Wilsonworld

UCF music week

What started with Michelle and Eric talking about their love of Prince turned into a week of music themed posts for many of the UCF. I had several pieces that I was going to post, but just didn't find the time this week. So, instead of Friday cat blogging, I thought I would jump in with a tune or two that I wanted to share.

I am a huge Elton John fan. Not just his performing, but the artistic abilities of both him and Bernie Taupin. The lyrics that Bernie pens are some of the best ever put on paper, and combined with Reg's musical talent they are are unbeatable.

Here then are two of my favourite Elton/Bernie offerings.... The first being performed live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchastra in Sydney. I had a tape of the whole concert, but it was lost in one of the moves...I am always on the lookout for it on cd..so if anyone happens to find one let me know...The other is from 1970, when Elton's voice was pure and well, untired.

Friday Cat-Blogging.......Here's Stellllaaaaa......

Something you may not know about Lord Stanley-he doesn't like animals, or people other than his own staff. Last week, he brought home this little ball of skin and bones, curled up on the front porch. Stanley was meowing up a storm, so I knew something was up. I walked out and there was this little shivering grey cat. She had the tiniest head, and finest bones...just a wee thing. When I picked her up, she flew out of my hands, as I was used to lifting Stanley who is NOT a small cat.

I sat on the stairs, and she came over, mouth open, but no sound. She looked up at me, gazed right into my eyes, and crawled up onto my lap. Stanley came over and sat beside me, with his head leaning against my arm, as if to say...can she stay? He purred, and she looked at me shivering...and I was hooked.

I went and got some food, and brought it out to her, and it was gone in seconds. She crawled back onto my lap, treaded for a minute and then curled up and went to sleep..purring. I set my hand on her back...skin and bones. I guess she is somewhere around 3 lbs.  She rolled over and grasped my hand between her two front paws, as if she was clinging on to me for dear life...and she stole my heart.

It's OK little one, you can stay, I whispered as I cradled her in my arms. She put her head agains my chest, and slept. I watched her for a bit, wondered where she came from, and how I was going to convince Keith that she needed to stay.

Stay she did.

She has been here all week, and is my shadow. I call her name, and she flies through the house to find me.

She doesn't like to play, but she loves to sleep..with me.

I pondered what to call her, that first day on the porch, but when I went to go inside, I turned and said come on Stella, lets go. I don't know where it came from, but it suits her...and so Stella she is.

Lord Stanley is adjusting, he pays her little attention, and has not been as affectionate with us as he normally is. But he needs to learn there is love in my heart for all of them....after all he brought her home for me to take care of, and now, that is what I am going to do, for as long as she lets me.

SO, here she is...my Stella....

 And of course one of the two of them curled up on the couch...

Struck a nerve.

A recent blurb on CBC about Gabourey Sidibe got under my skin.

Listen, I know that physically she is not what the entertainment world would normally pick to be on the cover of all the "in" magazines. Yes I know this young lady is on the plus side but to not acknowledge her talent and just focus on her size? According to the article, a weight loss company has contacted the young star and reportedly advised her that   

 

 "The only way you can reach your goal of someday winning that Oscar is by being active, fit, and most of all, healthy."

Seriously?

The only way she can meet her goal?

Not by excelling at her craft.

Not by hard work and determination.

Not by showcasing the talent that she has been given.

Nope, the only way is to be thin.

THAT PISSES ME OFF.

It gets worse.

In the comment section, commenters go on to say things like

"...at the Oscars they put her in the corner on the end probably beacuse she could fill 2 seats. She has young people looking up to her..."

or

"...she wouldn't be my first preference for an idol if I had a little girl."

Listen.

I know that her weight is unhealthy.

I am pretty sure that she knows her weight is unhealthy. 

Trust me, anyone who isn't a size 4 hears how unhealthy they are ALL THE TIME.

Yes, she has young people looking up to her. As a plus size woman, who was a plus size teen, I wish that I had had someone like to look to. Someone to show me that it is ok to be happy in my own skin.  Someone to show me that regardless of size, it is ok to chase after my dreams, and that yes, there is room in the golden industry for people of all sizes and shapes.

