Halloween Spooks, Outside My Window...

BOOOOOO! Happy Halloween Everyone! This is the first year that The Boy will be going trick or treating and I couldn't be more excited. He doesn't care all that much. But he does enjoy knocking on doors, so that will be the highlight of his evening. Unfortunately, DH is working late until 8pm tonight. So he won't be able to participate, which is too bad. But there are plenty of future Halloween's for both The Boy and DH. A little housekeeping... Happy Belated Birthday to The Boy's Uncle Steve who had a birthday yesterday. I hope he got the card we sent. Speaking of cards, thanks from The Boy to both Memere and Grandma who both sent him cute little Halloween cards. Tomorrow, I'll post a picture of The Boy in his costume, but until then here is a flashback from last year's famous lobster costume. A CANADIAN FACT! About 72% of Canadians will participate in some Halloween-themed event this year, according to a survey by the Retail Council of Canada. On average, about $60 per household has been earmarked for pumpkins, costumes, candy and decorations -- up from $57 last year -- bringing the nationwide tab to an estimated $1.15-billion in retail sales.

The Boy + Dora!

I'd like you to meet The Boy's girlfriend. She's very talented, smart and is quite hard-working. She might be an older woman, but that doesn't bother The Boy. They are meant to be! The Boy only has eyes for one Dora Rodriguez, aka, Dora the Explorer. When The Boy sees her he jumps up and down and chants her name repeatedly, like a crazy person. He really thinks she is a superstar. He also likes Dora's friend Benny the Bull, which is like saying that your favorite character on Happy Days is Potsie, but I digress. So, I bring this all up because this weekend is the Baby and Toddler Show here in Toronto. And today, who is going to be making an appearance, but none other than Dora herself. I debated bringing The Boy to see Dora and possibly get a picture taken with her, but then I realized that he would be in an unfamiliar place, with lots of other people and then to see this come lumbering over. I think he might just have a massive coronary. I sometimes forget that The Boy is still not 2 years old yet. He's still pretty young and can be easily spooked. Speaking of which, only a few more days until Halloween and I'm so excited to be taking him out for Trick or Treating. He has no idea what that is, but I can barely contain myself! BOO! A DORA FACT! Dora the Explorer became the first Latina balloon character in the 79th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 24th, 2005. Which is coming up in a few weeks. I love the Macy's Parade. I'm so excited! Halloween and then Thanksgiving! I need to take a breather. Phew. PS: Here is a great 15 minute video of the Charles Phoenix's Disneyland Tour of Downtown Los Angeles, which DH and I did a few years ago. It was lots of fun and this is a really accurate document of the experience.

Around the Town

Although I've been lax in my posting, I have been taking pictures around Toronto for the blog. The Fambly will be doing a lot of fun things coming up in the next few weeks, but until then here are some of the things that I see on a regular basis and as far as I can tell there are few or no pictures of these things on the Internets. Here is a really crazy building on Gerrard Street. I have no idea what the story is on this place, but there's got to be a good one. Here's another picture for a little more detail. There's clearly something going on about drunk driving, but I haven't the foggiest idea what its about. But I DO love the crazy. Here are some of a dying breed: pay-phone booths. They are actually really common up here and I have actually used them since I've been here. How cute and retro. Here a shot for Michele-with-one-L! Degrassi For-evah! And, I can't forget to show another picture of The Boy: Man, does he love that slide!

Hairspray Pics Part Two

I certainly hope that work slows down a little bit, although it IS nice to be busy. But, then I can't waste my mornings blogging like I was when I first got here. This morning right after I dropped The Boy off at his day care I saw a guy dressed like a Scottish Pimp with a pleather jacket, newspaper boy hat and plaid highwater pants. And he kept loudly repeating "Horse Office! Horse Office!" Man, I love this city. I wish I had video camera with me at all times. I also have some more Hairspray pictures including this little gem: This place is usually a greasy spoon diner called "Gail's Snack Shop" (aka Smack Shop), but for the movie it's the Hardy-Har Hut, a game and magic store. Only in a movie would a magic store be a huge store right on a corner. I really liked the name of this portable toilet company: "It's My Potty!" I'm jealous that someone else came up with that one. The only actual filming I saw was the actress playing the main character, Tracy Turnblad, lip-synching a song in front of the Hardy-Har Hut. It was only a few minutes, but it was pretty cool nonetheless. I believe the song was this little ditty: "Good Morning Baltimore" (click on Track 1 to take a listen). This past weekend The Boy and I met Lori and her son, Logan for coffee (or rather, hot chocolate and hot cider) on the Danforth. I met Lori on the Internets and we had a lovely chat. I was really nice to talk to someone that I'm not related to for a change. I actually found a group of women who moved here to Toronto from Southern California, so I will meet with them in the near future, hopefully. But, before I go, "Horse Office! Horse Office!"

