A Case of G20 Police Envy?

Last weekend, while the rest of Canada was watching the excellent police work/police brutality (depending on your point of view) at the G20 Summit in Toronto, the fine men and women who serve and protect my community were busy creating controversies of their own.

Ok, well maybe "controversy" is too strong a word - but dammit, they pissed me off!

I've lived in my house for 2 years.  It's in a townhouse complex where we have assigned parking.  But my house faces the street so most of the time I just park in front of my house.  Sometimes I park facing west (the correct way), sometimes I park facing east (the incorrect way).  It really depends on where I've come from.

For 2 straight years, parking has never been an issue.  Until last Sunday morning.

Last Saturday when I arrived home I parked facing east.  No big deal - like I said, I've done it hundreds of times.  But when I woke up in the morning, I had a ticket for parking the wrong way!

For those of you who are self-righteous and follow every rule, yes, I was parked facing the wrong way, so yes I deserved the ticket.  And yes I know that just because I've gotten away with it for 2 years doesn't mean I should be surprised that I did get ticketed.  Besides, it's a relatively inexpensive ticket.

None of that is what I'm upset about.

What pisses me off is the cars that race down my street at all hours of the day!  And it happens every single day without exception.  I live in a neighbourhood that is home to a ton of children, and there's a high school just down the road.  Yet I've seen cars blow right through the stop sign at the end of my street, and witnessed almost a half dozen serious close calls at the corner where another street feeds onto my street.  One of these days there WILL be an accident at that corner.  It's not a matter of "if" but "when".

We've called twice and asked the police to put a patrol car at that corner to slow down the traffic (and I know my next door neighbour has complained too).   Their response on both occasions - "I'm sorry, we simply don't have the manpower".

Really??  So what you're telling me is you don't have the manpower to ticket speeders and in all likelihood, save a life or two.  But at 4:00am on a Sunday morning, you have plenty of manpower to ticket cars that are parked the wrong way?? 

Is there something wrong with me that I don't understand this logic?

*sigh*

Screaming Confession #3

I live with my Mom.  There, I said it.  Yes, I'm 38 years old, and I live with my Mom.  But, it's not as bad as it sounds.  Ok, maybe it is, but not really.  Uhhhhh, just, read on.......

When my beautiful-ex-bride and I separated in 2003 (and I use the term "beautiful" with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek), I moved into an apartment near her house so I could be close to my kids.  It wasn't a great apartment, but it was affordable - a small 2-bedroom unit on the top floor of a four floor walk up which was a pain in the ass when I did my grocery shopping.

After rent, utilities, gas, insurance, and child support was payed, there was very little left over every month.  And by "very little" I actually mean "nothing" was left over!  I lived that way for years.  I never went out much, and dating was problematic as I rarely had money.  Any woman I did date usually had to pay (sorry DA).  But, this was the life of a single Dad who had chosen not to "shack up" with someone just to make his financial life easier (I'm a wee bit of an idealist and believe that type of move should be done for love, not money).  

I could have gotten a roommate (which would have meant getting a bigger place), but I had two small kids and a teenage daughter - how much of a background check can you do to ensure that the person living in your house can be trusted around the three people who mean the most to you?

Then, 2 years ago, my Mother, who was in a relationship that was breaking down, suggested she move into my apartment with me.  Say what?!??  Move into my wee apartment?!??  Something told me that wasn't going to work.

However, I did believe that she was on to something.  I mean, if I was going to live with anybody, my Mom seemed like the perfect person.  I knew I could trust her with my kids (and I knew that they would love the idea as they adore their Gramma), we get along great, and financially it would be a lot better for both of us.

So, together we found a very spacious townhouse, and made it our own.  And it's worked beautifully!  Not only has it been better for both her and I, but my kids have reaped the benefits as well.

We've been able to do things that I never could have done had I maintained my autonomy living in my apartment.  We've been to concerts, Canada's Wonderland, Great Wolf Lodge, Blue Jay games, and taken several day trips - not to mention being able to eat out from time to time or even go to the movies more often.

Yeah, the dating thing is a wee bit tricky - I traded in being broke all the time for the stigma of "living at home in Mommy's basement".  And honestly, it used to concern me.  That is until I read an awesome quote in Randy Pausch's book The Last Lecture.  To paraphrase that quote, what kind of woman would be attracted to a 38 year old man who lives with his Mom? - "The right one"!

I know what people think when you tell them that you live with your Mom - but maybe you need to consider that perhaps I don't live with my Mom - instead, it could be, that she lives with me!

JC's Top 5: The Summer 2010 Movies I'm Looking Forward To Most

With the first of the big summer blockbusters being released this weekend, I thought it only appropriate to provide a new JC's Top 5.  So, here in descending order, are the movies I'm most looking forward to seeing this summer season. 

5. The A-Team

Release Date - June 11

This movie looks like a total cheeseball flick, but I loved the TV show when I was a kid, so I'm hoping to love this movie now that I'm an adult.  Lots of guns, big explosions, tons of fights - really, what's not to love??  I'm not so sure Liam Neeson was the right choice to play Hannibal, and I'm more than a little nervous about Quinton "Rampage" Jackson as B.A. Baracus, but as far as I'm concerned, Bradley Cooper as Faceman, and Sharlto Copley as Murdock, was simply pure casting genius!!  I love it when a plan comes together. 

