Jodi's Space.

Rouge Masquerade Ball

2009-10-22T11:21:00.003-04:00

As many of you know - I am involved with GenNext’s ROUGE: MASQUERADE for United Way Toronto.

I would personally like to invite you to this amazing event on November 14th, 2009. This year we are being hosted again by One King West Hotel & Residence.

For more information, visit the ROUGE website at www.unitedwaytoronto.com/rouge but here are the main points:

We have amazing DJs Dave LaMerde and Dougie Boom in the main ballroom, with other special performances by dancers, acrobats and even a burlesque dancer. We have musical guests in a designated lounge along with fortune tellers and palm readers. We are holding a Silent Auction with high end electronics, hotel stays in and around Toronto, spa and fitness packages... and MORE!

Our special silent auction items this year are dinners at Canoe Restaurant with 5 of Toronto’s top executives! Bid on quality one-on-one time with one of the following people:
Chris Hodgson, Scotiabank
Beth Wilson, KPMG
Bill Downe, BMO
Frances Lankin, UWT
Terry O’Reilly, CBC’s Age of Persuasion
Greg Taylor & Cam Heaps, Steam Whistle Brewery
Janet Holder, Enbridge & Laura Formusa, Hydro One

Again, the ticket price is only $35 and ALL the proceeds go to United Way Toronto! I can't wait to see you at ROUGE on November 14th!

Cheers,

Jodi

PS - last year we sold out... so please buy your ticket early!

PPS - I have made this very easy - just click on the link below and order your tickets!

PPPS - If you are wondering how your ticket purchase gives back to the community - Please see the list at the end of this correspondence!

THANK YOU!

www.unitedwaytoronto.com/rouge

Where your money goes…

1 ticket = $35

$35 provides a week of daily healthy community dinners for a person who is living with mental health issues, helping him improve his health.

2 tickets = $70

$61 provides a day of childcare for one infant, giving vital support to low-income or single parent families and enabling them to work or look for employment.

3 tickets = $105

$100 provides a day of educational programming for 30 homeless youth, helping them transition off the streets.

4 tickets = $140

$120 sends a child (6-12 years old) to summer camp for a week, enabling her to learn and stay active when not in school.

rouge_poster_FINAL-revised_crop.jpg

United Way Toronto's GenNext Presents ROUGE

Hosted by Lainey from LaineyGossip.com and eTalk

Indulge your mysterious side at United Way Toronto's GenNext Masquerade Gala.

Saturday November 14, 2009

One King West Hotel & Residence

8 PM 'til late

Tickets $35, available online at www.unitedwaytoronto.com/rouge

Dress to impress but a touch of Red is essential.

Join us for entertainment, a silent auction, and special performances all night long.

This is a 19+ event in support of United Way Toronto.

Rouge 2008

2008-11-12T13:02:00.003-05:00

As many of you know - I am involved with GenNext’s ROUGE: MASQUERADE for United Way Toronto.

I would personally like to invite you to this amazing event on November 15th, 2008. This year we are being hosted again by The Suites at 1 King West!

For more information, visit the ROUGE website at www.unitedwaytoronto.com/rouge but here are the main points:

We have an amazing band, These Electric Lives, and DJs Famou$ Players in the main ballroom, with other special musical guests in a designated lounge. We are holding a Silent Auction with Leafs tickets, Raptors tickets, hotel stays in and around Toronto, spa and fitness packages... and MORE! Our silent auction theme this year is Silence Speaks Volumes as all proceeds go directly to United Way.

Our special silent auction items this year are dinners at Canoe Restaurant with 5 of Toronto’s top executives! Bid on quality one-on-one time with one of the following people:

Bill MacKinnon, CEO, KPMG
Robert Harding, Chairman, Brookfield Asset Management
Katie Taylor, President & COO, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
Martine Irman, Vice Chair, Global Trading & Distribution, TD Securities
Adrian Montgomery, Vice President, Football, Rogers Communications

Again, the ticket price is only $35 and ALL the proceeds go to United Way Toronto!

I can't wait to see you at ROUGE on November 15th!

All the best,

Jodi

PS - last year we sold out... so please buy your ticket early!

PPS - I have made this very easy - just click on the link below and order your tickets!

PPPS - If you are wondering how your ticket purchase gives back to the community - Please see the list at the end of this correspondence!

THANK YOU!

www.unitedwaytoronto.com/rouge

Where your money goes…

1 ticket = $35

$35 provides a week of daily healthy community dinners for a person who is living with mental health issues, helping him improve his health.

2 tickets = $70

$61 provides a day of childcare for one infant, giving vital support to low-income or single parent families and enabling them to work or look for employment.

3 tickets = $105

$100 provides a day of educational programming for 30 homeless youth, helping them transition off the streets.

4 tickets = $140

$120 sends a child (6-12 years old) to summer camp for a week, enabling her to learn and stay active when not in school.

Help End MS

2008-04-02T15:51:00.000-04:00

I am going to be taking part in the Super Cities WALK for MS again this year in Cobourg and am looking for your support. Even though I no longer work with the MS Society, I have been so touched by the work that they do and the people that are affected by this devastating disease that I continue to support them and fundraise for them. Please help by sponsoring me for the WALK with whatever you are able to give. Whether it is $5 or $50, every little bit helps. The money raised goes toward both research and services to help those living with MS and if you need any better reason that that to give, just talk to me and I would be happy to tell you personal stories of those I have met along the way that would help you understand why I am
still dedicated to this cause.

Sponsoring me is easy! Visit my personal fundraising page and make a donation online or next time you see me you can give me cash - I promise not to spend it on shoes!

https://msofs.mssociety.ca/2008Walk/Sponsor.aspx?&PID=1019896&L=2

Thank you for your support!

Jodi

Reasons I need to buy a gun - A tribute to random conversations

2008-01-27T01:17:00.000-05:00

I says:
i need my car for work

He says:
well that seems kind of unfair. why don't they pay for it then?

I says:
nice in theory right?

He says:
yup. hehe... so you need a car to work for a job that pays for your car.... sorta poetic

He says:
you could write a country song about it

I says:
but then i would have to admit to people that i wrote a country song

I says:
and I would probably need to buy a gun

ROUGE: A GENNEXT MASQUERADE for United Way of Greater Toronto

2007-10-24T11:11:00.000-04:00

As many of you know - I am involved with ROUGE: A GENNEXT MASQUERADE for United Way of Greater Toronto.

I would personally like to invite you to this amazing event on November 02 2007. This year we are being hosted by The Suites at 1 King West!

Please see the invite below - To summarize: We have an amazing band, God Made Me Funky, in the main ball room and DJ's, DJ Shingo and Missruckus, in a designated lounge. Further we are holding a Silent Auction with; Leaf tickets, Raptors Tickets, Hotel Room Stays, Trips to LA, Pearls.... and MORE! Our silent auction theme this year is Silence Speaks Volumes as all proceeds go directly to the UWGT.

The ticket price is only $30 and ALL the proceeds go to United Way of Greater Toronto!

I can't wait to see you at ROUGE on November 2nd!

All the best,

Jodi

Note 1 - last year we sold out... so please buy your ticket early!

Note 2 - I have made this very easy - just click on the link below and order your tickets!

Note 3- If you are wondering how your $30 gives back to the community - Please see the list at the end!

THANK YOU!

ROUGE: A GENNEXT MASQUERADE for United Way of Greater Toronto
Dress to Impress, But a Touch of RED is Essential!
Experience a red-hot evening of music, masks and silent auction indulgences.

Treat yourself to a live performance by God Made Me Funky and beats from Jeff Goldberg of Sonic Events in the Grand Ballroom or groove in our Lounge Room to the rotations of DJ Shingo and Missruckus.

Plus, enjoy a little guilt-free retail therapy at the Silent Auction Room, where your money will go to support the over 200 member agencies of United Way of Greater Toronto.

When: Friday, November 2nd, 2007
Doors Open: 9PM
Silent Auction: 9PM to 12AM
Where: The Suites At 1 King West, The Grand Banking Hall (1 King West, Toronto)

Tickets: $30 - All proceeds go to United Way of Greater Toronto.

Purchase your tickets online today!

Online Ticket Purchasers: Please bring your ID to Rouge - your name will be on the guest list.
This is a 19+ event. Please drink responsibly.

Buying one pair of tickets to Rouge? For $60, United Way can:
* Provide a two-hour conversation circle for 15 newcomers to help them learn English and integrate into Canada

Purchasing three tickets (one for yourself and two for friends) to attend Rouge? For $90, United way can:
* Allow two low-income families to grow vegetables in a community garden, supplementing their food budget and enabling them to eat fresh, healthy food.
* Provide one hour of personal care (bathing, dressing) to three frail seniors, allowing them to live independently in their own homes.

Going to Rouge as a foursome? For the cost of four tickets to Rouge ($120), United Way can:
* Provide an abused woman and her three children with start-up groceries to establish a new home.
* Provides four hours of counseling support to a person with epilepsy.

Thank you so much!!!

Hi Steve.

2007-07-30T16:37:00.001-04:00

Steve,

I think you are the only person that admits to still reading this everyday, even though I haven't posted anything since December.... So you get a special post!

For everyone else... I have a story that is making me happy right now.

King Solomon, the wisest man in the world, had a servant that was his favorite. Why? Because anything he asked him to do he did perfectly. But the other servants in the palace got very jealous. The wise king knew that the jealousy is very bad and he had to do something about it. So the king decided that he would give this servant a job that is impossible to do. The king thought that the servant will not succeed, he will put him down in front of all the other servants, it will make everybody equal and there will be no jealousy in the palace. So the king called the servant, one month before "Pesah holiday"and he made up a story. He told the servant that he heard about a special ring that when you wear it when you are sad you become happy and when you wear it when you are happy you become sad. The king said: "I want it. can you get it?" "Did I ever disappoint you? " said the servant; "of course I can get it"!

"Very well" said the king, "bring it to me in 'Pesah' evening." "'Pesah'?" asked the servant " it is one month away, I can get it to you in couple days.""No, no" said the king, "bring it to me as a present from you, for 'Pesah' and give it to me at the "Seder" dinner." "Yes, my king" said the servant. The servant took a group of people, divided them to four different groups and sent one to the North, one to the South, one to the East, and one to the West, telling them "go on the way, stop anyone you meet, and ask him about the ring. If he knows something or heard something or knows somebody who heard or knows something, come back to me, with the information. so we can take directions and get the ring for the king"

After two-three days the first mission came back but "Nada" (of course, the king made up the story and there was no such ring). The second mission came back and again "Nothing", third mission, fourth mission and three weeks had passed and the servant got "zipo". He got so nervous. the "Seder" is one week away, and he must find the ring. He started searching for the ring on his own and started walking from place to place, from town to town, from village to village, door to door, house to house, didn't sleep, didn't eat, asked everyone he met and, nothing ("nada"). The night before the "Seder" he came back to Jerusalem but he was ashamed to come to the palace, everybody was talking about him and he was walking around the streets like "meshugi" (crazy). Eventually he found himself in the poorest neighborhood of the city and there in a small alley he saw a petite, tiny little shop with an old man inside, a jeweler. So he was thinking to himself "if I can't get the ring maybe this old man can make it. I have nothing to lose, I will give it a try."

