Life... and I can't translate the rest.

Tonight I finally got to watch the much anticipated "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara".

I'm not a Bollywood movie critic by trade, but I really liked this movie. It was fun, romantic, serious, energetic, had good music, made me smile and laugh quite a bit and made me think a little bit about letting go of things and enjoying life a bit more, as well as forgiving from the heart. I like it when I come away from a movie thinking about a lesson it may have taught me. The bonuses of this movie were the fact that there was a Deol brother who was actually nice to look at, Farhan was totally sexy and adorable at the same time and Hrithik's character, while it drove me crazy at first eventually gave way to that fun loving soft gorgeous and charming individual I love to see him play. Plus, he french kissed Katrina in the movie, so that was a thrill (it's Bollywood we're talking about.. that IS a thrill).

It was totally worth the 3 hours to watch it (well, it might have been slightly less than that, but I do admit to rewinding a certain "lovely" scene or two a few times so that probably added another 10 minutes to the overall length. What?!?! Hrithik french kissing. Need I say more?

Seriously, if you're a bit tired of the same plots and same actors and same type of movie and you're looking for something new that will be a feast for the eyes and the emotions, give a GOOD Bollywood movie a try. Not all of them are good. But this one was fun and I'd recommend it.

Jules :O)

I just like saying ass sometimes.

I worked my ass off at my sister's house doing Zumba today... but for some reason, I still have too much ass. I thought I'd worked it right off, but then I looked in the mirror and there it still was. I mean, don't get me wrong, I believe women should have some curves, but I don't believe I need this much ass. I really could stand to lose some more of it. How many more mamba's and salsa's and other such latin dances do I have to do before I'm happy with the amount of ass loss I've had?Unfortunately I did Zumba for like 6 months straight almost daily and still ended up having this ass. Not to mention all the other exercise I did for the 6 months prior to that and through the summer. Hmm. Maybe I could hypnotize my ass away? Or at least hypnotize myself to think my ass was smaller.

Jules :O?

accurate horoscope

Cancer

June 22 - July 22

You're often preoccupied by other people's lives. Your devotion to others will be appreciated today, Cancer. For example, in the family circle, you may have to bandage everyone's little physical or psychological wounds. Don't neglect your energy needs. As you're aware, you need all the strength you can muster.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well that describes my life to a tee.

Jules :O0

Autumn at Abraham Lake in Alberta

Thor came to visit on the weekend and it was a spectacular time. We visited Friday night and then Saturday we went for a bike ride followed by a trip to the mountains.. our favorite destination and the place that I think we both feel most "at home" in. Or certainly the most "at peace" in. Such a wonder, they are, standing tall and waiting to be admired and appreciated. Much like how I look toward Thor himself... standing tall and most adored.

Here's a nice view from on top of what's got to be the windiest place on earth. I think it's called Windy Point and it's so windy that it just about knocks you right over. I'd never let a small child stand there, they'd be carried away in an instant. Abraham Lake is a rich and vibrant turquoise lake by day and as the sun settles behind the mountains, it becomes a medium blue color, not quite as striking, but still beautiful. The mountains surrounding it stay beautiful regardless of the time of day. I'm actually up quite high here, looking down, it doesn't look like it in the pic though.

I zoomed in on a tree that is somehow able to survive that daily beating of insufferable winds. You can see how rough the water was in this photo. Not exactly fit for boating of any sort on a day as windy as this one was.

We drove around the lake until we found a good spot to hop out of the car and enjoy a picnic lunch (which became supper) after a short walk down to the water's edge. It was sheltered where we sat, just a few meters below the bright yellow birch tree amongst the boulders and rocky edge leading to the water.

The next day we hopped onto our bikes and toured Red Deer's trail system and different neighborhoods. I'm not sure how far we traveled, but we were out for over 3 hours, with just one real break to eat lunch, and a few tiny stops else wise. It was an incredible joy showing Thor the city from this viewpoint and it was such a beautiful ride, as the Fall colors are in full show right now, making the air smell it's sweet and musty Autumnal scent. I should have taken this photo with his bike in the pic too, not sure why I didn't. Oh well. We got home mid afternoon, did some bike clean up and then relaxed the evening away to round out an amazing weekend together.

I consider myself very lucky to be able to share my life with Thor. He seems to make everything look brighter, smell better, taste yummier, feel warmer and sound cheerier. Life is just smoother and more satisfying when he's around.

Jules :O!

Ra.One coming in October!

I really am getting SOOO excited to go and see this movie with my Sister in October! We have been eagerly anticipating it since finding out of its inception. **dreamy sigh**

Just one thing... Can some of my Indian friends tell me what a Chammak Challo is? I can guess from the picturization that it means something like "loved one" or "sweetheart", but I'd like to know it's real meaning. Thank God for subtitles cuz even though I've seen maybe a hundred + Bollywood movies, I still don't know Hindi very well. I think it's totally awesome how an English superstar such as Akon is the official singer for this song, although him not being Shah Rukh Khan's normal playback singer(s) will mean I have to overlook the usual voice to persona match. I love that there's beginning to be such a nice crossover between Indian film and American entertainment. :D

Jules :OD

Today's Quickie

I just have one word for you today.