I happen to have a little girl. And while yes, being healthy is the upmost importance, I think Ms Sidibe is a wonderful role model for her. To believe in yourself and your abilities, to be positive, to take a chance and chase those dreams....these are all qualities that I want my daughter to have.

Lose weight for health? Absolutely. Lose weight to keep Hollywood happy and have it be the only way that you would ever get anywhere in the world?

 Um...no thanks.

***And yes, I can remember the first time after an audition I was told that I couldn't be serious about wanting that particular role. There was no way that the audience would find me believable in that role. I wasn't the right type. It didn't matter that I was good, or that I could out sing the one who got the role...she was thin blonde and waif looking. I was not. That kind of things stays with you...even now, 25 years later.***

A reminder why we have been together all these years....

On this work schedule, I see very little of anyone.

I don't see my friends, my children, but most of all, I don't get to see my husband.

This schedule is very un-family-friendly. Add to that his ever changing work schedule, and add in spending lots of time with Ms D, and it is not unusual for Keith and I to go 5 days at a time without seeing each other-and we live in the same house.

Last week, Ms. D came home from the hospital and she was not ready to be alone in the house. I would stop in and check on her during the day, head to work for 5pm and work until 2am. When I finished work, I headed over to Ms D's and spent the night at her house. I would get up, have breakfast with her and then do any little things she needed done, before I headed home. By the time I got home of course everyone was already gone for the day, kids at school and Keith at work. Lather-rinse-repeat for 6 nights.

This is not new to us. When we were first married, we worked opposite shifts. When the kids came into the picture, it made sense to continue that way, to ease the child-care situation. It was not perfect, but it worked-for a while. Then, Papa came into our home and I could not continue working the 60 hrs a week I was doing. I could have continued, but at too great a cost-my family.

Now we are back to working opposite shifts, out of necessity. My schedule rotates every 4 weeks,but except for the first 2 weeks where I was on days with weekends off, I have worked evenings. This means no more family sit down dinners, no helping kids with homework, or family time together. It also means no time for "us" together either.

I get grumpy about it, because family is important to me. Simple things like sitting down for a meal together is something that i became used to, and now that it is gone, i miss it greatly. Having a coffee together after the children are in bed. Reconnecting.

Now we communicate with notes...the way we did 20 years ago.

It makes me sad, and i know it bothers Keith too.

Tonight when i came home from work, there was a note on the computer...not a big deal, just a short one to say Hi..and to tell me to listen to something he heard on the radio today. It reminded him of us...

I clicked on the link and listened.

And was reminded once again why i fell in love with him.

We both are Thankful for the little things.....

Here is what I listened to when I clicked on the link....a great reminder to be thankful for the little things...

Still at it.

I am still trying to make it through all of those movies I want to see before Oscar night. I don't know if I can do it, but I sure am trying.

A nasty flu/virus made its way through our house over the last week, and at one point all five, yes Lord Stanley included were suffering. I thought we were done, I bleached and disinfected ALL surfaces in the house, and then BAM. Bug started again. SO far, she is the only one who has suffered a second bout, and I hope it stays that way.

Ms Doreen has come home! She ended up being in the hospital from Jan 30-today....but feels 100% better. We got to have coffee tonight, and that made me happy, which is good because I have been having a hard time trying to keep my mood upbeat. It feels like Feb, blues to me, yet it is March?

The Olympics are done...which makes me sad, but the outcome was AWESOME! I am trying really hard to convince Keith that I NEED tickets to see Kevin Martin and his team play in one of the Masters Cup of Curling....it would make and awesome Christmas/Birthday present..and I AM giving him lots of notice...we'll see.

I haven't posted much, since my mood has been crappy, and what I do want to say has to do with work...and I have said I will not write about it here....SO...lets just say, I have no patience for stupid people....and I deal with them a lot. I do Technical Support. "nuff said.

That's it.

