Thursday, April 29, 2010

Parking Spot Abusers: Notes You Wish You Left!

If you are like me, you too, despise people who abuse parking spots. That is right, I am talking about parking spots. You know the people I am talking about! The ones who double park, taking up two stalls. Or the people who park in handicap zones with no handicap placard & half the time, not disabled/handicapped in any way. Now, in this time & age, we have new parking abusers, the ones with crappy car alarms. Have you ever been woken up in the middle of the night by the loudest car alarm in the world with an owner that cannot hear his own alarm?

I am sure we have all experienced one or all of these parking spot abusers. But have you ever did anything about it? If you have, were you always nice and friendly about it? Well, check out these thank you notes that some people have left for these parking spot abusers. Notes I am sure we wished we had left at some point.










Tuesday, April 27, 2010

National "No Phone Zone" Day

It has officially been declared that Friday, April 30 be the first national "No Phone Zone Day." A large-scale effort to honor victims of distracted driving.

This Friday take the "No Phone Zone" pledge. By pledging, drivers agree to make their car a "No Phone Zone" and refrain from using their phone while driving, eliminating distractions from incoming calls, texts or emails. More than 160,000 people to date have signed Oprah's "No Phone Zone" pledge at Oprah.com. Many celebrities have already joined the cause, including Oscar® winners Sandra Bullock, Jeff Bridges and Mo'Nique, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, actress and icon Raquel Welch, Olympic superstar Shaun White, country music's Lady Antebellum, entertainer and entrepreneur Tyler Perry, the cast of TV's Glee and many more.

For more information on "No Phone Zone Day," and to take the No Phone Zone pledge, please visit www.oprah.com/nophonezone.

To honour National "No Phone Zone" I share the story & photo's below.

The Honda crotch rocket rider was traveling at approximately 85 mph. The VW driver was talking on a cell phone when she pulled out from a side street, apparently not seeing the motorcycle. The riders reaction time was not sufficient enough to avoid this accident. The car had two passengers and the bike rider was found INSIDE the car with them. The Volkswagen actually flipped over from the force of impact and landed 20 feet from where the collision took place. All three involved (two in the car and the bike rider) were killed instantly. This graphic demonstration was placed at the Motorcycle Fair by the Police and Road Safety Department..Pass this on to car drivers or soon to be new drivers, or new motorcycle owners AND ESPECIALLY EVERYONE YOU KNOW WHO HAS A CELL PHONE!!!!! A picture is worth a thousand words. Save a life. Stop talking on Cell phones and Texting while trying to drive. The life you save may be your own..... or mine.








You Dropped Your Food On the Floor, Do You Eat It?

Ever wonder about the "3 second rule"..you know, when you drop food on the floor you have "3 seconds" to pick it up in order for it to be ok to eat off the floor. Silly rule, but here is something even better than that rule, check out the diagram below. It will answer all your questions about eating food you dropped on the floor.

Miss Candy

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

A Woman's Week At The Gym

This is dedicated to everyone who ever attempted to get into a regular workout routine!

Dear Diary,
For my birthday this year, I purchased a week of personal training at
the local health club. Although I am still in great shape since being
a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be
a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.

I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer
named Christo, who identified himself as a 26-year-old aerobics
instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear.

Friends seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club
encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.
________________________________
MONDAY:
Started my day at 6:00 am. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was
well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Christo
waiting for me. He is something of a Greek god-- with blond hair,
dancing eyes, and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!!

Christo gave me a tour and showed me the machines.. I enjoyed watching
the skillful way in which he conducted his aerobics class after my
workout today. Very inspiring!

Christo was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was
already aching from holding it in the whole time he was around.