Hairspray Pics Part One

Yesterday was just non-stop rain here in the GTA. Despite the 2 feet (!!!) of snow that Buffalo got last week, we have managed to dodge the weather bullet, at least snow-wise. For now. Speaking of the natural world, my brother, Weethy, lives in Honolulu and he is doing well despite the earthquake that happened over the weekend. I haven't spoken to him yet, but my mother says that he was a little shaken up (no pun intended) over the 45 second quake and his dog was VERY shaken up. In all my years in Southern California, I never felt that long a quake. But they are very scary. So, if you're reading this Weethy, drop me an email or call me tonight. Anyway, after yesterday's near monsoon, this morning was nice a relatively warm. So, when I finally got to my office, there was much ado. Apparently, Hairspray is back to shoot some more scenes and that blocked up traffic a little bit. And a little farther down the street, traffic was REALLY backed up because of a nasty accident in front of the studio. Since Hairspray is back and up to trouble, now is as good time as any to show the pictures of the set direction that was here a few weeks ago. Here are two reproductions of old billboards, for Philips and Dr. Pepper. Do any of these look familiar to anyone out there who might remember the early 60s? I sure do love reproductions of old things. Here is a cute mural that is the only thing left from the shoot. That and a sign that one of the businesses kept even though the phone number on the sign is a "555" number. More tomorrow...

Hair-y Adventures With The Boy

Two Saturdays ago, The Boy went for his first Big Boy haircut. We went to Little Tots Hair Shop. Perhaps, it didn't go as smoothly as we would have liked. He was pretty good until the stylist turned on the clippers, and they completely set him off. He cried the entire time and DH had to restrain him. But the stylist was a pro and even with The Boy carrying on, she was able to cut his hair without missing a beat. She did a fabulous job. But, he did need it, as shown below. "Cut your hair, you hippy!" Now... "A Very Stylish Garcon..." Now that The Boy has a proper haircut, we went to have his annual professional photo done. It went just slightly better than the haircut did. We tried to get him to sit down, but he just wouldn't. Then, we tried to get him to pick out his own props for the picture, first a fire truck and then a rocking horse - both favorites of The Boy - but he balked each time. Finally, the photographer got out the trucks and balls and that was the ticket. After about a half hour of trying, The Boy finally sat down in his little chair and played with the toys. SUCCESS! But, you can't see the picture right now. Not until you get your own copy, which I might get to you, Dear Reader, at Christmas-time. But, until then, here's one more of The Boy!

Toronto Turkey Time

So, yesterday was Thanksgiving here in Canada, which we really didn't celebrate. It just didn't feel right, especially since U.S. Thanksgiving (aka "Real Thanksgiving" - although, I guess the first Canadian Thanksgiving was in 1579 in Newfoundland, but I'm going to choose to ignore that) is my favorite holiday. It just felt like I was cheating on my beloved Thanksgiving with its Macy's Parade, Chicken in a Biscuit crackers and cranberry sauce shaped like the can. On the other hand, there is no way that I'm going to look a gift holiday in the mouth. It could have been National Slug Appreciation Day and if I got the day off, I'd be front and center in the annual Slug Days Parade. Instead we decided to go to the Mandarin Chinese buffet for lunch. It was not a completely out of left field choice as it is currently the Chinese Moon Festival, the Chinese Harvest Festival. I was pretty excited to have some moon cake and roast suckling pig, or actually just to see a roast suckling pig, but I was sorely disappointed to not get either at Mandarin. We also had a wait forever for The Boy to get his high-chair. Poop. But yes, freyapup, there is a Halloween. And yes, it is on the same day as it is everywhere in the world. A CANADIAN FACT! The first Canadian Thanksgiving was celebrated on April 15, 1872 in thanks for the recovery of the future King Edward VII from a serious illness. In 1879, Parliament declared November 6th a day of Thanksgiving and a national Canadian holiday. Over the years many dates were used for Thanksgiving, the most popular was the 3rd Monday in October...Finally, on January 31st, 1957, the Canadian Parliament proclaimed... "A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed ... to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October." (Wikipedia)

My Past Two Weeks

I wish I had a good excuse for my nearly two-week hiatus, but I don't. Oh, I could say that I've been held prisoner in some wealthy sultan's castle or I got lost somewhere near the giant Nickel in Sudbury, Ontario, but unfortunately the only excuse is that I have been super, super busy with work and "free time." To recap (or actually, since I haven't mentioned it before, cap): I joined the Library Book Club and it was, by far, the best book club I have ever been a part of. Everyone read the book, there was a nice mix of women and there was a lively discussion of the novel. Plus, there was awesome cake! I started my job as a Religious Education teacher at my church. I'll be teaching the 3rd and 4th Graders and the two that I've met are just so sweet. The 1st Graders that I've met are...not. Anyway, I also joined the Religious Education Committee. It will be a challenge, and I love a Challenge. We'll see what I say in a month. The Boy is expanding his vocabulary at an alarming rate. He is adding words together to make sentences and he is always coming up with new words. He also seems to be starting his "terrible twos" stage early. It figures, everything else he does is late, except his tantrums. Jeesh. Still cute, though. There is no arguing about that. And another thing. I totally love Ugly Betty and Heroes. Yay! Speaking of TV, a former co-worker of mine got her first job as an acutal TV writer for the ABC Family show, Kyle XY. That is so awesome and everyone here at the company is all really happy for her. I did wind up getting some pictures of the Hairspray shoot. I saw a little bit of the filming, but I have to get DH to help upload the pics on the computer. Are you reading this, DH? Hint, hint. A CANADIAN FACT! The top Canadian shows this week are: 1. CSI (CTV) 2. CSI Miami (CTV) 3. Desperate Housewives (CTV) 4. Survivor (Global) 5. CSI New York (CTV) 6. ER (CTV) 7. House (Global) 8. The Amazing Race (CTV) 9. Criminal Minds (CTV) 10. Grey's Anatomy (CTV)