He went into the shop and said to the old man: "the king wants a ring that when you are wearing it when you are sad you become happy but when you are wearing it when you are happy you become sad." "Can you make such a ring?" The old man thought for a second then he said: "sure it's a piece of cake" He took one of the rings he had on the table and engraved on it something in Hebrew. The servant was only a slave and he didn't know how to read, but he had nothing to lose so he took the ring. "Pesah" dinner.

Everybody knows about the story and they want to see what will happen. Everybody is happy they are smiling, singing, telling jokes. The king at the head of the table with a big smile on his face. Except the servant, he is in the corner shaking praying, maybe the king forgot. But the king didn't forget he was waiting especially for that moment. Then the king pointed at him showing him to come over with his finger. Silence. Everybody got closer to listen and see what happens. The servant was terrified, he came to the king shaking his eyes on the ground, the king smiled and said: "did you get the ring?" The servant was so afraid he was whispering with a broken voice: "I hope so my king…" "I can't hear you!" said the king. "I hope so," said the servant louder. "Hand it over," said the king. He gave him the ring with a shaking hand. The king took it with a big smile, he put the ring on read what was written on it. Then the face of the king turned over and he become sad. When the servant saw that the king was sad he realized that he got the right ring, and smiled. And on the ring there was a simple sentence in Hebrew "Gam Ze Ya-avor". Which means: "this too shall pass".

This story reminds you that when you have a bad day, it will pass. And when you have a good day seize the moment, enjoy it, appreciate it because you should know it would not last forever.

Who are the people with Multiple Sclerosis?

2006-12-12T22:42:00.000-05:00

Who are the people with Multiple Sclerosis?We are your parents, your children, your brothers and sisters; we are the person down the street; we are that lady or fellow who may walk a little "funny" at the grocery store. We are the people that you "tsk, tsk" over because we might look "too good" to use a handicapped parking space. We are the folks who may not be able to get out to the Church or Temple every weekend; we are your peers; we are human beings.We are the face of Multiple Sclerosis. A face that is nearly every ethnicity; that comes from nearly every country, that does not discriminate by social standing or class or financial or educational background or language or religion. We are both able to walk unassisted and use canes and walkers and wheelchair users; we jog and swim and partake in sports; we are housebound, we use scooters; we need respirators. We are everything in between. We are visually impaired and we are not. We are at every level of physical ability.Of course, we "look so good" while we're doing it. We hear that phrase every day of our lives. Sometimes that phrase is meant as a compliment and sometimes it is meant to hurt or meant to shame us into doing something of which we may not be currently capable. We may be able to do that something tomorrow, though, or next week; Multiple Sclerosis is like that. We are like that.Some of us are hearing impaired; yet all of us occasionally have people talk louder to us. "HOW ARE YOU D-O-I-N-G????" they'll scream, speaking to us as though we were either hearing or intellectually impaired. "YOU LOOK SO G-O-O-D!!!!"Of course we do. Thank you very much. We are, in fact, the very best looking people in the handicapped community. We have secret beauty pageants every year, to decide which of our number is the absolute best-looking. Billy Crystal emcees, as his character Fernando; "...and you look MAHVELOUS my dear; absolutely M-A-H-V-E-L-O-U-S..."We are brave. We are fragile. We want to live, and we want to end it all. We look for support and we want to stand alone. We are Everyperson. We are the People with Multiple Sclerosis. We are People, Just Like You....— Virginia Sanchez

Facebook

2006-11-28T23:34:00.000-05:00

Hi, my name is Jodi and I have been addicted to facebook for the last 2 months.

I need help. It is addictive, turning me into a stalker, and in general just bad.

Help me. Please. Is there a 10 step program for this? Maybe a two step program, it may be all I have time for. Time to stop working 14 hour days. Come to think of it, that may be the more serious problem. Anyone have a 10 step program for that?

Edmonton

2006-10-08T10:20:00.000-04:00

Edmonton 002
Originally uploaded by jodilala.

Four Things about me

2006-07-27T17:44:00.000-04:00

Things you may not have known about me.....

A) Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Editor
2. I.T. Trainer
3. Coffee Expert
4. Real Estate office receptionist

B) Four movies I would watch over and over:
1. Breakfast at Tiffanys
2. Amelie
3. Legally Blonde
4. Zoolander

C) Four places I have lived
1. Toronto, ON
2. Waterloo, ON
3. New York, NY
4. Honesdale, PA

D) Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. 24
3. The Daily Show
4. The Colbert Report

E ) Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Punta Cana
2. Israel
3. Victoria
4. Maine

F)Four Websites visited daily:
1. mail.yahoo.com
2. myspace.com
3. jpost.com
4. surveymonkey.com

G ) Four of my favorite foods:
1. Sushi
2. Dim Sum
3. General Tao Chicken (from Springrolls)
4. Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (From Baskin Robbins)

H) Four places I would rather be right now:
1. On a beach
2. At a cottage
3. In my bed
4. Anywhere surrounded by friends and family

I need help finding this song.

2006-07-23T01:23:00.000-04:00

The song is called My Zaide and was recorded at some point by a guy named Moshe Yes. If anyone has a copy of it, PLEASE let me know. It doesn't need to be a recording by him, one by anyone would do. The Lyrics are below.

Thank you.

My Zaide

My Zaide lived with us in my parents’ home,
He used to laugh, he put me on his knee.
And he spoke about his life in Poland,
He spoke, but with a bitter memory.

And he spoke about the soldiers who would beat him;
They laughed at him, they tore his long black coat.
And he spoke about a synagogue that they burned down one day,
And the crying that was heard beneath the smoke.

Chorus:
But Zaide made us laugh,
Zeide made us sing,
And Zeide made a kiddush Friday night;
And Zeide, oh, my Zeide,
How I love him so,
And Zeide used to teach me wrong from right.

His eyes lit up when he would teach me Torah,
He taught me every line so carefully.
He spoke about our slavery in Egypt,
And how G-d took us out to make us free.

But winter went by,
Summer came along,
I went to camp to run and play.
And when I got back home, They said, “Zaide’s gone,”
And all his books were packed And stored away.

I don’t know how or why it came to be,
It happened slowly over so many years,
We just stopped being Jewish
like my Zeide was,
And no one cared enough to shed a tear.

Chorus

But many winters went by,
And many summers came along,
And now my children sit in front of me.
And who will be the Zeide of my children,
Who will be their Zeide, if not me?
Who will be the Zaides of our children,
Who will be their Zaides, if not we?

You know you are bored when....

2006-07-16T23:08:00.000-04:00

*TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey*
Name:	Jodi
Birthday:	Feb 24, 1981
Birthplace:	Toronto
Current Location:	Toronto
Eye Color:	Grey
Hair Color:	Brown
Height:	5'4"
Right Handed or Left Handed:	Right
Your Heritage:	Canadian
The Shoes You Wore Today:	Gorgeous Miss Sixty black suede strappy heels...
Your Weakness:	Shoes!
Your Fears:	centipedes, unhappiness, being alone.
Your Perfect Pizza:	Feta cheese, grilled chicken, black olives and asperagus
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year:	Make it to the bottom of my pile of laundry and find my silver shirt.
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger:	?
Thoughts First Waking Up:	Make me breakfast b!
Your Best Physical Feature:	Depends who you ask, I would say my eyes.
Your Bedtime:	12
Your Most Missed Memory:	Camp - being a camper, not working at camp.
Pepsi or Coke:	Diet Coke
MacDonalds or Burger King:	McDonalds.
Single or Group Dates:	Both
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea:	Nestea
Chocolate or Vanilla:	Chocolate
Cappuccino or Coffee:	Grande Non-fat lactaid caramel latte, thank you!
Do you Smoke:	No.
Do you Swear:	Depends if I have been in a warehouse or on a truck that day.
Do you Sing:	Yes, loudly and badly
Do you Shower Daily:	Sometimes
Have you Been in Love:	Yes. Big Time.
Do you want to go to College:	Maybe when I grow up
Do you want to get Married:	Yes
Do you belive in yourself:	Absolutely. (and that wasn't said in a sarcastic way)
Do you get Motion Sickness:	In the backseat of a car, yes.
Do you think you are Attractive:	Yes.
Are you a Health Freak:	I have my moments.
Do you get along with your Parents:	Yes, very well.
Do you like Thunderstorms:	Love them.
Do you play an Instrument:	Many.
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol:	Yes.
In the past month have you Smoked:	No.
In the past month have you been on Drugs:	Only prescription ones.
In the past month have you gone on a Date:	A date date? I don't know... What's the diffference between a date and hanging out?
In the past month have you gone to a Mall:	If I said no, you know I would be lying....
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos:	No.
In the past month have you eaten Sushi:	Mmmm, sushi.
In the past month have you been on Stage:	Nope.
In the past month have you been Dumped:	I have never been dumped (Mike, you don't count)
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping:	No.
In the past month have you Stolen Anything:	No.
Ever been Drunk:	A couple times maybe.
Ever been called a Tease:	What is a tease?
Ever been Beaten up:	Who would hit a girl?
Ever Shoplifted:	Nope.
How do you want to Die:	I don't want to think about it.
What do you want to be when you Grow Up:	I don't want to grow up, I'm a Toys R us kid
What country would you most like to Visit:	Japan
*In a Boy/Girl..*
Favourite Eye Color:	Purple
Favourite Hair Color:	Green
Short or Long Hair:	Long
Height:	4'8"
Weight:	500lb
Best Clothing Style:	Grunge
Number of Drugs I have taken:	342
Number of CDs I own:	1
Number of Piercings:	17
Number of Tattoos:	Only one that says "Jodi" written across a heart - BARF
Number of things in my Past I Regret:	none.

I miss camp but...

2006-07-16T20:45:00.000-04:00

I love Toronto in the summer!

I forgot how much stuff goes on here during the summer. It seems like there are 4-5 festivals on at one time and everywhere you turn a great patio to sit on.

Summer at work is also pretty relaxing. Get to take a bit of a step back and am learning everything I need to know (well, an into to what I need to know) about marketing. Summer hours mean every other week I have a long weekend and I am getting the chance to eat well, enjoy the sun, get to the gym, play lots of softball and catch up with some friends I haven't seen in a while. By the way, if you are one of those friends I haven't seen in a while... If you have time... Call me!

Saw a very fun show at the fringe festival this week (thanks Jenn!) about a rabbinical school dropout turned stripping rabbi. There was a super cute couple who were probably in their 80s sitting in the front row who seemed to be having a great time at the show. I love this city!

I finally signed up for myspace and realized that all the people I know on myspace are camp people, which is causing my camp sadness, but I am glad I can catch up with people somehow!

I think that is the end of today's string of random thoughts.