This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!!
________________________________
TUESDAY:
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door..
Christo made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air
then he put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the
treadmill, but I made the full mile. His rewarding smile made it all
worthwhile. I feel GREAT! It's a whole new life for me.
_______________________________
WEDNESDAY:
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the
counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have
a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to
steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.
Christo was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered
other club members. His voice is a little too perky for that early in
the morning and when he scolds, he gets this nasally whine that is
VERY annoying.
My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Christo put me on the
stair monster. Why the hell would anyone invent a machine to simulate
an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Christo told me it would
help me get in shape and enjoy life. He said some other shit too.
_______________________________
THURSDAY:
Asshole was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth exposed as his
thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help
being a half an hour late-- it took me that long to tie my shoes.
He took me to work out with dumbbells. When he was not looking, I ran
and hid in the restroom. He sent some skinny bitch to find me.
Then, as punishment, he put me on the rowing machine-- which I sank.
_________________________________
FRIDAY:
I hate that bastard Christo more than any human being has ever hated
any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny,
anemic, anorexic, little aerobic instructor. If there was a part of
my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat him with
it.
Christo wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps!
And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the damn
barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.
The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition
teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama
coach or the choir director?
________________________________
SATURDAY:
Satan left a message on my answering machine in his grating, shrilly
voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing his voice
made me want to smash the machine with my planner; however, I lacked
the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven
straight hours of the Weather Channel..
________________________________
SUNDAY:
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go
and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year
my husband will choose a gift for me that is fun-- like a root canal
or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, he
would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds!!!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

A Country Divided - RED Thailand

When I first heard about the events in Thailand I had a flashback, to not so long ago, when another country, Iran, was divided amongst themselves due to politics.

Just the other day I received this email from my father, who recently married a beautiful woman from Thailand, whom he calls his "Thai Princess". In this email is what I am sharing with you below. I have asked my fathers permission to post his email and this information on my blog. This is, obviously, very near & dear to my father's heart, as his "Thai Princess" is very near where all of this is going on.
When I received this email my thoughts & prayers went out to both of them and the people of Thailand.

Here is the email from my father:

Hi Candy,

I am not sure if you will want to watch any of these. I assembled these videos because it has been hard to easily describe what has been happening in Bangkok this past month. I think these videos will help you understand a little bit of what is happening.

I have assembled a collection of almost 40 video links to try and describe the protests that have been going on in Bangkok since March 12th. Be forewarned that the images from April 10th contain violence. Two in particular are very graphic and I have added a WARNING!!! to those ones. The protests turned violent on Saturday. There were 21 people who died and over 800 injured.

These video reports come from various sources including international news reports from Australian TV, Associated Press, BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera English, and China...as well as videos from independent individuals. Some reports contain in-depth interviews and/or analysis of what is at the root of the protests.

On the other hand, you should know that my "Thai Princess" lives 10km to 20km from any of the main protest sites. Apart from the protest areas, most of Bangkok is functioning, although the protests have created anxiety and inconvenience. And all Thais seem to be affected emotionally by the violence last Saturday. The blame game continues on both sides. In truth, I think there is plenty of blame to go around. Sadly, I do not see an easy solution to the deep rift in Thai society nor is there any easy way out of this political crisis.

Love Dad


Thursday March 11, 2010 — The environment of Thailand Tourism has been captured at different attractions in Bangkok (Grand Palace, MBK, Siam Paragon). The over all environment shows that even though the red shirts protestors are demonstrating, the tourism in the Kingdom has not been affected. Tourists are enjoying as usual!




Friday March 12, 2010 — Hundreds of supporters of deposed Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra began in Bangkok for a series of anti-government protests over the weekend.





Saturday March 13, 2010 — Large parts of downtown Bangkok have turned red, where tens of thousands of opposition supporters - part of a "Red Shirt" movement - are demanding the government's ouster and fresh elections.

The Red Shirts are supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra, the country's deposed prime minister, and they want political change now.

The demonstrators have warned that they will press ahead with their agitation until their demands are met - even if it means "paralysing" Bangkok.

Aljazeera's Wayne Hay reports from Bangkok, where about 50,000 troops have been deployed.




Sunday March 14, 2010 — Red-shirt protesters up pressure on Thai PM - CCTV




Sunday March 14, 2010 — Supporters of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra swarmed into Bangkok today. Wearing their signature red shirts they converged on the Democracy Monument. Today was relatively peaceful but tomorrow they have threatened to spread out all over the city in their attempt to bring the city to a halt and force the current gov't out of office.

http://www.thai-faq.com/yykpi


Sunday March 14, 2010 — Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of the Thai capital, Bangkok, for a big rally demanding that the government calls new elections. The demonstrators were mainly allies of the former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.




Sunday March 14, 2010 — Red-clad supporters of deposed Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra vowed Sunday to march on military barracks holding the government as they stepped up protests in Bangkok amid tight security. Duration: 01:15.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbyb_tcGSf0


Sunday March 14, 2010 — Tens of thousands of 'red shirts' have gathered to protest against the Thai government. CNN's Dan Rivers reports.



