Birthdays, plays, fun, friends, goodbyes & chocolate shakes!

April 23/12.

Happy birthday to my fabulous daughter, Kate who is 20-years-old today!

She's a beauty and has a style all her own. Just last week, she got accepted at Ryerson for their Journalism program. Congrats Sweet! I wish you a lifetime of happiness, as that's what have you've given me since the day I first saw you! This shot was taken after Kate and I went shopping at the Eaton Centre to spend a gift card she received from her generous Auntie Carolyn and Uncle Neil for

La Senza. (one of our fave stores!) We had a fun afternoon together,

saw a lot of pigeons on the way to Dundas & Yonge,

ate at the massive Eaton Centre Urban Courtyard and checked out the colourful Froshberg Gelato stand! Sampled the banana flavour.

Then looked at more bright colours when Kate wanted to stop by LUSH

for some sultry scents. (They had vanilla bombs, but I didn't buy one. Not sure how I feel about bombing the bath!)

We also went to several clothing stores including H & M and Forever 21 where I got a kick out of reading the graphic tees! (LOVE this one)

Would have bought this one, (since it's true), but it looked terrible on me.

Right on!

This one? Also very true.

In the end, all I bought was some sexy stuff at La Senza, before heading to pick up a hot Holter monitor (yuck). The cardiologist wants to check out the heart palpitations I've been having. After hearing my story of love and loss, cancer, Intensity Entity and on and on, the Doc told me I'd be able to relax a little more if I would just let go of the past. (he was more of a shrink than a heart doctor! - Or maybe he is psychic!) He happened to hit on the thing I've NEVER been able to do, say goodbye and let go or release the past. He told me if I want to move into the future, I have to do it. Easier said than done, Doc! Maybe they have a pill for this. (I just kept thinking about that hilarious Robin Williams routine,

 
about a drug we all need called "Fukitol!" Sometimes I think I should buy STOCK in that drug, Robin!)

When I wasn't running around getting re-wired for sound (after accidentally cutting one of the wires - see blog entry from April 20th),

had a few other more pleasant events and visits over the past week.

In Orillia, went to a great antique store called Carousel Collectables

They're really into nostalgia in that town! (EMBRACING THE PAST) - antiques, old MM photos,

vintage Richie Rich and Captain America comic books,

and the old Orillia Opera House, built in 1895. (the comedy Born Yesterday was playing there, but no hours available to go see it. Only had time for Jerry Lewis!)

The Opera House is undergoing some renovation, restoration and rebuilding.

Also had a great time this past week seeing my two old Seneca College pals,

Jim Stockley and Rick Dade. (in this pic, they were cracking me up, pretending to be those two old geezers

   

in the TD bank commercial who yak about banking hours being extended!)

Rick and I ended up working together for years at Global TV when I was a reporter there and he was a cameraman. Covering any story with him was always a blast. He has a great attitude and that ever-fab sense of humour.

It was kind of a fluke that we all met. Jim and Rick were a few years older than me. They'd been doing other jobs after high school, but decided to join the radio/TV course at Seneca in their 20s. I was 19 when I met them. They became the campus comedy duo and always had everyone in stitches. We were only together for two semesters, but, it was a life-changing time for me, (and for ALL of us in the late Mike Monty's phenomenal classes. He helped steer us in the right direction). I've always felt very lucky to have met and worked with Jim & Rick,  and man, they SURE made coming to school in the morning a whole lot easier. 

I often think of that unforgettable line Hawkeye says to B.J. in the final episode of M*A*S*H* - (Goodbye, Farewell & Amen), when he tells him. " I can't IMAGINE what this place would've been like if I hadn't found YOU here"! - Same goes for me when I recall the wild comic antics of Rick & Jim. They were the best, led the way and kept us all going.

To my shock, Jim never did enter the world of media. Instead, he became a conductor with CP Rail! This pic was taken outside the Detroit Eatery on the Danforth, (where we all had lunch, including their amazing chocolate milkshakes served in the old-time silver shakers). It was the first time I'd seen Jim in 30 years! He is now a grandfather! Gak. One second before the above pic was shot, I surprised Jim by suddenly ripping his glasses off his face,

so he'd look more like he did three decades ago! - Above photo, taken at the wedding of our friend, John Axelson to Lynda George, back in 1976! (left to right, Jim, me, Axelson)

Here's a cute one of Jim (back in the stubby beer bottle days!) - Photo by Rick Dade!

Jim retired from CP in 2007, after knee replacement surgery. (jumping off trains for decades will do that to you!) -

and I hear it was a great send-off party!

Here's toasting you Jim, (with thick chocolate shakes!) May you always be happy and keep laughing!

As for YOU, Ricky, thanks for arranging the get-together! Always fun to see you. Hope your eye trouble clears up VERY soon. Getting older is tough!

Yesterday, Kate and I went to see a wonderful play called The Exquisite Hour 

at Factory Theatre.

It stars Ted Dykstra (of Two Pianos, Four Hands fame),

and Daniela Vlaskalic,

The show is written by Dora award winning playwright Stewart Lemoine

 and directed by Ron Pederson. Kate and I became fans of his after seeing his very funny performance as "Brad" in the CanStage production of The Rocky Horror Show a few years ago.