-me

Marty picks good ice cream

2006-06-29T23:23:00.000-04:00

I went to my freezer today to discover heavenly hash! I love heavenly hash. My grandfather loved it too, in fact, I think it was the only ice cream I really remember there being in their house on a regular basis.

No that's a lie, anything chocolate was good by him. I miss him. A lot.

Where's Jodi?

2006-05-26T13:12:00.000-04:00

A very good question... One that I keep having to refer to my planner to figure out every day.

I have been insanely busy! At some point I will fill you in on all the exciting things that have been going on, but for now.. I am off again. First to Brockville, then to Punta Cana! Back on June 10th, we will talk more then!

Jodi

Times are definitely changing...

2006-04-24T18:53:00.000-04:00

I just bought a smoothie for $0.25 from the smoothie stand the kids across the street set up.

What happened to good old fashioned lemonade?

It was a really good smoothie though, and I remember their lemonade last year wasn't the greatest... no complaints here!

An inspiring participant

2006-04-18T11:13:00.000-04:00

This came from a participant, and is just one more reason that I WALK and am trying to fundraise as much as possible to find a cure.

I walk because my mom was diagnosed with MS when I was 11. I walk because the next 12 years of her life taught me invaluable things about life, and made me the person I am today. I walk because she fought with all she had in her heart and soul. Because she still bared a smile till the last days, still giggled at my stupid jokes. I walk becuase my granparents took care of her for 7 years, until finally we could get her where she could get help. I walk because.....it will be 2 years on April 4th since my mom passed, and not a day goes by that I don't realise that life is a gift that
she gave to me. That I will cherish every day, smiling, laughing and telling others how beautiful they just are. I know the proudest thing I have ever done in my life.....is being my mothers daughter. I walk because I can.

So please, sponsor me for the Super Cities WALK for MS so that we don't need to hear stories like this anymore.

https://msors.mssociety.ca/WALK2006/Sponsor.aspx?&PID=808911&L=2

Any little bit helps, and if you don't want to use your credit card online, I will also take cheques or cash.

Thank you, together we can connect with a cure!

Ellie has a blog link... I have a newspaper article!

2006-04-06T12:26:00.000-04:00

So sponsor me!!!!

https://msors.mssociety.ca/WALK2006/Sponsor.aspx?&PID=808911&L=2

Yes, I am begging and my knees are starting to hurt...

Sponsor me and I will be happy!

This is why I am famous... There was a picture too....

2006-04-06T12:21:00.000-04:00

Area walkers can help make strides in MS research

CATHERINE WHITNALL
Daily Post Reporter

LINDSAY - Finding a cure for multiple sclerosis can be as easy as lacing up a pair of sneakers.

That's because the Super Cities WALK for MS - scheduled to take place in Lindsay on April 23 - is the largest national fundraising program for the MS Society of Canada.

Taking place in 160 Communities across the country this year, the Super Cities WALK is a one-day event that offers routes of varying lengths, at least one of which is wheelchair accessible. Participants, according to organizers, enjoy the great outdoors, food and entertainment while helping the MS Society connect with a cure and help the 50,000 Canadians who have this disease of the nervous system.

Money raised through the walk helps drive new research initiatives.

Last year, the MS Society and the related MS Scientific Research Foundation announced a $2.25-million research study that will examine the body's own stem cells to see if they can repair damage caused by MS. Local fundraising efforts may hold the key to a major breakthrough in research.

"We had a great turnout last year," said Jodi Spivak, coordinator of fundraising events.

The local group had set a goal of $30,000 and organizers were thrilled when 409 participants brought in $44743 in pledges. This year, Spivak said the goal is $40,000 and it's hoped 450 walkers - either as individuals or part of a team - will come out.

"Although we've set a goal which is technically less than what was raised last year, it's our overall hope to exceed last year's total," said Spivak.

She would also like to see more teams take part this year, with local businesses and groups already putting out the challenge. Teams are comprised of four or more walkers - making it easy for groups of any size to take part - with the enthusiasm factor rising with each additional walker.

"The teams just seem to have so much fun," said Spivak, noting it's not uncommon for teams to make up T-shirts or signs for the event. "And the more the merrier."

It's all key, said Spivak, in helping both raise awareness and find a cure for MS.

"Years ago, the term multiple sclerosis would come up and many didn't know just how far reaching the impacts of this disease spread," she said, noting today the MS Society of Canada is a leader in finding a cure for the disease and enabling people affected by MS to enhance their quality of life.

The walk also welcomes back honourary chairperson, Amy Terrill.

"She's been a great help to us in the past and very involved with many aspects of the walk," said Spivak. "She is such a wonderful advocate in the community. We're proud to have her involved again this year."

The walk kicks off at Lindsay Collegiate and Vocational Institute with walk day check-in from 8:30 to 9:30 am. The walk begins shortly afterwards.

Since it's founding in 1948, the MS Society's core support has come from tens of thousands of dedicated individuals, companies and foundations in communities across Canada. The society receives almost no funding from government.

The MS Society of Canada has a membership of 28,000. It is the only national voluntary organization in the country that supports both MS research and services for people with MS and their families with 82 per cent of net revenue devoted to program areas, including research, services for people with MS and their families, clinics, social action, public education and chapter development.

The Super Cities Walk for MS is one of the organization's key fundraisers; participants can earn special incentive prizes based on the amount of pledges collected.

To register for the walk visit www.supercitieswalk.com or call 1-800-268-7582.

Sponsor me! Yes... I am talking about this again...

2006-04-01T14:42:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!

So a huge thank you to everyone that has already supported me for the Super Cities WALK for MS. I have now raised $475 towards finding the cause and cure for multiple sclerosis.

With the WALK only a few weeks away, it is time for me to put another plug in to sponsor me. Since I have already gotten so close to my original $500 goal, I am putting a challenge out to try to double it.

To sponsor me, hand me some money the next time you see me or you can easily do it online at https://msors.mssociety.ca/WALK2006/Sponsor.aspx?&PID=808911&L=2

My undying love comes as a thank you, as well as a tax receipt and that warm fuzzy feeling that comes along with knowing that you are doing something to help someone less fortunate than yourself.

Any little bit helps, You can donate as little as $0.01 using the online system.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I am the queen!

2006-03-19T20:40:00.000-05:00

I am the queen of finding things.

Need something? Let me know and for a small finders fee... I will get it for you.

Time to make this into a profitable business!

Support me! Please!

2006-03-08T10:02:00.000-05:00

Want to do something to feel good today?

I am trying to collect pledges for the 2006 Brockville Super Cities WALK for MS. Any donation helps, if you can give $1 or $100 it all goes toward finding a cure for this disease.

It's easy to support me. Either throw some money at me the next time you see me, or, go to:

https://msors.mssociety.ca/WALK2006/Sponsor.aspx?&PID=808911&L=2

and with your credit card, you can sponsor me online.

Let me know if you have any questions or if you want to get more involved!

Thank you!

Who wants to buy me a present?

2006-03-01T15:08:00.000-05:00

Can someone please help me wipe the drool off my chin?

Yes, I know I am a big nerd, but for those of you lucky enough to have been to one of my dinner parties, you understand I take my cooking seriously... And nothing says serious like the worlds prettiest aprons!

Hint: I love the Rose Blossom!

Check it out! http://www.domistylegifts.com

Thanks!

2006-02-28T10:46:00.000-05:00

Great weekend, thank you everyone for coming!

There may still be something to write about New York, but I don't know that I am quite ready to take on that task yet. It was a pretty full weekend.

That's all for now!

Last day in the 19-24 age group

2006-02-23T10:37:00.000-05:00

Wow, so today is my last day as a 24 year old. Time to reflect and think about my past year and make some plans for the next one... Wait, who am I kidding? Really... It's just time to confirm the details for that whole party tomorrow night thing!

Dinner reservation is made for 7pm at Vecchio Frak. It is at 690 College St. - between Montrose and Beatrice. There is still some room in the reservation so feel free to invite anyone else along to dinner that may be interested. The food sounds really yummy! Hopefully it won't disappoint!

Drinks can be found at Andy Poolhall - also on College. It is 489 College, that's at Markham and if you don't know Markham, it is 2 blocks west of Bathurst. Of course absolutely everyone is welcome. There is a guest list and we have a section that is ours. I imagine we will be there by 10pm-ish.

If you have any questions, give me a shout, leave a commetn, or find some way of reaching me.

See you all tomorrow night!

I think I am ready.

2006-02-22T09:40:00.000-05:00

So Ellie just did some shameless promotion for my par-tay on his blog and mentioned that this was take 2 for 24.... But I think I am actually done with 24. It has been a good year, it doesn't need to be redone.

25 is a scary number, but I think I am ready for it. So yes, I am officially going to turn 25 on Friday. Look at me being all mature about it...

Bring on the party! For anyone who wants to come, dinner at 7, email me if you can make it so I can add you to the reservation.... Then the party continues at Andy Poolhall. There is a group under my name on the guest list, and we should be there by around 10 so come on by!

4 Days to 25, and I still don't know my months...

2006-02-20T23:09:00.000-05:00

So for Hanukkah... I got a subscription to Maxim. (thank you!)

I know what you are thinking... It is probably something along the line of "Huh? Why on earth would you want to read Maxim? Last time I checked you were a girl" But I love Maxim! It is funny and I am always reading Ellie's copies before he gets to them - which is probably the real reason that I now have my own subscription.

Anyway... A week ago I received my first copy, February 2006. Yay! It was halfway through the month already, but I will still happy to have it.

Today I got my second copy. January 2006. Yay! I always thought that January came before February, but apparently it comes after.

Any bets on what will I get next? My vote goes to August 2004.

Home.

2006-02-14T01:01:00.000-05:00

Exhausted.

Stories tomorrow or the next day... pictures will be included if I get them... (hint hint)

Goodnight.

Bruno is my friend.

2006-02-09T21:25:00.000-05:00

Ciao!

I think I love Bruno. I have never had an easier time making restaurant reservations. Think this birthday is going to be a good one!

Off to New York for the weekend. Leafs/Rangers game, Billy Joel, and who knows what else!

Stories to come!

Birthday Plans are Set!

2006-02-08T00:09:00.000-05:00

I finally made plans! Picked a place for dinner and drinks, and officially abandoned the 3 year tradition of making a birthday dinner. But my birthday falls on a Friday and with the whole work thing during the day.... It is difficult to make a meal of my standard caliber and I don't want to disappoint. So dinner party another time. For now, we party!

If I missed you on the evite... I am SORRY! Let me know and I will send it along.

But where is my motivation?

2006-02-06T16:13:00.000-05:00

February blahs suck. Its was a beautiful January, and now it is snowing and raining and grey and cold and windy and yucky and gross and I am getting old.

I always get somewhat bummy in February and most of the time it is birthday related, but now i think it is just this gross weather. I am actually not freaking out soooo much about the whole turning 25 thing for the moment. There have been no tears shed. Only thing I am currently worried about is picking the right place to celebrate (very important part of the day).

So please, feel free to leave a comment with a suggestion of a good spot to party like its 1999 (That would have been my 18th birthday.... that wasn't a bad year!) and then in my standard fashion, evite to follow.....