4. Robin Hood

Release Date - May 14

10 years ago Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe teamed up and created what, in my humble opinion, is one of the ten best films of all time - Gladiator!  This month they're back with their take on the classic tale, Robin Hood.  Watching the trailer, it looks like a cross between the aforementioned Gladiator and and another of my favourite movies, Braveheart.  Let's face it, Scott + Crowe = Pure Awesomeness!

3. Iron Man 2

Release Date - May 7

Ahhhh, the first of the big summer blockbusters - and I can't wait!!!  I didn't see the first movie in the theater because quite frankly, I wasn't interested in Iron Man.  Yes, I'd heard how great it was.  But still - I had ZERO interest.  When it was released on DVD, I rented it for my kids - and OH. MY. GOD!  Did this movie kick ass or what?!??  Now, I'm giddy with anticipation waiting for the next chapter in the Iron Man franchise!  Only 2 more sleeps!!

2. Predators

Release Date - July 9

I was a huge fan of the original Predator with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and I know I'm in the minority, but I actually really enjoyed Predator 2 as well.  So when I initially heard that there was going to be a Predators movie, I was 50% excited, and 50% worried that we were going to get the same kind of crap that we saw in AVP and AVP2.  However, the movie is based on a script that Robert Rodriguez (producer) wrote back in 1994 and is considered a direct sequel to the 1987 original, ignoring the events of Predator 2 and the AVP movies.  And I'm pretty sure it's going to get an 'R' rating which is fantastic news!!  From the look of the trailer, and the character featurettes that have been released through the official website, this movie looks like it is going to be freakin' amazing!

1. The Expendables

Release Date - August 13

If action movies could produce an orgasm - this would be the one to do it!  While I have been looking forward to this particular movie for the last year or so (I just about died when they moved the release date from April to August), I have been waiting for a film like this my whole life!  The movie features the who's who of the 80's and 90's action movies - Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, Eric Roberts, Mickey Rourke, Danny Trejo - and oh yeah, a killer cameo scene with Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger.  Really, need I say more??

Boston Rob and Evil Russ - Two Peas in a Pod

I was talking to a friend of mine a couple of days ago about this season of Survivor.  Inevitably, the conversation turns to Russell Hantz - or, as I like to call him, Evil Russ!!  Mwuhahahahahahahaha!!

You either love Evil Russ or you hate him - there seems to be no in between with this guy.

Me??  I love him.  My friend??  She hates him.

But then she went on to say how much she LOVES Boston Rob and wishes he was still in the game.  Well, I wish he was still in the game too - not only because I had him in my pool, but because Boston Rob is good television (the battle between Evil Russ and Boston Rob could have been Epic).

What I found curious was why she hated Evil Russ - because he's a backstabbing scumbag who lies to everybody.  My question is, how is his game any different from Boston Rob's??

Now, I didn't see Survivor Marquesas so I don't know how Boston Rob played, but in Season 8 (All-Star's), Rob lied to everyone and backstabbed anyone that got in his way (hello Lex)!  Well, anyone and everyone except Amber that is (which I actually found quite admirable).

So I'll ask again, how is his game any different from Evil Russ'??  The answer is it's not.  The only difference is, Boston Rob is sexy, and Evil Russ is......well.......not sexy.  You do the math.

American Idol Top 7 - My really, really, really quick review!

Last night was supposed to be "Inspirational Night" on American Idol.  Well, after having watched the performances, save for Lee and Crystal, the night was anything but inspirational.

Here is my really really really quick review of what went down.

Casey James

Performance - Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac
Result - Two words.....BO-RING.  Is it just me or is Casey starting to sound more and more like Huey Lewis every week??
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Lee Dewyze

Performance - The Boxer by Simon & Garfunkel
Result - Outstanding!!  I've been a big fan of this dude since week 1, and I have to say, this may have been his finest performance of the season.  My only question is, where were the most excellent bagpipes???
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Tim Urban

Performance - Better Days by the Goo Goo Dolls
Result - Yikes!  Tim continues to prove that in a singing competition, as long as you look cute, you don't really have to know how to sing.
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Aaron Kelly

Performance - I Believe I Can Fly by R. Kelly
Result - He believes he can sing too!  Can you say, game over??
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Siobhan Magnus

Performance - When You Believe by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey
Result - Her vocals were incredible (as usual), but the performance lacked any, I don't know, oomph??  Methinks she needs to get back to something a little more dark - and for Gods sake, start screaming again!
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Michael Lynche

Performance - Hero by Chad Kroeger
Result - Weird.  His vocals were good I suppose, but seeing Big Mike sing this grunge rock tune was just bizarre.
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Crystal Bowersox

Performance - People Get Ready by The Impressions
Result - Awesome!  Just awesome!  Is there any doubt that we are headed for a Bowersox vs. Dewyze showdown at the end??
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Predictions

Bottom 3 - Aaron, Tim, Big Mike
Who will go - Aaron
Who should go - Tim