My Saturday with Ted!

November 24/12.

Never expected to be sitting down at the NewsTalk 1010 studios to talk to Ted Woloshyn on Saturday with Ted, but it happened!

This is the little studio where Ted runs the jam-packed show every week,

along with his trusty musical companion, jazz pianist Bill King, who plays the intros before every interview. It was a treat to sit right next to him to watch and listen. What a talent.

I got to the station at 2 St. Clair Avenue West around 11 a.m. Show producer Dan Jacobs came downstairs to the parking lot to bring me up to the second floor, where I waited in the "holding room", (actually the control room for Ted's show)! Really fun to be "behind-the-scenes",

listening to the banter back & forth between Ted and Bill. They make a great team! If I leaned over, I could JUST see Ted's face behind the glass.

Dan Jacobs, (right), gets very little time to sit. He's constantly up and down. He produces Larry Fedoruk's show as well as Ted's, and spends most of his day rounding up guests and getting them into (and out of) the studio. On  the other hand, Mike Catherwood (left, with cap), operates the board, interacts with Ted and Bill and helps make the show flow! I really enjoyed watching Mike in action, so quick with the quips and effects.

There were so many long commercial breaks, Ted even had time to give me a tour of the newsroom across the hall. He showed me where award-winning newscaster Dave Agar sits (2nd from left - the chair right next to the window). The place looks nothing like it did when I worked there way back in 1975!

Ted made me feel so comfortable. We talked about the early days of Good News reporting, the time I spent working with Bob McAdorey (Ted says Mac inspired him to get into radio), teen idol Bobby Sherman, my Dad (Rex Loring), my Mum (Jill Loring, who worked at CFRB as a copy writer for 26 years), and my experience with breast cancer.

Only problem is, now I remember how much I miss the radio biz! Thanks, Ted, for the chance to wear headphones again and talk to an invisible audience. Was a blast!

P.S., I didn't even realize there were video cameras in the studio, recording us the whole time! (Ted pointed them out to me during a commercial break). My sister, Carrie, sent me a few shots. This is one of them.

Click on the play button to listen to the interview!

Real life

October 6/12.

Has been kind of a quiet time since the madness of TIFF wrapped up. I've been busy, but not pulling my hair out the way reporters tend to do when covering the festival! The round-the-clock work kinda tired me out after many years away from the business, so have tried to take it a little easier the last couple of weeks.

During TIFF, caught up with an old Global  TV acquaintance of mine, Roz Weston (of ET Canada), at one of the many screenings. He admitted he was so exhausted he was wearing a hoodie that he only sports during screenings so he can pull the hood over his eyes to catch a few zzzzzzzzzzzzs till the movie starts! (Tips from the top)! He's also the KISS morning show host from 5 to 9 a.m. and has a two-year-old daughter. I told him, "You must have no life!" He responded, "You're right. I have no life."

Trying to treat myself to a few nice things. Went back to Urban Nails,

for a new coat of Rosebud shellac! Katie did them for me, and perfectly! After biting my nails my whole life, this manicure thing is new to me and I love it! For some reason, after breast cancer, I suddenly stopped biting and it's sure fun to have nails. I never knew!

On the way home that day, the sky was pretty awesome!

I stopped by a parking lot on The Danforth to leave my car and do some shopping and saw this guy had parked his car sideways across several spaces!  There were plenty of upset would-be shoppers who couldn't get a spot because of him. (When I returned, discovered his car had actually died right on this piece of asphalt and he'd gone off to seek assistance).

Meanwhile, hit up No Frills (where else?) in a new top I bought at The Bay with a gift card I was given by Sam. Fell in love with the rich fall colour.

Later, went to the local florist on Broadview Avenue to get some flowers. There's been some sadness in my family life lately and I felt I needed a colour pick-me-up.  Auntie Ray would have been proud. Speaking of Auntie Ray, her Celebration of Life is coming up next weekend.

My cousin, Kevan (her son) and fam are busy planning things. (this shot was taken only a few months before her passing).

It's sure to be a day of both laughter and tears.

Carrie has been caught up with working out the music plus another special project for the big event. I can't wait to be in a room filled with people, all of whom adored Ray.

Oh, the memories and stories we will all share. I sure miss visiting with her at her beautiful condo.

Everything in the place has gone on to live in other people's homes (including mine), and someone else lives here now.

