Friday, November 25, 2011

Jamaican me thirsty, Jamaican me crazy...Jamaican me laugh

I've just returned from a fabulous trip to Jamaica for my cousin's wedding and I know you are all jealous of my tan, beach time and adventures. I'm not gonna lie. You should be. I'm pretty brown (for me) and I spent a lot of relaxation time on beaches.

Jamaica is beautiful and the resort we stayed at was wonderful! (Iberostar Rose Hall Suites shout out and high five!) This was the first time I've been with an all inclusive package and let me tell you...they make some delicious cocktails. The bartenders do not spare on the booze.

A stop to good ol' Canadian Tire before the flight out was necessary. My Bubba and I were really tight all 5 days and he kept my drink cold and strong the entire time. I highly recommend purchasing one for your all inclusive needs.

The atmosphere in Jamaica is completely relaxed ("ya mon") and everything really is "no problem". Well that is until our family shows up.

Trying to leave the restaurant with a plate in hand. Problem

Trying to eat at the buffet with no shoes. Problem

Leaving a show with glass cups. Problem.

Walking into the more expensive hotel attached to your own. Problem. (Except if you're walking the bride back to her room. We are very good babysitters and smooth talkers).

Dancing on the dance floor with drinks in your hand. Problem. (Although to be fair...we did break some glasses and an announcement had to be made and the glass area cautioned off.) Oops!

We are such a bunch of trouble makers.

We really only had time to do one excursion while we were there. So we hired our taxi driver from the airport to take us to Negril. 'Oneness' (Del Roy) drove us and educated us along the way to the white sand beaches and shopping of Negril. After playing in the water and along the beach we headed to Rick's Cafe for apparently one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. While there, some of us decided to partake in a little cliff diving. Resulting in some mean bruises along my legs.



I needed brave cuz Lolo to hold my hand on the way down. Note: before you jump 40ft, don't look down.


We sat and ate and enjoyed the lovely sunset (although I must say, the Grand Bend sunset is pretty spectacular too).


It was such a memorable holiday with a beautiful wedding to boot! Drinking, dancing, eating, laughing...too much fun!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Freaky Friday

As a server in a restaurant that serves alcohol and is located in a small town, and is walking distance for those without vehicles or licenses, I have the pleasure of talking daily with some interesting folks and listening to their opinions. Yesterday was no different.

To protect the insane and potentially dangerous I'll call the particular man Mr. Instant Coffee. (I should have known he would be slightly off-kilter when he was okay with drinking instant coffee. Yuck). Here is our basic conversation while he sat and enjoyed his microwaved brew.


Mr. Instant Coffee: You know there are only two people in this world. Extroverts and introverts. Extroverts spend their time looking at tv and looking at people. Introverts spend their time looking into themselves.

Me: I thought extroverts were social people and introverts were more shy.

Mr. IC: That too.
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Mr. IC: You wouldn't by chance be a mother?

Me: Umm....no. Why?

Mr. IC: You just seem very mature for your age.

Me: Well, I am 26.

Mr. IC: That's a haunting age for me. I had a friend kill herself at 26.

Me: Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that.

Mr. IC: Well, people knew she was suicidal and didn't stop her. So she was basically murdered.
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Mr IC: People that drive white vehicles have black hearts and are greedy.

Me: That's an interesting theory.

Mr. IC: I like to share what I know with people.
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Lucky me.
This glimpse into my life was brought to you by Bud Light. Because after that shift I definitely needed quite a few of those.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Gimmie some Mo'

One of my favourite times of year is upon us. Yes, ladies and gentlemen it is that special month...Movember. The time when only the manliest of men grow ridiculous facial hair to support prostate cancer.

I'm not quite sure when my obsession started. Subconciously it had to have begun when I was young. That's probably why I enjoyed playing Super Mario Bros. so much. Mario and Luigi running around saving the Princess and squashing mushrooms. You can't get more macho than that. Or maybe it started when I realized how much fun it is to wear silly staches and make videos with your crazy friends. It's always funny. But in a serious kind of way.

But, an obsession it is. I LOVE Movember and the men that support it. All the different shapes, sizes and colours of mustaches is enough to make a girl croon/cringe. This is the time when it is acceptable and even encouraged to let the hair go.

So, ladies, I beg of you this. Don't shy away or scowl at that upper lip. Behind that hairy man is a supportive and fun loving dude. Be a Mo' Hoe. Show some love and recognize that his face has made a sacrifice for his bros. There's a reason women all over the world share a love for Tom Selleck and Burt Reynolds. Obviously, it's their manly stache.
Please visit the Movember website for more information or show your support.

Separating the men from the boys one face at a time.

It's a good thing I can't grow facial hear. For everyone.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Random Awesomeness. On a Tuesday. In Toronto

About a month ago I found out The Civil Wars were doing a show in Toronto. I bought tickets, got a date, planned the day/night. YES!

When that Tuesday finally rolled around I was so excited to be doing something new and fresh in the middle of the week. Everyone needs to have more randomness in their lives, whatever form it may come in.


My friend M. and I made the road trip to Port Credit and pick up our friend J. We walked around the cute town as we waited for her to be done work and chatted while getting in some impromptu exercise. Once we got into Toronto we didn't really have much of a plan from there. I parked the car and as we were about 3 hours early before the concert started, we had some time to kill. Being the ever so technology savvy ladies that we are, we used our phones to check out local pubs. Specifically, we searched for an Irish Pub. Because really, who has ever had a bad time involving beer, food and the Irish? Not me!


We stumbled upon an amazingly fun pub in Cabbagetown called Stout. We grabbed one of their games available to play at our table. Nothing like a flashback of your youth playing Uno while drinking beer. We really had found a gem of a place. They had an extensive list of beers brewed in Canada and a special on Pumpkin beer. Yum! Gotta love fall, everything turns into pumpkin flavoured goodness, even the alcohol. So of course, I had to try it. I wasn't disappointed.



This random Tuesday happened to be their "Pubstumpers" quiz night so after some time the place was packed. But, we didn't have time to partake in the quiz night. We would definitely need to make another visit to this place someday. There really is nothing quite like testing your trivia knowledge amongst friends while eating and drinking. So after a couple delicious ales, a great dinner, and multiple pick up 10s in our neverending Uno games, we were ready to make the short walk to The Phoenix for some wonderful music.



















Some of the most ruthless Uno players you'll ever meet.



Milo Greene was the opening act for The Civil Wars and I was pleasantly surprised. They had a great sound were super fun and energetic and their songs were very catchy! I kind of wish I bought their EP....dang. Watch out for them!


As The Civil Wars came on, there was a quiet that came over the entire audience as they played. Their voices are both amazing and together they have such good chemistry. The show was so simple, charming and just beautiful. Their music speaks for itself. For those of you who haven't heard of this band. Honestly, Youtube it up. They are amazing. They don't need crazy dance numbers or light shows (because first of all it would be ridiculous for their music) but their music speaks for itself. I can't say enough good things about them.


















Joy Williams and John Paul White make up The Civil Wars.


Check out them playing my favourite song, Poison and Wine . They also came on for an encore and played Billie Jean. I didn't catch the very beginning but you get the drift. Love!