90's Tunes

The 90's were filled with spandex shorts, Eight Ball Leather Jackets, Silk Shirts, Hyper Color Shirts and a bunch of fashions I hope never repeat themselves. However the 90's were also filled with Saved By The Bell, Girl Power and the start of grunge music...to me the 90's was MY decade and I will forever love it!!!

During my trip to Phoenix (more on that later) we took a day trip to the Grand Canyon...we were in and out of the truck for 13 hours and lets just say there was something just as grand as the canyon that day...the tunes rocking in my Dad's truck!!!

Normally he doesn't listen to much music while driving with us but my gosh was it ever my lucky day when he turned on the 90's station on Sirus!!! It all started with Step By Step NKOTB!!! This song brings back memories of me and my 6 girl cousins dancing around on my summer visit in 1990 and then dancing at one of their weddings this year to it. The goodness didn't stop at NKOTB!!! I was hearing the sweet tunes of TLC, Tommy Page, Hootie and the Blowfish, Roxette, Soul For Real, Amy Grant, Soul Asylum, Mr.Big, Extreme, K.W.S, Shanice, All-4-One and the early sounds of Nirvana and Pearl Jam. OH HOW SWEET IT WAS!!!!!!!

I think the best part of it was when Backstreet Boys 'Everybody' came on, Dad turned it up and BOTH my parents sang along!!! Sure the Canyon was an amazing memory but the family sing along will be a moment I will always remember!

LONG LIVE THE 90s!!!

The Good Ol' Hockey Game

I'm Canadian...and I have always liked hockey!!!!!!

Hockey story time! Years ago my ex had a poster on his wall of Teemu Selanne as a Winnipeg Jet...of course I was always like "How do I say his name?" needless to say after looking at the guy for a couple years on the wall and being forced to watch him during games I gained a lot of respect and Selanne (and the game)...to me he is my #99 as #99 is to many hockey lovers my age.

Fast forward to March 15th, 2000 (I ONLY know the date cause there is a poster on my wall of it!!!) I went to see Darude for the first time...OH he's Finish...what am I going to talk to him about...needless to say when we first met we talked about Selanne and made bets on our countries teams ...I think I'm in the lead with those bets that seem to be on going ;)

I had ditched the baggage of an ex but still loved hockey and Selanne (once you pick a fave how can you stray?) This was back in the day of "yahoo fan clubs" I was a member of his and he'd tell people to come to pregame skate with their login names on a sign so he could see who we were. I went with mine (SelanneFan79) and when he spotted me with a Ducks flag (yes I had a Nucks one too!) he said to meet him by the bus. Yes I know you are thinking...Puck Bunny! Totally not the case, I was the heaviest in my life and well from what I have seen he's a good family guy. Anyway I went out to the bus, Ducks lost 8-1 that night....woohoo Selanne got the one Ducks goal and my team killed them, I was happy...BUT Selanne didn't come out until last...the bus rolled away as he was jumping on...my hockey hero...the Finnish Flash...flashed and was gone.

A couple days later I was on the fan club talking about it, I was still happy he had seen me and took the time out to say hello even through the glass. DINGDONG check your inbox Amber...I had a message from the person running the fan group! It was Teemu's friend...Teemu had seen me and wanted to make it up to me a couple days later! They were coming back to Vancouver and he asked if I could meet him in the lobby of the hotel before they left for pre-game....OF COURSE!!! I got there and Teemu was waiting inside, along with most of the team!!! He asked for my camera and took photos of me with each person as they went out to the bus, he even got Paul Karyia to sign some merch he brought me. Teemu gave me a package with cards, pictures and a bunch of other things...seriously who does that? How could I not be a fan of his? I went to the game that night smiling...again he got a goal and my Nucks won...I remember meeting him at the bus after to thank him for everything and gave him some gifts for his lil boys.

For a couple years I had a lot of access to Canucks games and I always made sure I was at his...then there were a few years I didn't get to any :( When I finally went back to a game I tested my luck at the bus again to say hello. He walked right on the bus...but just before he was up the stairs I yelled Hello in Fin! He turned around and got off...I had the old picture of us and he totally remembered who I was, or at least he pretended very well :P

Not last season but the season before I bought tickets behind the Ducks bench knowing it would be a count down to the last time I could see Selanne take the ice. I was beside the bench waiting and waiting...he never came out...injury! Early last season I went again...INJURY! OMG it's the last season he's signed for what IF.......... last time the Ducks played in Vancouver last season he was there! My friend was going to be late for the game but I went for pre! I stood on the Ducks side...he spotted me, I waved and when he came over showed him the back of my jersey he signed last time we talked (He signed a huge 8 with Selanne but also added Darude Rules on it LOL...oh those Fins!) he skated around some more and when I was on the phone shot a puck at the glass in front of me!!! I was talking to my dad at the time and couldn't stop laughing!

So what spawns this blog???????? Ever since the start I've been saying I want to go see Selanne play at the Pond...well I AM GOING!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've booked a trip with many other Canucks fans for March! We fly out on the Friday, see Nucks vs. Kings on the Sat and Nucks vs. Ducks on the Sunday afternoon! I really didn't know if Selanne was going to renew his contract this year but after a good season last year and a bronze in Van2010 I am sure glad he did!!!!!!! This is the season I want to get a Selanne Finland jersey and this IS the year I will get him to sign my Ducks towel...sure they stole towel power from the Canucks BUT a friend of mine who was at the game where he won the Stanley Cup sent me an official towel.

Time to get me a new Canucks jersey (I want the white 40th anniv one!!!) and cheer on the sport I love outside of my home city!

GO CANUCKS GO...COCONUTS GO!

GO SELANNE GO :)

Hello out there, were on the air
it's hockey night tonight!
The tension grows,
the whistle blows,
and the puck goes down the ice.
The golie jumps,
and and the players bump,
and the fans all go insane.
Someone roars:
"Bobby Scores!"
At the good old hockey game!

(chours)
Oh!
The good old hockey game!
Its the best game you can name!
And the best game you can name,
is the good old hockey game!

Second Period.
Where players dash,
with skates a-flash,
the home team trails behind.
But they grab the puck,
and go bursting up,
and their down across the line.
They storm the crease,
like bumblebees,
and they travel like a burning flame.
We see them slide the puck inside,
its a one one hockey game!