Monday March 15, 2010 — Thousands of red-shirted demonstrators marched through Bangkok, vowing to topple the Thai government. They're demanding the dissolution of parliament by Tuesday evening.




Tuesday March 16, 2010 — Red-shirt protesters collect blood to pour on Bangkok's government house, in what they describe as a symbolic gesture for democracy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GctcmYKFdIM


Tuesday March 16, 2010 — Protesters in Thailand have splashed hundreds of litres of their own blood outside government headquarters in a "sacrifice for democracy" after their demands for new elections were rejected.



Wednesday March 17, 2010 — After four days of continuing protests, can the Thai opposition force the prime minister to resign? Is the current government capable of clinging on to power?




Saturday March 20, 2010 — In the face of the protests, Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Thai prime minister has stood firm and refused the protestors demands. But if nothing else, the huge numbers of protestors confirmed that Thailand is a deeply divided country.




Saturday March 20, 2010 - Red Shirt Rally March







Tuesday April 6, 2010 — Anti-government protesters in Thailand have defied a government ban to march through more areas of Bangkok, shutting down parts of the city. The government had ordered the red-shirts, as the protesters are known, not to demonstrate along 11 key routes. But the reds, who are calling on the government to step down, fanned out into Bangkok's business district. The move followed scuffles earlier in the day between riot police and protesters. No-one was hurt but it marked the first clash since the protests began almost a month ago.

Arrest warrants have now been issued for ten of the red-shirt leaders. But the court ruled that the arrests can only be made if the leaders are on the stage that the protesters have set up at their camp in Bangkok's shopping hub.

The red-shirts have now established two camps in Bangkok - one in the government district and a second in the city's commercial centre. Their blockade has caused shops to close and tourists to leave hotels.

Early on Tuesday, they announced plans to march through parts of the city declared off-limits by the government.
Brief scuffles broke out as riot police blocked their way. Protesters pelted police with eggs and plastic bottles, but the scuffles subsided with no injury to either side.

The red-shirts then suspended their plans only to reinstate them hours later. "From now we will make an offensive move," a protest leader Nattawut Saikua told the crowd. "Let our people ... march to all the banned 11 routes immediately. If there's anything blocking us, break in with peace." Groups of red-shirts then rallied in Bangkok's business district, carrying flags and riding on motorbikes.

The security forces have said publicly that they will not use force to disperse the protestors. But the BBC's South East Asia correspondent, Rachel Harvey, says that having kept a deliberately low profile for weeks, they are now a very visible presence.
The government sought to calm the atmosphere.

Both sides have said from the start that they want to avoid violence. A court ruled on Monday that the government had the power to evict the protesters under existing special security legislation.

More than three years after the army deposed Thaksin Shinawatra as Thailand's prime minister, instability continues to grip the country. The red-shirts are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who came to power in the wake of the military-backed coup. They say they will not move from Bangkok until their demands for fresh elections are met. Last week the two sides held talks but discussions broke up without resolution.




Wednesday, 7 April 2010 - Thailand PM declares state of emergency (BBC News, Rachel Harvey reporting)

Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has declared a state of emergency in Bangkok amid escalating anti-government protests. In a televised address, Mr Abhisit said the move - which gives sweeping new powers to the security forces to tackle protesters - would help restore order.




Thursday, 8 April 2010 - CNN Report




Thursday, 8 April 2010 - Thailand, State of Emergency (As Broadcast by ABC: Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Thailand's embattled premier declared a state of emergency in Bangkok after protesters stormed parliament in a dramatic escalation of their bid to topple the government. MPs fled and several senior government figures were airlifted by military helicopter after red-shirted supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra forced their way into the country's parliamentary compound.

http://www.youtube.com/user/NewsAustralia#p/u/9/3V_xpDxe0nQ


Friday, 9 April 2010 - Thailand's red-shirt protesters reinstate TV station (BBC News)

Thousands of Thai protesters seized control of a satellite transmission station, forcing officials to allow an opposition TV channel back on air. Security forces retreated after their efforts to disperse the crowd with tear gas and water cannon failed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8610740.stm


Friday, 9 April 2010 - Thai Protesters Storm Into TV Compound (Associated Press)

Thai protesters stormed a TV compound just outside Bangkok Friday, trying to restart their Peoples Channel that had been shut down by the government. More than a dozen people were reported hurt.



