Family

(1) It's neat to realize that the one person in my family who truly understands me is my 88 year old grandmother. I feel that we have some sort of kindred spirit, or deep connection that I don't have with any other family member (she's an extremely intelligent person with a great sense of humour, and I love the time we spend together). And it's nice to finally be mature enough to realize how cool that is.

(2) It's also neat (while at times disturbing) to realize that the younger sister I always thought of as 'the little kid' has her life more together than I do. And will definitely have a baby before me (if I have a baby at all), and will likely get married before me (if I get married at all). And will, no matter how much pregnancy weight she gains, still always be the skinny one. And even though that leaves me eternally as the chubby sister, I'm really proud of her and very happy for all the blessings that are coming her way.

(3) It's important to travel and experience life with one's parents before they're too old to enjoy it. My dad and I are going to a dude ranch in British Columbia this summer, and my mom and I are going to New York City in the fall. I'm very excited about both trips (and not just because it means I get to take holidays).

The Great Part About Opposites Attracting

My boyfriend and I are very similar in a lot of fundamental ways (which makes for a good base to build a relationship). However, we have many different interests, and that's a good thing. In fact, the more we get to know each other, the more excited I get about some of the new things he has exposed me to.

Comic books, for instance. When I was a kid, I read Archie comics...but I was more into baseball and hockey cards. But I'm getting a second chance thanks to my boyfriend, a real comic book fan. He's schooled me in the history of the artists and some of his favourite strips, and I've even started a small collection of my own - Incredible Hulk, Human Torch, Ghost Rider (the oldies, of course).

I've also been very lucky because one of my very oldest and dearest friends (we have baby pictures together, that's how far we go back) has a father who is a collector. In fact, ever since I've know him, his comics have been his livelihood. So I've purchased some books from him, and hit many of the shops around Winnipeg (Comics America, Galaxy Comics, Cover to Cover, etc.).

But of course, I'm always looking for new sources. So...if anyone else out there is an avid fan, and has any tips, that's what the comments section is for!

Even Old TV Comes Back In Style Eventually

My boyfriend and I have been renting DVDs of old tv series lately - The Saint, Twin Peaks, Hill Street Blues, etc. - and we've discovered some striking similarities between tv of old and tv of today. For instance:

(1) Hawaii Five-O's Steve McGarrett = CSI Miami's Horatio Caine...no explanation needed, just watch the two in action (it's like they were separated at birth)

(2) Ironside's Ironside = The Office's Dwight Schrute...one says 'query', the other says 'question'...tomato, tomato... (it's too much of a coincidence to be an actual coincidence, right? methinks this bit was ripped off).

Any other examples you can think of?

I'm Back...

...and am sorry I've been away for so long...had to delete the comments re: politics, as this site is not meant for political debate...sorry. Check out Hacks and Wonks, or Comments Closed, instead.

So, topic of discussion for today = Celine Dion: national treasure, or national embarrassment?

Today after Coronation Street, I watched a little of CBC News Sunday where Evan Solomon was doing an interview with Dion. I'll admit to not being a fan of her music or her diva-dom, and the vast majority of the interview (where she more often than not completely butchered the English language) was painful - but one of her quotes actually made me laugh aloud, so of course, I must share. I paraphrase only a little here: in the context of her rich and famous lifestyle, "I am proud that I have managed to stay insane". Yes, INsane. I kid you not. Freudian slip? You tell me...