Mixed Bag of Home Life!

August 7/14.

It's amazing how many wacky, weird things can go on in the course of just 11 days of home life around here. (that's how long it's been since my last entry in Lain's Log). While out shopping, ran into my good old musical blog mascot, Aubrey Bolton on Gerrard Street. The fast fading few followers I have left, may recall Aubrey from the many times he's appeared here - (usually with his brother, Dana, who happened to be performing elsewhere on this particular day). I was caught off guard when I spotted Aubrey sitting comfortably under a straw palapa, donated by a friend to protect him from the bright hot sun. Funny how it almost exactly matches my hair! - (and not just the colour, but the "straw texture" of my tresses too). Ha!

I meet panhandlers all over town. Most won't even help carry a heavy grocery bag to the car for you, preferring to just stand around outside Loblaws or Sobeys asking for cash. A few even pick fights with folks who refuse to give a coin or two. Not Aubrey. He's NO panhandler. He knows my name, always has a short chat with me, works hard - up to eight hours a day, singing for his supper, and very well too! I often stop and listen to a couple of his fun eastern Canadian songs. Aubrey's an excellent guitar player/vocalist, (who sounds even better when joined by his bro), - and on sunny summer days, makes decent cash as a busker. Most of his enthusiastic fans toss money into his guitar case. I prefer to give him a cool one, (which he always appreciates)! When I ask what brand he'd like, he's never particular and often quips, "Surprise me!" He was happy with this icy Laker.

Meanwhile, driving around Toronto has become a frickin' nightmare! Besides the massive slowdowns (or COMPLETE stops on the Gardiner), it seems every corner of our Riverdale neighbourhood  is making it tough to drive (or to arrive) ANYWHERE on time! - Fuhgettaboutit!

Wherever I go, I overhear conversations from passersby about the city being such a mess. Several times, while walking along Broadview between Gerrard and King, I've had to ask city workers to open fences so I can get through to stores! I'm not sure how some of these establishments are even staying in business!

It seems nobody loves winter in Toronto, but construction sites are the downside of summer. Wonder how many times I've heard stand-up comics tell audiences here, "Toronto's a nice town. - If they ever finish it."

In the midst of the mass mess, I drove Kate to the Bay/Dundas bus terminal, for an overnight trip.

Bye bye! (yep, I HATE goodbyes - they're my WORST thing - always have been - even for ONE night)! I shudder to think how I'll react when my kids leave home for GOOD! - Gak!!!!!!!!!!!

I even tried to to stowaway in the cargo hold, but the driver wouldn't let me! The bum.

Kate was off to visit friends,

and see Calgary sisters Tegan and Sara in concert. They got a terrific spot to stand and cheer!

Must have been "concert week". The next night, Max, Kate, Sam and I went to the Molson Amphitheatre

to see James Taylor in concert. Has been many years since we've seen him in person.

Unlike my usual dinner menu at home, (which is pretty much nothing), I got a takeout pizzadilla (half pizza, half quesadilla) AND fries! - Those who say I don't EAT enough - take a look! 

(sadly, most of the fries got knocked to the ground when we arrived at our seats), but the pizzadilla was perfect)!

The sunset was very pretty as we waited for the show to begin, and we were really happy there was no opening act. For his fans, it was nothin' but JT for more than two hours! He performed some new material, but all the big hits including Sweet Baby James, Shower the People and one of my favourite songs in the world, Carole King's You've Got a Friend. 

He joked with the crowd that when he first heard Carole perform the song back in the '60s, he picked up a guitar to learn it, - "Never dreaming I'd be singing it EVERY NIGHT FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE"!!!!! 

Thank goodness for the big screens as it was tough to see around posts and over people's heads when they stood up, but that gorgeous voice of his was as clear and lovely as ever. Tickets to the show were a gift Sam bought for himself to celebrate a milestone birthday! 

It was a fabulous and funny Sweet Baby James performance.

Max loved the JT show as he was preparing to release his OWN solo album two nights later. After months of work, The Palindrome Years was finally ready to be heard! Will get back to that in a minute. This was one mixed up, variety-packed day!

I went from Party Girl with my friend Pam Deacon-Pickard at her beautiful house, (my first visit there!), to celebrate her Mother's 90th birthday, 

to Roadie Mum for Max, - all in the course of a couple of hours!

