!"
TG: "That's right. Well...not until soccer is over..."
Mano: "Whatever..." (Rolls eyes somewhat un-impressed)
Long pause....
TG: "But...Thanks though Babe!" (Realizing that he may have offended me)
Mano: (To herself) "Whatever..."

PS - TG plays soccer YEAR ROUND and hence will never end. Also, TG (*ego stroke*) is pretty good so I assume he will contine to score goals.

I guess we all have our superstitions when it comes to sports and I should be grateful that he washes his soccer socks and shorts and I guess I really shouldn't give a crap about HIS feet.

Last week TG comes home from soccer again with a big grin on his face and says that he scored again. I am once again happy for him, but in the back of my head think..."Well, I guess he won't be filing his feet this week" The pedicure file is yet to be used...

Some background information:

• I have a fantasy of a "guy in a suit" and me getting a pedicure. I am completely turned on by a guy that will get one and not feel like a chick. The suit pants rolled up to the knees and feet in the soapy water while we flip through sophisticated magazines...HAWT!
• The file cost $14 - there are a lot of other things at the store that I would have spent $14 on had I known that the rough patch on his foot was his good luck charm. (And all along I thought I was his good luck charm....*gag*)
• Overall, it really does not bother me because if anyone does the kicking/tossing/cover-stealing in the night it is me and the trade off is equal. Here is how I see it:

Rough Feet+Restful Sleep = Mano is not scratched or agitated
Smooth Feet+ Un-Restful Sleep = TG is just agitated and not scratched
(therefore in the end, we are both just a little agitated!)

Have a good weekend!

Looking Forward To Fall...

There are several reasons why I am looking forward to the fall:

• Fall Clothes - I love turtlenecks and fall colors.
• Fall Weather - No more disappointing summer weather, we'll expect it to be cool/windy and generally I like fall weather.
• Fall TV - SO many shows I am looking forward to watching! Grey's Anatomy, Survivor, The Office, Scrubs, and some of the new ones I will check out too! I will not be watching The Bachelor this season - some of you know why...Bob Saget and Balki, need I say more?!
• Fall Holidays - I love Halloween, Thanksgiving and Oktoberfest mainly because of my love for turkey, beer and candy. I am looking forward to the ziggy-zaggy and FearFest of it all (P.S. I also consider October 28th a holiday ladies! Yee Haw!)
• Fall Cooking - Although I have used it for some meals in the summer, it is more appropriate to use my slow-cooker in the cooler months and OH I WILL!

Here's To A Good Week...

But wait...the weekend is almost, technically, over right? Not mine, it is just starting! More importantly to the traditional calendar week is the WW (Weight Watchers) week. My week, and all that revolves around it, begins on Friday - uurugh!

This means the journaling, the measuring, the counting, and all that fun stuff comes on full force Friday at 8am and hopefully lasts till Thursday. After a long weekend, social events, a few drinks, and those little donuts at Canada's Wonderland, I am gung-ho to get off on the right foot this week. I have decided to arm myself with willpower, my journal, and a fridge/pantry full of healthy groceries to get me on my way.

As a lifetime member, I think I feel additional pressure to get back to my goal weight and honestly so far so good - I am getting closer to my goal every week and that is motivation enough to stay on track. When it clicks, it clicks and I know and love that feeling. I try to remember that nothing will ever taste as good as thin feels but Tiny Tom told me a different story this past weekend!

Sometimes I think that my mood/attitude is a direct reflection of my nutrition and food choices. I haven't made the best choices this week and therefore the last couple of days I haven't been in the best of spirits. I think it is all connected, maybe not directly but somehow I think they reflect one another in some way and it is just a matter of time before one catches up with the other. THAT is all the more reason to have a good week both physically and mentally.

TG has been very supportive and I love that about him - he has left an open offer to help with the activity points any time I want...geee, thanks babe!

American License Plate Punching Game

Scene: Driving home in a new car from Toronto where Mano falls asleep in the passenger seat.

TG: (Driving)
Mano: (Sleeping)
Mano: (Wakes up) "I just had a dream that I woke up because you punched me in the arm when you saw a New York State license plate."
TG: "I did punch you."
Mano: "What?"
TG: "I just did (Grins) but it was a Michigan plate."
Mano: "You hit me while I was sleeping? WTF?!"
TG: (Nods) "I hit you 3 times while you were sleeping!"
Mano: "So what you are saying is if I am in the car the game is on whether or not I am sleeping?!"
TG: (Nods)
Mano/TG: (Laughs!)

Little does TG know (well he may now) but I really truly fell for him playing this game in traffic on the way to Niagara Falls. I knew from the first charlie-horse....awwwwww! (Although I can't remember who gave it to who?!)

SATTC Long Weekend Re-Cap...

Taking Friday off made for an extra long weekend although it still seemed to fly by...

Un-Domesticated Dinner and a Leopard Shirt:
On Friday TG took me out for dinner to thank me for "taking care of things" and what not. I think he fears that I resent domestication (maybe I do?) and therefore him? This is not the case as I do have a life outside the condo. I do enjoy taking care of things around the place, making dinner and stocking the fridge (and I am thanked every day). I do feel like sometimes I take on too much and just when I think I am going to snap I get to order and Asian Pear martini and catch up with TG, one on one, while we watch the blind dates, bachelorette parties, and general people around us. Shout out to the guy at the bar by himself with the leopard shirt on - aside from the food, drink, and company, you my friend made my night without knowing it!

Ralliart, Spyders, Snakes and "Karma":
TG bought a car this weekend, not just a car but a really nice one. I am so happy for him as he has worked so hard and deserves all the piece of mind that comes with owning a new car with a 10 year powertrain warranty. From the moment we bought it, until early evening, we cruised around town (in the rain) and visited family and friends to show off the new "whip". ALL were impressed and commented on the wheels and were as equally pleased as I was with the purchase. Not to say that MB wasn't, but the first comment was..."If you were going to go there why wouldn't you get a Spyder?! If I was you age that's what I would have got!" I laughed for two reasons:
1. That she knew what a Spyder was...
2. Picturing her driving it...
We then went to see Snakes on a Plane with the 20 or so others in the theatre. Due to the blurry previews, we got free passes to another show of our choice which made the ridiculous movie all the more worth while. Truth be told I enjoyed the movie - and especially enjoyed when TG would jump or yell a little at a snake that popped out on screen and then he'd announce to me that "that one scared him!" Really? Like I couldn't tell by the girly scream or the fact that your feet are resting on the chair in front! Ok that was me...My bad.
I have been commenting on the fact that TG has been having some good (overdue) karma - IT was good and overdue - Thanks.

Aggressive Driving:
"I have noticed that you are more of an aggressive driver at night" - Thanks?
I am constantly impressed with bands (especially drummers) that take requests. How do they know all the words and the music?! Good times in the Wild Wild West even if it was only 5 degrees (or so it seemed).

"If my boss saw me letting you buy this I would get in so much trouble":
Whatever kid - it's your last shift, now just print the picture so I can get the hell out of here before I die of embarrassment...
Trip to Canada's Wonderland - $0
Waiting in line for the Italian Job - $0
Trying to "top" the picture from last time - $0
A moment of embarrassment with the photo booth kid (and bystanders) for a lifetime of laughs with TG - $11.50 for the wallet and key chain but overall PRICELESS!
Good day and now that I think about it, I wish I had bought the Nunchucks!