Food glorious food: Part deux

Um... yeah. So I couldn't possibly feel like more of a glutton right now. I've been eating and drinking and eating and drinking and eating and drinking... and I just can't seem to stop.

I guess that happens during the holidays. I just wish I had a teensy bit more self control. Ah well. Come January 2nd, I'm back in line. No excuses. You know - cause if I don't watch my figure, nobody else will! 

Enjoy the rest of the season! 

Ho ho ho

The office holiday party is tonight. Oh, the holiday office party.

Acutally, I'm really looking forward to this one. We're off to the swanky Drake Hotel for dinner and drinks. Oh, and our "significant others" (or just others) will be joining us. Which makes me think that any of us with significant others will be behaving tonight. (And that is completely fine with me. I don't need to be the topic of the next-day "OMG did you hear what she did last night???" stories.)

However, if there is no post early tomorrow morning in my blog... you'll know I still had a good time.

Happy holidays everyone!

The final countdown

Only 4 more days of work until I'm off for the holidays. Only 4 more days of work until I'm off for the holidays. Only 4 more days of work until I'm off for the holidays. Only 4 more days of work until I'm off for the holidays.

Okay - I'm excited. I like my job... but all I can think about is raisin cookies and playing games and presents and Christmas music and turkey dinner. How I love the holidays. 

Hint, hint...Nudge, nudge...

Here's a sample of an MSN Messenger conversation (if you can call it that) I had with my co-worker, B.

If you don't know what "nudging" is on MSN, let me fill you in. Basically, you can press a button that "nudges" the person you're talking to - and it shakes their screen. It's highly annoying... but since we're both very mature, B and I use MSN to nudge each other over and over again. Often without even having any type of conversation.

Anyway - so here's our conversation... (By the way - B and I amuse ourselves to no end. We think we're quite funny).
_______________________

You have just sent a nudge.

B just sent you a nudge.

Hez says:
is someone nudging you other than me??????????????

You have just sent a nudge.

B says:
I'm nudging Green Card

B just sent you a nudge.

Hez says:
who's green card?

B says:
emma

You have just sent a nudge.

B says:
nudge her too, k?

B just sent you a nudge.

Hez says:
I'm disappointed in you. nudging other women

B says:
ha ha ha... nice

You have just sent a nudge.

B says:
what can i say. I need a little nudgin'.

B says:
I'm nudge-starved.

B says:
I want to make nudge to someone

B says:
k, stopping...

B just sent you a nudge.

Hez says:
HAHAHAHAHA

B just sent you a nudge.

Hez says:
"I want to make nudge to someone"....

Hez says:
I actually had some nudging last night

B says:
shut up!

Hez says:
so I'm not nudge-starved

B says:
i have to settle for nudging myself

To all you kids out there

Sometimes you get news that really affects you, but it's so close to you personally that to other people, it doesn't seem like a big deal at all.

Like this news. I heard recently that my Dad is stepping down (mid-season) as coach of his minor hockey team. That doesn't seem like a big deal to you, does it?

Well, here's the thing. My Dad loves hockey. He lives and breathes coaching. When the season ends, he barely takes any time off before he's out "scouting" - checking out players for next year's team.

My Dad has devoted over 30 years of his life to coaching - all volunteer work. And it's a very big time commitment. But he does it. Year after year, he's helping boys learn on-ice and life skills about being a team player, the importance of being okay with a loss and being an admirable winner. He helps these boys excel at a sport they love. And the best part is, he really cares about them and cares about having fun.

With his guidance, his teams have won championships, have made it to the Provincials and have had countless number of wins and made it through some bad seasons and losses, too. But it's always been fun.

This year, something different is happening. There are some problem parents, some of the players aren't committing, they don't feel they have to learn from my Dad - and they're losing. All season. Which is okay, in my Dad's eyes.

But, as he told my mom, after 30 plus years of coaching, it's suddenly no longer any fun for him. He doesn't look forward to games like he used to. So, he's stepping down.

I think it's the right decision for him - and I'm glad he's made it. But for some reason, I feel quite emotional about it. I guess I don't like the thought of someone not giving my Dad the respect he deserves. And I don't like the thought of my Dad being unhappy.

I just hope he remembers all the good experiences he's had. And maybe the ice will call to him again one day.

Johnny boy

A few days ago, my Dad managed to get me a great deal on movies. So - I got a selection of movies I've sorta always wanted, but never really wanted to pay for - for only $5 each.

Last night I watched Finding Neverland (again), starring my boyfriend Johnny Depp.

If you haven't seen that movie yet, you should. I often talk about how visually pleasing Johnny Depp is - but this movie also proves what an incredible actor he is. I don't think the man makes bad movies. Ever.

This movie is pretty simple. There are no intense car chases. No steamy sex scenes. No mind-blowing effects. No big dance numbers (except for one small scene where Johnny dances with his dog... and a bear). But I couldn't take my eyes off the screen for a minute.

I think it's pretty darn fantastic that there are movies out there that simply tell beautiful stories. Now that's entertainment.

Food, glorious food

Yesterday, hubby and I went for our annual Christmas brunch at the King Eddie hotel in Toronto. Let me say - any tradition where you get to eat and eat and eat and eat (delicious foods, no less) is a tradition that is just fine by me.

We started with the breakfast course, went on to the salads, then on to the antipasto and breads, followed by a main course and, of course, dessert.

The food was decadent, the Christmas decor beautiful, the atmosphere fantastic and the company - perfect. I've asked A. before if he wants to invite our parents to join us sometime, but for now he says he likes having it as a tradition for just the two of us. That's pretty cute.

Anyway, so yesterday's feast marks the first during a season full of over-eating, drinking and little to no exercise. Ahh... the holidays. They're so great, aren't they?