My world just came crashing down.

2006-02-04T00:53:00.000-05:00

"Full House" Star Admits Meth Problem

Former Full House cutie Jodie Sweetin has earned herself a spot on the lengthy list of child stars gone wrong.

During an appearance on Good Morning America Wednesday, Sweetin, who played middle sister Stephanie Tanner on the hit sitcom, revealed that she is a recovering meth addict and once battled a daily drug habit.

The ex-actress, 24, said she had trouble figuring out how to adjust to a regular childhood existence after Full House ended its run in 1995.

"There is a certain sense of loss when a series ends," Sweetin said. "It is kind of hard to figure out who you are when you've lost your job at age 13, when that was basically how you identified yourself."

In an attempt to lead a "normal" kid's life, Sweetin attended high school and college, graduating with a degree in liberal arts. In 2002, she married a Los Angeles police officer.

Though she occasionally appeared in bit parts on TV series, including Party of Five and Yes, Dear, Sweetin's acting career essentially stalled after Full House. Two years ago, bored and unemployed, the former child star began experimenting with drugs as a way to pass the time.

She was soon addicted to methamphetamine and using the debilitating drug every day.

Though Sweetin stops short of blaming her addiction on her child-star lifestyle, she concedes that her career may have stripped her of some of the benefits of a typical childhood.

"Growing up in the business you have to grow up very fast--you do have a different type of childhood, that has its benefits and it has its drawbacks," Sweetin said Wednesday.

After a particularly bad three-day bender, which reportedly resulted in an intervention staged by her former Full House costars, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, John Stamos and Bob Saget, Sweetin checked herself into Promises rehab facility for six weeks of intensive therapy.

Clean and sober since March of last year, Sweetin now admits she was "living a total double life."

"I was married to a police officer--we are going through a divorce right now--he had no idea," she said.

Since kicking her addiction, Sweetin says she now hopes to get back into acting.

"I want to make movies, TV series, wherever the career takes me," she said. "I really hope this isn't the last people hear of me. In fact, I would like to make this a footnote in my career, not the end."

I'm a lactard.

2006-01-31T22:59:00.000-05:00

I love ice cream. But it makes me sick. So does yogurt. So does any high fat milk, cream, etc.

What a terrible fate. Lactaid pills seem to work at least. But who really carries those things all the time?

Do fish feel guilty?

2006-01-16T01:01:00.000-05:00

One of my fish has decided to become a carnivore. I was sitting watching TV, and looked over at my fish tank tonight to find on eof my fish eating another one. Now my fish are all "community" fish. It means that they are supposed to be friendly, but yet here was the big fish picking on the little fish. I looked for a second to figure out what was going on - to make sure that I was really seeing what I thought I was seeing and then walked over to the fish tank at which point biggie immediately stopped eating little and hid in a corner like a little kid that was caught doing something wrong. Now, what did biggie think I was going to do to him for eating another fish? I can't really punish a fish... I don't think I would know how to punish a fish. Stupid fish. He is grounded.

It's been a while

2006-01-15T13:13:00.000-05:00

Feeling blah though, don't have much to say...

Why waste your time with completely aimless ramblings?

Board game night was lots of fun.

Came within 20 feet of Wayne Gretzky.

The internet is a strange place full of people doing things they shoulnd't be doing.

My feet are cold. I should put on socks.

I found a dead fish yesterday.

My room is still clean after 4 days.

Thats all for my randomness today.

That was short... although not shrimpy....

2006-01-03T23:03:00.000-05:00

Your Personality Profile

You are happy, driven, and status conscious.
You want everyone to know how successful you are.
Very logical, you see life as a game of strategy.

A bit of a loner, you prefer to depend on yourself.
You always keep your cool and your composure.
You are a born leader and business person.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

Uneventful is delightful

2006-01-03T00:41:00.000-05:00

Back to work tomorrow. Totally enjoyed the last week and a bit off, took advantage of some well deserved R&R. Wish I had some good stories to tell... but alas, not all stories are meant to be told and not all good times have stories attached.

Happy new year to everyone!

-Me

About that car accident thing.

2005-12-18T23:26:00.000-05:00

This is the brief version.

We got rear ended by some guy trying to run a red light. (we were stopped, the light was red.)

It could have been much worse.

My back, neck, shoulders and hips are messed up from it.

I hate insurance companies.

I have been to a first assessment for physio. She told me it would be 3-4 months until I feel better - Once I start treatment.

The insurance company has still not approved the treatment plan. Which means that since today is December 18th, it has now been 18 days since the accident and I feel like I am getting much worse.

Did I mention I hate insurance companies???

I am on a lot of drugs, I don't like being on drugs. They make me loopy. Ask anyone that has seen me in the last couple weeks. I really have no idea what is going on with anything around me.

I hope to feel better soon. Until then, I am a lazy bum that is in pain and can't get out of bed in the morning, can't drive for long periods of time, can't sit or stand or anything for too long a period of time, or carry anything over 5 lbs.

So that's the brief story. I may at some point so a longer version, but by then the drugs may have wiped out all memory of it.

Busy, Busy, Busy

2005-12-07T00:21:00.000-05:00

The Last 6 days: Special Olympics breakfast, work, teachers college apps, work, teachers college apps, car accident, hospital, whiplash, sick day, shopping, computer nerd, Madagascar, answering phones, dinner, Dave Matthews Band, 1/2 work day, doctor, Cozy Nails, mommy makeover, laundry.

The Next 6 days: Work, Movin' Out, work, committee meeting, work, physio, family, 1/2 day work, family, Buffalo U2, Bar Mitzvah morning, photo session, Bar Mitzvah evening, Easter Seals Skate.

And all this with whiplash. This hurts. Mentally exhausting to look at... Can't imagine how I will physically feel after it.

The Jodi That Likes To Say Yes.

2005-11-30T12:18:00.000-05:00

What is your slogan?

The Jodi that likes to say yes was the first one to come up for me. but if you keep refreshing the page, you keep getting new ones.

This provided a good 20 minutes of entertainment at the office this morning.

The Advertising Slogan Generator

Hmm...

2005-11-29T17:10:00.000-05:00

Cedric Diggory
You love the clean-cut, all around good boy. He
always does the right thing and makes your time
together romantic and special. He's a dream
come true, and handsome to boot!

Who is your Harry Potter love match? (for girls)
brought to you by Quizilla

Fish Dreams and Fishicide

2005-11-23T14:03:00.000-05:00

Last week I had one of the funniest dreams I have had in a while. I Woke up in the morning, went to feed my fish, and they were all swimming upside down. Swimming - not floating - but they were smiling and laughing at me and thought they were being clever cause they hasd learned a new trick and were playing dead like they were dogs. Then I fed them and they all flipped over and started eating.

Now... The last time I checked... Fish don't smile or laugh, but yet in my dream, they still looked just like my fish but I could tell they were laughing. Now if only I could really teach my fish tricks other than how to reproduce and have 3 million guppies... That would be really cool.

Part 2. Fishicide.

3 days after I had my dream, I was doing something on the floor behind my fish tank. I honestly have absolutely no idea what I was trying to do, because I never actually got around to it. Instead of whatever it was I was looking for, I found lying on the floor a fish. It unfortunately had learned a very different trick of how to jump out of the tank. Quite the skill to learn seeing as there is only a small opening at the top between the glas and the cover. Unfortunately, not much of a trick to show of, as he will never be able to perform it quite the same way again.

So is there a connection between the dream and the jump? I imagine not, but I like strange coincidences.

Don't Be Fooled by The Cock That I Got

2005-11-22T00:59:00.000-05:00

Don't be fooled by the cock that I got

I'm still Penny, Penny from the block.

http://www.sloanetanen.com/

2005-11-20T18:13:00.000-05:00

Your Heart Is Blue

Love is a doing word for you. You know it's love when you treat each other well.
You are a giving lover, but you don't give too much. You expect something in return.

Your flirting style: Friendly

Your lucky first date: Lunch at an outdoor cafe

Your dream lover: Is both generous and selfish

What you bring to relationships: Loyalty

What Color Heart Do You Have?

Poker

2005-11-14T20:56:00.000-05:00

I blame you for sending me to this website and it killing all my time.

You know who you are.

But it's fun.

Retro night.

2005-11-13T01:07:00.000-05:00

I feel like it is 1987 all over again.

So after being stood up by the sleeping girl yesterday... We made up for it tonight in a crazy night of old skool (yes... With a "k") fun. Started by going out for gelato with Mary and Mom. I love Hollywood Gelato. So yummy.

Then it was back home to pull out the old and dusty board games. I.Q.2000 to be specific. What a fantastic game! The goal is to get your piece to planet "Quizzar" after answering questions along the way through the 6 other planets. Yes, there are only 6 other planets and of course, a disclaimer that "Quizzar is a fictional (not real) planet."

Does anyone remember the Masters of the Universe?
I think that in the course of our game... They came up 6 or 7 times. It's always fun playing a board game where you constantly have to remind yourself that it was from 1987 and that not every question makes sense/is relevant/is still accurate in 2005. It was half the fun of the game to put yourself in the mindset of being 7 years old again and trying to remember what the answers to the questions would have been then.

Anyway... After tears of laughter... I think plans are in the works for a board game party. Fun guaranteed. Details to follow.

Creepy.

2005-11-11T00:18:00.000-05:00

Creepy.
Originally uploaded by jodilala.

Some people take halloween too far.

Comments

2005-11-11T00:05:00.000-05:00

I have given up on trying to be different. And I think that Blogger has finally gotten the comment thing working. So bye bye e-netation and bye bye all old comments.

Now I look like I have no friends and like no one reads any of this. Does anyone read this?

Redneck Monthly

2005-11-09T22:15:00.000-05:00

Lindsay, Ontario. I think it can be summed up pretty easily by the "Redneck Monthly," the free newsletter I picked up while I was in the "mall".

I think the best way to explain the redneck monthly is to start by duplicating their disclaimer.

"DISCLAIMER: This paper is either a SATIRE or a PARODY that contains HUMOR and is mostly PURE FICTION. It is made from 100% recycled electrons and should not to be taken internally and is NOT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. No animals were harmed in the making of this paper. Every joke is meant to be FUNNY. Even if you don't think it is, others do. Diversity of opinion is essential to our democracy, and so, we support pluralism, Mom, and Apple Pie."

Other choice quotes include - but are definitely not limited to:

"I work hard because millions on welfare depend on me."

"Why do women have smaller feet than men? It's one of those 'evolutionary things' that allows them to stand closer to the kitchen sink."

"The World's Shortest Fairy Tale
Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl 'Will you marry me?' The girl said, 'NO!' And the guy lived happily ever after. He went fishing and hunting, played golf a lot, drank beer and farted whenever he wanted.
THE END"

"What's worse than a male chauvinist pig? A woman that won't do what she's told."

And of course... the ultimate: (that's ultimate in badness... not in a good way....)

