Just kidding!!!

This morning, I opened my daily online news to get my fix, as I do every morning, and this is what I found:

By The Canadian Press

TORONTO - The Canadian dollar is continuing its trek skywards in overseas trading.
The loonie is trading overseas at 83.86, up more than two full U.S. cents from Wednesday's close. On Wednesday, the dollar had one of its biggest single-day jumps in history as the value of the U.S. greenback eroded against other major currencies including the euro and British pound.
Traders also point to higher prices for oil because Canada is an oil exporting country and the loonie is a resource-based currency. It ended Wednesday's session ahead 3.67 cents to 81.63 cents U.S. Wednesday's increase was the biggest intraday daily gain ever for the loonie, beating a record set in the early 1970's, according to Bank of Canada data.

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This economy is whacked. Go Loonie, go!!!

Speaking of scary.....

Have you seen what the exchange rate is between Canada and the U.S. these days? For most, this probably doesn't matter, it just means that Americans can get more for their money when they come to the "Great White North" and that Canadians are less likely to drive across the border to Buffalo for shopping trips, as was the case about a year ago at this time when the Loonie was actually worth more than a dollar. This month, the Loonie has plunged more than it has in a single month since 1950, and it is at its lowest overall rate against the U.S. dollar since 2004. The official close at the bank today was 1 U.S. dollar = 77.59 Canadian cents. They're saying that it could get as low as 70 cents to the dollar before this is all said and done. It does mean that there will probably be some good sales up here around Christmastime, but still.....that really sucks for us Americans being paid in Canadian dollars, eh?

Which is scarier?

This picture of Madame Tussaud's likenesses of the candidates for President of the United States,

or what is going to happen when the election ensues in 8 short days? I'm not sure, that's a tricky one.

We now interrupt your regularly scheduled Fall.....

After a beautiful fall weekend, yesterday I had somewhat of a rude awakening to a very windy and blustery day. By the end of the evening, this is what we saw.......SNOW---sticking on the ground, on October 21st!! I've seen it all now......let's just hope that it warms back up and we can get back to my favorite season!

Fall is here!!

My favorite time of the year.

Why? Well, let's see......

FOOTBALL

HATS TO KEEP MY HEAD WARM....(and my hubby looks good in fleece)

and last, but not least......

BEAUTIFUL LEAVES!!

Hopefully I'll have some more pictures to post from this fall soon---we're heading to the Pinecrest Club this weekend to take in some foliage and some wild game.

Zooboomafoo

After my last post, I read over this thing and realized how much I suck at posting regularly and following up on stuff that I mention once and then never re-visit. Sorry. I'll try and get better. Wait, does it really matter? Does anyone read this anyway?? Oh well......

I mentioned in the blog a month or so back that Gary and I visited the Toronto Zoo. We took one rare Saturday morning that we stayed in the GTA to drive down to Scarborough to check it out. The line to get in was pretty long, even though it was pretty overcast and cloudy for most of the day. The admission fee for adults is 20 bucks, and when I saw that, I couldn't believe how expensive that was. But once we were in the zoo and saw its huge size and all of the animals and all of the improvements they were making to the facility (including a new polar bear habitat!) I guess that justified the cost quite a bit for me. And you know what? We were there for five hours, so I guess it was 40 bucks well-spent. It's a beautiful zoo, the animals were really active, and I could have stayed there even longer just watching them. I love the zoo. If anyone ever wants to come up and go with us, I'm game! It's open year-round, too! I had TONS of fun taking pictures, I took probably 400 overall, and even though the weather didn't give me ideal lighting, I think I got some really great shots. (Photoshop is a big help, too, don't get me wrong.) Here are some of the highlights.

I've decided that when Gary and I win the lottery, I'm going to get a big expensive camera and hang out at zoos and parks all the time to take pictures. I love doing it.