(chours)
Oh!
The good old hockey game!
Its the best game you can name!
And the best game you can name,
is the good old hockey game!

Third Period.
Last game in the play-offs too.
Oh take me where, the hockey players,
face off down the rink,
And the Stanley Cup,
is all filled up,
for the champs who win the drink!
Now the final flick,
of a hockey stick,
and a one gigantic scream:
"THE PUCK IS IN! THE HOME TEAM WINS!"
At the good ol hockey game

(chorus repeat 3 times)
OH!
The good old hockey game!
Its the best game you can name!
And the best game you can name,
is the good old hockey game!

Vaca Highlights

There have been so many times where I say "MY GOSH, I need to blog about that" but haven't come home to do so...things have been so busy lately but also so exciting!

Some highlights of the last month!!!

-Matt and I took a random trip to Seattle...me calling him after a bottle of wine on a Friday night, him being awesome and saying lets do it! Drove, shopped, ate too much Cheesecake at the CF and danced to Darude/Ville...perfect random trip...good friends and good times <3

-Took another trip with Mom to Seattle to see American Idol's Top 10 tour...wasn't excited as it was the worst year ever, I couldn't even name the top10! Yawned through some of the show but over all it was fun. Played tourist the next day and OH MY did I love it...we went to the ZOO!!!! SO SO SOOOOOOOOOOO awesome, I can not wait to go back again!!! I'm not really for animals in captivity but they are there and when else am I going to be 2 feet from a Gorilla shaking his bicep at me? My new dream date...the Seattle Zoo!!!

-Another highlight...another trip! Emily and I went to La Push on our annual camping trip. We also left at 2:30 in the morning for it hahaha after going to see Backstreet Boys and Shawn Desman, then heading to Shawn's after party with him and his crew we thought we'd get to the ferry early and cat nap...until of course some crazy ass was blasting his Nickelback in the truck ahead of us! We made it though, in the rain...we camped...we wondered...we did nothing! We met an old friend on the beach who we hung out with last year...Carl is such an amazing soul...I'll save him for another blog ;)

Besides being busy at work with videos, getting ready for the new album and a bunch of other things life is good. I'm happy. It does hurt my heart a little that I only got to La Push once this summer....I'd love to take a fall trip down and get a cabin...a random weekend away is always my fave!

A Meaning In A Lyric

Often times I sit and say GOSH I WANT TO BLOG ABOUT THAT! Bit I'm too scared, shy, closed up....and don't! From now on when I have a feeling, a profound thought in length or something I want to talk about I'm going to blog! People will read it or they will not...but I'm going to let it flow!!!!!!!!!!

What sparked this?????? MUSIC of course!!!!!!!!!!

There is this amazing song, watch this first! It's called STORM by Lifehouse, or actually Jason Wade, their lead singer! Here read along!.... I'm going to again as I hear it, because TONIGHT it brought out something totally different in the song for me! Nothing about crazy relationships and rocky love, but about real love and family!....at the points I fell I will write comments in **** before. Enjoy...this song is in my top fave 10 forever!

how long have I
been in this storm
so overwhelmed by the ocean's shapeless form
water's getting harder to tread
with these waves crashing over my head
**** reminds me of the both times my parents were in the hospital with heart problems!!! it was a storm, it's shapeless and suffocating!

if I could just see you
everything will be alright
if I'd see you
the storminess will turn to light
*****I as right there when both of them went to hospital but I also felt like I wasn't....with dad I was young, and with mom I went into survival mode, call 911, get her to hospital, wtf nothing can be wrong it's mom she's superwoman!

and I will walk on water
and you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright
and everything will be alright
**** Exactly how I feel cause no matter what with my folks, everything will be ALRIGHT...I guess I live in reality cause I learned young and I know I won't have them forever (in this life with me) but because I've come close to losing them both before I find comfort in knowing everything will be alright

I know you didn't
bring me out here to drown
so why am I 10 feet under and upside down
barely surviving has become my purpose
cause I'm so used to living underneath the surface
**** This really reminds me of when I was 12...after that I didn't know my purpose, I was trying to grow up too fast, I just didn't care about me anymore...nothing was alright! BUT I do feel blessed from those years, I've turned them into who I am now and don't regret a thing

if I could just see you
everything will be alright
if I see you
the storminess will turn to light

and I will walk on water
and you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright

and I will walk on water
you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright
I know everything is alright
everything's alright


*****
I do walk on water, my folks catch me when I fall...I do get lost in my dads eyes when I want to say things and with them I know everything is alright!!

Where did this all spark from?????? The reality of them moving away! It sucks...I HATE when they say it would be easier if I was "with someone"...sorry but I don't want it that way right now! I'm happy, I'm building my life...I like that I am living on my own but yes I need my mommy and daddy! I laugh that they are leaving me...they came here and 31 years later they are leaving me!!!!!!! Like LEAVING ME! Really who does that? I guess I had it coming...I wanted to leave them for so long to go back to the east. I'm happy they are going to be around family, it's something I long for....but I so worry that I can't get there if something happens.

It's silly as I listen to this song OVER AND OVER tonight! I remember the first time I heard it, going over the bridge into Seattle...my mom LOVES Lifehouse, lifehouse reminds me of Seattle....lifehouse reminds me of Dave from Wave when we first went to their concert years ago, lifehouse reminds me of starting my career, of figuring out my passions because music gave me peace when I needed comfort!

And as I write this...I've figured out I need to race off to Seattle in a few hours with a VERY good friend and see someone else. I am going to be very over tired but I don't care! I'm following my passions, my dreams.........my storm!

My 31st in VEGAS

Ugg so I haven't wrote since then...I know I know I suck, I'm going to start putting a reminder on my phone alarm to write! So I went to Vegas for my 31st Birthday, my good friend Mario took me...it was a blast! Before I had left I wrote a check list on here...lets see what I was able to complete!


