Today's the day

You may recall back in May, that I bought tickets for PC & I, and Erin & Barry to go see Rascal Flatts in Syracuse, New York. Well.... the concert is TONIGHT!

I am just at home right now tying up a few loose ends before we head on down to sing our hearts out at the New York State Fair.

I am sooooooooooo excited. I am pretty sure no matter what, this concert is going to be a good time. I have heard so much about RF's Me & My Gang Tour, that we are pretty much guaranteed a great show.

Because of this, I have nothing on my mind but the concert, so this makes for a pretty crappy post today. I will also have to apologize in advance, as I will be away tomorrow, so that means no post tomorrow, but tune in Friday for some pictures and the update from our little adventure!

Until then..... download a little Rascal Flatts music and sing it for me would ya!!!

What hurts the most
Was being so cloooooooooooooooooooose
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away...............

And never knooooooooooowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was tryin’ to doooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

ooooooooooooo ooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooow!

Bad deeds will catch up with you!

NOTE: Give yourself a few extra minutes to take in today's post. It is extra long in order to account for the events of this past weekend, pooled with today's unfortunate event! I apologize for the lengthiness in advance.

If this were an appropriate forum to swear like a trucker, I would be droppin f-bombs like they were worth money.

HONESTLY... I am so freakin mad right now, but I know that today's incident is probably a result of my bad deeds on the weekend.

Let's recap... Saturday, Kristy, Erica, Eva and I took the day and headed to this place, Le Nordik Spa Scandinave, a relaxing little paradise in Old Chelsea. We spent 5 hours there and were feeling pretty darn lazy afterwards, as we did NOTHING but sit around relaxing, in the saunas, in the pools, in the hot tubs, in the lounger chairs... it was by far the best day I have had in a very long time.

Saturday evening, it took a bit for us to get motivated to go out, but we all managed to put on a brave face and greet downtown Ottawa with our drinkin' faces. So... what seemed like it would be a regular night out, turned out to be a little more adventurous than an old married woman and her friends might expect.

As the bar announced 'last call for alcohol' ... my friends and I were just warming up. We sang the DJ out of good dancing tunes, right into the painful last slow dance song of the evening. Our D.D (partly designated, partly drunk driver) happened to be some crazy guy named Adam (funny guy) an accountant by day, but a damn good driver by night. Somehow (and I don't really know how) we ended bumming a smoke from some random dudes on the streets because WE DON'T SMOKE, and then lighting the damn thing like we did smoke, BUT WE DON'T. And then somehow, the following events occurred.

Ooops 1 

Ooops 2

So... yes... definitely some moments that my parents (CONNIE & TIM BELLEROSE), would not be proud of!!

I am gonna go with the excuse that.... actually all I am wondering here is 'How the hell did I think it was cool to climb up on an emergency response squad car at the tender age of 26'.

There is definitely something to be said for peer pressue, from my two blonde friends.

My husband leaves me alone for one night and look what the hell happens.... how could he be so irresponsible. This is what I would expect from him... not me. I am pretty sure someone took over my body for the last 2 hours of the night, because although that looks like me on top of that car... I don't think it was actually me... BUT THAT IS DEFINITELY my friends, KRISTY SHAUGNESSY & ERICA CLAPP (2 P's.. as in Papa Papa).

Whooooooooooooa... don't really know whatelse to say on the issue, expect that 'I didn't do it YOUR HONOUR'.

Thus... the point of my story... today after school, I got in the car and proceeded to take the same route home that I have been taking for 9 months, down Slater Street, right on O'Connor.... to the 417 east bound. Simple route... you would think, but today, while turning right on O'Connor, I immediately see a police officer directly in front of my car, waving his hands like typical traffic cop, and flagging my car (not the two cars behind me) to the side of the road.

So I bite... and follow his hand motions over to the side...and I roll down my window like the law abidding citizen (all the time thinking HOLY SHIT, he knows it was me on the emergency squad car).

The cop unpleasantly informs me 'Excuse me ma'am... the reason I pulled you over is because there is specifically a sign at the intersection stating that you can't turn right at that intersection between the hours of 3:30 & 5:30 PM'

ARE FREAKIN KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW?

I pull my out my dumbest blonde look and group it together with the stunned phrase 'I am sooooooooo sorry, I had no clue' (not the least bit convincing either).

The cop fires back with: I can see that.... driver's license, registration, insurance.