Cultural Phenomenon Number Three

For the past month or month and a half, I have been caught up in the latest book craze to hit the tweens, teens, and adults who love a good, quick and highly addictive read. What I'm referring to is the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer. She's a young, unknown writer who graduated from BYU and dreamed up this wonderful story that is as normal as a story could be when it involves vampires and werewolves. What amazes me is that she never even visited the place where the story is set until after she finished the first book. Her descriptions are spot-on based on everything I've read about the area in Washington that she wrote about, and I even have a friend who has been there, and she agrees. Anyway, I consider this a cultural phenomenon because I find it absolutely fascinating how quickly the entire United States and Canada has made this series a household name. It's almost like Harry Potter, but I think people in the U.S. are embracing it because this time the stories are written by an American, and also because it's just different enough from the Harry Potter books that it really draws people in....at least it did me! I, much like I did with the Harry Potter books, resisted at first, because after all, who would find a series of books about vampires even mildly interesting? Well, after enough times of going into my local Chapters bookstore and seeing the Twilight display getting much larger each time, as well as seeing the initial movie trailers, I decided I would just give in and jump right on the bandwagon. After just a few short pages, I did not regret my decision. I hate to keep comparing the books to HP, but Stephenie Meyer draws the reader into her domain so quickly and it's almost like you're standing right there as the story plays out. There were so many nights that I really REALLY did not want to put the book down to go to sleep. I read all four books so furiously that now that I'm finished, it feels like something is missing and I can't wait for another one to be released! Problem is, the fifth book WAS in progress, and then somehow a draft of it got leaked on to the internet. The author took major offense to that, and now she has put the release of the book on hold indefinitely! I am so bummed. I know I sound like I'm ten years old with the way I'm talking about these books, but seriously, try them on for size for yourself. You'll love them. And the movie is coming out next month......that is a major bonus. I hope they stick true to the story and don't leave out too much, that would be a MAJOR disappointment.

The hypothetical question that's raised from of all this: What makes something a cultural phenomenon/fad/trend? Who decides what succeeds and what fails? Is it strictly based on the general public, or is a lot of it from the marketing that goes along with the product? I just find things like this fascinating....they may be pointless in the grand scheme of things, but fascinating nonetheless.

A link that I found interesting that relates to this story talks about all of the tourism that these books have generated for the small little town in which they are set (Forks, Washington). This author has done the economy of this town a major favor!!

http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/283197/136/

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!

Yes, folks, that's right. Tonight marks the return of the NFL season, 2008-2009 edition. I am so so so excited. I am watching the Redskins/Giants game right now, even though I could care less about either team, just because I'm so excited that regular season football is back! The only thing better than that is college basketball, but since that is very rare to see up here since I don't have ESPN, I'll just be happy with the awesome NFL coverage we get. I can't wait for Sunday night.....Bears at the new Lucas Oil Stadium to take on my Colts....and Marvin should be back and healthy. I've fielded two fantasy football teams this season, so we'll see how I do with that. I'm home alone tonight since Gary had to take a trip to Detroit this morning, so I've been catching up with people on the phone and webcam, which was nice.

The Labor Day holiday was great--we got to see almost the entire family! We spent some time at Wawasee with my whole side of the family, and stopped to see Gary's brother and family in Fort Wayne on the way back to Toledo. Gary's mom made my favorite dinner (Roast and potatoes!!!) and we hung out with Gary's sister and family.....Luke and Lauren, my new niece and nephew, let me have a mini photo session with them, which was really fun....I'll have to post some pictures of that once I get them photo shopped. For now, I'm off to bed--well, to read in bed. I started that Twilight series that is supposed to be the next Harry Potter like phenomenon (there are four books out, and the movie will be out this winter.) So far, so good. The first book was awesome, I'm getting close to halfway through the second, and I love them. If you're looking for a fun and easy read, go for those.

I'm looking forward to this weekend--Gary and I are going to make our first trip to the Toronto Zoo! I am planning to take lots of pictures so I can practice my photography skills......I'm getting a bit obsessed with taking pictures. Oh well. :) G'Night.

Cultural Phenomenon Number Two

Ok, I don't really know why I'm writing about this.....well, actually, I do --- it's because this show absolutely fascinates me summer after summer. Before you roll your eyes and think to yourself, "Oh my gravy, she really watches this rubbish," --let me tell you why it's so great. CBS chooses thirteen people, give or take a couple, each summer to spend three months living together in a dog-eat-dog type of competition in which the "houseguests" are completely cut off from every outlet of the outside world: no phones, no TV, no internet, no visitors in or out, no emails or letters from home--NOTHING. Can you imagine being put into that situation? It really is the ultimate social experiment. They take out all of the elements from the outside world and strip these people of everything but their character and then let them evict one person each week, until the last person standing is ultimately rewarded $500,000 after a vote from their peers. They all go into the house knowing nothing about any of the other people with whom they are about to spend 24 hours a day with for who knows how long. One person wins a competition to be head of household, which means they get their own bedroom, special amenities, and the decision of which two people to nominate for eviction. Then there is a veto competition, and whoever wins that can change one nominee or leave it the same. Then the houseguests vote at the end of the week, and the person with the most votes leaves. Throw in some crazy competitions--especially the food ones....if they lose they have to eat the disgusting Big Brother slop.....and you have yourself what I consider to be a sociologist's masterpiece. I find it so interesting to see how the people relate to each other, form relationships, break them, and lie, cheat, and steal to get to the top of the pile. It's just great. I can't describe it...you just have to watch for yourself, and you'll be hooked. Trust me--if I can get my husband to watch it with me and start making predictions about the next evicted houseguest and what their strategy should be, anyone will like it.

