the phenomenom of drake (the musician, not the hotel)

i prefer the hotel.

the musician? not so much. but the thing is this – i actually think the guy is a riot. when he’s not annoying me with his ultra-nasal and what i can only describe as forced-low-tone. like, it sounds like he’s pushing his vocal cords in an unnatural way. actually, it sounds painful – and i often envision him downing some hot water with lemon and honey after a concert… maybe sucking down some fisherman’s friend, as well.

he seems to have a really pleasant personality – down to earth and even quite funny.

but his music – his voice! ugh!

i tolerate the one song he sings with rihanna (‘take care’ – the deep house vibe influence brings back good memories for me from my clubbing days).

yet, he’s famous. people love him – the kids love him. i don’t get it, but he’s obviously doing very well for himself.

i just want some one to explain to me what it is that’s made him so famous. really – i want some one, and i’ll be very open with seeing things from a different perspective, as to what it is about his ‘talent’ that’s made him take off.

i want to like this man. i really, really do. i want to be supportive of his music career.

but… i just don’t get it!

mortal kombat, dry pasta and denis leary

another weekend come and gone and once again, plans to sit down and blog just never happened. on one end, i’m sad that i’m not blogging as much. but on the other side of the coin, i’m glad i’m living my weekend to the fullest.

we didn’t do anything major this weekend. saturday was rainy so we stayed in. except for saturday morning, when i went shopping at costco to replenish some supplies and ended up coming back with a ps3 game – mortal kombat vs dc universe.

needless to say, we geeked out all afternoon on the ps3. chaeli was in love with our new combat game. and then we ended up watching the last half of bullet proof monk (we saw the first half before – never got to finish it). i asked her if she liked watching these types of martial art combat movies. and she nodded with enthusiasm. it totally reminded me of my own childhood – i grew up watching b-rated kung-fu and karate movies with my dad.

so i looked up mortal kombat and streetfighter dvd prices. they were awful movies but i can’t help it. any chance to educate my child’s geekiness in the world of video game characters and comic books is pretty much a priority for me.

i know – they were bad movies. but the cult following was pretty big and yes, i admit – i’m one of the numbers that make up that cult.

we ended saturday night with some very thick AAA rib grilling steaks (thank-you, costco), garlic mashed potato and steamed brocolli.

sunday was a nice sleep-in morning, followed by a pancakes and sausage brunch – and some fresh blackberries to go with my pancake (it’s my latest thing – i’ve been buying them almost weekly). after some more geek-out time between doug and chaeli, i asked that we stop before the rest of the day gets wasted away.

we got ready and headed out for a walk in a nearby park with a fenced-in dog park. before leaving, we caught the ice cream truck and enjoyed a treat – even hobbes.

sunday evening, doug made a dry pasta that called for string beans, soy beans, asparagus, grilled chicken cubes and sausage – with a garlic and lemon, oil-base sauce. he sprinkled it with some toasted bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. best home made pasta i’ve had in a long time.

in between all these low-key activities, i have been watching Rescue Me – i’m near the end of season 2 and am totally hooked. what is it about denis leary’s character? i love him and hate him – sometimes going back and forth. it’s definitely the bad-boy image. sometimes, he is like a hero but then he’s a scumbag.

and yet – he gets all the women. while it’s fiction, lets be honest. this happens in real life pretty much all the time.

there’s just not enough hours in a weekend

i don’t want to say that there’s not enough hours in a day. because that would mean that i would just end up spending even more of my daytime at work.

but hours in a weekend? yes, please. at least leading up to christmas.

i can’t believe the “biggest and best holiday of the year” (according to my 7 year old) is less than two weeks away.

TWO WEEKS!

thankfully, shopping has been done but now the dreaded part awaits – the wrapping. and i really wanted to start this past weekend but it was hard enough to fit time in to decorate the tree.

we did it though – i mean, we had to get pizza delivery just to get it done in time without a late bedtime for chaeli… but we did it.

we also kicked start the season with Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe Christmas Show this past saturday. we went with new friends, p. & l. this year, something p. and i floated around as an idea last year.

a good idea it was! we met up for some yummy pub food at a local irish pub. the difference with this pub’s food is that it’s a bit more upscale without the upscale price.

then after the show, we went to another bar for some midnight snacking and beverages.

i can’t remember the last time doug and i stayed out until midnight. this is exactly why babysitting is required every now and then. i need to remember that!

it was such a fun night. and while the show was superb, my favourite times were more just the talking, laughing and general good merriment experienced by all.

guilty shy – guilty pleasures no. 38

guilty pleasures no. 38 – oh those damn vampires again…

randomnous valentine

• i’m not a big fan of valentines and if it weren’t for chaeli, i would do anything for this day. but like a good mom, i did whatever needed to be done to prep for her valentines day party at school – including a 30 mini spring rolls contribution for their food list. as for doug and i, we did get a chance to go for sushi this past saturday while chaeli stayed with my parents. it wasn’t for valentines – just a regular date-night/outing because we haven’t had one for so long.