Meanwhile, my beautiful daughter, Kate has been working hard in the Journalism program at Ryerson, doing well in tests and projects. I'm proud of her. She's an excellent writer. Always has been, even as a little kid. She already writes for blogs and makes money. I often wonder where her talents will take her!

I've continued to try to go out running on the Riverdale track whenever I have the time. Made it to 8 laps one day (just shy of two miles). Still hoping to beat that record soon. The Beatles keep me going on my iPhone. Note to self: A Hard Day's Night is GREAT to run to. Eleanor Rigby is NOT.

One day, on the way to a doctor's appointment, I went walking through Forest Hill to see the mansions. This garden was particularly lush and pretty. The house next door was for sale. Wonder how much??

After that ritzy walk, headed back to my own neighbourhood, The Danforth, for some sweet deals!

I parked in a lot behind the Broadview subway station (great Green P prices), and saw this familiar sight! A Global remote van. Checked, as I always do, to see if the cameraman was anyone I knew from the good old days, and lo and behold, it was!

It's been ten years since I departed the station, but Gord Edick is still supervising cameraman. He's not only great at his job, but one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. 

He was covering a story about the TTC outsourcing maintenance. He introduced me to his reporter,

and I was surprised to find out it was Mark Carcasole, whose voice I knew from NewsTalk 1010! He told me he's only been at Global for about six weeks and is just loving it. Have to say I envied him and remember very clearly what it was like to start working there! I told him there wouldn't be many people left (at Global), who knew me, since there have been so many changes. He thought I meant at CFRB and he said, "Well Dave Agar and Evelyn Macko would remember you." Had to laugh. Yes, they would.

Gord's assistant on the remote was his young son, Todd. I met him and his younger brother Cole years ago when they were wee little guys at the Santa Claus Parade! Now Todd is a man in the working world. He told me he had been in the radio/TV program at Ryerson but left to take this job.

Gord stuck me in front of the camera so the folks back in the control room could see me for fun. Made me miss the job. I was there for 18 years!

Thanks Gord. Keep up the excellent work. And Mark, good luck and all the best to you at Global!

The rest of the week was made up of running hither and thither, shopping for groceries and cat litter, (not to mention cleaning up after our aging kitty who seems to forget where the litter box is),

and picking up a few things for Thanksgiving. Can't see making a big fancy dinner this year.

The family has been busy watching out over my Mum-in-law, Jean, (here with my Dad-in-law, Ben, and my son, Max a few months back). 

She's in hospital and the whole family is helping out with her care. 

I stopped to buy her a pretty card at the gorgeous gift shop. I've been to many hospital gift stores and this one is my favourite. Whoever their buyer is, makes some beautiful selections. I used to visit this shop a lot when my Mum was in Sunnybrook. It brings back many heartfelt memories to see it.

I've been trying hard to remain upbeat, but it's tough when someone you love isn't able to be at home. At the same time, we're also planning (finally) to scatter our Mum's ashes, two years after her death. We just couldn't make up our minds what we wanted to do with them, but Carrie and I have decided to scatter them in the rose garden at Mount Pleasant Cemetary in just a few weeks. She loved gardens and roses and this will give us a place to go if we want to sit and remember her. (even though we can do that ANYWHERE!)

Ended the week with another hospital visit - this time for me, at Princess Margaret. I get regular checkups there, seeing everyone from the medical oncologist, to radiation oncologist, to MRI technicians, even to a shrink. (as I've said before, no candy coating - cancer also fucks with the mind, big time). I've become pals with one security guard here who always offers to take my picture out front! He's cool, but prefers to remain anonymous.

Hey, and since starting this blog entry, (which was getting caught up from way back on September 21st!) - it's time for another touch-up! I keep the Urban Nails gang in business! Cheers everyone!

Get thru the night! - (& watch out! I have nails now!)

February 18/12.

Ever since being diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago, I've done a lot of things I never imagined I'd do. Cancer messes not only with the body, but the mind, heart & soul. (just in case you didn't know). No excuses. No prisoners. Shit happens & you roll with it, day by day. Some of it, - fantastically fun - ("Intensity Entity"), - never felt anything LIKE it. Absolutely WILD! - Some of it, emotionally painful - (tons 'o tears). The rest of it, just funny as hell. (Carrie? Prickles? Loretta? Franelle? Joanne? Bruce? Bill?) Bring on the laughs! The more, the better. ONLY way to let your freak flag fly! Won't reveal EVERYTHING I've done to cope. Just too frickin' out there. No one would believe it anyway! (unless you've followed this blog from Day ONE). Best concept I CAN give comes from John Lennon. "Whatever gets you thru the night, it's alright, it's alright." Agree with you there Lennon! Go with what works!