This year, I'm rooting for the Michigan boy, Dan. He's been America's player, so he had to vote to evict the person America wanted out, which totally turned the house upside down, and he's been the swing vote the past two weeks as well. He doesn't really have an alliance, he just has a way of knowing when to be vulnerable and when to be strong, and he isn't really seen as a huge threat. I hope he goes all the way......I really respect his game.

Ok, enough lame-O reality TV talk.....bring on the weekend!!!

Cultural Phenomenon Number One

So as most Americans are at this time of year every four years, I have been basically glued to the television watching hours and hours of the NBC coverage of the Beijing Summer Olympics. This has proven to be quite challenging for me this time around for two reasons:

1) Beijing is 12 hours ahead of us (they're in the future, if you really think about it. Their tomorrow is our today. Weird, but I digress). I am an internet news junkie. Newspapers have basically gone by the wayside in my little world, and in their place, I read the news headlines (and celebrity gossip) on the computer numerous times a day. This makes life difficult, because news reporters report stories in real time as they happen, not on the 12 hour plus tape delay that NBC has been forced to use for this Olympics because most people in their right minds are not able to stay awake to watch the events live without paying a hefty price the next day at work when they have to keep their eyelids propped open with toothpicks. I can't tell you how many events I've looked forward to watching in primetime coverage and then lo and behold, I get online to read the news, and there's a link right there in my face that says, "U.S. Women's Volleyball team wins gold." Crap. I DVR'ed that to watch tonight because it didn't come on until almost midnight. What's the point now? I know the result now. The same thing has happened to me with some gymnastics, diving, and track and field events. So frustrating. If they have to post the news as it happens, that's fine, but at least make it so you have to click into a spoiler section so you don't just come across it like I have so many times. Annoying. Frustrating. I could prevent it by not reading the news, but that's my livelihood. It keeps me going during the day and makes me feel connected to the world. Maybe that's geeky, but it's true. I like to be "in the know."

2) I don't live in the United States, I live in Canada. Let me elaborate a bit. The first day of the Olympics, I go to turn on the games, and of course, both of the two channels that we get that are U.S. channels are televising the BUFFALO BILLS PRESEASON FOOTBALL GAME. WHHHHAAAAAT??????? The Bills?!?!!?? I don't care if we are close to Buffalo, it's preseason, big deal, and they can barely keep the team in their city, so why are they letting them monopolize BOTH NBC channels. Ludicrous, I tell you, just ludicrous. So, I decide to give the Canadian channel, CBC, a chance. Well, that lasted for all of five minutes, the guy on there has a Ben Stein voice, only he's more dry and boring, and the big event of the day was Equestrian stuff. ALLLLLLL day. Yikes. All I have to say is that I really appreciate Bob Costas more than I ever thought I could. Thank goodness I only had to put up with that for one day.

ANYWAY---enough of that. Stop and think about the Olympics for a second. Think about what goes into that. Think about all of the different countries that show up, how hard all of the athletes have had to work to get there, how many different cultures and backgrounds and beliefs and environments they come from.....but yet they're all in one place with one common goal--a gold medal proving that their country is the best in the WORLD. That's a pretty big deal. Think of all of the venues that must be built, all of the planning that is involved, all of the people that it takes to work the events and judge the events and cook food for the athletes and all of that. Yes, there was a stabbing there this time, but for the most part, everyone comes together and gets along. That's a pretty awesome thing if you stop and think about it.

Now, for the all-stars:
MICHAEL FREAKIN PHELPS---8 gold medals....INSANE!! And the finishes to a few of those races were just ridiculous. It was cool that in the end he had to rely on a team to achieve a personal goal. I liked that. And his mom is hilarious, so that made watching even more enjoyable.

This was my favorite: the photo finish against Cavic from Serbia in the 100 butterfly. CRAZY!

Misty May and Kerri Walsh---wow. Double golds in volleyball, something like 108 consecutive matches won. I wish I could be them.

And, as much as I hate his showboating ways, Usain Bolt of Jamaica. Two world records that were thought impossible to beat and he beat them both in a matter of days.

Cheaters, cheaters: CHINESE GYMNASTICS---no way some of those girls are 16!! But what sucks is, that when they investigate this and figure out that their ages are in no way legitimate, they probably won't revoke the medals, and even if they did, I would not want to win a medal because someone else cheated. It just taints the whole competition...ugh.

The gymnastics judges are smoking something too.......so inconsistent and biased, even though bias is not supposed to happen because of the way it's set up....it totally does, and I think everyone can agree with that. When you bring Bela Karolyi to tears, something's up. Poor Alicia Sacramone. First she falls on two different events at the team competition, then gets screwed out of a bronze by horrible judging on the vault final. Bummer.

More to come......