My stunned look immediately turns to anger, as he tells me: remain in the car ma'am, this will just take a minute.

ARE YOU FREAKIN KIDDING ME?
The jerk is sooooo charging me.

As I wait not one minute, but for 15 minutes... while 20 cars behind me turn right onto O'Connor and continue on their marry way ... I want to scream. But instead .... I sit there, and wait, and wait, and wait until the officer returns with my ticket and his 5 minute spiel that starts off with:

'The reason that sign is there Mrs. Coleman (don't call me Mrs.).... yida yida yada... the normal fine for this offence under the Ontario Traffic Act is $110 and 2 demerit points, but since you have had no recent previous convictions I have decided to give you a regular by-law offence ticket that is $35, does not go on your record, and does not cost you any demerit points'

He continues to stress the fact that he has given me a significant break. And his closing statement as he hands me the ticket is: 'So again, I think you understand that I have given you a break here'

To which I respond with: THANK YOU OFFICER.

I pull away... thinking, THANK YOU??? THANK YOU for what?? The $35 lesson, and a waste of 25 minutes. Yes... thank you Ottawa Police for I learned this lesson so that the 40 other right hand turners on O'Connor Street today could go free while you were busy writing up my ticket.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..... if it weren't for my Saturday night events, none of this would have happened. I know it.

I guess I should just be thankful that an A.P.B didn't show up on the computer when he went to run my driver's license... I am sure the conviction for Saturday night's event may have been a bit more than $35.

This is one I am just not proud folks.... buy hey... it did make for a good post today, don't you think?

Man in Motion

I was only a little girl when Rick Hansen's Man in Motion tour cruised by Highway 17 outside of Thessalon, but I still remember waiting on the side of the highway with my school class to see his wheel chair pass us. Who knew that after 20 years, he will still be having an impact on Canadian society and the rights to accessibity for handicapped individuals around the world.

Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the Man in Motion tour in Canada. What started out as a goal of 10 million dollars surpassed all expectations to a whopping 26 million dollars for spinal cord research.

The tour continued around the world, and Rick Hansen should be commended for his efforts and committement to such a worthy cause.

Reading the 20th anniversary articles makes me feel a little old, but if Rick Hansen isn't feeling old after wheeling through 34 countries, then I clearly have nothing to complain about.

In my opinion Rick Hansen has played and continues to play a very important role in the lives of many individuals and families who have had the less fortune of experiencing barriers to accesibility in this world. Although I don't know Mr. Hansen personally, I believe he is just an all around great guy who has the right attitude about life, and that has allowed him to be successful, no matter what obstacles he has faced. I love the quote on his web site that says:

If you believe in a dream, and have the courage to try, great things can be accomplished.

A great moto to keep in mind when life gets tough.

All day I have been singing John Parr's St. Elmo's Fire...

gonna be your man in motion
all I need is a pair of wheels
take me where my future's lyin'
St. Elmo's fire...

I can see a new horizon
underneath the blazin sky...
(sing it Sara!)

Thank you Mr. Hansen for being so committed to such a great cause. Its been 20 years since you committed yourself to achieving a goal, and in 20 years you have gone beyone the call of duty for people around the world. You have made Canada proud!

Change is good!

Today, PC and I celebrate 11 months of marriage. 11 months and counting, counting down to the big 1 year milestone. While I am spending the evening with my curling girls, I know PC will be at home cherishing every moment we have had since September 24, 2005...

(and a deep masculine voice announces)
DREAM ON SARA

Okay, so we are not as hung up on our wedded bliss as we were say 3 days after the wedding, but I still like to believe that we are in the honeymoon stage of our marriage (a girl can dream!).

I was surfing around the site BLOGTHINGS, when I came across a little quiz that determines how much you have changed in the last 10 years. Turns out I've changed quite a bit. My results are listed below:

You've Changed 76% in 10 Years

Compared to who you were ten years ago, you've changed a great deal.In fact, you're probably in a completely different phase of your life - and very happy about it!

How Much Have You Changed in 10 Years?

I am pretty estatic that is says I am in a completey different phase of my life and very happy about it, because that means the quiz was bang on!

10 years ago I could have never predicted my life today, but I am very very satisfied about how my life has unfolded to this point, and probably if I take this quiz again in 10 years, I won't be nearly as exciting or prone to change as I am now, but god damn it, I will still be grinning with wedded bliss (a girl can dream!).