MANSCAPE.

Think about it. Research it if you need to. Do it.

The women in your life will be endlessly thankful and you'll get more action. That's a guarantee.

Jules :Oj

Hello?

How come I have like 30+ hits to my blog daily, but I only have a core of about 3 people who comment?

Come on, let me know you're here. I promise not to bite... hard. But seriously, am I intimidating? Am I just not comment worthy.. boring? What topics should I write about to make you comment. You're just a puzzle.

I'm gonna go eat some cold KFC and ponder.

Jules :O)

Fritz

Things on the fritz around here lately:

Battery for my laptop (so I have to keep it plugged in and deal with the constant blinking orange light).

My hot water tank (so I have to pay a guy $90 an hour to come look at and fix it).

My left foot cuz I slit the bottom of it open last night (so I'm hobbling around with it bandaged up and had to miss lunch duty at Thanan's school today).

My orchids, which once were in full bloom with 15 blossoms and are now only showing off 6 with one about to die (so I have learned that I don't know how to care for orchids, or else my house is too cold and not humid enough).

My attitude. But that's only half on the fritz, so it's ok for now.

Jules :O/

Ok, fine. A clean post for you.

I think this photo is worthwhile. I didn't snap many pictures this time in Radium. It's not that I find it boring, I was just distracted by a different sort of view the whole time that I couldn't take my eyes off of. But this view, we found at the end of a hiking trail, near a lookout point that overlooks the whole town of Radium. Off in the distance, just layers and layers of mountains. I thought they looked cool in their nondescript shades of blueish-grey.

On a different subject. I was talking to my son about 911 tonight and we were having this really grown up conversation about when to call 911. Well, I thought it was really quite grown up, until he suggested he'd use their service for this: "You know when like, at Christmas time, when you just get a brand new toy and then you either lose it or it breaks? I'd call 911 for that cuz that's an emergency... you know... like wellllll, for a kid it's an emergency" as he shoots me this really comically thoughtful grin.

Bless his little thought process. I guess I'll have to keep the phone away from him until I can drill the list of acceptable emergencies into his brain... if there's near death, excessive blood, guns going off, robbery, fire, etc. Toys don't really count. Oh to be young and innocent again, even if just for a day.

Brings a song to mind. Sean Kingston's "Fire Burning". It was the first song that really made me wonder what the hell a "Shawty" was and whether I was one or not. LOL Ya. I feel old.

Jules :Oj

so what, I speak my mind.

OMG. I found myself on this website tonight because I had to re-order a product that I enjoy immensely, and happened upon a toy called "chocolate thriller". Makes me want to host a party of my own and see what hostess gifts I can get. Chocolate Thriller?! For pete's sake. I'd probably never leave my bedroom.

Speaking of my bedroom.. s'cuse me. I've got business to attend to.

Jules :Obuzzz)

Not moving. But not upset about it either.

The good news is that I got the job at Thanan's school, so starting tomorrow I will be lunchroom supervisor in a grade 2 class. I'm looking forward to it. :)

Bad news.. sort of... is that I am not moving. My house is only appraised at $340,000. I would have needed at least $350,000 for it. Fucking economy. Oh well. I have some pretty rocking plans for finishing off/upgrading this place that will build more equity. I want to replace the counter tops in the kitchen and bathroom, they don't seem to match and I've never liked them. I need to tear the carpet out of the upstairs hallway and install the same lino that's already in the house. I want to build a built-in desk with columns downstairs and also a built in tv entertainment unit. Finally, finish off the trim and install 2 closet doors. So I'll use my new supervisor money to save up for home renos, do all of that and maybe after that I'll have my house up in the price range I'd like it to be. And maybe there will be another perfect house to buy. I was thinking that maybe close isn't the only option. I could move to a neighborhood where he has to take the bus, then I wouldn't have certain "drop off and pick up" issues that I'm faced with now. Hmm. Food for thought.

Speaking of food, my pizza just arrived and the guys are going crazy with hunger. Gotta go.

Jules :O)

Will I be moving?

I had a realtor over today to appraise my house. I need it to sell for at LEAST $350,000 and I need the people who's house I'd love to buy to go as low as $365,000 in order for me to be able to do the deal. Soooo.. I'm doubtful that it will happen. But... tomorrow the appraisal will come back with a complete profile and comparables, etc and I'll know whether I'm destined to stay in this place longer or take a leap of faith and try to shift. I wasn't really considering it, but when this house came to my attention very recently, and I noticed how exactly perfect it would be for us, I just couldn't resist looking into it. It's got an extra bedroom and bathroom, and my much saught after double front attached garage. It's in the perfect location for Thanan. It's got room to grow as a family, should my "dreams" ever come true. It really would be amazing. And even though it needs some fixing up here and there, it's in reasonably good shape and it's mostly just cosmetic things that need to be fixed, which is actually a good thing because I could improve it and add equity. So... wish me luck. Tomorrow I'll know whether it's something I can pursue or not.