-Put money down on RED and perhaps ODD...cause well ummm lol I DID! AND WON 5 BUCKS
-Say HIT ME or stay - FAIL...BUT WATCHED MARIO DO IT
-Put money in the first machine that calls my name when I step off the airplane - FAIL...I NEEDED TO PEE
-Say hi to the white tigars...I talk to the guy who raised them! Neat!- FAIL THEY CLOSED AT 4PM THAT DAY
-Go look at the sharks at Mandalay Bay - GOT TO THE GATES OF IT AND MARIO DIDN'T WANNA
-See the dancing water - THE WATER DANCED TO THIS KISS THIS KIIIIIIIIIIIISS
-Order the Gamblers Special which isn't on the menu at our hotel...it's a steak for 7.77 mmmmmmmmm - I WAS FAR MORE INTERESTED IN PINK TACO
-Have the cheapest breakfast in town - ONLY ATE ONE BREAKIE
-Planet Hollywood buffet - CHANGED TO MANDALAY BAY AND HAD A BDAY DINNER THERE
-Rehab!!! that's on my bday - REHAB WANTED TO CHARGE US 100 BUCKS THO WE WERE STAYING AT THAT HOTEL...WE SAID NO NO NO...WENT TO THE POOL ON THE OTHER SIDE YET COULD HEAR THE MUSIC STILL
-Oakenfold on Saturday - YUPPERS! DIDN'T STAY TOO LONG BUT GOT A GOOD TASTE OF RAIN
-Kaskade at Encore Pool Party on my bday - TALKED MY WAY INTO THIS PRICEY PARTY WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE LIST BUT NAME DIDN'T SHOW UP AS THEY SAID STILL GOT IN FREE
-Maybe go on some crazy ride off the tower - NAWWWWWW
-get a sun burn - I TIRED
-Ask Elvis if he has the hippy hippy shakes - ELVIS WAS FAT! EVERYTHING SHOOK
-Run away from any mimes! - I SURE DID RUN!
-Hit the jackpot!!! MISSION COMPLETE!!!

So we got there after some delays with flights out of LAX, hung around the Hard Rock Hotel...which I LOVED! We found Pink Taco which I loved...the tortilla soup was delish and the salsa was yummy! Had mini tacos that night, pink tacos actually ;) they had pink pickled cabbage on them...oh so delish! We rested a bit and headed over the The Palms to hit up RAIN! It was strange cabbing over there, I had heard about these hotels and clubs for years...and now I was really going to them! Was there when I was 17 but that counts for nothing! My buddy DJ Kenneth Thomas got us on the list for RAIN that night where Paul Oakenfold was having his night. Sad to say I had a huge migraine so wasn't going to last long....shortly after midnight (I managed to stay until it was my bday) I cabbed back to the hotel and crashed before Mario returned.

The next morning we woke and poured more drinks...I couldn't get drunk for the life of me though!!! Not even a good buzz until the last night... honestly I think that's a good thing though! We headed over to The Wynn and Encore for their pool party! We were to be on Kaskade's guestlist but unsure what happened...they tried to charge us 50 bucks as guests to get in and we laughed...managed to say the right names and walked right in. Mario and I both ordered a drink...he had his normal double vodka 7 with a splash of Orange...28 bucks! She looked and said "Welcome to the Wynn!" Needless to say we didn't stay long...headed back to our hotel and tired to go to REHAB, the Hard Rock's pool party...they wanted 100 bucks! HELL NO! We were guests...but management changed the rules and cause we booked online via a third party we weren't allowed in the big pool on Sunday...BS! Went to the other pool, just as good with a beach and swim up tables! Had some drinks and then hit the machines after. We also went to Mandalay Bay for their Buffet! Was very good....so much to choose from! We wondered the hotel, then went to Luxor and Excalibur, both I had been to before and both didn't seem nearly as cool...I really wanted to play some games at Excalibur like I did when I was 17, they were lacking now...or perhaps I just grew up! I did see my Gas Station on the lot though!!! When I was there before I saved all my money for the games and at .50 cheeseburgers from the A&P! (sorry folks!)

SCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE....Oh backtrack first. Mario had a 3 buck voucher and said I could use it in the penny machine, a few mins later I had that voucher up to 26 bucks! Ok cash out time! I put in my own dollar...had it down only a handful of pennies when cha-ching...100 bucks!

Monday Mario went and played some poker so I thought I'd go on an adventure and MY GOSH was it ever fun! I took a cab to Planet Hollywood where they had a mile long shopping mall. I wondered around there and bought a Coat of Arms an Clan information of my Last Name...i've always wanted one of these so spent the 60 bucks to get it!!! I figure when I get married one day at least I'll have something with my old name on it...I also got my folks one, I hope they like it! It should be arriving any day...

After some shopping I put a buck into the penny machine at the Paris hotel...woohoo a couple spins in 15 bucks came out! Cash out time and move machines!!! Won a lil more in that hotel and cashed in my vouchers to move onto the next hotel!!! I could go on and on but you are all going to hate me...cause I'm a winner baby! My 1 buck I started with had me playing ALL day! 6.5 hours and every hotel from Paris - TI and back....seriously countless machines and SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun!!! I was grinning to myself cause I was on the move. If one machine wasn't being nice I would wonder until I got "the feeling"...I'd see a cat one one and think of my Halo then sit down. I'd see a motor bike on another and think of dad and sit down....I saw Hot Flash and thought of mom....funny cause that's the one I scored big on HAHAHAHA I saw a Wolf machine and thought of Twilight...my faves were the Red Hot, I thought of me ;) But I did win my 100 from a Red Hot so we kinda had a thing going on! It was actually a lot of fun wondering around alone, I took pics of everything...I saw every hotel lobby and casino floors...I saw what kind of pools each place had, the shops, the classy stuff and then the crazy Dolly Parton looking cocktail girls at the older hotels...after wondering about 6 hours I went and spent some winnings on a foot long hot dog that cost me 1.99! But did I ever earn it!!! I smiled as I put a line of mustard and ketchup on it and took a big bite...oh did I ever earn that hot dog! Needless to say, I spent a dollar and made it last ALL DAY LONG...and got a foot long!

