“I Have The Best Friends In The Whole World” or “Screw You Mark D’Arcy!”

Must tell tell you that I have the best friends in the world.

After wonderful Bridgesque posts, one of nearest and dearest friends did wonderful things for birthday. Had one friend who was in charge of looking after sorry drunk ass and making sure got home in one piece. Other is dear female friend.

In previous post had mentioned (screamed) that this year wanted to receive flowers from someone of the male persuasion. Leave it to someone of the female persuasion to come up with a plan to make this happen.

Birthday bash started great at Retro Road Show (must check it out of have not already done so, gentle readers). Then one of male friends shows up with flowers and favourite vodka. Think there might be a crush here, but still thank profusely. Scheming friend must have told him something. Then yet another male friend appears with more flowers, and another, and another…by the third, have realized a pattern; all men. Scheming friend has told them all to bring flowers to help complete new year’s list.

Once a few had given flowers and had figured out plot, scheming friend gives birthday gift to compliment the yang with the yin: a flower vase, large enough to fit all the flowers given.

So big thanks go to male friends who heeded call of even better scheming friend who made it possible. Special mention of course to drinking buddy who, though couldn’t get flowers because was taking care of my drunk ass all day, also made sure to make it homesafely and sayted that way when tucked in bed.

Thanks also go to those who made sure that my glass was never empty and sometimes made sure that there was more than one glass, sometimes three very small ones back-to-back-to-back at the bar in quick succession. Thanks go to the DJ who continues to play favourite song even though he despises it so. (“Drop the needle!”)

This is why one must state that have best friends in world. Don’t need Mark D’Arcy at birthday party. Friends covered it wonderfully. But if he decides to show up by Valentines, would be nice.

Thank you again to all for a wonderful birthday.

Bridget Jones: New Year Edition

Number of alcohol units over the last two days: Too many to count

Number of delectible finger foods at Pre-NYE birthday party: Too many to count

Number of Gingerbread houses: -1

Number of karaoke songs sung: 1

Number of pre-NY workouts: 1

Number of NY text messages from unknown senders: 2

Had good evening of training a few nights ago. Think I’ve finally figured out that form. Went to pub and ate salad (good). Wasn’t ready to go home, so went to #loserkaraoke at Tequila Sunrise with a few tweeps, @AlexBlom, @Dan_L, and @photojunkie. Missed @jpuopolo unfortunately. Hope he and his wife are going well on the #babypuopolo watch! She was due today, so as soon as there is extended radio silence, am sure that we’ll know. Hadn’t done karaoke in a while, but glad I stuck around. Got home late, but fun times figuring late night route home. Thankful for 24 hour TTC service outside my door.

Next day, got gear together and went to friend’s for pre-NYE birthday party. Lots of finger foods, good wine, Rock Band, polar bears and singletons. One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to break more boards at training. Took three tries to break the gingerbread house, so either am a great builder and should consider career in hurricane/tornado prone areas or am complete weakling. Even caused hand to bleed. Either way, am #toughcookie. See it here.

Had amazing time at NYE party with good friends and had interesting voyage home which involved a bus and 2 cabs, only paid for one. Great photos can be seen here.

Still have not heard about dream job, but with holidays, could be delayed. Expect to hear Monday or Tuesday.

Not making too many resolutions this year. Too many disappointments. Chose “hope” instead of “resolve”. Therefore, HOPE to (in no particular order):

1. Lose weight and lead healthier life
2. Learn to knit and will have completed at least one project this year
3. Cook and read more often
4. Get dream job
5. Find love, even if only temporary
6. Procrastinate less.

Not a lot to ask, is it? Wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous new year. Let it be better than the last.

– Shanta

My Nana

Today would have been my grandmother’s birthday. Should would have been 87. So we’ll make sure to toast to her later today. For now, will light a candle. Her memorial is posted on my Princess’s message. She passed away just last month. Boy it was strange this Christmas with her not being there. But her spirit lived on.

On Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember, there were always people over at my Grandmother’s house. We figured it would be just be me, my mother and brother and my uncle this year. A friend of the family said she was going to drop by later, so my aunt and her husband said they would too. She was going to bring some food, but I’d told her not to fuss since there weren’t many of us and it wasn’t going to be the usual gathering. She brought her daughter, my uncle’s girlfriend and her son came over too. His best friend from across the street came over and said that his mom was sitting alone and would it be okay for her to come over as well. Of course! Then the guy next door came over since his wife was working. So considering, we did pretty well. I guess Nan didn’t want us to be lonely on Christmas Eve without her there. And as my mother said on Christmas Day, “Raise your glasses to the founder of the feast. I give you, Mrs. Phyllis Mills” Bye Nana.