"The Doc Says...
Bob, who is homosexual, goes into the doctor's office and has some tests run. The doctor comes back and says: 'Bob, I'm not going to beat around the bush. You have AIDS.'
Bob is devastated. 'Doc, what can I do?'
'Eat 1 sausage, 1 head of cabbage, 20 unpeeled carrots drenched in hot sauce, 10 Jalapeno peppers, 40 walnuts and 40 peanuts, 1/2 box of Grape nuts cereal, and top it off witha gallon of prune juice.'
Bob asks: 'Will that cure me, Doc?'
Doc says: 'No, but it should leave you with a better understanding of what your ass is for.'"

I think this may be the last edition of Redneck Monthly for me. Not really my scene.

I'm official

2005-11-09T00:08:00.000-05:00

Finally have my first real business cards. They aren't even in the shape of coffee cups and don't give you a free coffee at the McCafe!

Claire Fontaine

2005-11-04T19:45:00.000-05:00

Really does make fantastic paper. Now if only I could find a Claire Fontaine notebook with a stitched binding that opened up and lay flat.... Then I would be in heaven.

Yes. I do spend too much time thinking about paper and notebooks. But my notebooks are a very large part of how I keep myself organized while I am at work. Last year while working on the WALK. I was in Cobourg and came across this little gift store in the middle of nowhere that carried an awesome line of Keith Harring notebooks. The line is actually manufactured by the same people that make the "famous" moleskine notebooks. Of course... The notebooks are probably only famous to people like me who spend a lot of time looking for the perfect notebook. But regardless.... The notebook was fun, had a dog spinning records on the cover, and was the perfect size and style to keep my ongoing to-do list in.

I literally spent 2 months looking for its replacement when WALK season started again this year. I ended up settling on a Claire Fontaine spiral notebook, it was a decent size, although a little too big, but had a really cute cover and beautiful high quality paper. I used this notebook, quite happily, for about a month.

Ok, I know I am making myself sound anal here, but as nice as the Claire Fontaine Book was, I couldn't get used to the spiral binding. I am hard on my notebooks, much like I am on my shoes (won't go into shoes now... Could go off on a real tangent about shoes....) and throwing a spiral bound notebook in and out of different bags and taking it with you everywhere is hard on the binding. It bends and gets altogether messy. I also really don't like having the option of removing pages. I use it as a on-going to-do list and it feels good to look through the crossed out items to feel like I have accomplished something.

So after that rant... I am sure you can only imagine my excitement when I went back to the same store in Cobourg, ON, and not only did they have the same Keith Harring book, but they had it in different patterns, colours, and designs!

This time I was smart... I bought 2 of them... So that the next time I need one... I will be prepared.

Now... Like the IKEA ads... Don't be sad for the Claire Fontaine book. It has not made its way to the garbage... But has been converted to another use. I do still love the paper in the book, for those who enjoy spiral binding... I highly recommend checking it out.

This is going to sound bad...

2005-11-02T22:03:00.000-05:00

But I think that suicide is one of the most selfish things that a person can do.

It makes me sad to think about what a person must be going through in order to feel that the only way out is to take their own life. Don't get me wrong, I am not a completely heartless bitch. By taking your own life though, think about the effect that there is on others.

Lets start with the basics. Family and friends. Now I know all situations are different. Maybe not everyone has family and friends. But for arguments sake let's say that if there are no family and friends to speak of, there is someone who will care more about a person that he or she could know. Anyway, dealing with a death in the family due to sickness or old age is already incredibly heard to deal with. I can only imagine that suicide would be even more difficult. Imagine the feelings of guilt that there was someone that close to you that there was absolutely nothing you could do to help. Disclaimer - I have never had a close friend or family member commit suicide, so I don't really know how it would make me feel... It is a situation I hope to never have to be in. But as someone who does not fall into this category... This takes me to point #2.

#2. Other affected people. One person never really has a grasp of how much they can and do affect others. I think at this point it may be appropriate to insert a story, which will give some background on why I am going on this particular rant today. Tonight, I was on my way home from work at 9pm. It had been a very long day after getting to the office at 8:30 this morning and after work we had an event that we were hosting. By the time I got to leave, I was really just looking forward to getting on the subway, getting home, and crawling into bed. Instead, we walk to the subway only to find out that the subway is closed. "An accident or something" is what we are told and we proceed to cram our way into a shuttle bus that made me think that it was rush hour as opposed to 9 pm. Talking to the bus driver, we find out that the subway has been closed south of Bloor because someone jumped in front of a train. This supposedly happens 3 times a week according to the driver and normally causes closures on the subway for anywhere between 1 and 6 hours. Think about the number of people that ride a subway in 6 hours in that downtown loop? Do you think that the guy that just jumped in front of a train thought about them? Because he has just changed their lives. Not only that, but worst of all, how do you think the driver of that train feels? I can only imagine him going home at the end of the day to his wife and kids and telling them about his day at work. Maybe I am overly emotional (okay, I know I am, the guy that read my palm the other day even told me I was, but that story is for another time) but I know if I was driving that train I would never be able to go back to work again, probably wouldn't be able to sleep at night, and would most likely be ruining relationships with friends and family as I would be a very changed person. How does something like that not change you?

It is amazing how such a small act can impact so many people. Speaking to the people crammed on to a shuttle bus and trying to deal with their own knowledge of what had just happened is quite enlightening. I guess the good thing that comes out of it is the realization that one person really can change the world. Not always in a negative way. The small things that we do in life really can take a life of their own with the ripple effect that they cause.

Let's think of a positive for this one. If the train had not been closed today... I would have not had the chance to explain the subway system to a co-worker who just moved to Toronto and been able to help her get around the trains more than just from her house to the office. How is that for a positive?

Lame I know.

Here's My Thought - Where's Your Penny?!

2005-11-02T00:04:00.000-05:00

Guess who is nerdy now?

I love cheap books!

2005-10-22T01:00:00.000-04:00

Well, I love books in general... but I am very excited about the next batch of books on my to read shelf thanks in large part to the "up to 80% off" tables at indigo.

The list for today:

Funnymen a novel by Ted Heller
The Boomer a novel by Marty Asher
Timoleon Vieta Come Home A Sentimental Journey by Dan Rhodes
The Timewaster Letters by Robin Cooper
The Worst Album Covers in the World... EVER! by Nick DiFonzo (didn't make the website)
Gods Mongrels and Demons 101 Brief but Essential Lives by Angus Calder

Now which one to read first?

The Love Calculator

2005-10-17T00:27:00.000-04:00

Very scientific....

I hate the subway

2005-10-11T09:38:00.000-04:00

Subways suck when they are busy and when stink 6'3" men who have never learned about deodorant or showers stand next to you and feel the need to grab the bar above your head effectively putting your head in their armpit.

What an awful way to start a day.

It's too bad, I was really starting to like the subway too.

Brilliant.

2005-10-07T21:28:00.000-04:00

So, this guy is trying to make himself $1000000 to pay for university by selling pixels. I shouldn't say trying... he is actually being quite successful so far. Check it out.

Million Dollar Homepage

It's not as cute as it looks

2005-09-22T00:27:00.000-04:00

It's not as cute as it looks
Originally uploaded by jodilala.

He was attacking me with a wet nap, and for some reason I let him

Dakota Fanning

2005-09-21T00:28:00.000-04:00

Dakota Fanning
Originally uploaded by jodilala.

Went star watching during the film festival... This was the biggest star we saw.

Bono!

2005-09-20T00:25:00.000-04:00

Bono!
Originally uploaded by jodilala.

As promised.... although a little delayed...

Thank you Retarded Puppy

2005-09-19T00:42:00.000-04:00

(11:23:54 PM) enochroot1700: is her name jodela?
(11:24:03 PM) Me: jodi
(11:24:20 PM) Me: jodela (well, i'd say jode-leh) is a pet name kinda
(11:25:10 PM) enochroot1700: ok... jodela means fuck her (in any context you could say fuck her) in spanish, so I was curious if that's her name
(11:25:37 PM) Me: that's AWESOME
(11:25:53 PM) Me: i'm totally going to tell her that

Something worth writing about

2005-09-18T10:54:00.000-04:00

I met Bono! And I met Eddie Vedder! And wow, it was cool. Went to my first U2 show ever last night, we had floor seats, got inside the ellipse (if you want to know about it... Check out U2.com) We stood about 10 feet away from the band. Wow. Met Eddie Vedder before the show, shook his hand, and then he comes out on stage later with U2 and sings a song with them. Went to the Hyatt after the show where the band was partying.... got Eddie Vedder to autograph the set list from the show, got Bono to autograph a picture and took a picture of Bono and Ellie together. So cool. Wow. Wow. Wow. That's all for now!

Our kids don't read

2005-09-08T23:52:00.000-04:00

I called a school yesterday to try to get them to sign up for the Read-A-Thon and their response was....

"Our kids don't read."

Anyone else see a problem with this?

2005-08-29T23:30:00.000-04:00

Carless... I haven't been carless since I was in school.... Let's see how this goes...

Camp Pictures!

2005-08-18T02:06:00.000-04:00

I have put some photos online, but haven't had time to put proper captions on them or put them into any order... But if you are dying to see photos... take a look!

LBMC 2005

Now I get it!

2005-08-15T18:38:00.000-04:00

Definition of a JAP

5 days... yes, I am counting

2005-08-07T00:25:00.000-04:00

So it is now after midnight which means it is officially 5 days left of camp. I go back and forth between having moments where that makes me incredibly happy and incredibly sad. I finally feel that I have connected with all my campers and colour war is on now which makes the days go by pretty quickly. Colour war is a time when the entire camp is broken up into two teams and they compete against each other in a variety of sports and other assorted made up events. Its run and organized by the oldest campers in camp which makes it a pretty laid back time for us where I just have to go where I am told and officiate a bunch of the events. In these last days I am really just trying to take advantage of spending time with my campers doing the things that I enjoy doing and having fun and trying to end camp with some good memories of fun things. I have all sorts of stories to tell but I am going to save most of them now for when I get home.

Speaking of coming home... I get home on Friday August 12th - probably pretty late at night, but the next day I am planning to have a BBQ at my place that you are all invited to! So keep next Saturday night open! Feel free to stop by any time after 6:00pm and bring along anything that you want to drink. Just let me know if you are coming, and if you are bringing anyone with you so that I know how much food to pick up. Chances are post BBQ we will end up going out somewhere, but I am not really sure where exactly. I am also planning on spending the day at Canada's Wonderland and if you are interested in coming along let me know!

I can't wait to see y'all soon! (yes, I said y'all)

Philla, Connecticut, a great 2 nights, and two weeks to go

2005-07-29T23:30:00.000-04:00

All signs leading to Philadelphia say Philla, it confused me.