Friday, 9 April 2010 - THAICOM Under Siege (CNN News)



Saturday, 10 April 2010 - Raw Video: Thai Troops Advance on Protesters (Associated Press)

Thai security forces using tear gas and rubber bullets fought street battles against anti-government demonstrators Saturday, launching a large-scale crackdown to try to end a month of disruptive protests in the Thai capital.



Saturday, 10 April 2010 - Violence flares in Thai capital (Al Jazeera English)

Clashes have turned increasingly violent between anti-government protesters and troops in Thailand. The soldiers fired rubber-coated steel bullets on Saturday at the so-called red-shirts, who want parliament immediately dissolved and fresh elections called.




Saturday, 10 April 2010 - Thai troops try to clear protest camps (ThaiFAQ.com)

Soldiers and police in riot gear clashed with red-shirted anti-government protestors as they tried to clear them from an encampment in the city.



This situation turned from peaceful to violent in a split second. One minute everyone was dancing and the next they were running for cover as the military opened fire. Sorry for the language in some parts but it was a little intense at times.



Saturday, 10 April 2010 - WARNING!!! Graphic images of soldiers being shot and soldiers firing into the red shirts.




Saturday, 10 April 2010 - WARNING!!!! This is an extremely graphic video of a Thai Red Shirt killed by a bullet to the head.



An independent panel conducting autopsies on 12 bodies of the red shirts protesters who were killed when the red shirts protesters battled with troops revealed that nine of them were shot by high power rifles. It was reported by The Nation newspaper that high-powered rifles can only be used by specially trained gunmen particularly in the army.

Sunday, 11 April 2010 - Thai red shirts defiant after protests (Al Jazeera's Wayne Hay reports)

Red shirt protesters in Thailand are refusing to negotiate with the government after the worst rioting in two decades yesterday left at least 21 people dead.

The anti-government protesters want parliament dissolved and Abhisit Vejjajiva, the prime minister, to leave the country.

A certain calm has returned to the streets of the capital Bangkok, but the stand-off is still far from over.




Sunday, 11 April 2010
- Red Shirts, Deadly Protests in Bangkok (As Broadcast by ABC: Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Thai authorities say at least 18 people have died in confrontations between security forces and anti-government protesters in the country's bloodiest political violence in almost two decades.




Sunday, 11 April 2010 - Bangkok clashes death toll climbs to 20 (BBC News, Rachel Harvey reporting)

At least 20 people are now known to have died in clashes between Thai troops and opposition supporters in Bangkok and more than 800 were hurt. The BBC's Rachel Harvey visited the scene of some of the worst violence to survey the damage. The worst violence came when soldiers and police made an unsuccessful attempt to retake an area held by opposition supporters on Saturday evening. A government spokesman denied reports that live rounds had also been fired.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8613889.stm


Sunday, 11 April 2010
- Death toll from Bangkok protests climbs to 21 (CNN News)

John Vause reports from Thailand that defiant demonstrators may now be harder to move.




Sunday, 11 April 2010 - Thai government feels fallout from deadly clashes (BBC News)

Analysis article

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8613943.stm


Monday, 12 April 2010 - Red Shirt Protests, Thailand Crisis, Interview (As Broadcast by ABC: Australian Broadcasting Corporation )

Anti-government protesters in Thailand have paraded the bodies of dead comrades through the streets of Bangkok. Twenty-one people were killed and more than 800 were injured in weekend clashes with troops. A procession of cars, trucks and taxis filled with Red Shirt demonstrators moved through the historic district of the capital with the bodies of their fallen comrades.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Calgary 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Salute

Today I spent my lunch hour going down memory lane. Not memories from years ago, but memories a short six weeks ago. I relived the moments that gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes at the most amazing Olympic Games I have ever experienced, and that includes '88 Olympics in Calgary.

Today Calgary saluted the outstanding athletes from Alberta that won over, not only our hearts, but the nations hearts. More than a thousand people filled Olympic Plaza to cheer on sixty of the Alberta-based Olympians and Paralympians.



It was amazing to see all the great Albertan athletes, but I must say the highlight of the event for me was, the one and only, JOHN MONTGOMERY. I love this guy. He isn't from Alberta, he is from my home province of Manitoba. I have two memories of John at the Olympics;his overwhelming excitement when he realized he won gold, brought me to tears, was so proud. Then walking through Whistler Plaza and accepting a big huge stein full of beer & doing the only thing a Canadian would do..take a huge swig. He deserved it.

Here is a little video of his speech at today's event. You can't see him, but you sure know who you are hearing.