Sailing soon!

June 29/12.

I'm so excited.

After all the angst and emotion of late, (family illnesses, hospital visits, anxiety), my old friend, jazzman extraordinaire Jaymz Bee (91.1 FM) invited me to go sailing on Saturday afternoon (June 30th), with some Lake Ontario-loving pals of his. The above pic was taken last summer at the jazz club, Dominion on Queen,

 at a dynamic Don Francks concert! 

I've loved Don since I first saw him in Finian's Rainbow (1968), - here with the stunning Petula Clark. Strangely, the film happened to air on TV (TCM) last night and I tuned in just in time to catch Old Devil Moon,


my fave number in the film. Sigh. Somebody bring me a fan! These two were frickin' HOT!

Today I was back at Princess Margaret Hospital for a check up. The doc wants to know how I'm doing on Abilify. Some days it helps stress and anxiety. Other days, it adds to it. Hard to tell. Playing with the dosage to see what we can come up with.

Meanwhile, since I was on the 16th floor, stopped by the pretty Max Tanenbaum Garden way above the city.

A nice sunny spot for patients to visit to get a break from cancer treatment.

Then got off the elevator at the 7th floor to check out this setting. I think it's a dance floor. Not sure.

So many places to explore at this hospital.

You never know what you might see!

Also checked out the inspirational board, as always, which told me, There is no truth in fear. (good to know!)

I had lunch at the hospital Druxy's restaurant - ham and cheese on 12-grain bread and a lemonade. (Trying to put on a few pounds and get back up to 100 again)!

When I wasn't running on the track - (or falling and skinning my knees, as you see here), I wore a couple of new dresses from Urban Planet. A white floral one to match the flowers behind me,

and a turquoise one. Couldn't decide which I liked better, so bought both - great sale. My Mum-in-law did not approve. She isn't happy about what Woody Allen called in Annie Hall, VPL (visible panty line). Told her if she preferred, I could ditch the panties ALTOGETHER and pull a Madonna look, but she wasn't impressed with that idea either! Alrighty then.

At one point, gave up on dresses, grabbed some black pants and a t-shirt, 

rushed off to Gerrard Square for the Chinese food my family loves so much.

Caught up with my musical blog mascot Aubrey Bolton who serenaded me! (as always),

and brought home some Haagen Dazs peanut butter and jam ice cream. (not MY cup of tea, but everyone else seemed to love it!)

Tomorrow? Jaymz says we'll pick up snacks from Rabba Fine Foods and then take off from Queen's Quay to go sailing.

Jaymz never fails to have a great time! (hey, wonder WHY??) Should I be bringing a bathing suit?

Playing catch-up

May 31/12.

Has been a few days since I last wrote. Not sure where the time goes.

In the continuing saga of my own real life daytime drama, "I Fried My Brain", here is some of what transpired since the last entry.First of all, a bunch of my pics turned out black & white, or (in some cases),

HALF black & white/half colour. I must have hit a wrong button somehow (which I do a LOT). So this series of pics is really weird. Ran into my musical blog mascot, Aubrey, outside the local LCBO

at Gerrard & Carlaw.Once inside, I witnessed a robbery which was really upsetting. I'd seen a man out front  who appeared to be about 30. His face was drawn and pale. He looked ill. I thought he was going to ask me for money, but he didn't. I just KNEW there was trouble ahead. The man went into the store and I saw him looking at bottles of liquor. The staffers kept an eye on him. Seconds later, he tried to walk out, just as I was at the front cash. Two men from the LCBO rushed and grabbed him, slammed him against the wall and shouted, "You're under arrest for robbery"! The look on the man's face haunts me. He was so terrified. They dragged him to the back of the store and called police. I so wish I had given him some money or offered to buy him what he wanted to prevent the arrest. I was pretty shaky when I left.

After that, another errand, and I had to pass by the Don Jail, which I do almost daily. Most days, I see women, waiting outside to go visit their boyfriends, husbands, brothers or fathers. But this day, I looked up and saw a middle-aged man and woman leaving the prison. The man was using a handkerchief to wipe tears away from his eyes. I realized in that second, he was likely crying because he had to say goodbye to his son, leaving him inside. The pain was so evident. The scene made me cry too.

Next stop, Gerrard Square, where I wanted to pick up

Chinese noodles for my husband, Sam, (who loves them) and chicken balls & steamed rice for my son, Max.

I paid for the food and wandered over to get a few things at Food Basics.

When I got home, the bags of Chinese food were gone! The food court was just closing up, so I couldn't go back to try and find them. Must have accidentally left them at the grocery store! (see what I mean about my brain being fried - between turning photos to black & white and losing bags of food, I'm falling apart)!  I snapped this pic using auto-cam just before leaving the Gerrard Square parking lot and SWEAR it LOOKS like the Chinese food bags are in the trunk of my car (right behind me), but I guess not.

I felt so badly that my fam got ripped off of the food they were eagerly anticipating, that I went back the next day. Told the manager about losing the food and re-bought the same items. He took my picture to PROVE I HAVE the bags! (THIS time, the delectables were devoured)!

On Tuesday, had to hobble out (ankle pain still killing me), to College & Yonge,

passed a huge construction site,

on the way to hit up

Hiscott, the professional makeup store, to buy my much-needed industrial-strength bag cream!
(to quote an old Jack Lemmon line from the 1960 flick The Apartment, "It's a MUST! Gracious-living wise and otherwise-wise)!

Can't live without RCMA, (CS-1) for dark circles.

Have loved it ever since makeup artist Dana Joon started using it on me back in the golden Global glamour days!