Anyway... On my last day off, I went to Philly with a friend from camp. We had big plans of all the things we were going to see and do while we were there ranging from hitting an art gallery, some historic sites and of course the Liberty Bell (who could miss a big broken bell?) So, we got lost once on the way there. The problem with getting lost on roads in Pennsylvania is that the distance between exits is so large that by missing one exit, it sets you back almost an hour - which meant that instead of getting there at noon, we didn't get there until 1pm. We had directions to a parking lot that would put us right across the road from the liberty bell and figured we would make it our first stop. However, I guess the bell is the place to be at 1:30 and the line was so long tthatwe decided to try to come back later. We did a bit of walking about, Amy shopped, we ate Thai, and then headed back to the bell at 5:30. walking over we were so excited that there was no line but we quickly realized that there was no line because it was closed. We managed to get close enough to kind of see the bell through a window, so I have a picture of the window that I saw the bell through, and if I really want to see it (although as a Canadian I don't have much draw to see it) I will just have to look at pictures in history books. Other than that Philly was pretty uneventful, good company, lots of laughs, a very pretty place, and that was about it.

We also had our second out of camp trip with our girls this week. Our trip took us to Mystic, Connecticut. Our first day we went on a tour of Yale. I thought it was interesting and it was a beautiful place, but there wasn't much of a draw for the 12 year olds who haven't entered high school yet to tour a university. They did enjoy shopping at the bookstore though and bought just about everything that they could find that said Yale on it. I think on average they spent over $100 on Yale stuff each. I spent $15 on a T-Shirt. I like it, it is bright green with pink letters. That night we went to see "Bad News Bears." That movie was altogether bad news. The girls hated it and every other word in it was shit. Probably not the best movie selection. First night at the hotel was a bit of an ordeal. So much screaming and so many complaints from the other hotel guests. I got to sit on hallway duty making sure the girls weren't running up and down the halls and slamming doors. That was a fun night. The next day was great. Mystic Aquarium (they have sea lions) and an afternoon on a huge sailboat. Perfect weather, lots of sun. Then on to a mall where the girls were happy because they got to shop again. I was happy because we got to eat dinner in a real restaurant. The last day of the trip was interesting. Checking out of hotels is always fun because after the girls "remember to take everything from their rooms" I get to go through and pick up everything that is forgotten. One girl managed to leave behind a juicy sweatshirt, a pair of bBirkenstocks and an envelope containing $120. Lucky for her I am honest :) Then we went to the Pallasades mall to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on IMAX. A very exciting day! Only problem with the PPalisadesmall is that half of our campers live within 30 minutes and somehow the word got out to parents that we would be there. We had 4 parents show up to the mall (against camp policy) and ended up with a bunch of upset campers because their parents didn't show up. Overall, it was a great trip. Most of the girls enjoyed themselves and everyone came back healthy (a much better end than our last trip.)

We get back to camp and post trip things seem to be pretty good. People seem to be happy. Campers are happy. And with 2 weeks left, the feeling among the staff is that it is time to have some serious fun before there is no time left. So fun is what we have been having. A great night a couple of nights ago at the "Wayne Hotel" - it's the local dive bar that we go to for dancing and cheap drinks. A huge group of people came out and we took over the place. I love not having a curfew at camp this year. I felt really bad for the few general staff that had to leave early while all us "senior" staff took full advantage of staying until last call. And now as I write this I just got back from an intercamp staff volleyball game (we kicked ass!)

So overall, life is good! I am looking forward to seeing you all soon. Look for details for the upcoming "Jodi is back in Toronto party" which will probably be in the form of a BBQ at my place.

Visiting day, boys, and bad management

2005-07-21T23:58:00.000-04:00

It feels like it has been so long since I have written cause so much has happened...

Let's start with visiting day. I love visiting day. It is a great chance to get some insight into these kids lives. You can tell so much about a child by meeting their parents and even if they are completely different than the parents, you can at least get a feel for where they are coming from when they do crazy things. Visiting day at Bryn Mawr is a lot of fun. The day starts with an early wake up for the girls and the parents start arriving 2-3 hours before we will even let them in. While they are waiting, they get to hang out behind ropes in what we call "holding pens." They come with gifts and candy and all sorts of things and when we finally open the ropes, they come running across camp with their arms full to get to their children. It is quite humorous to watch and you really can't do it justice without the pictures (I will post them when I have a chance). Then the day becomes super easy for us. The kids hang out all day with the parents, and we don't have to worry about anything other than being around to answer the odd question here and there. Visiting day ends mid afternoon at which point the campers start working on male beauty - an event where all of the male staff get dressed up by different cabins as women and compete in a beauty pageant. The kids love it and it somewhat helps to take away the homesickness that tends to accompany visiting day.

Anyway, visiting day over, we try to return to "normal" camp life. Of course, it is camp life on a permanent sugar high since all the kids are eating junk and junk and more junk. Then the boys came. There is a camp that we went to go visit last week that also comes to visit us every year. The girls spend all day making sure that they look gorgeous (which they do) so that they can impress the boys at their social and make out with their choice of the 85 that they came with. To give you a bit of perspective on it... we have 41 girls in the 8th grade, so they had a pretty good ratio going on. Having the boys around is always entertaining. they have a social, watch a movie together and then today we went to a fantastic waterpark.

Last night I had a very inappropriately times conversation with my "manager." Put me into a pretty bad mood which unfortunately killed the fun of having the boys around camp. But that story can be saved for another time.

3 weeks until I get back to Toronto. I am really looking forward to it at this point. I miss everyone lots and can't wait to see you all!

That's all I have for now.

The Berkshires

2005-07-14T00:39:00.000-04:00

When I was at camp, trips were canoe trips. You would go for 5 or 10 days, sleep on the ground in tents, eat whatever we brought along with us - normally cheese or peanut butter and bread or pasta. There were no showers (it was a canoe trip), no washrooms (see previous explanation) and we definitely did not bring our straightening irons (granted, back then we didn't know what they were).

So I just got back from my first Bryn Mawr trip. We went to the Berkshires in Massachusetts for 3 days. The first day of our trip, we stopped for pizza lunch, then checked into our hotel (the Days Inn) and had a chance to go shopping. Then the girls rushed back to the hotel to make themselves gorgeous for their social that night with the boys camp and we headed out for a steak dinner before the social. Day two, we have a play date with the boys, and then get to go to a mall for dinner and a movie. Day three, white water rafting, then back to camp. Pretty incredible sounding trip I would say.

I love our girls, but sometimes they make me laugh. The Days Inn - which was perfectly fine - was "gross," "dirty," and "had too many bugs". The store in town where they went shopping "didn't have a big enough selection of Juicy". They blew fuses when they were all trying to straighten and blow dry their hair at once. When they went to the social, the boys were "not their type," "too short," and "all looked the same". The next day, breakfast was gross, the boys were still no good, and they didn't have enough time to shop at the mall. White water rafting - they got wet, they didn't want to paddle, and it was too cold. I had a great time on the trip though, and I am sure that even with all the complaining, that the girls did too. These are definitely not the trips that we went on when I was a camper, but it is a different world down here. Overall a great trip, but I am happy to be back at camp where things are a little bit more normal.

Next story to look forward to... Visiting day is in on Saturday, I get to meet the parents.

Who says that?????

2005-07-10T22:48:00.000-04:00

If you haven't been to camp, I will give you a bit of a background on working at camp. At the beginning of every season, we spend a week training our staff on how to work with children, what the camp culture is all about and things NOT to say to children. It sounds harsh, but we do work at camp for the children, and they don't really want to know about our personal lives, our personal views on the world, or our political views. They want to feel safe and secure with their counselors, and comfortable talking to them, without having to worry about their counselors oversharing personal information. Are you following me so far?

Yesterday morning, jumping out of bed, I hurt my foot and had to go see the doctor to make sure I hadn't broken toes (don't worry mom, I am okay) I thought that would be the only bad thing that was going to happen all day, I try to keep bad things to a minimum in a day, there is only so much that I can handle...

However while I was at the doctor.... at breakfast, one of my counselors decides that she is sick of hiding her personal stuff, and decides to share with a group of 12 and 13 year old girls that she is a lesbian. No girl that age would know what to do with that information. Then she starts talking about how she is still going to marry a man because that will make her parents happy. Then of course, she ventures into politics too.....

So... my entire day was then spend trying to calm down 21 campers, dealing with my 4 staff who were freaking out because the girls were freaking out, getting the counselor moved out of the bunk, getting a new one moved in, and cancelling my New York trip that I was supposed to be taking last night.

I have no problem with her being whatever she is, or having whatever political views she has, but that is why we spend that week at the beginning of camp making sure that these counselors don't say stuff like that to the kids. The poor girls were so freaked out. Oy.

So I didn't get my night off last night, but I did get my day today, a nice relaxing day, and tomorrow I am off to the Berkshires with my girls for three days... I am sure I will have more stories when I get back...

Thats all for now!

Happy Birthday Dad!

2005-07-05T15:21:00.000-04:00

Letters Rock My World

2005-07-04T22:21:00.000-04:00

I got the coolest letter today (yes, it is the fourth of July, mail runs on a weird schedule here) from the guy that works in the mail room at the MS Society (yeah Carl!). I have now received 3 letters in the 3.5 weeks that I have been here. My campers get at least that many letters every day - I have to admit I am a little jealous! I am looking forward to tomorrow, a whole day off while the kids get shipped off to Dorney Park. It will be a nice quiet day at camp, I will be able to sleep in and do anything I feel like. It will be fantastic! In other bad news... I think I have come to the conclusion that Lactose is not my friend. I don't know what I am going to do without my ice cream! Nothing is better on a hot summer day that a nice cold ice cream, but it doesn't make me feel so good after I eat it so I guess it is time to find another solution.
Since I am in the states, today was a pretty big deal at camp. They have a "Miss Firecracker" Pageant and an incredible fireworks show. My camper came in 3rd out of the 15 girls in the contest. I was so proud of her. She was amazing. The fireworks were pretty incredible too. I can't get over how crazy they go when they do the fireworks shows. It lasted about 15 minutes and was to music and everything. The music was a little cheesy.... but still added to the show.
My mind has become mush, so I am impressed if you have actually gotten this far in my rambling! I am off to bed now... and planning on sleeping for a very long time.

One week over, six to go

2005-07-03T08:53:00.000-04:00

So things are finally getting into the swing of things here. Regular schedule is happening, the kids are getting over their homesickness, and they are actually starting to have a good time - Which in turn means I can also start to have a good time!

I have now managed to connect with almost all of my campers, and the few I haven't, I think I have resigned myself to the fact that it just might not happen. I am getting to enjoy myself playing sports with them, making things in arts and crafts, and on the hot days - in the pool.

I have managed to make great friends with the Israelis that work here as security and the three of them fly back to Israel through Toronto, so they are going to come visit which I am really looking forward to (by the way mom.... Is it okay if they stay with us?)

Its Sunday, which means late sleep, PJs to breakfast, and bagels, cream cheese and lox, matzah brie, and other assorted yummy food. I love Sundays.

Off to go wake up the kiddies...

Happy Canada Day (from PA)

2005-07-01T10:34:00.000-04:00

Why doesn't anyone celebrate Canada Day in Pennsylvania?

