Movin' on up?

March 19/12.

Had quite an afternoon. Got together with an old friend I haven't seen in about 30 years!

Terry Scott is Director of Broadcasting for The Canadian Press.

He's worked there 22 years. Before that, his unbelievably deep, booming voice and excellent news writing skills netted him radio jobs in newsrooms all over the place, including Montreal, Toronto and London (Ontario).

We first met at CFTR radio in 1978. I was the City Hall reporter, moonlighting as the entertainment reporter (which was what I REALLY wanted to do), but most of the time I was stuck covering scintillating city council meetings, (some of them action-packed, others that put journos right to sleep), tedious TTC boardroom debates and loud protests out on Nathan Phillips Square.

I invited Terry to lunch (we went to The Hot House Cafe), so I could pick his brain about some ideas I have for going back to work in the media biz. He surprised me by bringing along a couple of old photos.

Strangely, I have copies of these pics in an album, but didn't remember he was the photographer! I was 23 at the time. As I recall, the joke I was trying to create for Terry was, - hard-working, quiet, subdued, mild, meek & mousey news writer/reporter by day,

wild, vampy, vixenish party girl by night! Ha ha! Tossed the glasses, tore off the conservative confining jacket, tousled the hair and look out world! (love the old radio carts in the background). Terry and I reminisced about those fabulous fun days in the 'TR newsroom when we worked around the clock and couldn't get enough of covering the news. It sure gets in your blood. We both agreed the dedicated & diehard young roster of reporters and newscasters back then was top-notch and we remember all of our colleagues there very fondly. Funny pics Terr.

Terry gave me a tour of the CP newsroom (which is NOTHING like the dingy & dishevelled little newsroom we shared at 'TR!)

This, despite the fact the CP newsroom is in slight disarray as the organization is currently in the midst of a huge shuffle, consolidating operations from four floors down to just two! (you can see some of the packed boxes piled up and scattered around the place).

After our lunch, Terry was planning on packing up his own office to move to different digs. I'm surprised he was able to fit me into his busy schedule, but he gave me plenty of time and was most helpful and encouraging. Thank you so much Terry. Now I just have to try and make things happen!

On the way back from the restaurant, I couldn't help but stop by the old CFTR building, just around the corner from CP. I always thought it was cool there were two different entrances - one at 25 Adelaide Street East,

and the other at 44 Victoria Street.

CFTR was on the 11th floor and CHFI (sister station), on the 12th. At one point, I ended up working at both stations at the same time, doing newscasting. On weekends, I often had the 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. shift, racing from one floor to the other, writing and reading one newscast on the hour at 'FI and the next, on the half hour at 'TR! Sure kept me hopping, and by the time the shift wrapped up, I was ready to collapse. Even so, I'd still stay on to rip wires, (nobody even knows what ripping wires MEANS anymore!), answer phones and help out the next newscaster for a while, just to wind down and catch my breath!

After the stroll down memory lane, I wandered over to Yonge Street. What incredible weather! Just fantastic.

At the busy corner of Yonge & Dundas, a crowd had gathered, so I crossed the street to see what all the commotion was about.

Turned out, it was the ever-popular "Fire Man" (as he bills himself). I've seen him several times at Dundas Square.

He really fans the flames for his fans who always seem quite taken with him, (especially when he tells them not to applaud, but to yell out, "OHHHHHHH YEAHHHHHHHHH!" - and then to give him money).

While walking to the Eaton Centre,

I saw this billboard in a window and wished I could master what this woman is doing! Ouch. I've been working on a lot of exercises lately, but I can't do THIS!

Instead, I hit up Forever 21 (hey Terry, - guess seeing you made me remember those good old days in my 20s!), and if you can believe it,

I bought a pair of these lacy, ruffly aqua short shorts! They're the cutest shorts I've ever seen! Ahhhh, but will I have the nerve to WEAR them out in hot weather? (Well, if you ever read this blog, you likely already know the answer will be YES!)

Then over to The Body Shop for some more vanilla scented body cream. (what else?). The "buy two, get a third one free" deal is still on. I met a beautiful and lovely young sales woman there named Fay Ann. She told me about a different vanilla product,

a spray cologne, and spritzed my wrist with it. The scent is fabulous. I HAD to have it Oh no! Not ANOTHER vanilla addiction!

While walking back to my car, fire guy was still burning up the street and I had a flaming desire to go home and send my resume to Terry. It's a start. Much more to come.

If you've gotta work somewhere, it might as well be Toronto!