After my adventure alone, I went back to the hotel to find Mario in the lobby...he had finished poker a couple hours before...OOPS!!! Perhaps I was out too long, I couldn't help it I was on a roll! I think Mario was wondering where I had been HAHAHA We got ready and went to a restaurant we kept seeing on the 702 Scene (TV Chan in vegas) it was called Hash House A Go Go! It's in the Imperial Palace and a MUST visit!!! The plates are beyond huge, their best known dish is for breakfast but severed anytime...Chicken fried waffles but the waffles have bacon baked into it..OH MY! mario had a burger the size of the las vegas sign...I had ribs, when they say they fall of the bone they mean it! I don't know how they managed to even get the bones onto my plate!!! Maybe they cooked them ON my plate! I highly recommend this place. After that we went and watched the dancing water...that was cool! I filmed it as well! Then we hoped a cab to Fremont Street!!! The light show was cool, down to Queen's We Will Rock You! I filmed that too!!! We went into the Golden Nugget and giggled at the servers, drank a few more drinks and bought tacky vegas stuff! I bought some fuzzy dice for my roomie and a flask for me! We headed back on our last night and found my Red Hot machines at the hotel were being worked on....I swear someone didn't like my beginners luck!!!

We checked out of the Hard Rock...sad...I'd love to go there again. Seeing all the stuff on the walls was amazing. Eddie Vedders surf board, Britney Spears MTV outfit, Xina's Chaps from the Dirty Video....Kurt Cobain's leather jacket...yes oh yes I was in heaven there!!! We wondered around for a while, the machines weren't loving us :( We went back to Pink Taco for lunch...our last meal in Vegas...gosh I love Pink Taco!

We went to the airport far to early and had a long time to wait, our flight was again late....now I know why people bitch about flights in the US! We landed and we were home. All in all it was great! I saw A LOT! More than Mario has seen in a few trips. I brought home a 100 dollar bill which is going to take me camping this summer!!! I didn't get a burn and I remember everything, hence why I can write this over a month since I've been back :P Would I go back...HECK YES!!! I'd likely stay at Hard Rock again as well...I'd like to do a pool party but rent a cabana...I'd like to go to the Grand Canyon while I'm there as well next time...and I think I'd like to go when I have a friend DJing. I couldn't help but be in awe of the show at RAIN and picturing some of my friends behind the decks.

I think I proved what happens doesn't always have to stay in Vegas, I guess that's what happens when you turn 31! I will be back...sooner rather than later!

So excited I could...

...EXPLODE!!! Elise's new album is coming along and I'm loving it! I'm loving the growth, the edge and the sass...and I'm loving being a part of it! I'm excited when I walk into the office and say "Have fun at the studio, write a hit"...and I'm even more excited for the rough edits and then the ...OMG masters to come in!

Today just that happened...the master of Elise Estrada's first single (yes there are a bunch to pick from but we picked the first already!) I've already uploaded it onto Universal Musics portal and am pushing the button tomorrow...yes that's right Universal and RockSTAR are holding hands now and oh what a lovely adventure it shall be!

I can almost count on my fingers and toes how many days it will be until it's released and now that I'm apart of the radio department as well oh gosh golly what fun it will be!

I've had some great help getting this single out already...my friend Joshua who is so talented when it comes to the internet and graphics and well just anything he puts his mind to has done the artwork! He's one person that when I met him believed in me right away, to share this with him means a lot and it also means when he gets his butt back to Canada we are going to have some taco feast which may include pitchers of Mexican slushies as well!

Yes I am excited for Vegas but I also have a lot to look forward to when I get back!!! Beat Music Awards, My babez coming to visit, Lion King and Seattle with Mom for AI, camping....ELISE ALBUM!!!!!!!!!!!! and a bunch of other things I'm not even going to get into right now....but believe me I'm jumping on my couch Tom Cruise style right now!!!

Viva Las Vegas!!!

I'd like to say I'll be there in 4 sleeps but who am I kidding, am I really going to sleep on Friday night??? A good friend is taking me and we're going to have a BLAST!!! Couple things I want to do for sure off the top of my head-

-Put money down on RED and perhaps ODD...cause well ummm lol
-Say HIT ME or stay
-Put money in the first machine that calls my name when I step off the airplane
-Say hi to the white tigars...I talk to the guy who raised them! Neat!
-Go look at the sharks at Mandalay Bay
-See the dancing water
-Order the Gamblers Special which isn't on the menu at our hotel...it's a steak for 7.77 mmmmmmmmm
-Have the cheapest breakfast in town
-Planet Hollywood buffet
-Rehab!!! that's on my bday
-Oakenfold on Saturday
-Kaskade at Encore Pool Party on my bday
-Maybe go on some crazy ride off the tower
-get a sun burn
-Ask Elvis if he has the hippy hippy shakes
-Run away from any mimes!
-Hit the jackpot!!!

Can't wait!!!!!!! Any tips and tricks...or things I should see hit me up before Friday night :)

DuWop my weakness

I absolutely love this stuff!!! I got hooked on it about 10 years ago while in Toronto but it was so hard to find. Finally we have a Sephora in Vancouver so roaming around through Holts is no longer needed. DuWop even came out with a Twilight version of Lip Venom...do I own it? Heck ya! I'm excited about this little gift pack...if I made a birthday list this would surely be on it!!!

Actually a ton of things from Sephora would be, my fave perfume by Gwen comes in a larger size and a better price than most other places! I'm worse than a kid in a candy shop there...I get excited when their newsletter comes and I get to see the new stuff coming out...it's going to be hard to go there later this week and pick up my free birthday gift and not spend anything else!!! I'll have to fight the splurge and remember I'm leaving for Vegas on Saturday!!!

A high comes crashing down...

I didn't think I'd be blogging again so soon, and I never thought it would be a blog about this but at 1am where else do I go?

I remember when my friend was murdered and my passion for music began...I remember when I found out my friend was killed and who was around to give a hug. I remember who hung around together and who grew apart...those first couple years of high school SUCKED! We were tested, some of us moved on...some of us fucked up, some of us forgot and someone us live...some of us didn't.

If you read my last blog you could feel the emotion coming from it I'm sure...this one I just can't. The moment I logged into Facebook I got the news (thank you C for letting us know) a friend I grew up with is no longer with us. It's funny how today I started it off angry that some people/friends aren't around as much....it was directed at many but it was a reminder to tell people you are here! Shane was there when I walked out of math wanting to just run away when I couldn't deal with Jesse's death. Shane was also there when two other friends died the next year. There were days we'd sneak off to the park and hang out and talk...he was one of the few I wondered about after all these years.