The Exquisite Hour sure lives up to its name and had me in tears several times. Thanks to Kate for telling me  we HAD to see this show!!

Afterwards, we paid a visit to Auntie Ray and told her all about the production. She's hanging in there at Christie Gardens and says in some ways, watching the residents there is kinda like witnessing a non-stop, ongoing play every day! Love you Auntie Ray!

Global get-together!

October 16/11.

Fun afternoon! Rare Global TV reunion at the Zion Church Cultural Centre, 1650 Finch Avenue East, Toronto.

Took 45 minutes to drive there from home, (and back again), but WELL worth the trip to Acton! LOL. Fab open bar, but didn't drink anything. Not when I'm driving. Ever. DID have two quarters of a grilled cheese sandwich, which were delish! Lots of other treats were being served, but I was too busy hugging people! (would much rather hug, than eat!)

Best thing? Seeing my longtime pal, Rob Davidson (Discovery Channel). We met decades ago when I was at CFTR Radio and he was upstairs at CHFI. (25 Adelaide Street East). Little did we know, we'd work together again at Global. Altogether? Maybe around 25 years of insanity?? He always makes me laugh (or sometimes cry), and it was great to catch up, albeit briefly, with him and his lovely wife, Maureen. - Rob, we need to go for lunch soon! Not enough time today!

My other buddy, Ricky Dade, (from Seneca College days back in 1975) hooked up with Rob & I. Again, more overflowing memories whenever I see Rick, and his wife, Mel.

Another of my old Global friends, reporter Sean O'Shea, was our host at this union-reunion. Can't say enough about his charm, integrity, intelligence, kindness and warmth. He organized this event,

along with the beautiful Melanie Zettler, (who co-produced and voiced MY farewell video tribute when I left Global 9 years ago). Such a sweetheart.

With cameramen Mark Foerster and Yehoram ("every frame a Rembrandt") Pirotsky. Can't even COUNT the stories I shot with these two masters!

I think we surprised Global Winnipeg news producer Don McDonald here, (left), with me & producer Steve Grant! Always enjoyed working with these two.

Me & the beautiful Terese Sears. She was my "deskmate" for years at Global. The sweetest of souls.

Fun to catch up with former Global soundman extraordinaire Donny J. Buckley and with Sean. The very pretty and unusual pumpkin floral arrangement in front of us went home with me! (Thank you Melanie! Nice birthday gift)!!

In fact, I think I will just consider this get-together my private birthday bash! It was a blast!

Bob McAdorey

May 30/11

I was thinking the other day about middle-aged ladies who are "cougars." I suddenly realized, I'm the least cougar-like woman I know! (One day, while watching The View, I heard Barbara Walters ask, "What's a cougar?" Oh, Come on now Barbara, get with it! But just in case anyone doesn't know, - it's an older woman who seeks out or prefers relationships with younger men, OK?)

ALL the men I love, am crazy about or feel passion for are over 55 or more! Sure, I can appreciate a gorgeous young face, but what's up with the older guy thing? I think it's that they've hit their stride, (sometimes) mellowed, found their course, their direction, understand things about the world, are more relaxed and just generally "get it." (maybe not always, but often).

Although I'm in this age range myself, I have to discount myself from this "stable mode", (as I'm currently falling apart at the seams), but I hope to get it together one of these days.

Even when I was younger, I appreciated older guys. - About to hit you with my best example now, and it's my pleasure to talk about him!

For 18 wild years, I had the good fortune of working with Bob McAdorey at Global Television. He passed away in February, 2005, but he's always with me.

When I joined Global in 1984, (I was 28), - Bob was 49 and in his glory! He was known as one of the "Three Nice Guys" of the News at Noon. (along with John Dawe and Mike Anscombe).

Having no experience in TV, I was a nervous wreck, but little did I know, I'd be learning from the best! With the help of all three "nice guys", I was given the chance to learn how to anchor the entertainment segment from time to time and it was always a blast. Some people say, looking back on their career, they realize now they didn't appreciate what they had. I knew EXACTLY what I had - my dream job, and I appreciated every deadline- driven minute of it. The excitement and adrenaline kick of that high stress was absolutely mind-blowing and thrilling.

Within a very short time, I developed a major crush on Bob. I didn't even actually realize it at first. I just knew I liked being around him and helping him get crazy ideas onto the air. (mostly, that job fell to producers Kim Gertler, Leslie Elston and Bonnie Laufer Krebs, but I did what I could, and in the later years, after a lot of job shuffling at the station, I became more of an assistant to him). In watching him every day, his on-air appeal seemed to have no bounds. He would do anything and loved to shock the viewers (and all of us who worked with him too!)

It was Bob's daughter, Colleen (who worked in the news library), who first recognized and told me I had a crush on her Dad, and then, I had to admit it! How could I NOT have "crushed" on the man? He was so irreverent, quick on the draw and witty. Humour has always been at the top of my hit list and Bob was hysterically funny. I once told him, if it's true that laughter is the best medicine, then I should be the healthiest person on the planet just from working with him. (guess I haven't been laughing enough THESE days, eh?)