Karma.. destiny... fate.... what have you got in store for me?

Also, I was thinking of becoming a lunchroom supervisor at Thanan's school. It's not a huge commitment, I'd have regular holidays off, will give me a few hundred a month extra and that would help with a slightly higher mortgage payment, should things work out that way, and I could be a bit of a presence in Thanan's day and help make sure he stays on track (or instill the fear of me finding out he's done something wrong thus preventing such things from occurring). LOL.

Jules :O)

my bike ride today

Today I went on a nice bike ride out to Canyon Ski Hill. I thought about going down to the bottom of the hill, but then I didn't think I'd make it back up, so I stayed at the top. I took a photo of the city from out there at the top vantage point, but it really doesn't show as much as I could see. It didn't take me as long as I thought it would to get out there, it's not as far as I thought it was. It was just about 20 kms to get out there and back, the route that I went. Maybe next time I'll attempt the actual road down to the ski chalet, though I think that would be easier to do on a mountain bike.

The way out was almost all an incline, so by the time I got to the top of that particular hill, my legs were super tired. I really need to practice climbing and strengthen my legs. But I did it without stopping, so I guess I get credit for that. I'm going to try and go out again tomorrow, different spot though. Wish me luck.

Jules :O)

Labor Day on Flathead Lake

These are two of my favorite moments of my Labor Day long weekend. I took my son, whom I'll refer to as Thanan, down to Flathead Lake in Montana and spent time with Thor, his mom, sister and her boyf. We had a totally awesome time, or as my son said: It was "awesmazing" (cross between awesome and amazing).

I really can't express how in love with the whole weekend I was. Every aspect of it. Thor was the most positive influence Thanan's had as a male role model in a long time... possibly ever. He was so gentle and kind and patient with him, always teaching, coaching, laughing with, listening to, protecting and expressing love. I had to choke back my emotions and stop the sensation of being overwhelmed by how perfectly they fit together on countless occasions. Thor took us to do all the funtastic lake things. In these pics, we've climbed way up on top of Wildhorse Island to our favorite lookout point and enjoyed the 360 degree view and a snack together.

Thanan was really complaining about having to do the climb that Thor and I have done several times before. For a little guy like him, climbing a small mountain is a big feat, and for some reason, the little cacti up there kept finding ways to stick him but not us. So that troubled his little self too. But once we were at the top, he raved about how proud he was that he climbed waaay up there.

We also went motor boating, fishing and sailing. We played soccer and had fun with Thanan's remote control car. We sat by the fire at night and had marshmallows while cuddling and visiting. We all ate together, and we crashed hard at night from a long day of serious play. We visited the wonderful neighbors, and I marvelled at how beautiful the moments all were.

I guess I'll include a highlight that happened on the way down to the lake on Friday. Just before East Glacier, near Two Medicines I happened to be one of the 6 cars to stop and spot this pair of giant grizzly bears!! They were fishing and eating something on their side of the river bank. I stayed FAR away and digitally zoomed in. Excuse the quality of the photos, but I wasn't about to make myself or Thanan their lunch by getting too close. Grizzlies!! Can you believe it?

I saw a bald eagle, and some young bighorn sheep as well on the trip, but the bears took the cake. I've seen black bears down there before, but never one of these deadly creatures.

I was really touched by everyone and everything. This was actually my first time taking Thanan out of the country and aside from day trips around Alberta, it was my first "go somewhere" vacation with him. I loved the just Thanan and I moments, but I loved the "Flathead Lake Family" moments the most.

Now I'll have to be careful not to dream too big of dreams........

Jules :Oj

the business of cards

How long do you hold on to things for? Are you a hoarder?

I was just trying to tidy up my place and realized that I have birthday cards and anniversary cards and even a few Christmas cards from many past years. I'm not sure why I've kept them though. I mean, I'm as sentimental as the next person, but some of them are from people that I don't even talk to anymore. People that I haven't seen or heard from probably since I last received that card from them. Yet I haven't thrown them away.

I think I need to let them go and just de-clutter. It's not like they're all associated with happy times and fond memories.

How long is the "proper" amount of time to keep a card? Do people get insulted if you've decided to throw it out after a while or are you supposed to just keep cards forever?

Jules :O?

feet

I wish I had a spa treatment gift certificate. I'd like to get a full on pedicure done.. you know, really treat my feet to some nice warm parafin wax, a good solid rub down, trimming, waxing, polishing, sanding.. err.. pumicing.

I think feet are under appreciated for all they do for us. They just get totally abused all day long. Walked on, run on, toes get stubbed, things get dropped on them, they hardly ever receive lotion or massages and they almost never get adored. Some people forget to trim their toenails and really don't take good care of their feet, and end up getting foot fungi. It's really a shame.

I think the feet are the most abused and least appreciated part of the body.

... besides the asshole. That probably trumps the feet.

Let me just say thank you, feet. I adore you. You haven't let me down yet.

Jules :O)