I went to the beach tonight, I've always felt at home there...next to the ocean. With a candle lite and talking to a good friend I tried to remember how I got past all of the things I have before.

Though I may cry and honestly this one is hard cause it's bringing old memories back I WILL be ok! I will tell myself that until I believe it! WHY? Cause I am ALWAYS there for myself...and I'm blessed for that.

Season Nine American Idol review...as it happens!

Crystal vs. Lee

Never done this before but why not give a run down on my thoughts as the show happens! If you haven't watched yet SPOILERS ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll keep my thoughts in point form...ENJOY!

First off I love the way Lee has grown over the season and as Simon said last night this is what American Idol is all about, standing next to Ryan at the opening Crystal looked a lot more comfy...however oddly enough she almost quit half way through the season!

-2% difference in votes all season! Told ya it was close

-Judges intro...Randy I haven't noticed much this season. Love Ellen (who started a record label announced today!) Kara I fucking love her! and Simon...shit I have tears! Blame the wine or his smug ass...but damnit I like him!

-Top12...Do I even know all their names LOL It's a good looking bunch! I like that they picked "different" people...there are some funky hair cuts (PS I just dyed my hair tonight hehe) OMG OMG Alice Cooper!!!!!!!!!! I think Mom told me once she saw him or liked him! I do remember in grade 10 sitting in the park on the last day of school singing Schoooooooools out for Summmmmmmmmmmmer we may or may not have been smoking what Alice was!! Loves it!

-Kris Allen, when Ryan said last years winner I squealed thinking it was Adam, oh yah he won in the real world. I'm liking this song though...he looks good and kinda has a Daughtry slow song feel to him! iTunes here I come! PS- Song is over, if u told me Daughtry or Lifehouse wrote it I'd believe you!

-Flashbacks of Simon...LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He's made AI what it is! Kara is going to take over his "tell it like it is" but isn't going to be "karaoke" about it

-Siobhan and Aaron - Bee Gees!! WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!...GO BLAKE, Jordin and Matt! I see ya there! OH SHIT....the HOFF!!!!!!!!!!!!! Too funny for so many reasons!!! Great song, and wow the old guy can still hit the note!

-Big Mike...poor guy was compared to Ruban too much. WOW Michael Mcdonald...alright, AI is making up for a shitty season in one night!!! Funny how so many finals have done that this year, I've never watched Greys Anatomy either and it was amazing...could it be the curse of 2010!

-OMG OMG OMG DANE COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK I'm so going DJ Diddles right now and SIMON why oh why are u looking at him so awful. Do you not know how amazing Dane is.....OMG OMG seriously DANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNE. I'm clapping along!!! SIMON SAID!!! YAY!!!! HAHAHAH OMG!Castoffs!!! I'm CRYING!!!!!!!!!! alright they should have let that go on longer!

-Beautiful- One of my all time fave songs! The girls were a good looking bunch this season! Perfect song...alright...Xtina! Why you here? OH yes that's because you just leaked your album and had to cancel your tour cause the tix sales sucked...good on ya for joining in for ONE line!

-Xtina solo...love it so far! She's got pipes! I've seen her live and she's always impressed me. PS- I want your glitter tights.PPSS You got bigger hips and I love that you still wore everything tight! Rock on girl...I'll be getting her new album!

-Boys turn! The girls are so much hotter this year...Lee and Casey aside of course! Oh my...I'd like to be a tomato in that sandwich! Good songs, another taste of tour!
I KNEW Hall and Oats would be on! It's strange at Daughtry's concert mom made the comment how many "older" people were at the show...well momma this is why...Idol hooks them in and those are the people that buy the albums!!! "Older" people don't download ;)

-Crystal SOLO...IRONIC. Jagged Little Pill. one of my top 5 albums EVER! OMG OMG ALANIS is there! Shit tears!!! For real! I said I would keep these points short BUT this deserves something more...2010 Olympics Alanis was under the stage for the dress practice and I grew up listening to her! Have always loved her and we got to chat for a moment! She didn't want her drape dropped, she wanted to stand out with the rest of us that day. I was at the end of the line and joking around after 10 hours of practice and said a line from her hidden song on Jagged Little Pill...she looked up and smiled...it's always been my fave and I freaked out when she re-released it! Attention artists...hidden songs on albums are RAD!

-Carrie Underwood. LOVE! I'd Loooooooooooooooooooooooove to see her in December but unsure if my parents will be around for the holidays so have held off. Hello HOT boots! PS- Kara co-wrote...see told ya she rules

-Casey James - My momma saw his audition and said Amber there is one I know you will like! PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUSE Bret just walked out and I started jumping on my bed. First off I LOVE this song but secondly Bret just came alive again, he won Trumps show and I just had to pause Idol cause I'm slightly freaking out. Rewinding to when Casey started again and going to enjoy this! Bret to Casey "I'm right here with ya" B we are here with you too!!!!!!!! Gosh you make guy liner look good!

*****************side note...BEST IDOL FINAL YET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Chicago...right on! Great tunes...go Lee

-YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS Pants on the Ground! Dad is it in your head again? Holy crap look at that senior move! Hat turned sideways gold in your teeth...OH MY GOSH...WILL HUNG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BOOM BOOM Get Hands Up! holy shit! Best IDOL EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-PAULA!!!! Yes get on your feet people, do you know I did one and only one lip-sync in my life, I did Straight Up! I own Paula's tapes and will always love her, I feel like roller skating to her hits now!

-Oh Simon...you always did it YOUR way and 99.999999% of the time you were right

-Kelly, the Original Idol....OH Ruban! OMG Fantasia...CARRIE!!!!!!!!!!! Jordin!!!!!!!!!!!!!! taylor....Kris..alright....COOK where are you??????????? OMG CRYING NOW...THIS my friends! THIS is why I watch IDOL!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm such a sap, I paused the show...I saw people who I actually have talked to over the years, be it via texting, email, tweets or facebook. People who deserve to be there! Excuse the language but FUCK American Idol (and the other Idols) have done something AMAZING!!! I'll blog later about my tour experiences and such...but this launching pad that this show has created...words can't explain it! You have a beat boxer who made it, you have a single mom who's made it, a high school student who's made it, a farm girls who's made it, a marine who's made it, a rock star, a broadway star, a pop star, a dad, a nobody who today we know.....and so on! I'm going to rewind and watch this AI Moment again...AI if you end tonight you've served me proud!