• i’m glad that justin beiber didn’t win last night. nothing personal against the kid – well, except for his hair – but it felt good to see esperanza spalding take the award for best new artist. she might have not won the hearts of teenie boppers more interested in getting a date with bieber, but her talent and lovely personality was definitely dserving of such an award. bravo, esperanza! bravo!

• so i got chaeli to point out her new boyfriend – i must say, he’s the best looking kid in class. way to go, chaeli! but i learned that he’s also one of the students that gets into trouble often. so young and she’s already going after the bad-boy image.

• our roof is leaking again – propery management didn’t fix it as they said they would two years ago and so now, we’re looking at a worse leak then before. i’ve been spending a lot of my free time communicating back and forth with them – and basically nagging them to do it right this time. they are responsible for not only fixing the roof but also fixing any water damage the leak might have caused (and not just the cosmetic parts of our interior – but any material inside the walls and/or attic that the water has touched so they are not hotbeds for mould spores).

• we have now acquired an ipad and have been wasting our time with plants vs zombies.

faces i want to see more of

i realize that my top ten post and it’s runner up list were very negative in the way of starting 2011 off. so while i sit here having ramen noodles to help comfort this nasty cold i’ve come down with, i’ve decided to compile a top ten list of faces of the media i want to see more of.

this wasn’t an easy list to make. when i first started to think of names, i was coming up with celebrities that are already pretty hot on the media front and really do not need any more attention (even if it’s been well deserved). the purpose of my list are those who i feel need to be more visible in the upcoming decade – some of whom i’m truly hoping for a great come back where they can re-invent themselves for the limelight.

10. Kyle Howard

He had some guest appearances in Friends and was a permanent co-star in My Boys. But the first time I noticed him was in Friends where he played one of Ross’ goofy, surfer-dude-like student. A really, really tiny role – but I noticed him none-the-less. He’s the dorky, goofy but cute type and while I’m not sure if he could ever land a lead role, I’d like to see him in more supportive ones.

9. Mandy Moore

Maybe it’s the mom in me, but while Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera were shaking their pom-poms and leaving little to the imagination, here’s a girl that stood her ground by letting her sweet voice, winning personality and cute looks give some hope as a proper role model for our daughters.

8. Dido

Love her voice and want more of it. She’s definitely not gone from the music industry but I’m hoping for a huge surge as she makes a come-back.

7. Michael Vartan

He always seems to be on the cusp of bigger things. And while I know he’s not the best actor, I still love that boyish smile of his. Funny thing is that I remember him most for this made-for-tv movie where he played Sir Lancelot in Merlin. Not the best production but I found myself swooning for his character.

6. KT Tunstall

I read somewhere where she knew she was never to make it big – at least not for the long run. And it seems that she was fine with that. Well, I’m fine with it too – so long as she keeps on producing that wonderful talent of hers.

5. Katherine Moennig

She was the famous Shane on L Word, which I recently just finished watching its sixth season. I loved the character Shane – and I think the success was owed to Moennig who made the character seem so believable.

4. Rose Rollins

She was also on the L Word as military Tasha. Loved her! And honestly, I can’t believe Cover Girl hasn’t nabbed her yet for her flawless skin and natural beauty.

3. Jackson Rathbone

I know the past decade was all about Edward v.s. Jacob in the whole Twilight hype (which is still ongoing) but my favourite vampire was Jasper Hale. I thought Rathbone did a beautiful job portraying this complex character. In fact, if Stephanie Meyers decides to write more for the Twilight saga, I think Jasper’s history would be a very interesting one to write (though it would be better if it was written by some one with better talent). So while most girls (and women) were swooning over Edward, Jasper caught my attention more and more on the big screen.

2. Gina Gershon

And not Gina Gershon as the sex kitten back in her earlier days of her career. I want to see her in the more down-to-earth roles. She’s got more curves now and her harsher lines have definitely softened. To me, I think she’s more beautiful then ever. Give her more romantic comedy roles!

1. Christina Applegate

She knows how to play that comedic role just so. Even if she never makes it to that big, Oscar leading role, I have been waiting and waiting to see more of her. She needs more romantic comedy roles and by the way, doesn’t she look stunning in green?

missed the top ten list by just a smidge

after posting my top ten annoying famous faces of the decade, i decided that it would be more complete if i also shared some of the ones that didn’t quite make the list.

5. the kardashians

i think out of all the socialites, these ladies top the cake for me in that the way they became famous was just simply lame. maybe i just don’t understand this whole subculture of socialites. growing up, i don’t think there were as many out in the media. so this whole nicole ritchie, paris hilton and now the kardashians… ugh. it makes me a bit sad that our society is so hung up on these people’s lives.

4. kanye west

i admit i went back and forth on this one. i actually do enjoy a few of his tunes. but at the same time, i’m almost at awe with his stupidity. i think, though, the main reason he didn’t make it on my top ten list was because, well, i’ll admit it. his stupidity has also resulted in some great entertainment.

3. ke$ha

it’s not that she’s weird and out there. that doesn’t bother me at all. if it did, lady gaga would have made it on the number one spot of my top ten list. it’s just that everytime i see kesha, all i can think of is, “dirty!” i don’t mean in the perverted sense. i mean, like, just dirty. as in… “i’m sure she showers but she just doesn’t look like she does.”

and i hate the whole $-sign instead of an ‘s’.

