As many have now said, the final epilogue of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was slightly vague. It was great to find out roughly what happened but there will still so many questions!
In a recent interview, JK Rowling answered more questions about the future of our favorites. Check it out at MSNBC.com
Warning, there are obvious spoilers on this site, but if you read the book, you'll get some more answers.
Which is often...
What do I do? Well, what most people do I think, randomly surf the net! And sometimes I find some pretty cool things too.
Somehow tonight my brain took me to the Much Music web page (which is odd because I really don't care music videos and don't watch any of the shows). But once I got there and little light bulb went off and I said, "Oh, right, my brother works there!"
So on a whim, I decide to search the site for Adam's name and lo and behold, a link came up! On an article about the VJ Search show, Adam is listed in the credits. Check out the link and see for yourself. You'll find in near the end of the Article with the listing of credits.
Way to go Adam!
Okay, well it was the only one part of 607 pages I didn't like so overall... effing awesome book!!!
But, the plot twist I didn't like involved the "beloved" Snape. I really don't like Snape and after the 6th book all my senses were screaming "He's evil, he's evil" yet one lone little voice was saying that Dumbledore must have trusted him for a reason, he had to be good.
Well, we found out he was good (so to speak). But the secret that carried for 7 books? Why did Snape follow Dumbledore, not You-Know-Who (I'm not afraid to say the name but apparently the name is jinked and I really don't want a living room full of death eaters, so deal)?
Snape was in love with Lily Potter!!! And they were friends!? I was so into the book, couldn't put it down for nearly 26 straight hours, but when I got to this part and slowly realized what was coming, a little burning bit of bile started to rise in my throat and I had to fight not to vomit.
Snape is so mean, so yucky, that I just can't imagine this at all, it just turns my stomach, YEACK!! I think the intention was not only to explain Snapes allegiance to Dumbledore but to maybe give us a sense of pity while on his death bed. Nuh, uh, no way! I just can't do it!!!
So aside from this one, completely grotesque part of the book (which was very important, just yucky) the book overall was amazing. I liked how J.K. Rowling seemed to surpass all expectations, created the ultimate twist (which I'll talk about later) and even gave a brief glimpse into the future. Even though I gladly would have given up my fight for Ewan McGregor to marry Harry Potter, I was glad to see him have a happy life with Ginny.
I liked how Rowling jumped into a more mature book. Not only was it the darkest yet in story, but she ventured into more descriptive battles where you could actually cringe, the main characters (mostly Ron) now 17 say "effing" many times where before, it was just simply stated that they swore. And as my eloquent sister pointed out on her blog, the ultimate laugh of tiny, timid Mrs. Weasley fighting a brutal Belatrix Lestrange yelling "Not my daughter, you bitch!".
Without guidance, this final installment certainly isn't meant for young children. However, Harry Potter as a whole is meant for everyone. Find me a child that hasn't heard their parents swear. Find me a child that hasn't sworn actually. And kids know about fighting, death, good and evil, all to some extent. But this particular book is probably best read together as a family, just in case your kids want something explained.
Either way, jump in, have a ball, we'll talk more later about it, and make sure you have a barf bucket handy for the one part and a box of Kleenex for 3, no wait, 5, uhhh... Jingle, how many times did I cry? Oh, right, 7 times I teared up bad, and one I bawled like a baby!
This space is reserved. The marathon is over, we've read cover to cover and we barely slept last night. Partly because it was soooo hard to put the book down, partly because I kept replaying everything I just read in my head while trying to sleep, and mostly because I sadly set my alarm for early so that Jingle and I could get back to reading asap!!!
I totally intend to comment on my feelings towards the book and discuss it, probably in a few posts actually, but currently my brother and sister are reading the book and about halfway through and I promised them I wouldn't post anything until they were done in case I spoiled something.
For the rest of you, read fast if you don't want to know because I'm posting as soon as Chantelle and Adam finish!
Maybe I'll go read it again, think I can finish before they do?!
