Locomotion

Birdie busted munching her monkey birthday cake - thanks, Oma!

Bubbling the day away - dreamily happy.




2 is funner than 1.

This is a test, it is only a test...

Cut off the cable about two months ago. It actually got cut off about two weeks ago. When the TdF started, we were questioning our decision - should we call Shaw again and tell them we have reneged? Nah, we can check it out online if need be. Then the cable kept going and we saw Contador go on to do his tappity-tap-tap happy climb to the Yellow Jersey podium. Went to the prairies for a reunion and came back to a blank screen. Nada.

It's good. I have felt very happy about the multi-layered savings although more importantly the principle of it. We simply cannot choose TV as an option to suck time. We now actively choose our activities and when inclined, our viewing is pre-selected, before the settling in for the evening activity.

Treehouse was already off-limits because of the banality of ninety percent of it's programs. Seinfeld was a comfort like a warm sudsy bath but, yeah, seen 'em all. And, what did we have to look forward to? Well, there is Mad Men, although with Birdie's sleepy-time turn-in of late, we likely would have missed part of that too - which would have been infuriating. I'm happy to check in in DVD when it comes out - and greedily anticipate these moments.

Thus far, it's novel. I find my spare moments - which are to be truly cherished - bring about things like organizing photos, reading an article or having a conversation over wine and chocolate with A.

Ask me in a year, how's that test going? I hope I forget what you mean.

John Hughes died on Friday. He put together my favourite movies of all time. The ones I love were typically written, produced and directed by him. He wrote loads and produced many that I enjoy over and over but my true happy filmic places are:

Pretty in Pink - because richies and wrong-side-of-the-tracks make for true teen love angst. And because of New Order and the raddest clothes ever. Most of all because Andy says "I just wanna let them know that they didn't break me."

Sixteen Candles - since being a teenage girl is really awkward and big crushes on hot older guys is excruciating and younger boys who have crushes on you are like, gag-me. Farmer Ted is the genuine article - permeating a full of potential, coming-of-age boy.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off - since playing hooky is a crazy thing to do especially with an off-limits car and a hot gal named Sloan. Matthew Broderick took the camera on, inviting us to a day of ultra-cool and no consequences, especially when Mr. Rooney is on your tail with a vengence. A sidenote scene I love catching is Charlie Sheen in the cop-shop with Jennifer Grey - grumpy-pants sister and strung-out addict on their way to their own drama.

The Breakfast Club - well, because it's the truth. The Hughes teen theme moment culminates in Big-brain-on-Bri's contemplation of Vernon's essay request to explain "Who are you?". The journey of identity in one room, all day, on a Saturday tells us that we're all a Basketcase, a Princess, an Athlete, a Criminal and a Brain.

Cheers to you, Mr. Hughes.