-Awwwwwww Ryan and Simon hug! CUTE

-Janet Jackson....you remind me of my Roller Skating days too and I love it! I love your new hair!!! I've been dare'n myself to do Kim Caldwell do for a while and you are giving me that confidence!
Ahhhhhhh shiz...old school Janet! You go girl, talent flows in your blood...bless the Universe for giving us people like MJ and his fam!

-Tonight is about Crystal and Lee....is it? I'm still wondering where David Cook is? I do love that AI did pick too very normal people this year!

-C&L together!....Oh Crystal I'd buy your record in a minute! Joe Cocker! WOW...forever this song will remind me of the Golden Years and of course the Golden Grahams commercials...you?

-Alright last commercial...not going to lie I keep tossing my hair wondering how I can do this Caldwell but I'm ready for a winner...I don't think Idol can give me anymore tears...gimme a winner, I don't care...for once both are worthy for me!

-FastForwarded my PVR and I ALMOST saw who won!!!!!!!!!!! PS Watch that new dance show...Miles is worth watching :)

-Here comes the envelope!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awww Lee u are too cute! Before Vote! SEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE I'm always right!!!! ALWAYS!!!! Even when I want someone to win I KNOW America....no shame on Crystal, you are an amazing singer and you will do amazing at what exactly you do! Lee....GO! Please do better that what Kris did...seeing you win is...is just as the song says...it's a BEAUTIFUL THING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WILL buy your song tonight and see you in Seattle!

PS- I'm tossing my hair! lets have some fun!

And your Season Nine Winner Is.....

I DON'T CARE!!! I can't believe I am actually saying that! After 8 Seasons of American Idol I'm sitting here at 8:05pm...5 mins into the final and I haven't turned it on yet. OK OK I'm fibbing a bit, I'm waiting for my PVR to get ahead ;)

Tonight is the first time I've gotten excited all year! I went from the girl who made her work schedules around American Idol to Freaking out that I'd be in Thailand mid-season a few years back (we found it on at a pub HAHA) and someone who never missed a show (besides a couple before Top 24s) to someone who has fast forwarded a lot of this season. I've said it a lot this has been the worst season yet! No disrespect to Lee and Crystal who I do like! I've been saying all season that it's because season 10 is going to go out with a bang! Simon is leaving us tonight, they need to do something. Lets not end it on a low note...and hey if for some reason next seasons ratings grow without Simon then Fox will keep it going...but it won't!

Tonight I'm excited to see past Idols! I've been watching them tweet this week as they have arrived in LA, yesterday many of them tweeting pics of them with the others. I'm excited to see Dane Cook, he tweeted too HAHA I'm excited to see Blake Lewis, tho he's grouped in the past Idol bunch he's become someone I know and respect his work so much! Plus who couldn't love someone who gave us (mom and I) their front row tix at Daughtry on Mothers Day no less!!! I'm excited to see who else may be there...I'm excited that I AM excited!!! Mom and I have tix to the tour in July and I was getting worried that well...that I wasn't going to be excited. One thing I'm not excited to see is Simon go, love him or hate him he knows his stuff and he's not afraid to say it. Sure he may say the strangest things BUT how else do you say to a lame singer "That sounded like something from a cruise ship"? I'm sad to see him go, he's done a lot for America but I'm also excited to see what he will do next!

So since I'm so excited...it's time to watch! Prediction: I can't! Crystal should get it but America often doesn't get it right, they never seem ready enough for someone a bit different...Lee may win this and it may just be the closest race yet!

Baccccccccon

Bacon! It's good on everything right? Be it the fake lil bits or the strips dripping in grease, bacon makes it better!
A long time ago, perhaps I shouldn't say it was a long time ago...although it was more than 10 years ago it does feel like yesterday...my Uncle Larry would make use breakfast when we visited and peameal bacon was always involved (Along with the peach schnapps in the peach juice...who needs coffee!) I think my true love for bacon came then...it was delish!!!

Years later I discovered "Real Bacon Bits" alright they came in a bag that would last forever so who knows how real those were BUT have you tried them KD? I'm not talking the deluxe Kraft Dinners, I'm talking about the old school ones that everyone says college kids eat! Add a lil "Real Bacon Bits" to the mix and you have yourself something that well will impress the whole dorm!

Now don't think I eat bacon all the time, as much as I'd like to I HATE cooking it!!! Too many times have I attempted to make breakfast, only half clothed...bacon doesn't understand that splashing isn't fun in the AM!!! I did however get introduced to this wonderful bacon invention last month. My lovely Auntie J cooked us breakfast while we were visiting and microwaved us some bacon...yes MICROWAVED!!! I would have thought it would come out a mushy mess but noooooooooooo it was crisp, not fatty and wonderful!

Last Sunday I woke up slightly hungover...I had bought a box of microwave bacon the day before and popped half of it in the mic...what came out was a pure hangover heaven cure!

A Way to spend a Saturday!

So I am home...HOME! Gosh I've missed this feeling, it's been a while! I'm home on a Saturday night, I've been wanting to sleep for a few hours but I can't...I have tooth picks in my eyes and am up listening to Blake Lewis' farewell set in Seattle! I should have gone but I didn't...I wanted to but there are so many Seattle trips planned this summer and really...HOME was needed!!!

So as I sit and listen I think of AMERICAN IDOL...this year I must say WTF, and that's putting it polite! I will paste my blog I wrote last year...365-7 days ago! I re-read it tonight and could help but laugh! Have I really figured out the American Idol key...I've been saying since season 2 that every second year is a lame season...this year though is the lamest of the lame!!! I'm thinking it's because Seasons 10, the final season me thinks, will be a blow out amazing shhhhhhhBANG! Once you read my blog I wrote last year you will learn my distaste, this is the first season ever that I've missed shows! I record them on my PVR and do a fast catch up...I've only bought one track from the whole season from iTunes when I normally buy almost all of them. I have however bought the tour tickets for Seattle...in part because I love trips to Seattle and I will fail in life IF I miss one tour out of all of them...but it's also a weekend I can spend with mom and I want nothing more than to take her to LaPush, is it sad that I am more excited for the morning after Tour 2010 than the night of?