Bridget Jones: Day 3

Units of Caffeine: 3

Units of Alcohol: 3

Cigs: Still none (over 4 years now)

Meals: 2

Muffins: (Home made) 2

Fruits: 1

Salads: none

For those who have taken to reading my Bridgesque posts, I am doing my best to keep you informed but not to bore. I’m still working on this and thank you for your patronage, but know also that to protect the guilty…I mean…innocent, I’m not going to post everything. That would just be stupid. Full Stop!

At the stroke of midnight last night (Tuesday/Wednesday) I took to read my horrorscope hoping to gain some insight into my upcoming 2nd interview. Oddly, I found this:

You have someone’s attention now, Capricorn. You may not have noticed, but you have a secret admirer of some sort. This could be a romantic interest, but it could also be that someone is observing you and admiring your talent or skill related to business. If you are hoping to meet the person of your dreams, stay alert for someone’s shy flirtations. If you are hoping to make a career move or you need to make a special connection for your business, keep your eyes open for opportunities. This is a good day to make progress in both areas.

Who could it be? I thought I had it figured out, but alas I was wrong. Am happy that they have found someone, but was slightly disappointed. Part of me thought it might be me. Not that I would have done anything, but it would have been a boost to the self-esteem to say the least. Had built it up because of stupid horrorscope. Thought I had it figured out. Oh well…Back to the drawing board. <looks up horrorscope for the next day> Does seem promising.

Went for second interview BTW with full arsenal. Research, done; reference list, done; reference letters, done; outfit, done. Arrived 20 minutes before appointment. Can’t go wrong, right? Keeping fingers crossed and will hopefully find out Friday.

Originally had another piece to go in here, but think I will make it a separate post. I’ll save the New Year’s stuff for tomorrow. For tonight, we train and go kick the crap out of stuff. Good way to kick 2010 to the curb!

I AM Bridget Jones

I almost forgot how much I love the movie “Bridget Jones’s Diary”. Every year around this time, I think I need to watch it, make it an annual occurence. What’s on TV tonight? Whadyaknow…BRIDGET!

So, I pour a glas of red in true Brig fashion, and take pen to paper to start the year off right. Also, settling in with a salad after the monstrous leftover turkey dinner for lunch. Will follow up with mandarin oranges for dessert.

Right.

Smokes: 0

Weight: <undisclosed>

My life is somewhat like Bridget Jones. Here are some examples:

1. Both need to lose weight.
2. Both are “spinsters”.
3. Both live in our own apartments/flats.
4. Both love red wine.
5. Both have good close friends that we can call on for a good pow-wow/drink-up.
6. Both need new jobs (though I didn’t sleep w/boss at last job).
7. Though I haven’t done it yet, pondering dinner party for close friends for birthday next month (Take note and be forewarned!) Must look up recipe for blue soup.

Some differences however:

1. I don’t live in the UK.
2. I don’t smoke (anymore).
3. Most of my friends aren’t smug married couples, but are wonderful singletons like me.
4. Definitely don’t have two men fighting in the street over me.
5. And unfortunately, don’t have Mark D’Arcy/Colin Firth chasing after me because he “likes me just the way I am”.

Have actually found myself taking pen in hand more frequently as of late, literally. Quite possibly because I’ve had trouble sitting in fron of computer due to back pain lately. Have even found myself turning in at a reasonable hour with a good book under candlelight. When I enter my apartment, I will constantly say: “Hi Honey, I’m home! Oh yeah, I live alone.” It’s a homage to Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman, but very fitting here.

Some goals for the new year:

1. Lose weight. Might be difficult with back injury, but willing to try even if I have to become a rabbit.
2. Blog at least once a week. Great, have met quota this week.
3. Will find dream job
4. Will have emotionally stable relationship with someone who is not an emotional fuckwit. Doesn’t have to be permanent, but just…normal.
5. Receive flowers at least once this year from a member of the opposite sex (sorry, Gwen).

Sounds like a lot and a little to ask for for the coming year. Given the ups and downs of the past year, I think I deserve a little normalcy.

This is Bridget Jones…I mean…Shanta Nathwani for Sit Up Britain…dammit…Toronto. Now, back to the studio!

Jon Cryer as Duckie – "Try A Little Tenderness"

Jon Cryer is so underrated as an actor. Here is one of my favourites from the movie “Pretty in Pink”