Stay tuned!
The boys are at it again, and this time the adventure looks better than ever.
All of you by now should know that some day I'll marry Ewan McGregor. Because of this, I regularly update myself on what's happening with him and what projects are coming up.
I became a big fan of the television series, Long Way Round, which was a documentary on Ewan McGregor and his best mate Charlie Boorman literally riding around the world on motor bikes. They used the opportunity to raise money for Unicef worldwide and the television series was absolutely captivating. It not only showcased our incredible world and the beauty of it, but also the people of countless countries. They didn't hide anything from the cameras, including their concerns, troubles, tears, and mostly, joys and triumphs.
Well, now the boys are at it again, and like last time, it's a fundraiser for Unicef. Reconnecting with their trusty BMW's that got them across every terrain imaginable in Long Way Round, this time in Long Way Down the boys are travelling from Ewan's parents home in Scotland to Cape Town, South Africa. They are promising to make many stops on the three month journey to visit towns, see incredible sights and some world wonders, and visit with more people than ever.
I can't wait for the broadcast to come out on this one. Even though I just found out about it, they are currently on day 70 and in Rwanda. The BBC is offering daily clips and updates on the boys on their site if you want to check it out. And I've already pre-ordered the book, due in January of 2008. Or, you can click the above link and go directly to official website for even more updates.
So a few months ago, I got an email from Rogers asking me to take an online survey. I thought it was an odd survey, asking me about favorite magazines, music artists, products etc. In 8 years with Rogers, I've never done a survey like that before. It's usually the boring, "how did you like your service?" But, it's Rogers, they're weird, that's why I like them.
So today, I'm really not having a good day. No real reason, we just all have them. Those days were nothing really seems to go right. So by now, I'm exhausted, can't take much more and just getting home to eat something and try to avoid anymore work. I check my mail (the real mail, not email) and I have a strange parcel in my mailbox and two letters from Rogers.
I get upstairs, open the first letter and its a notice that my High Speed Internet has jumped from 5mb to 7mb in speed at no additional charge. Cool! I thought it seemed a little faster lately.
I open the second letter and it's a thank you letter for being a great customer and includes a link to a website where I can enter the code found in the letter and gain access to 100's of coupons on local events, stores, and products that I showed interest in when I took the survey.
So, I'm cheering up a bit. Haven't checked out the website yet but I'm thinking something good will come from it. So on to the strange parcel, I open the parcel and inside is Bon Jovi's new CD, "Lost Highway" that I've been wanting to get and a little note saying "Thank You, from Rogers Wireless". How incredibly cool is that?! It also explains why they were listed as one of the potential favorite artists in the survey I guess.
So I guess the moral of the story is, no matter how bad a day you're having, something at some point is going to help turn that day around.
Thank you Rogers! More than happy to be a customer with you guys! You totally made my day!
Hey Jingle, lets put some music on!!! (*humming*)
I was cleaning out my bookmarks in IE to remove sites I don't visit anymore and organize the sites I love (it's my little OCD thingy) and came across the link for the Wonderday Website.
I'm a Wonderday fan, would love to be a member if I ever live in TO but I do get invited to the events and whenever I can make it to TO (which is sadly not often) I join in the fun. I think that makes me an honorary member, but I'm not sure. Can anyone confirm this? Maybe I'm just a crazy fan with connections.
I hadn't checked the website in a long, long time and thought, "Hey, let's kill some time!" Boy has it changed! Full blogs, written by the whole Wonderday executive crew, lots of pics and videos, great music, updates on Dumbledore's Army, and tons of upcoming events (which is what they are mostly known for, their incredible social events).
I ended up getting lost for about two hours tonight in this website and was totally impressed (so much for getting some work done!). This crew just keeps getting better and better! Wonderday started as a small group of people that wanted to help young execs in marketing and websites. It became a huge group of friends, all young professionals, who plan social events to network, socialize, and party hard.
