Mascots

Being a mascot isn't all fun and games. If you happen to be a well loved mascot like Mickey Mouse, you're just not going to get a lot of respect. So when companies/events, etc., choose their mascots they should really think about it.

I've been a mascot and believe me, you need a side kick when you're not a popular one, or at least in my case, one that nobody really knows. It's only safe to have a side kick with you to ward off all the crazy children that want to kick you in the groin or those adults that just want to push you.

Anyways, I'm telling you all this because I was driving around doing some errands when my youngest daughter pointed out a mascot. I looked and I couldn't quite tell what it was. But this blue mascot was giving something to a young child on a bike. And you could tell this little child was scared and confused about what the hell this thing was.

As I got closer, I noticed that the sidekick was a bottle of shampoo for Great Clips. I told my daughter that, and then I started to laugh uncontrollably. I don't know...it just seemed so sad to have a "bottle of shampoo" giving out coupons or something. He didn't even have a conditioner side kick/buddy with him. And I felt TERRIBLE for this mascot because it was hot and it was a felt like costume. To top it off, my daughter is adamant that it's a bottle of hairspray. No, it was a bottle of shampoo.

I always treat mascots nicely because really, it's not the nicest job in the world. And I guess I feel extra sorry for the bottle of shampoo who looks like a bottle of hairspray. At least be a mascot that someone understands....

Post Memorial Service

I was able to take part of the Friday off to attend the memorial service I mentioned below. I was thankful, but obviously sad that I had to go to this. While driving to the memorial, I thought of my friend J.K. who a couple of years ago gave birth to twins and had to also say goodbye to her babies. The service was not here in town...however, when she came back to BC for a visit, she had a semi-memorial/celebration for her little ones and I attended that. I cried for the girls who tried so hard to fight for their lives and who I would never meet, I cried for the parents who had to make difficult decisions, the fact they had to say goodbye...and anybody who knows someone who has gone through this, as if the situation wasn't bad enough, it gets worse because they have to name the deceased and fill in information for a death certificate.

But it didn't matter that I was sad for this couple and maybe that I was perhaps uncomfortable...it was nothing compared to what this couple now had to go through. The service was a place that I hadn't been before. And it was beautiful. The staff were extremely respectful. And my friend have some common friends so I was happy to see the common friends there to which gave me a chance to catch up with them.

When we arrived, we all received a little card with a picture of this little girl on the front, on the back was the program for the service. And I honestly stared at this picture for a long time and I stared at this picture during the service. This baby really was perfect. I really choked up when I saw a picture frame which had a piece of paper inserted into it...the piece of paper had 4 stamps on there...2 of which were of her handprints and 2 which were of her footprints. So tiny.

The couple themselves were unbelievably amazing through all of this. And I was in awe of them. But the one thing that was even more amazing was all the love that was there that day. The love for the couple, the love for their living son and the love for the daughter that passed. Really incredible.

The one "bright" side was catching up with all my friends there. So much has changed for each of us. And unfortunately, being at this memorial also brought about many stories of my friends' losses. Too many to count. But catching up with each one was so good.

To this lovely family, you really are in my thoughts. I am thinking of all of you.

Mindset

I truly believe that no matter how bad a situation is, if you're mindset is "good," there is nothing that you can't handle and there is nothing that you can't get through. Memories may be there but it doesn't prevent you from living.

I say this because I've been out in the "working world" long enough to know that no matter what office you go to, you always end up meeting the same personalities. And there are just some that continue lamenting the past, or they hold grudges over the smallest things, they feel that they are never heard, never patted on the back and on and on and on.

After a while, it just gets tedious. I get it. People complain at work. I do and I won't lie about it. But after a while, do something about it and move on. Or understand that by not choosing you really are choosing the option of having everything stay the same. That's fine...your choice. But office politics and office life is so small compared to what's out there. Really, there is more to life than just work.

Why I am saying all of this? Well, I'm taking time off of work on Friday so I can attend a funeral. Not of a person who has had the opportunity to live their life to the fullest or a person who has had years to enjoy and be on this earth. No. Instead, I'm going to a funeral for a little baby who was taken away from this earth much too soon. The parents are going through hell. And yet in the midst of this incredible pain, they have the courage to wake up in the morning, face the world, and truly understand what things need to be let go of, what they really need to worry about and what isn't worth worrying about. They can even smile. Their mindset is one of "this is beyond any pain I've ever felt and I don't know if I can make it...but I will." These people get what life is about. I know they're mindset is good and they'll be fine. Lot of yuckiness in between, but they'll be fine.

