Our Excellent Jays Adventure

Hey everyone,

I haven't posted anything in what seems like forever and for that I apologize - life just seems to get in the way from time to time.

Anyway, I still have no time today for a "proper" blog entry, so I thought I'd quickly share with you my son's favourite day of all time - the Toronto Blue Jays 2008 Home Opener!

Oh, and Happy Halloween everyone!

Enjoy!

JC's Top 5: Bon Jovi Songs

Bon Jovi has been my favourite band for years. They've produced 10 studio albums, and 4 compilation/live albums. Their 11th studio album, The Circle, will be released next month and I for one am super excited about it!

It's been a while since I've posted a JC's Top 5 (actually, it's been a while since I've posted anything), so with a new Bon Jovi album coming about, I thought it was only fitting to honour my favourite band.

With well over 100 Bon Jovi songs to choose from, trying to narrow down my 5 favourites was difficult, but, here are the results.

5. Thank You for Loving Me

If the future Mrs. Meanie and I were to choose to have a traditional wedding (which we won't), this song would have to be given serious consideration as our first dance. It's a beautiful song that eloquently captures the essence of how a man feels about his girlfriend/wife. But in typical Bon Jovi fashion, while the song is sweet and sensitive, it still retains an element of masculinity.

Favourite Lyrics:

You pick me up when I fall down
You ring the bell before they count me out
If I was drowning you would part the sea
And risk your life to rescue me

To listen to Thank You for Loving Me click here.

4. Hey God

Hey God was a single from Bon Jovi's sixth studio album These Days. If you're not familiar with the song, it could be because the only place in the world that it was a hit was the UK (those Brits sure have great taste!).

But I love this song because the characters in it are all on the edge of despair and questioning their faith. And really, who among us (that don't question the Big Guy's existence) haven't wondered if God actually notices or cares about our struggles?

Favourite Lyrics:

Hey God I'm just a little man
Got a wife and family
But I almost lost the house, yeah I bought into the dream
We're barely holding on when I'm in way too deep
We're two paychecks away from living out on the streets.

To listen to Hey God click here.

3. Have a Nice Day

Have a Nice Day is one of those songs that just makes you feel good! It's empowering and fun all at the same time. And not surprisingly, it was a top 10 hit around the world!

Favourite Lyrics:

My Daddy lived a lie, that's just the price that he paid
Sacrificed his life, just slaving away
Oh, if there's one thing I hang on to
That gets me through the night
I ain't gonna do what I don't want to
I'm gonna live my life.

To listen to Have a Nice Day click here.

2. Prayer '94

Prayer '94 is a reworked version of Living on a Prayer that was included on Bon Jovi's greatest hits album Cross Road. So why did I pick this song and not the original?? I really feel the slower tempo of this song suits the lyrics and captures the despair (and hope) of Tommy and Gina much better than the original did.

Favourite Lyrics:

Gina dreams of running away - yes she does
When she cries in the night Tommy whispers
Baby it's okay - it's ok, someday.

To listen to Prayer '94 click here.

1. You Give Love a Bad Name

You Give Love a Bad Name is not only my favourite Bon Jovi song, it is the song that got me listening to them in the first place! From the first time my friend Russ played this tune for me I was absolutely hooked. I rushed out and purchased Slippery When Wet and instantly fell in love with the band!

VH1 ranked You Give Love a Bad Name at number 20 on their list of "100 Greatest Rock Songs", and I've ranked it at #1 on my list of Top 5 Bon Jovi Songs. I wonder which the band considers a bigger honour??

Favourite Lyrics:

Paint your smile on your lips
Blood red nails on your fingertips
A school boys dream, you act so shy
Your very first kiss was your first kiss goodbye

To listen to You Give Love a Bad Name click here.

Let me know what you think of my list. Do you agree? Disagree? And what's your favourite Bon Jovi song?

Golf: A Tale of Broken Carts and Lost Clubs

Yesterday some colleagues of mine and I took advantage of the nice day and went out golfing. Actually, our golf outing was planned over a month ago and we've been praying for good weather ever since - who knew that prayers actually paid off??

What we really took advantage of was the super duper green fees the course was offering on this fine Thanksgiving weekend (yes, here in Canada we celebrate Thanksgiving on the right weekend - not like our goofy neighbours to the south). The golf deal - $32 for 18 holes and a cart! Yeah, go ahead, catch your breath, I'll wait.

While your catching your breath, I should put in a wee plug for the golf course - Oak Gables in Ancaster. If you're a recreational golfer, or a hack like myself, you really should give this course a try. The staff are very friendly, the course is pretty decent, and you can't beat their rates!

I should point out that I just took up golfing this year, and yesterday was the first time I've ever golfed 18 holes in my life. I'd golfed four rounds of 9 holes previous to this one. Hmmmm, sounds like I'm setting you up for something spectacular - I'm not, so please don't get your hopes up.

Anyway, with two foursomes ready to hit the links, I broke out my new golf shoes (thanks to my little Meanies and the Mother Meanie), my $35 used clubs, and my mad skillz.

It certainly was an interesting day.

Billy the Kid and ADAMantium (two of the four in my foursome) somehow managed to break a wheel on their cart. According to them, there were no shenanigans going on at the time of the breakage. They claim that they simply "hit a bump" going down a hill. A bump on a hill caused the wheel to snap and mangle underneath the cart??? What, do they think I'm new here or something??

However I can't really say for sure what happened - at the time of the "mishap", I was looking in the trees for a errant ball (I blame it on the wind). You'll be pleased to know that I did find the ball and rocked the next shot. Sort of. Or not. Alright, I was shooting from the base of a tree, what do you think happened??

I have to say, I did have some pretty good luck with the trees yesterday though. While the others were cussin' and swearin' looking for their balls in the woods, I found it's a lot easier to just bounce em' off the trees and back onto the fairway! No joke - twice I managed to ricochet balls off of trees deep in the woods and wind up with a favourable lie on the fairway! I told you I brought my mad skillz!

However I am glad that the future Mrs. Meanie picked up a dozen balls for me the day before (the "sure, I'll grab your balls" joke never gets old) or I would have been pooched! While I may have had great luck with the woods, the water - not so much. If there's any kind of water anywhere close to the hole I'm shooting, you can bet money that I'll find it! I lost a half dozen balls in the ponds and streams alone! If the object of the game was to hit water hazards, I'd be Tiger Freakin' Woods!

But golf balls weren't the worst thing I lost on the course yesterday - I somehow managed to lose a club! Somewhere between the 8th and 10th holes I managed to misplace my pitching wedge! Not that I know how to use my pitching wedge or anything, but damn - how the hell do you lose a golf club?!???

So how did I shoot??

Well, let's just say I paid the same green fee as everyone else and I got to play more golf than anyone in the group - save for my boss Jamie who really knows how to get a good bang for his buck!