What's not to like?

Right Terry?
I came home on a big high for the first time in several weeks, looking forward to what might lie ahead. I DO know what I'm up to on Tuesday. Back to Princess Margaret at 10:45 a.m. to meet with "The Nutty Professor" (my medical oncologist). Hopefully, he'll tell me all is well and to keep making plans! You BET I will Doc!

Monday, Monday!

November 7/11.

To quote The Mamas & the Papas....(LOVE them so!)...

"Monday, Monday, so good to me,
Monday mornin', it was all I hoped it would be,
Oh Monday mornin', Monday mornin' couldn't guarantee,
That Monday evenin' you would still be here with me!

Monday, Monday, can't TRUST that day,
Monday, Monday, sometimes it just turns out that way,
Oh Monday mornin' you gave me no warnin' of what was to be,
Oh Monday, Monday, how could you leave and not take me?"

(GREAT lyrics about a crappy-kinda-day) - Well, YOU know, Mondays usually suck.

Anyone who reads this blog, (or my messages on Facebook), knows, I HATE Mondays. Gak! - But NOT today!

Many years ago, my beautiful sister-in-law, Carolyn, said I should learn about "ME DAYS." I never heard of them before. She explained they are imperative to your well-being. Sometimes, her "ME DAY" involves a visit to a spa for a massage or mani/pedi. (But I HATE massages, always have, - and mani/pedis - nope. Not happening! - EVER).
I am more...hmmmmmmmm...visceral. I think? (Had to look that word up)! Part of the definition is: Dealing with crude or elemental emotions. Right on!
Emotion is my middle name, - (just in case you didn't know).

Carolyn and her husband, Neil, (my husband's cool bro), recently got back from a trip to Tahiti, celebrating their 30-year wedding anniversary! (Now THAT'S what I call "ME DAYS")!!!!!!!!!! Wow! - Just fantastic! (and, may I say, this is one of the most beautiful shots I've EVER seen of the two of you together!!!!) Hope you don't mind I borrowed it from a vacation email you sent!!! (will take it down if you tell me to, but hoping you'll let me use it! You both look great!)

But Carolyn's words (coupled with my recent William Shatner/Massey Hall experience, - "Just say YES"!!), resulted in a "ME DAY" of my own!
Look out!

"LAIN!!! You're listening to what I have to say??? - Weird, or WHATTTT"??

My good friend, Pam, took a couple of "ME DAYS" last weekend.

She went to Niagara Falls with her new beau, Steve!

Such a lovely rainbow!

Lookin' mighty happy there, Pam! As romance goes, - Margaritas and The Falls - sounds like a pretty deadly combo!!

And talk about romance and racing heartbeats! Pam & Steve actually went INDOOR SKYDIVING (à la this promotional pic!) Yikes-o-rama!

I told my husband, Sam, I NEED a "ME DAY," - and he strongly encouraged the thought, saying, "Do WHATEVER you like!" - So I did! Wanted to do SOMETHING to change my "hate-on" for Mondays, to a love fest! Here's what happened.

I've had a lifelong love of Yonge Street. Day or night. It's always the best! - Drove there at 9 a.m. to the Eaton Centre - for something I NEVER have.

You got it! - BREAKFAST!!! (Yep. Orange Julius). Why the hell not??

Then? Off shopping, to The Bay! Tried to find a gift for my Auntie Ray, who is about to turn 92 in a few days, but no luck. Nothing "spoke to me." Drat. She is tough to buy for. Will keep looking!

Since this is a ME-day, gave up "the Auntie Ray search" and headed to a few of MY fave places. - (maybe yours too?)

Won't tell you what I bought, - (if ANYTHING), but here's the kind of sultry items they have up for grabs!! Hit it Ricky Ricardo!!! "Ai yi YI"!

(insert wolf whistle here).

Ai CarUMba!!!! (Thank you Bart)!!

And when I got tired of La Vie En Rose, (which is tough to do), there's always La Senza!! - (funny, but what REALLY got me, was the window display model's fantabulous makeup! PLEASE, Dana Joon! - my fave Global TV cosmetics expert, - come and make me up to look like THIS)!!!!!!!!! Simply stunning!!! I KNOW you can do it! LOL. (as the model's motto says, "Bling it on"!)

La Senza! Lotsa hot stuff.

Next? The Body Shop!!! My mission? To find Vanilla brown/sugar body lotion. And I DID!