So pettiness, politics and plain craziness at the office...I don't even care too much anymore. Yes, I'll have my blow up moments and get my angry eyes. But at the end of the day, I go home to my life and everybody goes home to theirs. Really, we're there to work, that's about it. I want to go home and enjoy life and all that it has to offer. And yes, I'll get my crap cards and have to deal with that stuff, but that's fine. I've been through my share of bad things and I think I came out ok. My mindset is that no matter how bad it is, I can deal with it. That's my mindset.

Beaches

In a couple of months, I will be on a beach. Yep, palm trees, coconuts and all. YEAH. There are some things I have on my checklist that I want to do while on vacation. I want to surf. Hang TEN baby!! I'm sure the 5 year olds will look way cooler than me...but it doesn't matter. I'm surfing for me.

I want to go snorkelling again. Ahhhhh...tropical water and snorkelling rocks big time. I love how the school of fish just surround you.

I want to go to the ABC store. BEST convenience store ever!!! I always pick up great things there...and it always smells so good!

I want to be carry one of those treasure metal detectors and go roaming the beach...with the hopes of finding some expensive ring!!! Well, I like this idea, but I'd have to find a small one. I think I'd be too self conscious taking that thing around.

Yep, I want to go to another luau...roast pig and Blue Hawaiians all around. I won't be wearing the coconut shells...maybe the grass skirt.

Oh, I can't wait!!!

Gun Range

We recently had a guest stay with us from California. Great guy...and avid gun lover too! He goes quite often when back at home. And last time we went to Vegas, we went shooting with him.

Well, imagine my surprise when I was told we had a gun range out by Coquitlam. My husband wanted to go shooting with our guest...and apparently along with 15 other guys. Testerone overload I'm sure. I'm sure they all checked their rifle scopes, chose the coolest looking gun and just hooped and hollered. LOL!

Tyler's co-workers from India also came along and they apparently had the bestest time. Can't say they are that liberal about them having guns out there.

Boys will be boys....

Picture

This goes out to the rotten "fans." And really, I thought this was quite funny. Must find spare keyboard.....

Coconuts Go!

Well, the run for the cup is finally over. It's sad. Getting this far and it's so close...and it slipped away. I can only imagine what is going through the heads of the players. So many emotions.

What saddens me even more is some of those folks out there that call themselves fans. There is no need for the rioting, the violence, the taunting and unbelievable behaviour out in Downtown right now. I'm extremely embarrassed by all of you that are making the city look bad. I'm worried about all our first responders out there...especially the ones I know. Make it home safe and sound to your families. I'm pissed for all those businesses that will have to deal with the damage to their businesses...did you see the BMO bank?! Ugh. DISGUSTING.

What I'm happy about? All you morons out there who were so happy to be on tv taunting the police and promoting violence, putting yourself out there on social media, taking pictures with the fires...pretty much showing your face clearly for all to see. It just makes it so much easier for the police and other authorities to identify you. Have a fun time in jail!

Summer

Ahhh, summer really is around the corner. LOVE it. The weather is getting better too which is fantastic! I'm not hoping for a hot summer like last year because that was much too much for me. However, if we can have sunny weather and 20 degrees for most days, I'd be so happy. Yes, I'm even wishing for a bit of rain, particularly on Wednesdays and the early morning/late evening on Saturdays. The rain wish is so that I don't have to go water the lawn. LOL!

But I feel like I've planned most of the summer already. Almost every night in June, there is something. July is getting booked up real fast. And I already have some events in August too. Exciting...yes. But crazy to think that the next couple of months are already booked. The great thing is this is all fun stuff. Get a break before doing the crazy September to June schedule.

Woo hoo!!!

Guests

We have a guest staying with us from California. He's been here before and I've always told my husband that if he ever wants to come up and needs a place to stay, we are going to let him stay here. Great guy, smart, funny, responsible. If I had a son and he turned out like this guy, I'd be one happy momma. Too bad he lives in Cali or I'd introduce him to a girlfriend. Hee hee. You know who you are!