There are actually about 10 Canadians here, and so we were planning on singing some O Canada at lunch and I have my Roots Canada hat on today. It is actually my day off, but me being a crazy Canadian, am going to stick around for lunch just to sing. I am going to use today to take advantage of camp, and just relax and take it easy. Played some tennis this morning, might play some more this afternoon.

I had my first real moment of home sickness yesterday. People telling me that they miss me made me kind of sad. My girls were being pretty good in general last night though which put me into a good mood, and I think I really realized yesterday how many friends I have made here that were around to cheer me up.

Time to run off and enjoy the day. Actually, more than anything I just want to get out of the computer room because for some reason, there are kids in the staff room practicing for their upcoming play. Number 1 on the list of things I feel like doing on my day off is not really hanging out with kids....

Ta ta for now!

Day 3

2005-06-28T07:57:00.000-04:00

So once the madness settled down a bit... things have gotten a little crazier. I have a group of 10 girls on a diet, they are all obsessed with their boobs, they are disrepectful, don't like going places when asked, and I still love them.

I really can't complain about my job. I get to pretend to be a camper for a large part of my day, because the best way to know what is going on with my kids is to go and play with them and spend time with them in their program areas. So yesterday, I went to arts and crafts (made a bracelet), volleyball, ceramics (made some ceramic beads), dance, and the pool. Tough day huh?

Had my first well deserved night off last night and had an amazing night out with some of the people I work with. Got to just sit back, relax, have a lot of laughs, and think about the world outside of camp for a while. It is amazing how quickly you forget about that outside world. I haven't read a newspaper in 2 weeks, and have no idea what is going on in the world at all. Someone mentioned something to me about flooding in the prairies, but I have no way to verify.

I have a meeting to get to, so I need to run. Nothing like an early morning meeting to start your day off right!

Talk to you soon, and if there is anything going on in the world that I should know about, write me about it!

First day

2005-06-26T08:21:00.000-04:00

So the kids got here yesterday... which means I have had a whole 4 hours of sleep. They are insane, but I am sure I will grow to love them - I hope so at least. I have an entire group that is on a diet, and another group that all hates each other. One of my counselors refuses to talk to the kids and get involved... Sounds like a typical first day at camp to me :)

Other than that, It is boiling hot here. It hit 98F yesterday and was humid, I think that in Canadian talk that is somewhere in the mid 30's. Didn't cool off at night like it normally does either so this morning I feel pretty gross overall. On my way to my early morning meeting now.

Talk to you all soon!
Jodi

Ouch.

2005-06-23T16:14:00.000-04:00

I just got stung by a bee. It flew up my pants and stung me twice. It hurts.

That's all for now.

Today is a good day.

2005-06-20T23:33:00.000-04:00

I went for a swim, played some basketball, went to a cooking class. Today I feel like a camper. I love it!

Gotta take advantage of it while it lasts... Less than a week until the kids get here.

I never thought it would be possible

2005-06-18T14:00:00.000-04:00

I get to spend my summer living in a room smaller than my residence room when I was in university. The room is just big enough for one bookshelf, and two bunk beds. Help.

Today I am sad.

2005-06-16T23:54:00.000-04:00

Just having a bummy day. Too may meetings, pouring rain, a little homesick.

Could really use a hug, or some contact with the outside world.

Hot, Hot, Hot

2005-06-13T17:51:00.000-04:00

Camp Post: It is crazy down here. I am having a hard time adjusting to going from living in my freezing cold basement to living in a cabin with 10 girls and no air conditioning.

The drive down here was much easier than I thought it would be. armed with good driving music, I made it to Honesdale in an easy 7.5 hours, singing all the way. My throat was a little sore when I got here.

The girls I have met so far have been super nice and I am really looking forward to the summer. I just found out that I am the Group Leader for the Upper Seniors - girls that are going to be going into the 8th grade. Should be a lot of fun. We still have almost 2 weeks of precamp though and I can't wait for the kids to get here already!

Ventured into Honesdale last night to visit my favourite place on earth - Walmart. I can not remember the last time I was in one in Canada, but they have the best stuff for camp. Tonight we are going on a mystery trip into town again, there is just so much excitement in town that we just need to keep going back.

I will update again soon!

My bags are packed.

2005-06-10T00:13:00.000-04:00

And my car is too!

I still don't feel like I am ready to leave quite yet, but too late now not to go...

So Friday night is the last night out in Toronto, then it is off to Honesdale, PA. Looking forward to hearing updates from everyone (mail is good, hint, hint) and before you know it, August 13th will be here and I will be back and ready to party!

Have a great summer everyone!

Things not making me smile.

2005-06-08T00:33:00.000-04:00

Three days.
To Do Lists.
Coming home early to pack.
Wanting to pack and having no bags.
Things not being where they should be.
People not returning things.
Sharing my bathroom.
Too much music, only 4GB on my iPod mini.
Leaving shoes behind.

On the upside, I got my first phone call from a stripper today....

Things currently making me smile.

2005-06-05T16:35:00.000-04:00

Beautiful weather.
Niagara Falls.
Billy Joel.
Eats, Shoots and Leaves.
Clean cars.
Clean fish.
Clean laundry.
Clean room. (almost)
Organized CDs.
Camp in 6 days.
People writing me letters while I am at camp. (hint, hint)
2 months of sweat pants.
Did I mention sun?

Tell me what you want, what you really really want!

2005-05-22T03:32:00.000-04:00

I really want to go see the Spice Girls reunion tour!!!!!!

Even Geri will be there!

They actually wash those?

2005-05-20T01:10:00.000-04:00

I was sitting on a patio on Bloor St today and was a little confused. A truck pulled up at the side of the road and started power washing a dose box. He then used a towel to dry it off, got back in his truck, and drove away.
I don't think Dose is a great paper, but you have to give them credit for the promo they are doing. Everywhere I turn I see an advertisement for them. I can't walk to the office without having 7 people try to shove a copy of it on me. And apparently, they have very clean distribution boxes. How many other daily papers actually get guys to drive around in trucks with a power washer?

New Profession: Mechanic

2005-05-17T09:26:00.000-04:00

I changed my own tire last night!

After running around trying to get my visa sorted out to get the the states this summer, I heard a hissing noise coming from my tire, and discovered a nice big crack in the sidewall (I don't think that is supposed to happen). I got home with it alright, and when I got home, my mom told me to take it somewhere to fix it. Why take it somewhere to do it? I have a jack and a spare in the trunk! So off I went about changing my own tire. I am very proud of myself, the new tire hasn't fallen off yet....

Maybe I will go work in a garage if I don't get my visa in time to go to camp.

Grover uncovered.

2005-05-16T15:11:00.000-04:00

The true story.

Ken is wearing Barbies clothes again

2005-05-12T13:53:00.000-04:00

Ken is wearing Barbies clothes again
Originally uploaded by jodilala.

Barbie!

2005-05-12T13:45:00.000-04:00

Mom in her Barbie car
Originally uploaded by jodilala.

Lui?

2005-05-12T13:30:00.000-04:00

Bad place for a hyphen
Originally uploaded by jodilala.

siana.

I wear my sunglasses inside

2005-05-12T12:33:00.000-04:00

Jeff at the Scarborough WALK
Originally uploaded by jodilala.

What makes a blog?

2005-05-11T00:03:00.000-04:00

Rhys is now suddenly the judge of what makes a good blog and what counts as a blog entry.

Check out his site, it will apparently demonstrate the perfect example of a blog. Apparently, all you need to do is update once every 6 months, and ramble on for a couple hours and you will have a "real blog entry."

I always thought a blog was a place to put down whatever random thoughts you may be having, a place to share things that you may find interesting or a place to ramble on about things that no one wants to listen to you talk about normally...

Was there a blog writers instruction manual that I missed???

Who wants to go for a roadtrip to Moonbeam to see the Flying Saucer???

2005-05-10T13:45:00.000-04:00

Its a website dedicated to "big things."

http://www.bigthings.ca/bigon.html

Mean People Suck

2005-05-10T13:08:00.000-04:00

I would like to teach the world some logic.

Exploding Frogs?

2005-05-02T10:49:00.000-04:00

Exploding toads
BERLIN (AP) -- More than 1,000 toads have puffed up and exploded in a Hamburg pond in recent weeks, and German scientists have no explanation for what's causing it. Both the pond water and body parts of the toads have been tested, but scientists have been unable to find a bacteria or virus that would cause the toads to swell up and pop. The toads at a pond in the upscale neighbourhood of Altona have been blowing up since the beginning of the month, filling up like balloons until their stomachs suddenly burst.

best. sports. article. EVER.

2005-04-29T16:40:00.000-04:00

Q: I know it's only halfway through the second season, but has the time come to seriously compare "The OC" with the grandaddy of the genre, "Beverly Hills: 90210"? -- Michael Tedesco, Hopewell, NJ

You're right, it's time. Let's break this baby down, Dr. Jack-style. To keep things fair, I'm only comparing "The OC" to the first two seasons of "90210."

Premise: "90210" revolved around two twins from Minnesota moving to Beverly Hills and dealing with rich people. "The OC" had a troubled kid from Encino moving to Orange County and dealing with rich people. The lesson, as always: You're probably going to have a hit show if an outsider is dealing with rich people. "The OC" pilot was better -- actually, it was probably the best episode in the history of the show -- but "90210" gets points for originality. Too tough to call.
EDGE: EVEN.

Stars: Brandon Walsh could have been a pretty corny part in the wrong hands, especially when the pilot had him turning down the advances from a smoking-hot chick in a hot tub, or the episode when Emily Valentine slipped him an ecstacy pill and he reacted like she had infected him with an AIDS-infected needle. It was also confusing how the writers made him the moral conscience of the show, then gave him a gambling problem out of nowhere, or had him smash up his car in a DWI accident. But Jason Priestley handled all of these things, became a pretty big star, helped launch the remarkably bizarre sideburns trend, hosted an "SNL" episode and breathed life into lines like "You sure you should be driving?" and "You OK?" Good actor, great part. He was the rock of the show -- we even forgave him after he broke the Code of Guys and started dating his best friend's girlfriend.

Meanwhile, if it wasn't for Marissa, Ryan would have been the weak link of "The OC" -- he was very good in the first few episodes, before the whole "he's a brooding outsider with a hair-trigger temper who means well" act wore thin because they ordered too many episodes at once. By the end of the season, Ben McKenzie (who plays Ryan) was stuck doing Jay Mohr's eyeball rolling, "I love her man!" impersonation of Andrew McCarthy, only he wasn't kidding. So they preppied him up in Season 2, gave him a self-deprecating sense of humor and a broader personality, and now he's an absolute mess -- to the point that they're starting to steer the show around Seth. What happened to the guy who wore leather jackets and white T-shirts and couldn't express himself? Now he's whipping out one-liners like Yakov Smirnoff. I'm confused.
MAJOR EDGE: 90210.

Breakout Sidekick: I'm already on record as saying that the guy who plays Seth (Adam Brody) has the best chance of anyone to become the next Tom Hanks ... and yet, I'm not sure Seth could carry his own show. He's a little too manic. Dylan McKay? He could have carried his own show. And then some. I'm just saying.
EDGE: 90210.