A girlfriend of Pam's actually CREATED this Y & R cake, which proclaims,

Young at Heart and still Restless,

a tribute to her diehard Y & R fan Ma! - (left to right - Pam's teen son George, Pam's Mum, Lenore,

Pam and her brother Rod. They created a very memorable day for her!

I brought the publicity stills from my Trials & Tribulations/Soap Dish golden Global days, 

and was given the honour of cutting the cake for guests, (some of them, lifelong relatives and friends of Lenore's).

I'm sure it's a day she'll never forget. Pam, Steve, Rod and George, - you did her proud! Thanks for inviting me. The food you prepared was terrific, it was great to meet your friends and tour your home! SO many incredible trinkets and funny figurines from trips! ("Lucy! You got some 'splainin' to do"!) Ha! - Love that Stomping-the-Grapes doll you have on display! - Hope your Mum has a very happy REAL 90th birthday on August 12th - maybe poolside at Fern Resort, where you and I first met years ago. - Have a martini (with extra olives) for me! Cheers!

OK - so, from floaty mini-dress to jeans, hoodie and hair-stuck-under-a-spiked-hat as I turned into Roadie Mum

for my talented son, Max at the Smiling Buddha on College Street for his long-awaited CD release bash!

Max's pal, Duke was official photog, while Kate and her boyfriend, Damian, toted the box of CDs.

Kate wanted to support her bro, so she was also on door duty, collecting admission fees, (which came with a free album)! Woo hoo!

Love this shot I somehow managed to snap before showtime, featuring - (left to right), opening act and bandmate/friends, Jacob Switzer, (HeadSpace), Emmett Webb, (Ghost Daze) - plus (of course) -  headliner - MAX!!!!!

Jacob and Emmett really warmed up the gang for Max's debut. Terrific job guys!

Max played ALL 12 songs from the album. Whew! If you HEAR it, - know that he played EVERY instrument (but keyboards), and even did the background vocals himself. - When he hits the Performance & Music Production course at Centennial College next month, he'll really have a head start!

If you'd like to get the album, click here!  - Max declares "Buy Now! - Name Your Price"! - $$$ 

Good deal!

Max's friend Jelly, was a big help - sang on stage with Max at the show and is also featured on the album.

Talented singer Missy, (another performer on the CD) came out to cheer Max on, 

as did the fabulous Jackie Moore - (rhythm guitar in one of Max's OTHER bands - Sister Hyde)! - If you can believe it, Max continued on to do ANOTHER show AFTER his own solo release with Sister Hyde at 11 p.m. -  I drove him there and can tell you he was heavily STOKED and PUMPED, as you might imagine! What an amazing evening for Max!

As for ME,- one proud Mama! And, not ONLY is Max finished with his OWN CD, 

he's ALSO producing his sister, Kate's album, titled Stay Golden, (one song already finished), - plus - (here's an intriguing shocker),

- our long-time friend and extremely dedicated & reliable appliance repairman extraordinaire, Trevor Bailey, - (a grandfather!), has requested that Max record HIS album!! Wouldn't that be cool? LOVE this guy! - (Do you think he's written any washing machine or dishwasher lyrics? He's the EXPERT on those!) Only kidding. He says his songs are much deeper than that - and very bubbly. Hmmmm.

After all the musical excitement, Sam's Dad, Ben Bornstein, requested we take him to one of his fave places, - The Mandarin, for dinner. We picked him up and drove off to the massive buffet! We had a great dinner, (DUH), and Zaidy particularly enjoyed the delectable desserts! 

Sam, (always reluctant about having his photo taken), agreed to pose with his primo Pop. As you see, Max is a fabulous fan of his zealous Zaidy!

Later in the week, had a quick visit with my sister, Carrie, who dropped by to show me a few things on my iPhone, (as I'm heavily-technically-challenged). She was on the way to her annual canoe trip with boyfriend Paul, so this was a nice farewell. 

Since then, she and Paul have been enjoying a much-deserved peaceful and quiet week together somewhere in the Kawartha Highlands. - This time, NO BEARS in sight. - (thank the Lord). Have fun you two! Miss you! xoxo

Only chippies around their campsite! (Our late Gramma Burridge and Mum, would have LOVED this sweet little guy). Naturally, Carrie brought peanuts to feed them!