Happy days with Bob! Wearing a pregnancy top - expecting, (but not by Bob!) - You can see the celeb photos I put up at my desk behind me
Sometimes, I attended events as "Bob's date." Really just a friend or escort, but we always had fun together.

Party time with all the girls! (left to right), Ola, Vicki, Bonnie, Elaine, (NEXT to Bob, of course!), Bob, Irene
As great as it was to work with him, he could also be exasperating. He was moody, tempermental and hit high points of anger in a flash, (though they usually subsided just as quickly). I learned to swear from Bob, which I KNOW is the reason swearing doesn't bother me in the least to this day. I hardly notice it at all, (thanks to him). In fact, when I changed jobs and went to work at Tribute (the movie magazine), I couldn't understand the politeness. Then one day, I overheard a website guy next door to my office, screaming obscenities into the phone. After he hung up, he came over to apologize to me. I thanked him for the tirade and told him I FINALLY felt at home! (he didn't get it).

One day, it was announced that our entertainment co-worker Rob Davidson, (an old pal of mine from radio days), was leaving the department to handle the business show. I was broken-hearted and gave Rob a farewell card and a good luck hug for the new venture. Of course, I was taking pictures (as always). Bob wasn't Rob's biggest supporter (they clashed a bit), so when he saw me taking photos, Bob insisted on staging a mock cry-fest for Rob - right in his presence!

Bob whimpers over Rob Davidson's sad departure from entertainment

Meanwhile, my buddy Rob, took the whole thing in stride!
Years after joining Global, the station launched Entertainment Desk, a half-hour daily live show featuring Bob as host. All of us played a role in pulling the show together (especially Bonnie Laufer Krebs, whom Bob nicknamed "Bulldog Bonnie" due to her tenacity when it came to nabbing good guests for the show!)

I did daily reports for the show, and appeared weekly with Bob to talk daytime drama on my "Soap Chat" segments - Those were the days!

Bob LOVED doing Ent Desk and talking to all the celebs, like Carole Pope of Rough Trade!

And Jerry Mathers as "The Beav!"

Bob with actor/singer Robert Morse

Burton Cummings was always a HUGE McAdorey fan because of Bob's many years as a radio DJ with CHUM!
Once, I went with Bob to Disney World in Florida to cover some big events there. We all had on site hotel rooms. Here, producer John McKenna and I rigged up a makeshift "studio" in Bob's room, using a mattress against a wall as a "sound baffle"! What a laugh!

At one point, Bob had to undergo eye surgery. He shocked us all when he said it had been "botched" and he was forced to take time off to recuperate and had to wear an eyepatch. We all felt horrible for him. I had no idea that due to his absence, I would get the chance to take over the hosting duties on Ent Desk for nine months! I missed Bob so much, but at the same time, it was a baptism by fire in learning about doing LIVE TV!

Hosting Entertainment Desk - What an opportunity!

Interviewing Timothy Dalton
In between all the work, there were always parties!

Another bash with Bob! - top row, Marion Graham, husband Brian, me, Rick Dade, Bob, front row, Stephanie Rogers, Frank Mahon, Steffi Black
When Bob wasn't at work, he liked to spend time at his house in Niagara-on-the-Lake. I remember visiting there when he had the black patch on his eye. He missed doing his job, but adored that house.

I was asked to speak at Bob's funeral in 2005. I had left Global (in part, due to suffering panic attacks when I had to go live on the air), so the thought of speaking in public, terrorized me. But I was honoured to be given the chance to sing his praises, and with enough beta blockers in me, I was able to do it.

John Dawe drove me to the service and practically had to push me up the aisle to the podium. After a deep breath, I spoke to the crowd about my special relationship with Bob. I told everyone about the time I'd had a fight with my husband and was crying in the office. When Bob heard what the problem was, he went out and bought me a card. He gave it to me, and inside, it said, "Forget HIM. I LOVE YOU!!"

On my 40th birthday he gave me a cane decorated in flowers! (I still have it). I paid him back on his 64th birthday by lugging in a boom box, waiting for him to walk in the office and then blasting him with The Beatles' - "Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm 64!" (he hated birthdays)

One Christmas, I baked him a fruitcake. (I was nuts). The cake turned out like a brick. He laughed when I gave it to him and put it on the floor to use as a door stop!

The last time I heard from him was in the form of a pretty, floral Valentine that showed up in my mailbox. I opened up the card and the message he had carefully written said, "I love you so much I can't shit."
To this day, my most memorable Valentine ever. I bring it out every February 14th as a "decoration" for my dining table.

Bob had a lot of sadness in his life. I always wondered how he could put it behind him enough to make others laugh, when he was suffering so much pain. But he did it. There was never a day I didn't love him.

I ended my speech at his funeral by saying, "Every Friday night after work, the two of us would sit in the entertainment office together to wind down after a wild week. We rarely talked about movies or stars, but mostly about food, recipes, his MG, the good old radio days at CHUM, children and grandchildren. Those things were most important to him and made his life worth living. Bob certainly brought a lot of happiness, light and laughter into my life, and I'll never forget him."