Yes, it is a crappy post.

But it IS a post.

SO that is a step in the right direction.

SO many movies, so little time.

***am continuing to update as I make it through these movies.

Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that there is this little thing coming up called the Academy Awards. Oscar night has a special place in my heart, giving me warm memories from my childhood, watching the stars, dreaming of the glamour the way a child does. When I went to University, I had a roommate who loved the Oscars. We all did. We would write out our own ballots (before the days of Word and hitting print, or sending emails...) gather in our common room with yummy goodies and make a special night of it. We saw every movie, had opinions and I don't remember a time when Vicky did not win..her picks were always the winners.

Fast forward many many years later. Oscar is just around the corner. I have been negligent in my movie watching. Life just got in the way, not enough cash, not enough time..you know the way it is. It hasn't been for lack of trying, but trying to go and see a movie just always seemed to be way down on the list. I am now trying to catch up on all of the movies that will be trying to take Oscar home. While I know that I can't see them all, I am certainly trying to see as many as possible. I did get out to see a few of them so the list is not undoable, but it certainly is daunting.  The fact that there are crossovers into the different categories do make it easier.

Here is the list of the ones I am concerned about seeing, as they cover Best Picture, as well as both sections of the Actor and Actress categories.

• Crazy Heart
• Up in the Air
• A Single Man
• Invictus
• The Hurt Locker
• The Messenger
• The Last Station
• The Lovely Bones
• Inglourious Basterds
• The Blind Side
• An Education
• Precious
• Julie & Julia
• Nine
• Coraline
• The Fantastic Mr.Fox
• Princess & The Frog
• The Secret of Kells 
• Up
• Avatar
• District 9
• A Serious Man

There are others, that I have already seen that have been nominated, and I have not included them on the list, that are in the smaller (if there is such a thing when it comes to OCSAR) categories. I have bolded the ones that I have seen on this list, and will be updating it as I see them...keep checking back to see if I can make it before the big day! 

Artists on Ice

Last night i watched the men's free skate (or long program) and was reminded what made me fall in love with skating. Once in a while, you get the chance to see something really beautiful. I am not overly fond of many of the skaters who perform now-too much focus on jumping and not enough on interpretation and art.

I grew up watching Toller Cranston- who is in my own opinion the most artistic skater to ever put on blades. He skated way before his time, and opened the doors to skaters being able to "perform". His signature moves of combining long legs lines with unusal arm positions, as well as his creative jumps and  ballet like movements help break through the wall that was rigid skating of the time. 

He made an impression on me at a very young age, the artist in me was still trying to find its way out, and I wanted to skate just like him.

That of course never happened. I did take skating, and loved it, but an accident that required 100 stitches in my right leg stopped that love from occurring anywhere other than the sidelines. That and I would never be a Toller....I just wasn't any good.

But my love of the sport, and the artistry that can and should flow from it continued....

SO back to last night.

Johnny Weir reminds me of Toller Cranston. A whole lot. Toller was never big on compulsories, which is why he never finished as high as what he should have. For him, it was about feeling, creating, letting the music flow from his blades to us the audience. To me, that also is true of Weir. He will never score as high as he should-but for anyone who watches they understand that it is not about the jumps. It is not about the "quad" as it is with so many other skaters now. It is storytelling. It is about sharing the love of something pure and beautiful.

While I admire the ability of these skaters to do THOSE jumps....it isn't always necessary. Don't lose the essence of what you are doing/creating just to throw in a quad. 

Thanks to Weir, i was able to relive some of those childhood memories last night...he may not have won (and was scored much lower that he should have been) but he really showed what skating could/should be.

Here is classic Toller Cranston, performing Firebird...a program that I have seen him do hundreds of times.. This one is from 1983, but he had been doing this program for a decade by this time.

Olympic fever hits Wilsonworld

Ok, so perhaps you have heard we have this little event here in Canada called the Winter Olympics. We are an Olympic loving family here, but really have a special place in our hearts for the winter Olympics...because of course of my belief that it isn't a sport unless it involves ice.