So that pretty much wraps up the past 11 days. Sounds like heaven on earth, (which in many ways, it IS). We have our share of problems, just like everybody else, but I choose to leave that stuff OUT of the blog at the moment. I have a terrific family and should be nothing but grateful.

And will leave you with one final musical note. Kate, Max and I have laughed our heads off at Jimmy Fallon's "Tight Pants", co-starring Will Ferrell. (I like THIS version better than the JLo one and can't stop singing it)! - HEY EVERYBODY! - Get out your tightest pants to dance and sing along!

See ya next time!!

So long Bill Hader!

May 18/13.

Every May, I HATE the season finale of SNL because it means we won't see a fresh, inventive, timely, new episode again until well into the fall. Such a friggin' drag. Tonight's show is going to be particularly painful because it's the final appearance from the fabulously funny Bill Hader - (after eight seasons).

He played Herb Welch, the old man TV reporter who stuffs/shoves/bangs/whams his mic into the faces of ALL his unsuspecting guests.

 Devious horror flick star Vincent Price.

Political pundit James Carville.

And of course, his most popular character, Stefon! - Best known as the New York City correspondent on Weekend Update, Stefon Zolesky made his first appearance on the show - November 1st, 2008, pitching a movie with his filmmaker brother, (portrayed by tonight's host, Ben Affleck).

http://www.joblo.com/video/player.php?video=affleckstefon

As of tonight, Ben Affleck joins the infamous "Five Timers Club", which includes such illustrious members as

Justin Timberlake, Steve Martin, Chevy Chase (and Martin Short, who serves as a waiter at the club, since he hasn't quite made it to five times yet).

Justin boasts his five times! (So do Alec Baldwin, Christopher Walken, Tom Hanks, Bill Murray and Drew Barrymore).

With any luck, in the future, we'll see Bill Hader back on SNL as host. (or maybe Stefon will host!)
Who knows?

Haven't posted an entry on the blog in over two weeks. Still suffering anxiety, which seems to keep me away from writing. Here are a few things that happened since May 3rd.

My beautiful daughter, Kate got her hair cut, coloured and styled by the master,

Paul Taylor. (First time she had visited his new place of business, JC Salons in Bloor West Village).

Meanwhile, I started my long-overdue office cleanout.

Decades worth of files, paperwork, books and on and on. Will likely take MONTHS to get this accomplished, one teeny scrap of paper at a time! Can't BELIEVE the stuff I've found!

Not to mention, hundreds of special mags I've never been able to part with - finally decided it was time for them to go. (kept some, of course), but many went to Value Village.

As of May 8th, started running again at the Riverdale Park track. Haven't set foot on it since the fall, so wasn't sure I could get going again, but on the very first day, made it back up to my record of 7 laps - (2800 metres). Surprised myself. I always bring my iPhone and earbuds so I can run to music on shuffle. Helps a lot. The Beatles keep me going.

My old CFTR pal, Dana Lewis, (reporter in London, England - Fox News, NBC News, CBS News, etc.), swears to me that running is the way to go to deal with anxiety, to feel healthier and to build up the immune system. Ever since my cancer diagnosis, (more than two years ago), he's been encouraging me to run. He does it all the time on the streets of London. Good work Dana! You're an inspiration.

To keep the spirits up, I also like to dress colourfully,

check out the local garden centres - (at Loblaws and No Frills),

& buy fresh flowers every week or two. My late Mum, who adored gardens and flowers, always used to remind me that we need colourful flowers to feed our souls and nourish ourselves spiritually. She often quoted these little poems.

"If, of thy mortal goods, thou art bereft,
And from thy slender store two loaves
alone to thee are left,
Sell one & from the dole,
Buy Hyacinths to feed the soul"
- Muslihuddin Sadi,
13th Century Persian Poet

"If I had but two loaves of bread
I would sell one of them
& buy White Hyacinths to feed my soul."
- Elbert Hubbard
(1856-1915)

May 10 - Went for a very belated bone density test at the Yonge/Davisville lab. With all the Vitamin D/Calcium supplements plus running, I'm hoping the old bones are holding together! Will get results soon.

Kate kindly accompanied me. We had lunch together at Tim Hortons. Was fun! She is an incredible person, funny, smart and insightful.

The next day, May 11th, was my fabulous, phenomenal sister, Carrie's birthday. She was out singing at a funeral in the morning and then at baseball in Brampton with her son Lee for the rest of the day, so I couldn't see her, 

but delivered birthday gifts and a cake to her apartment, which she received later. 