Most times we associate negative things with change, but in the case of marriage, who knew change could be soooo good!

Take the quiz youself and see how much you have changed... can you top 76%??? Who wants to take me on??

Finally... the vacation pics!

Its been over two weeks since PC and I returned from our vacation in the North! I was meaning to post pictures from the trip, but the more time that passes, the less I can think of a good post to go within.

So... I have decided to bore you with a less than adequate post on the vacation and cut right to the pictures.

The short of the long is that we had a great trip... as you will see played a little baseball (in which the Bellerose men won their first game in at least a decade! but then lost their next two - minor detail), and then we headed across the border to the Brimley State Park.... to do some camping with fam-damily! PC and I managed to survive 4 whole nights in the tent, together, in sub-zero temperatures... thank god for young love, or we might have froze to death! We did some shopping, PC golfed, and let's not forget my encounter with seniors porn! (If you miss that post... click here)

The vacation was by far the best time I have had at home in many trips. I think last year, with the excitement of the wedding, and constant 'to do' list to complete during every trip, this was the first time that I have be able to really relax and enjoy the company of my family, without the roller coaster called 'stress' along for the ride.

Good times were had by all.... and if it were for the 8 hour road trip between us and the need to retain our jobs and have a steady income, we would definitely do it more often!

So without further ado.... here are some pics!!!
Enjoy!

He takes the pitch! 

Serious Ball Players!!! 

The Toss! 

The Kings just had more power! 

Who's coaching who? 

Game Over! 

PC competes for ALL-STAR Bellerose Team! 

Bocce Anyone? 

Interested Bocce Players 

Wayner's Fire... these people are ready for SMORES 

Aunt Connie ... and the kids! 

Nolan & Crystal 

Sparkler Magic 

Driver or pedestrian?

This morning while driving to work I found traffic a bit heavier than usual. This meaning that my estimated arrival time (ETA) for school was way off. Being in a bit of a hurray as I entered the downtown sector, I was tending to be a pushy driver on the road and one lady gave me a nasty stare when the bumper of the Escape just about ran over the audit bag she was towing. I responded with the look: 'Relax... lady, it could have been you!'

Now, as a pedestrian I hate pushy drivers... drivers that force their way through an intersection when the walk signal is a flashing hand and 5,000 people are trying to get to work in the morning. To me, as a pedestrian, when the flashing hand is visible, its serves the same purpose as a caution light... telling drivers/pedestrians they have a small window of time to drive/walk through the intersection. When the flashing hand is blinking in downtown Ottawa, there are many pedestrians that continue to walk, and I am one of them! In this regard, I feel that pedestrians have the right way and drivers have to deal with that.

However, put me in the situation I was in the morning, (in a rush), and I have no tolerance for pedestrians... either your walking or your not. There is no need for slow stepping out on the street, and any sauntering along through intersection. Don't be spending 3 seconds on the curb with one foot on the street deciding whether or not you have time to cross the intersection. Shit or get off the pot (as PC says).

This morning, after Mrs. Audit Bag gave me the look, I practically felt like running her down on the sidewalk (but refrained as it would have made me even more late than I already was). As a driver, I felt that I had the right of way and she and other pedestrians were just going to have to deal with me!

So... this leads me with the question... who has the right of way on the roads: drivers or pedestrians?.

As a pedestrian, I have the right of way, and as a driver, I also have the right of way... the way I see it, whether I am driving or walking, I have the right of way. Sounds like a win-win situation all around... sucks to be a driver when I am a pedestrian, and sucks to be a pedestrian when I am a driver!

Which are you... a driver or a pedestrian?

Girls Weekend

Well... nothing is good therapy like a girls weekend away with your close friends. Friday night after work, Baby, Clapper, Boyder, and I headed out from Ottawa to Grimsby to KL's house to celebrate Clapper's birthday, and her unengagement party, 130-O style!

We drank some wine, whined, ate some food, played some hilarious games and generally just had a good all around weekend. We had many HAD TO BE THERE MOMENTS, and although, Bee was absent from the festivities (because she was leaving for the Bahamas -- BITCH), she did manage to make a phone call to participate in the birthday singing!!!

The best thing about these girls is that every time we get together there is no shortage of things to talk about or laugh at!! First you begin with everyone's late breaking news, and as the weekend rolls on you find out lots of tidbits of information that you missed, because of course, you don't live together anymore. Coming home from the weekend, after dropping everyone off yesterday, it had me reiminising about the good ol' days of university. The 6 of us managed to have a damn good run in the house on Osgoode street, and although our lives have moved us further away from each other, it is still easy to see why the 6 of us of chose to live together!