But there is a price to staying at our house. First of all, this is no Hilton. We try to clean up the best we can, but still, our kids find a way to destroy a house before the guest wanders in. Our guest has to deal with early mornings. I wake up at 5ish for work. And my kids wake up early...even on the weekends. Yep today, they SLEPT in until 6:40am. And my guests have to be able to take in the assault of verbal diarrhea from my kids. Believe me, this is no easy task.

Thank goodness this guest can. I think he might survive staying with us another round. What a trooper.

Dinner with the Gals

I recently had dinner with 4 of my girlfriends. I've known these women between 10-12 years. So it's been a while. When I first met them, I thought we'd be friends, but I didnt' realize that we would continue to be friends. And that's the neat part about friendships sometimes...you just never know where they will lead or how they will turn out.

And these 4 women really are my low maintenance friends. No drama, no crazy mood swings, no nasty behaviour. What you see is what you get. I can count on them anytime for anything and vice versa. Now, we are all very busy with our own lives and kids. Seeing each other for dinner is a rarity. But when we do, it is a chat fest.

We went to the Cactus Club by my house. I love their washrooms. I want one. And I want the ones with the tv on the doors. But obviously I was at the restaurant to chat with my friends.

One of the things we did touch on was the possible trip to Europe in a couple of years. I was getting excited!! And there really did seem to be a consensus we were all going. Of course, who knows what the next couple of years will bring? Some may be in school, some might have to be here to take care of family...or whatever. But it really was nice to dream about going away with these gals on an adventure like this!

Grouse Mountain

Yesterday, my family and I went up to Grouse mountain with some of my husband's co-workers from India and one from the local office here. I can't say I was particularly looking forward to going because it's Grouse mountain. It's not like Whistler per se. But I wanted to meet these co-workers from India and it would be a good activity for my girls.

These co-workers were awesome...true tourists! Everything was cool and beautiful. They loved the tram going up...the best part was one of them was afraid of heights. I thought the guy was going to puke! Comedy gold!

When we made it to the top, I was very happy I made the committment to go. It was a spectacular day! Clear blue skies, could see for miles and miles.

What was neater was that there was still a TON of snow up there. Holy smokes! Cold snow but warm weather...I was wearing my shorts! There was even more snow up where the wind turbine area was. My kids were having a blast playing in the snow. We even hung out with some Aussie tourists to help them build a snowman...and in June! The snow boarders and skiiers were still having a fabulous time out on the slopes.

And we all even enjoyed the Lumberman show. Cheesy but really good. The Eye of the Sky show, yeah, not so much. But it was a great time to just sit and veg.

We liked it so much we got ourselves an annual pass. Hope to be heading back up soon!

Testing and the Canucks

Every first Saturday of June, I go and proctor. It's a long day...but it's good for a variety of reasons, including income and catching up with people.

This time, I worked with 2 people I didn't work with before, and one that I had. The 2 I hadn't worked with before were awesome! And the one girl was so sweet and just so easy to talk to...I wanted her as a sister.

The one guy I did work with before was fun to see again. Though I was "sad" to hear that he wasn't achieving work life balance. I don't know what I asked, but he just started to pour out his life story to me. Well, we chatted and I'm hoping that in 6 months time when I see him in December, he'll have made some good changes and be happier.

Anyway, this day of testing was a little different because it is during the Stanley Cup Finals. My goodness, the sea of Canucks jerseys and t-shirts was pretty cool. There were 1,300 people testing...and there were a LOT of Canucks fan out there. Every single person I saw in my area with a Canucks jersey/shirt on, I asked if they were anxious...about the game. LOL! Of course they were! And they were anxious in finishing their exam so they could go watch.

In perspective, this exam is really a make it or break it moment in terms of their careers. Make it, and right off the bat, get a $10,000 to $20,000 raise. Fail it, you still paid close to a grand for the exam and you have to wait to write it again in 6 months. If you're in the higher level and fail, you have to wait a whole year before you get to write gain.

So imagine my suprise that people started to leave in droves and early during the afternoon testing session...to go catch the game. I have had folks leave early...but these folks were rushing so they could get out to watch the puck drop. Now THAT is a die hard fan.

Hope they all passed and hope they all had a good time celebrating the Canucks 2nd game win.