Her son, Lee and his girlfriend, Emily, lit the candles and sang Happy Birthday to her. Have a GREAT year Cayr! xx

My father-in-law, Ben Bornstein, lives about four blocks away from Carrie, so I drove over to his condo, 

and, as requested,  took him to the bank at Lawrence Plaza.

The next day was Mother's Day. Even though I'm happy being a mother myself,

it was sad, 

because I miss my Mum, (3rd one without her), 

my Auntie Ray - (1st one without her),

and my Mum-in-law, Jean, - (also the first one without her).

However, had a very nice Mother's Day, courtesy of my son, Max, - who gave me the gift of Season One of Two and a half Men (yep, - STILL love Charlie Sheen!)

And Kate, who gave me two presents,

Season four of one of our fave shows - Will & Grace, plus a beautiful little bird journal (to remind me of my Mum, who adored birds).

and cousin Kev stopped by to bring me TWO Mother's Day cards - (also got gift cards for Cineplex from shy Sam, who doesn't like to pose for pics).

Kevio also compared shoes with Max. Seems these Rough Trade and Ghost Daze members BOTH adore VANS! Coolio!

May 13, went running and to my astonishment, made it to 7 laps again! Fave running song of the morning? The Long and Winding Road - (which is what I felt I was on!)

The next day, Max and his Ghost Daze bandmates, Charles Wilson and Emmett Webb, came over for band practice in the basement. Emmett asked me to take some promo shots in our back yard. This is the one I like best! Captured - so cute - and forever young!

This one turned out all blurry, but I love it anyway! - (I will NEVER make it as a photog in this lifetime!)

I am proud of Max for carrying on in the face of extreme sadness, following a breakup with his gorgeous girlfriend, Robyn after two years together. She was a special part of our lives and we miss her very much. 

I clearly remember what breakups were like in my teens. Painful. But, they're a part of life and there's not much you can do about it, except keep moving forward and believe in what the universe holds in store. I love you Max.

May 15 - Took Kate for allergy testing, after she suffered many weeks of sneezing and wheezing. Turns out, she is allergic to grass, 

but, thankfully, NOT to her precious cat, Tru! - Bring on the antihistamines.

Also went to get new Shellac nail work done by the expert, Tom. He took my pic out front of Urban Nails. Who knew there'd be a pink motorcycle parked outside that exactly matched my favourite nail colour,

Rosebud? - (Found out, they now keep Rosebud in stock, just for me!!)

On the 16th, went out running again, but could only make it to four laps. What the hell? 

Body just would NOT co-operate.

That evening, went to Hugh's Room to see Marc Jordan in concert!

It was Sam's belated birthday gift to himself. Went with Damian, Kate and Max. We had an ultra-fabulous dinner, 

and a GREAT front table!

Was SO happy to run into an old PR friend of mine, Dianne Schwalm (ex of Warner Brothers publicity) - now a filmmaker, 

preparing to shoot Jeffrey Archer movies. Can't even COUNT the number of interviews Dianne set up for me when I was at Global TV! We're going to get together for lunch sometime in June when she gets back from her next trip to L.A.

680 news music reporter Rudy Blair did a great one-on-one Q & A with Marc on stage. Marc spoke candidly about being dyslexic, but finding his way with music. Wish I'd had a chance to speak with Rudy. Haven't seen him in a long time, but couldn't find him after the show.

However, DID get the chance to talk to Marc, who sounded better than ever! What a stunning singing voice he has. And he is VERY funny.

Among the special guests at Marc's show? - Tom Cochrane!

Life is a highway
I want to ride it all night long
If you're going my way
I want to drive it all night long

What's next? - Tomorrow, will be over at Kevan and Marilyn's place to celebrate the birthday of my youngest little cousin, Sienna, who will be turning two on June 13th. We're doing the party early because her Mum, Sacha, (above), will be taking her back to Malta at the end of this month to see

her Dad, Mark, - a water polo player living in Malta! - Sacha will be gone for many months and we will all miss her a lot! By the time Sienna gets back, she will be almost three! Yikes!

I'll be "back on track" again tomorrow, hoping to make it to 8 laps again.

Happy Victoria Day weekend everyone! 

Bring on the fireworks! Withrow Park, down the street, will be overrun with kids and parents putting on the annual blazing show of lights and sparklers!