These girls are just all around great friends!

Clapper offically turns the big 2-6 today... so ... wishing her a very 'low key and drama free' (LKDF) day!!! As well, faithful reader Alexis Riordan celebrates her big birthday today... so a second happy birthday wish goes out to her!

Now that today's business is all cleared up, I shall post a few pictures from our LKDF weekend.
Enjoy.

ROAD TRIP

Today, aprés mes classes de français... I am rounding up my old roomies from 130-O and we are taking a road trip to Grimsby (Hamilton/Niagra area) to stay at my friend Krista's house. While our plans consist of good ol' NADA in terms of actual outtings, we have set aside the entire weekend to catch-up on our rather exciting or non-exciting lives (but really soooooooo exciting!).

Its about 5 hours to get there, and 4 of us are making the trip from Ottawa. It should be a good time as we are planning indoor wine drinking fesitivies for the entire weekend, which means sales for ADVIL are about to go up.

Since I am in a bit of rush to leave the city, I will make this post short, but should have some good pics, and better posts next week for you... and I still have to post pictures from our vacation last week. So much to do, so little time!

Wishing everyone a low-key & drama free weekend (this saying brought to you by Miss Erica D. Clapp!).

Until Monday mes amis!

Au revoir Mr. Abbot!

Usually I don't get to upset over soap operas... but since I was a small child, I have followed the Young & the Restless.... (because my Mother practically feed us in front of the television so she could watch it). So as you can imagine... 26 years later, I feel rather connected to the characters... the Newmans & the Abbots are practically family.

This week on the Y&R, John Abbot took a few strokes and yesterday he was on life support... declared brain dead. Now as I said I normally don't get too excited about these storylines, but yesterday's episode was gut wrenching. The tearful goodbyes that everyone gave Mr. Abbot had me sobbing on the couch as if it was my own father.

First there was just Jack & Ashley pouring their hearts out to their Dad, then Tracy arrives from New York (you know he's going to down if Tracy comes to town). And of course crazy old Gloria with the tears in eyes saying her last words. Brad & Colleen... Catherine Chancellor, Jill, Billy... the whole gang was just ripped to shreds over John's sudden turn for the worst.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww.... what an evening it was for me. After they pulled the plug on the old bugger, I thought to myself 'Poor Jackie boy... what will he do now without his Daddy.' It was almost too much to swallow in one episode. I hate that I get sucked into these fiction stories... but its just seems so real sometimes. Its like a car accident, you cannot not watch.

So while I am still grieving over the loss of John, I will try to convert my suffering to willpower to complete a few practice exams before I go to bed!

Soooooooooooo long Mr. Abbot, it was a good ride!

I thong I knew my mother

Just when I thought I wasn't reaching my target audience with the majority of my posts, my words come back to haunt me.

While vacationing in the sunny north (and..yes Double D... the Soo is NORTHERN Ontario), it happened to be National Underwear Day according to the Bob & Tom Radio Show. I didn't think too much of this, but being in the company of my parents and their close friends, there was some chatter about the national event.

Now... you may recall my post When Bad Underwear Happen to Good People. In this post I did happen to go off on rant about the appropriate way to wear underwear when wearing tight slacks. I mentioned that full back bulky underwear don't belong under a tight pair of slacks and I even went as far to say that the woman who wear these tight slacks with bulky underwear should invest a few thongs if they insist on wearing finely contoured pants.

Well... during my vaction... on National Underwear Day, I got the shock of my life when MY MOTHER (yes MY MOTHER) and her very good friend Debbie decided to show me that they were reading and listening to every word I post on this blog... and in order to prove this to me they made a small (very small) purchase that they thought would please me.

The following photo has been Rated R, and is not for general vieiwing audiences...

That would me my mother on the left, and Debbie (does Dallas perhaps?) on the right sporting their newly purchased THONGS.

I threatened to sell this photo to a seniors porn site for a hefty price... but of out of general care and concern for their safety and the safety of their loved ones, I have refrained! Just when I thought I knew my mother (and her friends)... I come to find out I was totally wrong... WRONG WRONG WRONG!

I thought I enjoyed writing this blog, but apparently there are a few readers who take the word enjoyment to a whole new level!!