My brother, Adam, has a big part in this website as well. I believe (correct me if I'm wrong Adam) that with his website design background, he's a big part of the design. Plus, his amazing photos are often featured, he writes a number of blogs for the site (including a rather large amount of blogs on Harry Potter) and is a member of Dumbledore's Army. And often, if you look closely, you'll see Chantelle hiding in many of the pics from the social events.
I also had the pleasure of meeting some the original Wonderday crew at Chantelle and Adam's wedding last October and immediately fell in love with the guys. Genuinely nice guys, lots of fun, and completely accepting of anyone and everyone. Within minutes, I felt like I had known them for years, they were great fun, and I even had a dance with Evan near the end of the night which surprisingly went very well considering we were both pretty far gone. Somehow we managed not to kill each others toes or wind up in a speaker, pretty amazing feat if you ask me. I think this easy going, accepting nature of theirs is mostly what makes Wonderday so successful. You just feel like family with them, total comfortable.
Nonetheless, the site just keeps getting better and better and the team seems to be constantly growing. Check out the website for the full scoop. It's a riot!
Does anyone remember learning that you should vacuum under your stove when you clean? I've stuck a broom under there but not a vacuum. I didn't learn that in Home Ec! Oh, wait, I didn't take Home Ec, I took music. Riiiiight!
So, I'm at a clients today, well three actually, and gone for maybe 4 hours total. I come home to do some work and find a pleasant surprise. My little Jingle is washing my floors.
Well, actually, it seems that the infamous water bowl (aka, toy to Jingle) has finally been tipped over. So now there's a big mess.
*Sigh*.
Rats, there goes my water bottle now too! I guess the carpet did need a shampooing, thanks for the reminder Jingle! Fantastic!
I'll catch you all later, my socks are getting wet, I should go clean this up.
We could all use a laugh and it's healthy for us all to smile so how am I helping in this?
I've added a new section to my sidebar called the "Daily Smiley". There is nothing more contagious than a laugh or smile so for a good dose of laughter, visit this site often and click the smiley. We'll change the smiley often so you don't get bored, we've got hundreds of idea too on funny smileys so we'll probably keep this going for a while.
So go ahead, click the smiley, and smile!
I know we're laughing over here now!
We've also added a poll section. I'm testing this one out because I don't know how many poll ideas I could actually come up with but we'll try it, and see what kind of response it gets.
And in honour of my lifelong obsession with movies, I've added a list for everyone titled the "Last 5 recently watched movies that I love" complete with links directly to IMDb for your enjoyment. I've always been considered the family movie expert (until Adam proved to be my equal in this category) and with access to TMN On Demand, Rogers Video Direct, my own growing collection and TV-Links, I see a whole lot of movies all the time. So everytime Jingle and I watch a movie, and like it, even if it's one we've seen many times before, we'll add it to the top of the list. This section was inspired by my Mom who is always asking me what I saw recently so her and Dad can watch it then never has a pen and paper and always foregets the name of the movies. Now you can just pop onto my site and see for yourself Mom!
As well, we've updated the topics list to exclude the "random" topic and open up more possibilities for rambling.
If any of you have suggestions, either for changes, or something new you want to see, please, let me know. I'm having fun changing this around, could use some advice!
So as part of Earthlab, I need to make 10 pledges a month on ways to become more green (well, not need to but it's requested, and kind of fun too).
So here's my first round of pledges, all promises of things to change this month, some things I already do since the live earth concert. Maybe you might find some good ideas here if you want.
#1: "I will adjust my thermostat according to ambient temperatures" - Something I already do and will keep doing, basically, keep the thermostat at bareable temperatures, not freezing and turn up when away for long periods of time (or the exact opposite in the winter).
#2: "I will always recycle" - No more lazy "I don't feel like rinsing it", I'm going to recycle whatever I can
#3: "I will call to stop unnecessary paper mail" - There's an 800 number you can call to request help in reducing your junk mail, I'm going to call them.