So be it! Prove me right American Idol...do your season 10 like no other and end on an amazing high note! Kara is already being more of a hardass and saying it the biz way, Ellen is funny and has taken over Paula but not as fluffy and Randy well...he's Randy! My guess American Idol season 10 will be the best we've ever seen and to fill Simon's spot...the best Idols from past seasons!!! I'd like to see Blake, Carrie, Chris Daughtry, David Cook, Kelly C and Kelly P! A ton of highlights shown and the best top 10 we've ever seen!!!

And here's my blog from last year...thoughts please!

12:13AM...Friday night...I turned on Larry King knowing Adam (yes I say him first) and Kris, and the other American Idol folks will be on.
I want to comment and tonight I am going to comment freely! Many have asked me to blog about this however I have waited until tonight, calm the rage...see the reaction and allow myself to speak my mind.
I started watching American Idol the last week of "audition week" during Season One! I was doing promotions that summer and remember being out but one girl had a VCR and I'd watch the show before going home for the night. By the end of season one I had my parents hooked. Sure my mom was going to love it but my dad was a truck driving harley guy!!! He'd call home on Tues & Wed nights from truck stops fighting who sung better and believe me he wasn't the only one calling home doing that!

Right off I'm gonna say Kris...I remember Simon saying he shouldn't have said he was married, true....honestly until the end that's the only thing I remember about him! I'm sorry Kris I think you have a great voice, you are cute but being a girl from Vancouver I see you all the time. Now before all you Kris fans come hating I DO wish him the best, I DO Like him he's actually my fave genre but in 24 months please ask me where Kris Allen is?

During this season I figure out a very important thing! Every second year it's a "downer year" as I call it. Think back to last year...David Cook..WOW It was big...two Davids going at it, teenie boopers against young adult boopers...it was huge! Now the year before that, last two Jordin VS Blake Lewis...SORRY but it was only one notch up from the sleeper season number 3. Don't get me wrong, I loved the Blake and Jordin Battle(Field) (go get her new song on iTunes it's wonderful) but it was a year I wanted to hide my face in a pillow.

America was not ready for Blake Lewis! Where is he now??? Remember Flock Of Seagulls??? Remeber I RAN??? Well now you can hear it in todays day and age! Blake has teamed up with people like DARUDE and other dance floor power houses and is taking the music world by storm....but believe me there is NO "calm before the storm" with this west coast superstar!

Now back to the voting!!! I remember back in the day when I couldn't vote (I've only voted a couple times being in the states and then again the final night this season & 6 in for Adam!) I remember when blogs would vote against someone to save someone else. Sorry Ryan Starr you were a victim of this, I remember when she was voted out and the work the bloggers did before hand.

I never watched TV much after the real 90210 ended and American Idol started, I was never "hooked" as much until then....once AI started it was like a game for me at first and it was like I studied it. The information would come to me, I guess the day and age of the internet it landed on my lap. Heck strange things always happened like us ending up backstage the second tour and changing shirts with an Idol cause mine said "Canada EH?"...oh the memories. I find it funny to say I have never missed an AI show, even if I have to catch up when I am away. I have been to every top 10 concert and do take this on as my personal mission. Will they make it or will they not? The last two years I sit during audition week with a pad of paper marking down ppl I like and by golly I am good at my game!

So now that I've given a bit of how I have felt over the years how do I feel about this season??? I knew it was a "down" season...it didn't seem to have that PHUMP and battle throughout. Adam was amazing since the start but what happened??????????????????????????

I've been a Perez Hilton daily (actually at least 10x a day) reader since for years now and saw the drag pics of Adam, being gay or not it still came out....and it came out that Kris was the "boy next door".Take things to the top 3 now...you have Danny in the mix ....all of a sudden you take Danny out and what are his fans going to do? Danny the great guy with the great story and voice? Yes his fans were going to vote for Kris. Sad fact but it does happen!!! Fans ban together via blogs and word of mouth.

Was Amerca ready for an openly gay (I know he hasn't admited it....but gay or not...perhaps those interesting pics could come into play...Adam lets share make up!) anyway was America ready??? NO!!!! Sad shame cause people are people no matter what the say.
a
I've had friends mention "who cares second best does better!!!" It's not about that that this time on Idol...Adam was a clear front runner from the start which doesn't normally happen on this show. He was good and still pushed forward to keep growing. iTunes already has proved who has won....it really is the power of today.

I hope next year AI will push the boundries again. I hope artists like Blake Lewis will be invited back to show AI talented artists do all sorts of directions and sometimes it's even better than the cheese they serve with the wine I drink on Wednesday nights

I'm Moooooooooving!!!

In a few days a new adventure will be taking place...I'm SO excited to be moving again although am very stressed about it. I HAVE NO TIME!!! Also it seems everyone is busy that weekend, some I can totally understand but others really makes me question their lack of help...or even replying for that matter. You always find out who your true friends are when you have to move!!!

This will explain the lack of updates lately, first I was away...now house sitting and packing and then moving on Sunday. After that I promise I shall be around more!!! I have big plans for this blog and am very excited about it :)

Testladeda

ONLY Child

Do you know what it's like to be an only child? Not just the only sibling in your family but a real only child...but a real only child...perhaps I should say only family! Don't get me wrong, I am very blessed to have my Mom and Dad...I don't think I would change it for the world as it has made me who I am today, and I truly believe that is stronger and more emotionally inept than many.

My parents moved from Hamilton, Ont. to Vancouver, BC before they were married....they left both sides of their family as well as my half sister for a life on the West Coast. I don't blame them although my heart for many years tugged East...one life altering "move" changed that (perhaps I'll blog about it one day) and now I know why they fell in love with this amazing city.

BUT....

Birthdays...a card in the mail, a gift that the wrapping is often ripped in transit. Easter egg hunts alone...sure I get all the chocolate but there is no race, although it is great finding the candy a month later! NO summer BBQs, no Birthday parties...I found a photo the other day of an ice cream cake my Uncle Rick & Aunt Judy bought me because they knew it was my fave...sure it was a few weeks late but it was special because it was shared with family. I can't feel sorry for myself because I DID have it great but I've always wondered what it would be like to have a huge family meal!!!