2. olsen twins

this was also a toss up to some degree. and it’s not that i despise them or anything. in fact, i kind of get this hunch that they are very sweet and intelligent girls. which actually makes me more mad when i see them posing not just in a seductive, sexy way… but pressing their bodies into each other! they’re sister! i don’t get this… why should they need to feed on the perversed fantasy of many minds out there just to get attention? in fact, i see this often. i once use to know these twins (very pretty) and when we went clubbing, they were practically grinding up against each other. i don’t have any siblings but i’m going to guess that this shouldn’t be considered normal behaviour.

1. bruno mars

 i just can’t stand his smooth face. he’s too… pretty.

top most annoying famous faces of the decade

The following is a list of my personal pet peeves of annoying famous faces. It’s purely just for fun but if I had to create a top ten of people I would like to leave behind from the media, these are my picks.

10. Dr. Phil

Strangely enough, I didn’t despise Dr. Phil at the very beginning of his career. In fact, I even watched several episodes of his show and felt that some of his advice made sense. Well, of course they made sense – it was common sense, really. It didn’t take long to get sick of him.

9. Larry King

I know, I know – the man has had some really important interviews in the past. I should have some level of respect for him. But he doesn’t age well. Just look at him – he belongs more on the radio.

8. Sarah Palin

It’s not just that I would have voted for the democrat party if i were american. I more really in awe that this lady was appointed as the possible VP of the free world. What made it worse was listening to my ex-boss go on and on about how amazing she is as a leader of the people.

Really? Amazing???

7. Lindsey Lohan and Paris Hilton

It was a tie between these two mug shots. I don’t know what it was that bothered me more – Lindsey looking more and more used as the drugs and alcohol started to take over her or the fact that Paris was riding on the coat tails of her father’s fortune. Either way, I was just sick of listening to celebrities getting arrested and these two topped the list!

6. Tyra Banks

I use to admire Tyra Banks for her guest role as Fresh Prince’s girlfriend and long time buddy from the hood. Plus, she was and still is gorgeous. Then she had to do the America’s Top Model thing, open her mouth and basically make me question whether or not this show was really about modeling or exposing would-be models for endorsing the stereotype of being airheads for not seeing how completely fake Tyra is.

5. Rachel Ray

Her own show on the Food TV Network? Was some one on crack with this decision? And who the hell is this Rachel Ray anyway? Where did she come from?

Though I do think her existence has done one good deed for me – Anthony Bourdain is anti-Rachel Ray. It’s one thing that bonds me closer to Bourdain (whom I love). Other then that, if I have to watch her eat one more bite or take in one more spoonful while exhagerating a “mmm… this is SO GOOD!” I may have to hurl a brick at the TV.

4. Jamie Oliver

I still love The Naked Chef series and wish they would bring it back as re-runs. But sometime, during my pregnancy while I was green for the entire first trimester, Jamie’s face started to look more swollen. And his lips started to take over the focal point of the screen. As i watched those lips move, almost too big to even close properly, I could almost envision the spit drooling out the sides of his mouth.

And that’s when I went from ‘Love him!’ to ‘Ugh – I can’t stand looking at him!’

I do still stand by his recipes, though.

3. Kate Perry

I think she’s got a strong voice. And I do like some of her songs. Some. Actually, just two. The rest is just so-so to me and I often wonder how she ever gets to the top of the charts. Is it her boobs? She does have nice ones. But why do her eyes always have to be so wide?

She also ruined it for me forever when she appeared in Sesame Street wearing what I can only describe as lingerie.

2. Tom Cruise

I will admit it. In grade 9, like many young teens, I had the hots for Tom Cruise. And it was mainly because of Top Gun. When I watch that movie now, I realize why I have spent so many past years falling for jerks and arrogant idiots – why did I crush after a character such as Maverick who acted and believed he was god and that all those around him must bow down to him?

As the years progressed, Tom Cruise himself started to look like an elf of some sort. I’ve actually been told he’s a very nice guy and I believe people I know who have met him. But since I’ve never met him, I can safely say that his face truly does annoy me.

1. Justin Bieber

I’m really not sure if I need to explain myself here.

But one of the saddest things about welcoming 2011 is that this kid is still hot on the charts.

Fine, fine – I’ll try to live with it. But some one please – at the least – give him a haircut!

a chance at my top five – finally!

now that ryan renolds, one of my ultimate choices from my top five list, is splitsville with scarlett johansson, he can now come looking for me and commence the woo-ing stage of our relationship.

adult halloween costume

i went to party packagers to find some vampire costumes for chaeli, today (it’s a warehose – price is better then most other places) and decided that maybe this year, i’d dress up as well. i thought perhaps a pirate theme would be fun.

but damn! can there NOT be one decent costume for an adult woman that’s not going to make me look like a slut?

how the hell are the neighbours going to feel when i open the door to give their kids candy with half my boobs popping out?

i’m not katy perry, after all!

katy perry’s choice of wardrobe on sesame street