Thanks Debbie & Mom for a good laugh!

Doom day has a date

Just when I thought I was already miserable enough this week, (because summer vacation has basically come to end), I find out that my never ending French training is actually going to be put to the test on September 5th OF THIS YEAR.

So if I do the math correctly, that leaves me with 13 days of training left before the test, 3 of which I was planning on taking off, so now I am down to 10 days, and to add to the pain, the 5th of September just happens to be the Tuesday after the Labour Day long weekend.

SHOOT ME NOW.

I have been enjoying my training lately (did I say that out loud), perhaps I mean enjoying the fact that I am taking on a new challenge outside the office! Now that judgement day is near, I practically want to puke. This is by no means an end to my training, but if I pass these two tests (writing & comprehension), that will only leave me with one major hurdle left: SPEAKING THE DAMN LANGUAGE.

The tests of course are all multiple choice (when in doubt pick C), and if I recall correctly I absolutely suck at multiple choice. In University, I barely got through PSY 1101 because the final mark was based on the results of three multiple choice tests. The problem with mulitple choice is that you can't bullshit... and being a communication major, I am a good b.s'er when I need to be... my arguments may not always be correct, but I can throw in right transition markers to make you think my story is accurate: however, furthermore, nevertheless, moreover... you get the picture.

I honestly just want to die thinking about these tests, and I think I am most miserable because of the fact that I wanted to go to the cottage for labour day and relax, but instead the thought of doom day will completely ruin my last long weekend of summer.

WHY ME GOD... WHY ME?

Spandex is wrong.

While I would love to be posting about our vacation, I was too lazy to download the pics off the camera, so they will have to wait until I get over my 'I wish I was still on vacation' attitude.

This morning while walking to school from the car (with my miserable face in tow), I happen to notice two different men on bicycles. These men were all decked out in the tight spandex, running shoes, windbreakers, and helmets. This is not the first time I have seen this, but today it led me to wonder, who are the men (or women for that matter) in this world that enjoy wearing spandex (shorts, speedos, leggings, shirts... etc)?

Spandex is not flattering, no matter who you are... great body or excess flab, it doesn't matter... spandex is just wrong. However, many people could care less about what they are jamming into the spandex, as long as it is tight to the body and doesn't get in the way of whatever sport they are participating in.

Now I can't exactly go off on a ridiculous rant here with my anti-spandex attitude, as PC frequents the spandex in the winter months under his reffing attire... (and no doubt there is someone out there with a picture of him in spandex to put me to shame)... but atleast in his case, he is only wearing spandex under a uniform. What really gets me is the running, biking, power walking individuals who look like they are enjoying themselves in this spandex attire without some much as some thin shorts or a skimpy t-shirt to cover it up.

The problem that I see with spandex is that it leaves nothing to the imagination... everytime someone puts on some spandex they should ask themselves: is it approriate for me to be in my bathing suit and going out in public right now? If the answer is no... take off the spandex.

If you are wearing spandex anything for means of going to your office, or place of work... that to me is just wrong. I wouldn't exactly want to see my boss role into work in spandex jumpsuit just because he/she wants to ride his/her bike to work. I am all for the fitness aspect of life, but minus the spandex uniform. Sweaty shorts and a t-shirt is one thing, skin tight spandex with your package hanging out is another.

I dunno... perhaps those who love the spandex for sporting wear can enlighten me on why there is a necessity to wear and bare spandex? Comments please...!

NOTE: Mom and Debbie, do not go out and buy yourselves spandex jumpsuits... PLEASE!

SORRY!

Hello faithful readers.... sorry to leave you hanging for over a week, but PC and I were on vacation in sunny Northern Ontario. We just returned to the bright lights of Embrun late Saturday night... and so today has been spent doing laundry, airing out the tent, and doing a little bit of grocery shopping.

I am hoping to post some pictures and stories from our vacation soon, but too many things to get caught up on today. Not to worry, daily posting will commence again tomorrow. I know the wait has been extensive... I was hoping to post something Tuesday before we left on our camping excurison in Michigan, but as usual I was running late and didn't have time to make a sensible post.

In short though... we had a great vacation... weather was fanatastic all week long and we survived tenting for 5 consecutive nights! More details to come in the next few days!

Can blogging ruin a marriage?

Stats Canada has been busy these days giving validation to something P bitches about weekly.