I have an amazing memory...the last one I remember I was 3ish...I was at Aunt Bevs not all the kids were born yet but Grandma and Grandpa were there! I really wanted this wedding to have all the family (moms side) together but 2 of the cousins won't be able to make it. I do want to make up for time though...in todays day and age we have the internet, texting and all that stuff so I want to catch up and keep that family vibe going! I hope they know how important it is to me!!!

I mentioned my half sister...I wanted nothing more to have a sister growing up. Someone I could talk about New Kids On The Block with, share clothes, learn about make up, talk about boys....I knew I had a sister but I didn't know her. I'm staying with her and her family....MY family this week! I'm SO excited about it....I really don't think anyone knows how much it means to me. As I sit here writing about it I have tears in my eyes...I'm excited! I want to see everyone...I bet my other cousins don't even know I wear their COP shirts all the time and smile thinking of that side of the family every time my pinkies go up! My Papa used to do that and if you look at me closely I never use my pinkies ;)

Next family dinner/gathering...tell them you love them! Because some of your friends don't get to!

MY Angel

Two weeks ago a stopped over at my parents place and was sitting on the deck with my two cats, Halo and Angel, as they sunned themselves. Angel came up to me for a tail pull...yes she likes that, she's kinda odd...I noticed that her gums were yellow then with the light of the sun I noticed that the inside of her ears were bright yellow as well!!! All her skin was yellow!!! Jaundice :(

Over the next week she lost ALL her body weight, she's a small cat as it is but when I saw her next she was a skeleton. I hated petting her, her back had nothing but fur on it and her hips were sticking out worse than I've ever seen on an animal. She wouldn't eat or drink and hid in my bedroom :(

During the second week she started drinking the liquid from canned food and I've been giving her water with a syringe but the jaundice has gone too far and she's just wasting away into nothing. Mom came over last night and said she's not walking right anymore and hardly coming downstairs again....she told me to come say goodbye this weekend.

When I moved back home at 20 I brought Halo, my cat I had since she was a day old...someone left her in a parking lot in a box! Mom thought Halo needed a friend! She saw an SPCA was closing in Port Alberni and shipping kittens to Vancouver on the news so she went and lined up to get Halo a friend. There were only a few kitties left by the time she got there and some how she connected with Angel. She's a crazy cat, she hardly ever blinks...she'll stare at you like she's on E...and if she's walking by and you call her name she makes her tail into a question mark! She also will rub your leg until you pet her and will keep coming back forever if you pull her tail so that her back legs come off the floor.

Mom brought home Angel and she walked into the office, I didn't want to go near her cause "If she's not staying here I don't want to pet her she's too cute"....for the next while Angel slept under my blanket tucked into my tummy like a baby.

I'm reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally going to miss my lil E-Tarded cat, whenever I spend the night there she always has to wake me up or not let me sleep by pacing across me. When I'm having quiet time with my fat cat Halo...Angel always has to jump up to make Halo jealous and leave me. I will say goodbye to get tomorrow and tell her how much I love her, I hope she understands.

7 Days until the 2010 Winter Olympics

OMG I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm going to log every moment of it and it all started tonight! 7 more days until the opening ceremonies...ONE MORE WEEK!!!!!!!!!! Ever since I was a lil girl I have been performing, I'd watch the opening of Olympics and dream...sure if I was graceful enough I would have wanted to be a figure skater (I was for a season and am still proud my first day on ice I never fell...I was six) I always wanted to be in the opening ceremony thought and in ONE WEEK I WILL BE!!!!!!!!!

I remember where I was when I found out the Olympics were coming to Vancouver, I was driving someone to work and listening to The Beat waiting at a stop light....I screamed, I cried! I remember going to Whistler and seeing the first sign up sheets to help with the games and I gladly gave them my contact information. I remember signing up online to be a part of the cast....I remember getting the call May long weekend for the audition and I remember finally in Sept getting the email that I was chosen!

One week from tonight I will be coming home after being on TV in front of almost 4 BILLION people, I'm an Athletes Marshal and I am CANADIAN! What is an Athletes Marshal, well I can talk about that....we are the closest people to the Athletes on the field of play. You will see us out there as the Athletes enter and exit the stadium and I am so freaking happy that I am also in another part of the show as well. I won't talk about it now because it's a huge moment and I will for sure shed a tear during! I can not wait for the world to see this!!!

So what did I do to mark the countdown? Matt and I left work at about 6pm and went to The Bay...I wanted more Olympic gear. The pin traders were out in true form and one "Pin Ambassador" said he'd never seen my "2010 Ceremony" pin and said I shouldn't wear it because everyone will come up to me and talk....hahaha I proudly said I wouldn't trade it for the world but people are more than welcome to talk to me :) After buying a Vancouver 2010 Cowbell...YES a COWBELL (I've always wanted one and believe me it's fun, I had people cheering on the team already tonight) we walked down Granville, a lot is closed off already with displays out which we took pics of. (will post later) We continued right across the Granville Bridge and spotted the huge spot lights starting up! I then called home, mom looked at them online and it was pretty funny her telling me what they were doing as I was watching!

Matt and I arrived at the opening of SWISS HOUSE (Bridges on Granville Island) they have done the place up nice and the smell of fondue was amazing. I got another couple pins!!! Swiss ones, I hope to trade one :) I also got some chocolate and Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiicola (yes I sung it to the guy with the basket) we had a drink there and chatted with some others before heading out.

The adventure continued back on Granville, nachos were being craved so we hit The Furniture Warehouse....they redid their patio and I was impressed. Who could sit outside during the winter Olympics? Vancouver people can!!! It was actually hot enough to take my jacket off!!! A couple more drinks were ordered and a drunken crew came and sat beside us....oh the entertainment! 3 out of the 4 guys spilled their drinks and then drank out of their shoes!!! Locker room rules!!!

Well that was night one down of the preshow for the Olympics! I'm gonna blog about them for sure, I think I'm going to start a blog spot....would people read it? Would you?

7 DAYS TO GO...I BELIEVE