Mmmmmmm hmmmmmmmmm....What's helped? Let's see. Mega-blonde hair colour, piles of makeup, tight clothes, lacey La Senza/La Vie En Rose lingerie, high-top boots, wild & crazy emails, radiation table-top fantasies, "Me days," 3 Stooges marathons (an absolute MUST),  Jerry Lewis, House, (Hugh Laurie!), fab voice-over course with Jason Deline, (with demo recording still-to-come on February 21st), Friendly Greek take-out, Henkell, (duh), hot HOT showers, Body Shop vanilla-scented cream, trying to learn digi-photography, Howard Stern, Robin Quivers, the Wack Pack, NewsTalk 1010's Mike Bullard, Jim Richards & Dave Agar, Carrie's "Prickles the porcupine" puppet & videos, family, friends and - the famous flying fickle finger of fate! (not sure if Dick & Dan got fickle finger manicures!) - More to come on that in a sec.

 ("Say good night Dick." - "Good night Dick.") - Sock it to me!!

To quote Norman Bates from Psycho - "We all go a little mad sometimes, haven't you?"

Uh, yep, indeed.

That being said, did something today I've only done ONCE in my life. (for my wedding day). Had a manicure! WTF?  Anyone who knows me must be freaking to read this tidbit of info. UNHEARD of.

Before shot


Being the "calm, cool, collected" individual I am, (NOT!) - I've made annual new years resolutions for DECADES to stop biting my nails. Those "promises" always lasted exactly ONE day. Then, 364 days later, I tried again, with the same result. Over & over & over. But for SOME reason, THIS year, something snapped or zapped. Don't know WHY, don't know HOW, but it did. Had so many OTHER stresses in my life, I just stopped biting! Started to think, "Hey, maybe I can actually get my nails done!" (ha ha! - ya, this is the BEFORE pic...NOT great, but the best my nails have been since, well...ever). I know, a joke, right??

Then, in a grocery store line-up the other day, saw a woman with nails like this! (even BETTER than this actually). I told her she has GORGEOUS nails, and said I've stopped biting and want MINE to look like HERS. She advised me, "Go to a manicurist and ask for Shellac. You'll NEVER want to bite your nails again!" After that brief conversation, all I could think about was Shellac!

Made an appointment for 3:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon at Urban Nails (said to be the BEST salon on the Danforth!) I've been there several times to buy gift cards for other people, but never frequented the place for myself! - (what's the point, when you have no nails?)

Upon entering, encountered the stunning Christine at reception. Perfect hair, makeup, clothing and so very charming. I told her I wanted to meet Kevin Nguyen, (who I'd read about online. He owns the place).

He turned out to be two feet away from me, working on a client!  Asked him if I could take pics at his salon and run them on my blog.  He was very nice, said OK, and even offered to take pics for me! (Gave him the blog address so he can read this later).

After checking my nails, (with a bit of a sigh, LOL), Kevin "assigned me" to Kelly. She turned out to be the loveliest young woman from Vietnam (who grew up in the same town as Kevin!) They worked together at a salon in Cabbagetown and then he launched his own business and she works with him at the Danforth location, three days a week (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays). She has a nine-and-a-half-month old baby boy and looks after him the rest of the week. Most members of her family live in Toronto now. She moved to T.O. in 2003, with NO skills in English. You'd never know it. I clearly understood every word she said and she is just a delight. I told her, when I come back to Urban Nails, I want to request her, personally. Such a sweetheart. I recommend her highly! - and great at her job!

Kevin kindly came over several times and took pics of Kelly working on my nails. This is the high-speed curing light, to dry nails in just two minutes! Coolio! They also turned on the massage chair, which shocked the hell out of me! Incredible! I think I need to BUY one!

Since my nails are so short, I chose the most natural, light pink Shellac shade. (next time, when my nails are a bit longer, I'll go a little more vibrant).

After shot

This may not look like much of anything to those who've had great nails all their lives, - but for me?
Almost life-changing! Gak! (and I'm NOT trying to give you the finger - of fate, or otherwise!) Thank you Kevin & Kelly! As Arnold Schwarzenegger would say, "I'll be back!"

http://www.urbannails.ca/