This morning, while watching NBC coverage, I heard a snippit that made me go...HUH????

The comment was made while reporting on the women's hockey game-apparently the American women's team felt it important to let people know that they stopped shooting in the third period against Russia...the score ended up being 13-0. It was apparently because they did not want to disrespect the Russian team.

Wait.

You stopped playing the game?

You stopped playing the game that both teams worked and trained so hard to play at this event that for most is a once in a lifetime chance?

And you think that in STOPPING you are showing respect?

The Canadian Women's team has come under fire lately because of their high scoring games; 18-0 against Slovakia, and 10-1 against the Swiss. Some have said that perhaps our women should have held back, taken it easy.

SERIOUSLY?

This may be a game, but it is NOT a GAME.

These are athletes who train their whole lives to have a chance to play the game they love. I am not just talking about our girls, but ALL of the athletes. They understand that when they come to play, there will be a winner and a loser. They understand that concept, especially when they are up against a team that has won Gold in at the Olympics in 2002 and 2006, Silver in 1998 and of course then there are the World Championships...Gold in 1990,92,94,97,99,2000,01,02 07 and silver in 2005, 08 and 2009.

We play to win.

This is our game.

We may be friendly, we may be Canadian...but WE ARE HOCKEY.

And we are here to win.

Take your mercy rules and go home.

We are here to play...and that is how you show respect. 

Play the game.

Play it well.

Play to win.

 

Love should never be shown on just one day.

I had a fellow employee ask me what my husband and I were doing for Valentine's Day. When i replied that we weren't doing anything, as I was working that day, she responded with an "Awww that is too bad, especially on a day like Valentines."

A day like Valentines?

I am more upset that I am working on a Sunday which we have always tried to keep as a day where we can gather and regroup as a family.

I don't need a day to know how much my husband loves me.

He doesn't have to wait to hear me say it to him, on a special day.

Everyday, we tell each other, we show each other how much we love each other.

Every time he washes a dish, or cleans up the house, after working all day...he shows me he loves me.

Every time he "cooks" dinner, so i don't have to after working all day, he shows me he loves me.

When he folds the laundry, or makes that first pot of coffee in the morning, or maybe it is the way his face still lights up when I walk in the door at the end of the day....I know he loves me.

Keith and I have always lived by the thought that yes, you do need to hear those little words, but at the same time, actions speak louder than words.

SO we don't NEED a special day to say I love you.

We say it everyday, with every little thing we do.

The way it should be.

Love.

it isn't just for Valentine's Day.

It is for everyday, the good ones and the bad.

Listening to the words....

I was one of the lectors at Church today. I have been a lector for several years, but this is the first time that I did not actually have to "read" it to read it.

Today I got to read one of my favourite passages ever. It was a passage I can remember my Grandmother reading. It was the passage that Keith and I incorporated into our wedding vows. It is, in fact, a passage that I have turned to every time I need help to HEAR. Over the past 48 hours, I have had a hard time, with bad news, and it made me question. Reading these words, always helps me clear my head and see what is important in life.

I spent last night and part of today in the Intensive Care Unit with my neighbour-friend-adopted family member "Miss Doreen". She was found yesterday presenting with a stroke, although the CAT scans are clear. She is unresponsive, sedated and breathing only with the help of a respirator. Earlier in the day, I had had a phone call telling me that my oldest and dearest friend (of 35yrs) had lost her Gram. Jean was in my life a lot growing up...and over the last few years, my friend had been playing the same role with her as I did with Papa. We supported each other, and have always been there for each other...this time i can be there for her.

SO over the last few days, I have gone back to this passage, over and over again.  When I read it out loud, it scared me, as the Church is never THAT quiet during readings. But I read, and finished and Mass carried on.

I hoped that what I read mattered.

I hoped that they would understand the words... and what I was trying to say.

They did.

They told me.

And it made me feel loved. 

and that is the greatest of all.

1 Corinthians 13


  If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
  Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
  For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
  but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 

 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.