Yesterday's article in the Ottawa Sun entitled: Wrapped in the net, web steals time from relationships, details the findings from a survey that states: heavy web users -- those online more than an hour a day -- spend half an hour less with family than non-users.

Great... P is always saying to me that I am always on the computer... yida yida yida... and that the free time we have together I spend blogging, reading stuff to blog about, or sending email, instead of with him. Now... this little survey just gives him more power to keep his argument going.

The article goes on to cite a psychologist who thinks that: 'any of those things that take you away from relating to your spouse has a long-term impact on the quality of the relationship'.

Geee... if my marriage fails I just hear P in the court room now: 'I believe I am entitled to 90% of the assets as she was too busy on the Internet to put an effort in our marriage'.

I think it may just be the time of year... as I never hear this argument when hockey season is in full swing... in fact P should be thankful I have this blog to turn to on those cold winter nights, when the hockey arena is occupying the majority of his time.

Thankfully the Ottawa Sun gave me an article to fight back with, as a recent PhD candidate, Jeffrey Boase, is defending his thesis on e-mail and social networks. The article, Social lives saved by the web, believes that while the Stats Can survey indicates people are losing time with their loved ones because of the Internet, it may be the contrary, in which heavy internet users are actually being more social then they would be without having access to the net.

I like to think Jeffery's little thesis holds some weight, more weight than Stats Can... as in my case, if it weren't for me blogging, emailing, etc., I would be far less interactive with my peeps, and more likely to loss contact with many of you. In the winter months when PC is off reffing, I could be at home bitching, instead of happily drumming up posts for my faithful readers.

The way I see it, this blog is a win-win situation for everyone. Keep up the good work Sara!

Thanks... don't mind if I do!

NOTE: This post comes to you today from scenic Thessalon, where P and I are vacationning (LOL!) for the next 10 days. More to come for the scenes of Thessalon's famous community weekend!

Should an oil change cost $219?

This morning began with an early trek to get the oil changed on the Escape. While a standard oil change takes about half an hour and cost $26... I ended up spending 3 hours at the garage and spending $219.

When it comes to mechanics, car parts, estimated labour costs, etc. I will admit that my expertise in these areas are pretty much NADDA, ZIP, ZERO - I am definitely out of my comfort zone. But time and time again I put myself in the position of making decisions about the Escape -- and I absolutely cringe when this happens because I know P is liable to shake his head the moment I tell him that a $26 oil change cost 'us' $219.

Now it is not often that the Escape needs maitenance, other than a standard oil change every 5,000 km, but there have a few instances where I have been left alone with Escape, the service manager, and the pressure to replace parts has been present.

Like today for example... when I brought the Escape in, I mentioned to the service agent that I noticed some vibrating/flickering (surprise...I don't know the mechanical term) in the steering wheel when travellling between 120 & 130 km/hour (yes Dad, I know the speed limit is 100 km). So... being the customer service representative that he is... he ask me to do a road test with him to show him exactly what I mean and sure enough the Escape did perform up to my prediction. The service manager noted it and said they would look into it.

Turns out... the left tire rod (or something like that) was loose and slightly fractured, and the service agent indicated that was what was causing the vibrating. He then proceeded to take me into the garage, hoist up the Escape, and show me the difference between the left rod and right rod (for all I know he could have been showing me the brakes, fuel line, or bumper). Chances are this slight fracture may have been a result of my off-road ditch adventure this winter, but whatever the case is, the part needed to be replaced.

So... the service manager says to: 'Well the good news Sara, is the part is only $23, the bad news is ... is that when we replace the rod, we have to do a tire alignment, and that is where the cost really is.'

All I was thinking was: where is PC when you need him? All I could do was say, well if you have to do it, I guess you have to do it, but I know that P would have somehow talked the guy into less work, or the same amont of work, but for less money, or the same amount of money, but a few freebies on top. I on the other hand just stood their nodded like a dumb blonde would.

Grrrrrrrrrrr.... although I find the service at Dupuis very good, and the staff friendly and polite I have to wonder if the service manager would have had the same approach with P. I hated every minute I was at the garage, soley because I know nothing about service repairs, and they know I know nothing -- and I think they use that to their advantage.

After paying the bill... I drove out there and made sure to drive 130 km back home to see if the vibrating was fixed... and it was... so I guess minus the fact that it cost $200, I am satisfied that the Escape is running well, and it is safe for travelling - but the next time its needs service PC will be doing the service negoitating, and I can guarantee that it will only cost 'us' $26.