(my old high school pal, Dean Rogers, bought me some sample sizes of this knock-your-socks-off, sensuous stuff a few months ago. Got addicted. (thanks a lot Dean). Now, I can't live without it! Great. I swear, if you TRY this product, you will feel the same. The scent is heavily intoxicating.

After hours of shopping, moved on to...yep, lunch! (unheard of for me!) A veggie sandwich at Richtree Market Restaurant. (trying to add a bit of weight on to this 95-pound frame, since everybody seems to think that's what I need. OK already)!!

To quote my favourite Jim Carrey line in The Grinch, (yes. - AGAIN!), - "Cut, print, MOVING ON!" - to an art show!

Went to the John A. Libby Fine Art Gallery to see some works by our longtime family friend, Garth Haines. UNBELIEVABLE painter! The show continues through Saturday November 12th at 463 King Street East. GO SEE IT!!

My sister, Carrie, went to see the Garth Haines show on the weekend, and met up with him! He is 80-years-old now, and having many problems with his eyesight, and yet,

his work is amazing.

Here's a DOUBLE painting!

(oil on canvas, called Cumulus Forming) Click here to look at Garth Haines' website.

Carrie was also introduced to Christian Thibault, of Ottawa, (above), who is sharing the bill with Garth Haines at the gallery. - TWO great artists together!

And Carrie's boyfriend, Paul Nodwell, also a gifted artist, was there to meet with Garth Haines too! (Paul is a big fan of Garth's!)

This is Paul's recent work, painted during his trip to Nadine Lake (Algonquin Park). Stunning! For more of Paul's creations, see his website (click here).

When I dropped by the gallery, my friend, Garth, wasn't there, but I had the fun of meeting the delightful Christian Thibault, who took me on a tour of the gallery paintings, both his own, AND Garth's. (I wanted my pic taken in my mauve hoodie in front of Garth's mauve work of art. Christian is standing in front of one of his own paintings).

Christian giving the grand tour.

Two more lovely golden paintings by Christian Thibault.

Brilliant Fall Day - by Garth Haines.

John Libby, who runs the gallery, was kind enough to invite me to the upcoming holiday art shows. Had a great time chatting with him about everything under the sun. (as he seems to be, here!)

Moonstruck - by Garth Haines. (I want this painting in my bedroom! - Don't YOU?)

The Red Wagon - also by the brilliant Garth Haines.

Saying a fond farewell to Libby Fine Art. This place is good for the soul!

Onward! Next? - The Beaches!

Such a beautiful day!

Hard to believe it's November!!

While trying to take a 10 second auto-pic shot, almost lost it in laughter, when just as the camera was about to click, this dog, suddenly ran in front of me!!! So funny. (and my hair is pretty hysterical too!)

Stopped in the Kew Gardens area to snap some fall colour shots, before the leaves all disappear.

Then, out of the leaves and into Hair Dynamix Salon,

the only place I know that carries I.C.O.N. Cure - (the hair essential that detangles my hair enough to be able to get a wide-tooth comb through it)!

$30 a bottle, but worth every penny! (lasts about three months). Would have hair like a rat's nest WITHOUT it)!! SO happy to have some CURE product. I was afraid it was discontinued (like every other cosmetic I adore)! Later, made another stop on Yonge Street, because it was hoppin'!

Don't know the name of this blues guitarist, but he was going at it, hot & heavy at Yonge & Dundas! Very good player! Others were taking his picture too. I gave him some change and he waved and thanked me (in between notes)!

And this lone man was dancing to the beat of a different drummer! (Himself!)

And this guy? A "fire swallower"!

As he was about to show his stuff, a young boy yelled out to him, "EAT IT"!! The fire swallower instantly bellowed back, "YOU eat it kid"!!! (SO made me laugh!!)

I watched everything "incognito"! Bought these great Guess sunglasses in August for a family vacation. LOVE them, but so far, have only worn them twice. Today was #2! Nobody knew me! (not that they would! LOL)! But not a single person approached me in Dundas Square, asking, "What the HELL are you doing???????" - So I didn't have to explain, "Taking a ME day" - OK with you)?!?

THOUGHT about going to a movie at the AMC! But after checking the roster, nothing really roped me in. So, continued along Yonge.

ADORE the multiple fountains! So pretty!

On the last lap back to my car, saw THIS window.

Couldn't help but take a pic! Won't say why. YOU figure it out!! (I've always loved red! As my cousin, Kevan, says, "Red goes with EVERYTHING"!!)
Back home by 7 p.m. to cook dinner. End of "ME DAY"!
Was awesomely fun!