Lain's Log

Everything!

June 10/13.

Tonight at 9:15, I'll be undergoing another breast MRI. (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).  The last one was a year ago.

This prep-shot was taken at my first MRI in 2011 on Sam's BlackBerry-cam, so it's pretty blurry - (likely a GOOD thing!) - Stylish! (not)

I have to buy a pair of earplugs to wear underneath the noise cancellation headphones, thereby quieting the ultra-loud clanging, beeping, buzzing and siren sound effects you have to endure. Also, due to a back injury 20 years ago, I can't lie on my stomach unless I have pillows or towels under my abdomen. Last time, the technician was very accomodating and found some padding for me to lie on so my back wouldn't hurt. (you have to stay perfectly still, boobs hanging through two holes in the examination table (lovely), and your face planted in a donut hole pillow for 30 to 45 minutes). Always tough. Each time I've had an MRI, I start to itch! And you can't move a muscle to scratch! Last time, I took a Tylenol 3 and a 5 mg. Valium before the test to help me lie still in a shaky state - and I'll do it again on Monday. (I'd recommend that to anyone having an MRI, as long as you have someone to drive you home afterwards!)

Nice floral hat!

Part of the test also involves the insertion of an IV needle so they can pump you full of contrast dye. Back then, I was told results would be available in 5 days, but I had to wait 12. Everything turned out well, and I'm hoping the same will be true this time.

Back to Princess Margaret Hospital for a checkup, and then to Mount Sinai for another test.

Still awaiting results of the painful uterine biopsy done 18 days ago! (Sometimes, the wait can be the hardest thing of all)!
"Backwards-working-now". On May 25th, stopped by cousin Kevio's place to say a final goodbye to my sweet littlest cousin, Sienna (who turns 2 this coming week). She and her beautiful Mum, (my cuz, Sacha) were heading off on the long trip to Malta to see Sienna's Dad, Mark. He's a water polo player there.

Sienna sure has grown since this family pic was taken when she was just three months old. This time, they'll all be there together for 10 months. As a result, Kev and Marilyn are empty-nesters and will miss them both so much. (I miss them already!)

Knowing how sad Kev/Mar would be when they had to drive them to the airport, I dropped off some flowers and a card, hoping to cheer them up a little bit. (I know what a wreck I'D be if MY kids were going away for almost a year!) They weren't home, so I left the flowers hanging on the doorknob till their return. I later found out they were awash with tears at the final goodbye, (which I was fully expecting to hear).

The next day, Tom, expert Shellac man at Urban Nails, gave me three new coats of shiny Rosebud pink at Urban Nails. Nice.

Later in the week, received an offer to write two more previews for the upcoming issue of Tribute, the movie magazine. Glad for the work and the chance to get published again. I was given one day to come up with reports -
about R.I.P.D (Rest in Peace Department, starring Jeff Bridges and our Canadian actor, Ryan Reynolds),

and World War Z, the zombie flick starring - (and co-produced by) Brad Pitt.

You have to write the previews based strictly on information and trailers, since the magazine deadline is way before the films appear in theatres. By the time I was finished all the research and writing, I'd been zombified! (have had a lifetime thing for zombies!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcwTxRuq-uk

Must say, the movie looks pretty damn scary!

Even Brad Pitt admits the zombies in his new flick are like nothing you've ever seen before!

We had some pretty iffy & weird weather in late May, but finally, May 31st was a perfect day! April showers really DID bring May flowers! (will admit, these are the flowers at our next-door-neighbour's place, as they are super gardeners!)

But have to say, our backyard is gorgeous, green and lush, and we have four new adorable little baby raccoons living somewhere back there!

That same evening, Max's band, Ghost Daze, came for one of their frequent rehearsals in our basement. I snapped a few pics. (Roadie/promo Mum).  This time, lead singer/guitarist Emmett Webb played drums, and Max played guitar. - (check out Max's Alan Alda poster on the left. Max and I are M*A*S*H/Hawkeye fanatics).

Bassist Charles Wilson took a crack at Max's acoustic guitar.

It's really fun to have a household filled with rock music! This rehearsal sounded particularly tight to me!

Later, Max dressed up to go to a downtown bar with his marimba-playing music partner, Celeste. He's not of age yet, but Max is very anti-booze, so he just went to hang out and have pop. - (these two were voted Cutest Best Friends at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts).

The next day, my old high school pal, Dean Rogers, invited me to the annual outdoor art show at Jimmie Simpson park. Naturally, it had to pour rain, (bad hair day for me!) - but we went anyway and saw tons of interesting work.

Music was provided by

Moo'dSwing.

And there was a food tent - (with unidentified items for sale).

I liked the Wizard of Oz paintings.

And the tree/landscapes. (though I got in trouble from the artist for shooting this pic). All I was doing was trying to promote him, but guess I'll leave his name out!

I wasn't too big on the dogs.

But always like anything bright and colourful!

This young artist was painting

the surroundings!
Thank you, Dean, for the invite, (and for bringing an umbrella!)

June 4th brought Frank, patio door installer from Canadian Tire, to our basement.

He gave us an estimate (our third one) on replacing the wrecked sliding doors and rotting wood, built in 1979, years before we moved in. He and his father are a team,

gave the best quote and really seem to know their craft. So, within the next month,

the broken handles and everything else will finally be replaced and we'll be able to open the doors! (at the moment, it takes two people to shove the sliding door aside! - We've been told, once it's all done, we will be able to open the doors with our baby finger! - Yay!) - Contracts are signed. Can't wait.