Simple Fashion Rules

It never seems to amaze me the people that go out in public without looking in a mirror (or atleast that is what I hope is the case). This hot weather has some pretty trashy acts walking around the streets of Ottawa (if I only had a camera).

Take for instance the old school adidas shorts (or those of you may recall Thessalon Public School's 1988 mandatory gym shorts). These shorts were manufactured in the mid 80s... super short, and served no purpose except for the fact that they would make good halloween costumes 25 years later.

Yesterday I witnessed a rathered weathered yet skinney woman in her 50s... who was sporting an extra small pair of these short shorts with her ass checks sagging below the bum line (take time to get a visual here folks!). Yes... we all recall the 47 degree weather that we had yesterday, and while the majority of us felt like going out in public naked, we refrained from sharing our complete selves with the rest of the world because its WRONG. This lady on the other hand had no shame... to accompany her stylish shorts, she sported an extra wide cream coloured bra with a dirty white spaghetti strap tank top over top... and let's not forget the faded black bandada on her head or the velcro baby blue shoes on her feet. She looked lovely as she opened the door to her 1983 rusted out Pontiac 6000.

Now... you might mistake this post for a nasty jab of those individuals less fortunate than I.... but it is (of course) quite the contrary. Time and time I again I see helpless women (and men) who are crying for fashion advice... first there was the unspoken underwear rules... now its seems apparent that some women are asking for a life line when it comes to 'dressing for those extra hot days'.

As with the majority of my fashion advice, I like to keep it simple... its not rocket science. I like to follow simple steps and rules that will ensure success rather than misfortune. So... without further ado... here are the simple steps to solve your attire problems on those extra hot days.

1. If you are thinking about wearing something/anything that you bought in 1980... take any means necessary to get to the nearest trash can and immediately toss out the item.

2. If your bra is an inch wider than your tank top on either side... find a different bra, or a different shirt.

3. If your tank top is old, dirty, or stained, and you are going out in public... don't.

4. Velcro shoes... I shouldn't have to go there... its acceptable if your 80 and have Parkinson's but otherwise... get yourself a cheap pair of KEDS.

and finally....

5. NEVER EVER let your ass (or boobs) sag lower than your clothing... EVER!

Now... was that so painful...? Follow these simple easy rules and you won't end up hearing about yourself on this blog.

That's all for today's Fashion File.

Can you tell I need a vacation... 2 days to go and counting.

Freaky weather.... is it a sign?

Something freaky is happening these days. I cannot remember the last time that we have had so many storms in the same time period. This summer has literally been filled with crazy thunderstorms, damaging winds, hurricane rains -- so if I wasn't convinced about global warming before, I am surely conducting the green train today.

Last night at 2:41 am I woke up to a loud crack of thunder and then proceeded to stay awake for the next 2 hours while the ligthning and thunder continued. The power went on and off several times and I could only wonder what type of damange I would hear about this morning because of the storm.

Today it feels like record breaking heat... it is something like 45 degrees with humidity today... SHOOT ME NOW. Driving into Ottawa today, the smog that was hanging over the city was unbelievable... it looks dirty and while walking from my car to school, it even felt dirty. Pool the heat with the disgusting dust and debris from the construction on Bank & Slater street, and you basically have an advertisement for suicide.

I am not sure what the solution is to the environment we have created for ourselves, but today I am seriously alarmed about exactly how the environment is reacting to its civilians. The whole KYOTO Accord B.S... doesn't exactly seem like B.S anymore... the waste of money One Tonne Challenge Rick Mercer ad campaign may have actually knew what it was talking about... and perhaps the Ontario Engery ads asking us to keep our air conditionners at 25 degrees should be a home owner requirment and not just a suggestion.

Now... I am not exactly running home to turn off my AC, but all these signs have me thinking... and considering the fact that collectively, if we don't respond to the signs of the environment we could pay the price down the road.

I know... why do I need to post such a haunting rant on the hottest day of the year... but seriously, think about it... we are going to need to make some changes before its costs us more than just high fuel prices! We all need to wake up, me included.... we can't just stomp all over our planet and except it to keep providing us with a continuous supply of natural resources --- and if we do continue to do this... don't except your kids, or your kids kids, or your kids kids kids to enjoy the same lifestyles we are bathing in today ... the laws of physics say it is just not possible.