Catching up!

January 18/13.

Last blog entry, I left out a couple of events involving my fab fam. Shortly after we shuffled into the new year, my sister, Carrie, was invited to attend a special Polka Dot Door reunion party at a downtown restaurant. She was one of the talented co-hosts of the TVO show for many years. (Fabulous singing voice and an amazing puppeteer, if I do say so myself!)

She had fun catching up with one of her fave co-hosts, Johnie Chase at the reunion bash.


Here's Carrie doing her best to drum up big bucks for TVO!


Check out Carrie singing the infamous Polkaroo Flying in Space! (and at the end, you'll see Johnie, too!)

The reunion event was organized by Travis Doucette, (a young man intent on archiving every episode)! He spends countless hours posting Polka Dot Door clips on YouTube for the thousands of diehard fans of the old show!

The Polkaroo wasn't there for the get-together, - (you mean we missed him again???), but here's a shot of Carrie with the popular character from a previous occasion. When asked why he didn't attend, he responded simply, in his usual fashion, - "Polkaroo???" Alrighty then!

Carrie shoe-horned the reunion into her life in between singing gigs, other time-consuming jobs and shuttling her son, Lee to baseball games and school events.

She has one very busy life.

And Lee has been mucho busy too with his glamourous girlfriend, Emily!

Meanwhile, my sister-in-law, Carolyn, and her hubby, Neil, (not pictured here!) are on a fabulous South American cruise. They've been to Chile, to Ushuaia, Argentina (the southernmost town/city in the world), the Falkland Islands, rounded Cape Horn and visited the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile where they encountered condors, rheos (small emus) and this big guy - a guanaco (like a llama). They say the weather has been great, the locations beautiful and the food, delicious! The lucky ducks have missed some mighty cold temperatures here!

Here now is a pic of my cousin Kevio when he and his fam first got their new Weimaraner pup, Kalou. (Kev was trying to teach her how to sleep, to no avail!) They became good pals pretty quickly.

Now, Kalou has grown a lot! She's about a year-and-a-half old and has been taking extra good care of her owner as he triumphs over a few health issues. (nothing like a lick on the head to make you feel better!) Sheesh.

As for me, I've had more follow-up appointments at Princess Margaret Hospital. They monitor my medical condition every few months to make sure I'm OK. This day I was visiting the shrink, who helps me cope with the ups and downs of life.

I read the inspiration board while I was there. (City TV reporter Cynthia Mulligan, who went through her own public battle with cancer, always encouraged me to, "Check the board!") This time it reminded me of the mind/body connection,

which led to me Druxy's, the hospital deli in the lobby, where I had a grilled cheese sandwich on toasted multi-grain bread and a cup of Earl Grey tea! Cheerio!

The next day, (in my continuing quest to gain some weight!), I had lunch with my old pal, Rob Davidson. We first met back in the '80s as radio reporters, when I was at CFTR (680 News) and he was upstairs at CHFI, and then we spent more years working together as entertainment reporters at Global TV. He is a very good guy and always makes me laugh! (And when HE lets loose that laugh of HIS, it actually makes you feel as though you are funny)! Thanks for making the trek, Rob. Great to see you! (Rob has his own company, Lunchroom Productions and also works with ex-Globalite Dave Hatch for his company, WhistleStop Productions, and spent the morning interviewing blues musician Danny Marks before heading to The Friendly Greek to meet me).

And today, it was back to Princess Margaret again,

this time for an annual mammogram.

They didn't used to bother me, but after the breast cancer surgery, yikes-o-rama, that really hurts!

And before taking off, one more stop at Druxy's,

(I don't want to cook anymore!!) -

today, it was French toast, maple syrup and fresh fruit! (at this rate, I should be back up to 100 pounds in no time!)

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!

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!