Babes: Tough category for "90210" -- there were only four girls on the show, and two of them were Tori Spelling and Gabrielle Carteris. Ouch. I liked Jennie Garth, and her Kelly Taylor character clearly foreshadowed every loathsome character we would see 14 years later on "My Super Sweet 16," but she wasn't prettier than anyone on "The OC" (except for maybe Ryan's new girlfriend). And Shannen Doherty was too wholesome and crazy-looking during those first two seasons, although maybe she had to be.

As for "The OC" ... good golly. It's a murderer's row. You could make the case that Alex (Marissa's new girlfriend) and Summer (played by Rachel Bilson) are two of the hottest characters in the history of televsion -- that's right, I said it -- with Marissa right behind them, as well as Julie Cooper and Seth's mom making the Meredith Baxter-Birney Hall of Fame for smoking-hot TV moms. Say what you want about Josh Schwartz (the creator of "The OC"), but the man clearly knows what he's doing.
MAJOR EDGE: The OC.

Parents: I liked the Walshes, but the Cohens serve the Brandon Walsh role for "The OC" -- in other words, they're the collective rock of the show, which made it so infuriating when they introduced the recent storyline where Sandy Cohen struggles with unresolved feelings for an old flame (played by a Botoxed-out Kim Delaney). Too out-of-character for him. Anyway, I can't ever imagine the Cohens getting slowly phased out of the show like the Walshes did, or getting transferred to Hong Kong and knocked off the show. Wouldn't happen. Only one thing saves this from being a complete landslide: The opening credits of "90210", when James Eckhouse (as Mr. Walsh) would proudly turn around with his arms folded over his chest, followed by the "that's right, I'm Mr. F-ing Walsh!" smile. That always killed me.
EDGE: The OC.

Wet Blanket Character: This boils down to Andrea (90210) against Caleb (OC), which is ironic because they're both the same age (bah-dum-cha!). But at least Caleb serves some sick, twisted purpose -- he's a villain, just a bad one. Andrea murdered entire episodes at a time -- she was like a cross between Adrian Balboa and Ted Bundy.
EDGE: The OC.

Theme Song: I can't believe I'm saying this, but ...
EDGE: The OC.

Unintentional Comedy: Between David Silver's budding music career; the two-part accidental shooting death of his buddy with the cowboy hat; Brandon nearly making the basketball team when he was like 5-foot-5; Andrea being like 35 in real life; and every single scene with Steve Sanders -- including the unforgettable adoption episode, which should have won Ian Ziering an Anti-Emmy -- I'm not sure we'll ever see the likes of "90210" again from an Unintentional Comedy standpoint. (Again, Ian Ziering was one of the stars of this show. The man had a blonde mullet perm. Repeat: Blonde mullet perm.)

Anyway, "The OC" is too smart for that stuff -- if anything, the Unintentional Comedy is intentional, if that makes sense (like Luke's "welcome to the OC, b---h!" scene, a parody of those cheesy 80's scenes with the Zabka-like villains, the more I'm thinking about it). I'm pretty sure they're parodying shows like "90210" with some of these plots -- like Caleb's secret daughter being involved with his other daughter's surrogate son, or the entire episode when Luke's dad was outed -- which is one of the reasons I enjoy the show so much. No premise is too absurd for "The OC." At this point, the only Unintentional Comedy happens during any scene when Marissa has to act, especially if she's throwing a tantrum or pretending to be drunk. I keep waiting to find out that Mischa Barton is Keanu Reeves's illegitimate daughter. Then again, she's no Ian Ziering.
HUGE EDGE: 90210.

Plot Lines: "The OC's" biggest mistake was the way they raced through plots and relied too heavily on the "tune in next week!" factor, which is a pretty dangerous way to go -- we weren't even midway through the second season when they were playing the lesbian card. At the rate they're going, by Season 4, we'll see Ryan kidnapped by a UFO or something. I also think they juggle way too many plots, almost like the TV version of the Memphis Grizzlies playing too many guys. And with so much going on, the characters are racing through their lines now, so everyone talks in the same snappy, sarcastic fashion and you almost need to watch the shows twice to pick everything up.

With "90210", they were very good at building shows around guest stars and one-episode plots during those first two seasons, with almost everything revolving around Brandon's world and the Dylan-Brandon relationship. Some of those early episodes stood on their own, like the one when Brandon dated the racist volleyball player, or the slumber party where Kelly confessed that she lost her virginity in the woods to a conniving senior. (It's weird, I can't remember what I did last week, and yet I can remember all of these stupid episodes). When something major happened -- like the Dylan-Kelly-Brenda love triangle -- it happened over the course of an entire summer, not two episodes, and it actually made sense as it unfolded (they set that baby up like a multi-episode arc in "Lost"). I don't feel like there's any rhyme or reason to the stuff that happens on "The OC" -- personified by Marissa falling for another woman during February sweeps. That's right, it's girl-on-girl action, Thursday on Fox!
EDGE: 90210.

Gratuitous use of half-siblings and step-siblings: It took a few years for "90210" to master this one, whereas "The OC" jumped right in -- at this point, Seth is related to everyone on the show except for the gardener.
EDGE: The OC.

Hangouts: "90210" had the Peach Pit, where aggrieved teenagers gathered to bitch about their parents, throw down some greasy food and crack wise with Nat (the one-note Peach Pit owner who inexplicably landed in the credits in Season Six). My favorite part about the Peach Pit was that Dylan hung out there -- here's a 17-year-old kid who didn't need a guardian and somehow knew every shady character in Los Angeles, someone who Mr. Walsh thought was WAY too dangerous to date his daughter, yet you were always most likely to find Dylan in a diner having lifetalks with someone who was three times older than him. How did that make sense? It was right up there with Daniel-San introducing Mr. Miyagi as his "best friend" in "Karate Kid 3".

As for the Bait Shop, which became the main hangout on "The OC" this season, this might be the most unrealistic club on the planet. First of all, it's never crowded, even though they frequently have bands like The Killers playing there. Second, they don't card at the door, but there's a full bar. Third, it's the only music club in America where it's possible to have full conversations without shouting at the top of your lungs, even when the band is playing on stage. Fourth, there are no fights, no mosh pits, no obnoxious bouncers, no marijuana smoke, no cigarettes and nobody ever throws up. And fifth, none of the characters on the show are aspiring musicians along the lines of David Silver, who would have belted out "Precious" on stage at least six times by now. So why even have the Bait Shop? Again, I'm confused.
MAJOR EDGE: 90210.

Glaring and embarrassing exclusion of any African-American characters: At least "90210" had a black manager at the Summer Club, or the episode when Brandon butted heads with Vivica A. Fox, or the one where Brandon nearly exposed the rule-bending on the hoops team. I'm not sure I've even SEEN a black person on "The OC." Has it happened? Did I miss it?
WORST OFFENDER: The OC.

Originality: "90210" mastered the love triangle -- which was shamelessly ripped off by every subsequent show of this ilk, including most of the excruciating "Dawson's Creek" -- as well as those preachy storylines involving alcohol, the loss of virginity, drugs, diet pills, drunk-driving, bi-polar girlfriends, elephant tranquilizers, bestiality and everything else you can imagine. It also invented the "outsider deals with rich people" concept, as we discussed before. "The OC" mastered the "parody of a 90210-type show that somehow carries the weight of a real show" dynamic, which is harder than you think ... but not enough to take this category.
EDGE: 90210.

Inexplicable homoerotic overtones: When Brandon and Dylan grew matching sideburns and started calling each other "B" and "D," you would have thought they were a lock for this category. But between Seth and Ryan's "Single White Female"-like friendship and Marissa's new relationship, this isn't even close.
GIANT EDGE: The OC.

Cultural Impact: Brandon and Dylan started the sideburns trend back in 1991, leading to my ill-fated attempt to grow them during my senior year in college. I'd rather not discuss this again. Ever. But "The OC" never inspired me to do anything. Not even throw up in my mouth.
EDGE: 90210.

Watershed ridiculous episode (through two seasons): For "90210", it's the episode where Brandon dumps Emily Valentine and she melts down -- any show that ends with a crazy girl threatening to set herself on fire on the school's homecoming float is one for the ages. Of course, Brandon visited her in San Fran a few years later and there was no mention of any of this. You had to love "90210." As for "The OC," I'd have to go with the Tijuana episode, which ended with Marissa overdosing and Ryan carrying her in slow-motion through the streets of Mexico, one of those "I can't believe I'm watching this" moments in life that you can never get back. Throw in a homecoming float and we would have had a winner.
EDGE: 90210.

Final verdict: "90210" invented this genre, whereas "The OC" tried to re-invent it (throwing in a little self-parody to boot). "90210" didn't make many mistakes during those first two seasons, whereas "The OC" made a bunch of them (most famously, the Oliver debacle). More importantly, I can't believe I just spent 2,000 words trying to figure this out.
FINAL EDGE: 90210.

Bill Simmons is a columnist for Page 2 and ESPN The Magazine. His Sports Guy's World site is updated every day Monday through Friday.

Free iPod!

2005-04-26T23:56:00.000-04:00

So this is real!

Check out these articles...

Here are the articles talking about how this is legit:
Wired:
http://wired-vig.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,64614,00.html?tw=wn_story_page_prev2
Geek.com:
http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2004Aug/gee20040819026544.htm

To get your free iPod, follow this link http://www.freeiPods.com/?r=17746291

From Lisa

2005-04-22T18:16:00.000-04:00

For those who don't know, here's how it works:
Want to participate?
# Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
# I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
# Update your blog/livejournal/website with the answers to the questions.
# Include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
# When others comment asking to be interviewed, ask them five questions.

These are the questions I got from Lisa (with my answers)

1. How's the Europe planning going?
Not too great. Between making my master plan of going to Europe and the trip actually happening, I managed to find a new job that I love. The contract only goes until the end of May, but I have the opportunity to go back in the Fall. I could have left early to still do the Europe trip, but it would have messed up my chances of going back later and so, in an effort to keep a career that I finally enjoy, I had to delay the trip. It makes me sad, but at the same time, I am so happy to have a job I love so much that it makes up for it.

2. If you could live anywhere in the world - where would it be?
Honestly, Toronto. At least in my current situation. I love the city. And my family is almost all here. If my family wasn't here... you would find me in Vancouver.

3. You have to lose either your sense of touch or your ability to choose. Which do you choose?
I am already really bad at choosing anyway, might as well lose that. Besides, If I didn't have the ability to choose, I would at least be able to have someone hug me to make me feel better about it. Now I just need to find that person to hug me.....

4. What's your favourite TV show of all time?
I hate to sound typical or say what you would expect me to say, but Sex and the City is going to have to be my answer. The original version that you find on Bravo, not the bastardization by TBS or CityTV version.

5. What super power would you love to have?
The ability to travel through time. Is that a super power? I could be "Time Travel Woman!" but it doesn't sound very catchy. Not nearly as good as Little Miss Vixen.

Okay, who wants to be interviewed next?