I saw a funky store called Andalous Imports,

with all kinds of weird knick knacks. (Peekaboo!)

My foot hurt so much, I sat down for a rest before making the trek back to my car,

which was parked on McGill Street. SO pretty. If I ever had to move from the house we're in now, this street would be a great choice.

It's an unusual mix of Heritage houses,

funny little row houses,

newer town houses,

cute gingerbread houses,

more modern attached homes,

and these pretty ones that I could easily live in!

Also spotted an assortment of motorcycles!

Today, I had the chance to meet the stars of a new dramatic film coming out tomorrow called In the Family. This is 8-year-old Sebastian Brodziak and director/writer/star Patrick Wang. Due to circumstances way beyond my control, I haven't been able to do work or interviews for years, (too many other demands on my time) - so this was a lot of fun for me! (And such a great couple of guys to be the ones to welcome me back)!

I'll be writing about the film and interviews for Tribute.ca.

The feature also stars the great Trevor St. John, (ex Todd Manning of One Life to Live). I did a phoner with him from L.A., (which was terrific!) and he'll be part of my story too. Will post a link to tribute.ca when it's all up and running.

Here's the link to my story.

Highlights/Lowlights (and I'm NOT talkin' hair colour!)

January 24/12.

This new year has been challenging to keep up with. Days often just seem to fly by. Used to write a blog entry per day, but lately, tough to do. Motivation down, "Intensity Entity" low, stress high, weight low (yes, everyone, I'm aware), responsibilities high, downtime low, emotional overload (both high AND low). Every which way but loose.

Awaiting results from ultrasound, with more tests to come. In the meantime, days are filled to capacity with all manner of things. Some ultra-FUN, some killer sad, some too hilarious for words, some too tough to even think about. I'm sure everyone goes through periods like this. What to DO about it? I'm not sure. The old cliche I guess - just live one day at a time.

Here's a look at some of the things which have been going on.

January 18 - American Idol returned for season 11! -  Yay! Always gives me a lift!

Love the show, (especially the audition episodes). Having worked with TV editors for 18 years, can only imagine the craziness involved in packaging the best highlights from the 1,002 Savannah auditions (not to mention, thousands of funny reactions from Steven, Jennifer and Randy), into a two-hour segment. The editing really makes it for me!

In the first show, one of my favourite parts was when the question was asked,  "What goes on in Steven Tyler's head when he makes those faces?"

Then they proceeded to show a squirrel on water-skis, (among other wild Tyler fantasies), and gave us glimpses of the great contestants mixed in with the usual number of knock-your-socks-off-awful contenders. In the end, 42 of the Savannah wannabes won golden tickets and are "GOING TO HOLLYWOOD!"


The next night of A.I. (January 19), moved on to Pittsburgh.

I kinda liked THIS guy! First thing I thought was, he's in a Justin Timberlake vein, when suddenly, JLo said, "Sounds like Jamiroquai & Justin Timberlake had a baby!" He sang his own original song, written on the way to Pittsburgh. A bold audition. 38 golden tickets were handed out on day two.

Before A.I. on Thursday night, met up with my old Global TV colleague and longtime friend, Rob Davidson, for a late lunch at The Friendly Greek on the Danforth. Has been quite a while since I've seen him, so a lot to catch up on. We've known each other about 25 years. NO shortage of conversation. (up until my car almost got towed away from the Danforth parking space at 4 o'clock). Thank goodness Rob spotted the tow truck seconds before it was too late! (never a dull moment, as usual).

Got through the Princess Margaret mammogram and ultrasound tests on the 20th and decided I'd do whatever I like on "Mundane Monday" to make myself feel better!

But not before a great Sunday afternoon visit with the amazing Auntie Ray at her condo, where we talked about everything under the sun,

and then, later on, back  home, decided to actually cook! Yep.

Made manicotti - two different kinds. (cheese and meat)

What a riot. Haven't whipped up manicotti in about three decades.

Forgot how time consuming it is! (especially the "ceremonial stuffing of the shells!"
Ai Carumba! But the final result was good!

"Mundane Monday" turned out to be GREAT! Went to the Eaton Centre.

Breakfast at Starbucks.

Shopped at Forever 21. (didn't buy anything).

next, The Body Shop,

for more of my favourite vanilla lotion, (big sale on, - buy two, get third one free!)
Good deal!


Dropped by the Bay Cat Hospital to pick up a bag of specialty food for our cat, Tru,

and visited with some very playful cats,

all up for adoption.

This one was particularly pretty!

Stopped off at our local mall, Gerrard Square,

for the big sidewalk sale,

Again, didn't buy anything, but there was plenty to look at!

To Shoppers, (where I seem to spend half my life),

and Canadian Tire, (where they didn't have the frying pan I needed). Guess I won't be able to cook.
Drat. (not!)

plus Loblaws,

where they had an abundance of exotic goodies that made me want to travel to a hot tropical island!

and to the Bulk Barn. Valentine's Day candy is everywhere!

(cinnamon hearts in bulk anyone?)

Hung out for a while with my good friend, Pam,

Went to see My Week with Marilyn for the second time. (Michelle Williams ended up getting nominated
for an Oscar, as I knew she would. She's fantastic in this movie!)

Later called cousin Kevio to wish him a happy birthday (though we had celebrated the occasion a few nights before). I hope it's a great year ahead for him!

Quite a "me day". Lots of fun, and a blast-&-a-half x 5!  But was pretty tired when I got home!

Next entry? - day three at Jason Deline's voice-over class!