June 5th, enjoyed the flowers at the No Frills Garden Centre.

Didn't buy anything, but liked the way this hanging bouquet matched my shirt! ha ha!


The next morning, ready to take on the track at Riverdale Park -

and ended up accomplishing my longest run yet - 13 laps - just over 3 miles. Never thought I could EVER run three miles,

but did it with some heavy duty mental inspiration and great iPod music!


This is the sign I pass on the walk home every other day, after my run.

Following a hot shower and change of clothes, drove Max - (lookin' spiffy), to his school's Music Night.

He and Celeste played marimba together

for three tunes,

and Max had a drum solo on the song Dracula's Mountain. Proud Mum here.

Another day, spent a fortune at Shoppers, made over 18,000 extra points, and was able to buy 30 bucks worth of free stuff. Love that!

Sunday night, watched The Tonys, 


(host Neil Patrick Harris did a fabulous opening number), 

and then saw Strombo's first CNN show featuring Martin Short. Now it's time to get my head together for tonight's MRI.

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Zombies & many other weird & horrific things

October 5/11.

I've been zompified!!

Yep. Love Zombies. Always have. Always will.
Saw the shirt, couldn't resist! (Halloween is coming soon, right?)

Trekked over to lay some zompification on Kevio at Bridgepoint for a while.


He's had some ups and downs, as anyone would after 46 days stuck in a wheelchair in rehab, sharing a "suite" with three wild & crazy roomies!! He wants to go home!!

The GOOD news is, he's been walking all over the place - not EASILY, he tells me - (sadly, I still haven't seen a demonstration yet!), but he's DOING it,

with the help of crutches and his "moon-walking boots"!


On top of all that, Kev got asked to be part of a photo shoot for a Bridgepoint brochure or promotion of some kind! - CLICK!

CLICK!

CLICK!

They wanted photos of patients who were recuperating well, and Kev is a perfect example! He joked that he did all his best "Zoolander" modelling expressions,


a la Ben Stiller!


Don't TELL anyone, but -


(I think Kevio could make the COVER)!
The photogs told Kev he was good, and a natural behind the camera!


(little did they know of the countless photo shoots he did over the years,


with Rough Trade!!) - Hilarious!

P.S. - Kev was ASKED to perform a Zoolander pose like THIS!

(but in his current condition, he declined)! - Good move!

See you tonight Kev, on the Henkell run!

The next day, I had lunch with an old friend, the lovely and very talented MaryLenore Arsenault. We met many years ago when she worked in Toronto as a music publicist. (anybody else remember Be-Bop Communications)? I sure do! We always enjoyed working on projects together!

On our lunch talk agenda, let's see: the ever-changing music biz, Jonatha Brooke (beautiful singer she represented and I LOVE), clothing, money (or lack thereof), and men, men, men!! - Lots of laughs, lemme tell ya! Mary is a real gem!

Since then, she's worked in New York, Nashville and is now back to stay in Toronto, which is great! She has her own blog, with the hilarious name of Moss Park Fashionista!! Let's do lunch again soon Mary! And good luck with EVERYTHING!!! (check out her blog, below)

Moss Park Fashionista.


Later, hit the hill again, for yet another "cityscape auto-cam experimental shot"!

TONIGHT, just for fun, my old friend, Randy Maxwell, (ex-Randy Stevens in the CFTR radio days!)

is going JOIN me at the Riverdale Park hill to shoot some pics for me!! He's in the video biz and is a great photographer too, so, maybe he can help make me look like a model! (not!!) LOL. (good luck with THAT Randy!!)

I'll come armed with mirror, hairbrush, cans of hairspray, overstuffed makeup bag, industrial strength bag-cream, you name it!! (where's my Global TV makeup artist Dana Joon when I NEED her?? MISS YOU DANA!!)

Meanwhile, yesterday was not the happiest of days. I returned to Princess Margaret Hospital,

- this time, not for myself, but to help a friend of mine who is about to embark on "the cancer journey" too. She is very private and prefers that I call her, "Madame X!" Two of her other pals and I, stayed with her for many hours as she waited to hear test results.

We spent ages talking about Howard Stern & SIRIUS Radio,



Bobby Sherman!


William Shatner!
"YAYYYYYYYYYY! You talked about MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"?

and lots more men, men, men!! (what ELSE??)

Then, when Madame X got called in to be given the results, she was told, they don't HAVE them!!! WTF? That happened to me too and I went all cuckoo-nutsy-reporter on them and actually tracked down the lab technician who HAD the results and BEGGED her to fax them to my Doc. She did. Wanted to help my friend do the same, but couldn't.


She was told to take off, have lunch and come back in an hour. We all went across the street to Sick Kids Hospital and hung out at the weekly fruit/veggie market there.



I ended up buying sweet potato fries (all cut up and ready to bake) and tomatos.

Upon returning to the hospital, Madame X finally saw the surgeon and was told things didn't look good. I drove her home and tried to make her feel a little better. Today, she got confirmation that it's abdominal cancer and she'll have her surgery on October 12th, just a week from now.
I'll be praying for you sweetie and will do what I can to help. I got through it. You will too.

Before leaving the hospital, I paid a visit to the old easel (which I used to look at EVERY DAY), to see what inspirational message it had.

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