#4: "I will iron less by hanging my clothes in the condensation filled bathroom while I shower" - This is a neat tip and I hate ironing so I'm going to try it out!
#5: "I will load the dishwasher with consideration to additional resources I could avoid using" - This basically means no pre-rinsing and wasting water, let the dishes dry naturally, use light water settings if possible for the load.
#6: "I will purchase and begin brewing with reusable filters with my next trip to the store" - Already do this, will keep doing it, coffee tastes better anyway.
#7: "I will recycle my newspaper, and encourage others to do so" - Okay, I don't personally get the newspaper but someone on my floor keeps leaving theirs by the garbage shute so I'm going to start picking them up and taking them to our blue box.
#8: "I will switch to a biodegradable dishwasher detergent" - Need to find this product but I'll use it when I find it.
#9: "I will take shorter showers and install water-conserving fixtures" - Already done, all heads are water savers and my showers are down to 4.5 minutes flat including brushing my teeth (well, 4 minutes since I cut my hair).
#10: "I will unplug my cell phone charger when not in use" - Gotta remember to do this, but a great tip.
#11: "I will use "green" cosmetics and facial products" - Oddly enough, already do this, and didn't realize until today when I looked!
#12: "I will use biodegradable and otherwise "green" cleaning products" - next time I run out, I will do this. And I've already switched to Tide and Downy cold water products to help there too.
#13: "I will use natural hair products" - I'm already good at this, except my mousse, I need to find natural mousse for curly hair. Anyone know any brands?
#14: "I will use the "Kill Switch" on the power strip" - Started doing this, it's so easy!
#15: "I will use the least amount of energy when drying my dishes" - Time to stop being lazy Tia, pull out the teatowels and do some work or let them air dry, no more heat settings.
#16: "I will use the lowest settings reasonable for my refrigerator/freezer" - I do this already (just cool enough to keep food fresh/frozen and beer slightly below room temperature) and was happy to find out that all my appliances are energy efficient Whirpool appliances since I really don't have the option of replacing any appliances (I don't own them).
So that's my pledges for this month (somehow I snuck an extra 6 in there but no worries). I need to report back to the website when I have made each change and my pollution score will drop depending on what I've done. Next month I get to choose 10 more things to change, although, there is nothing stopping me from starting them right now too.
Hopefully you all found some useful tips in this and I'll let you know next months which new pledges I choose.
So I check my email today and find an email from Al Gore. I immediately start to mark the email as junk mail and then realize that it's not a joke, it really is an email from Al Gore! Wierd....
So I open the email and find that it's a nice little email from Mr. Gore praising me on being so far below the average ECP and Carbon output score for London. I mentioned in an earlier post that the live earth website offered a quick little test to see where you stand on pollution and now, EarthLab has been launched to help us even further. You can check it out a http://www.earthlab.com/ and sign up. It not only gives you general suggestions on way to be green but specializes a plan for you based on your individual score.
When I logged in, it told me that my score was 247 and London's average was 306. I produce 9 tons of Co2 each year and the average is 13 tons. So now, I'm reading my full report and checking out my specialized "green" plan. The website asks that we retake the quiz in three months and in 6 months for an update on how we are doing. I'll let you know the results then.
I found it really interesting, maybe you will too. Check it out!
I couldn't do it! I failed! I'm weak! I'm so bummed!
*Sigh*
Temptation became to much and last night. I watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix online.
ADAM I'M SO SORRY!!!!
In my defense, all my self control is being used on slightly more important temptations right now and I just need a distraction.
However, on a good note, the movie rocks! I think I will always enjoy the Harry Potter movies, not matter what, but some of the past movies proved that it can be difficult to combine such full, long, stories into a small amount of time. OOTP didn't seem nearly as compressed as GOF. The special effects keep getting better (well, as good as they can get on a camcorder and 2.5 inch screen) and it was just all around enjoyable!
And even though I will probably watch the moie again tonight, and tomorrow night, and the night after that, I still want to see it with two of my favorite people (my bro and sis) in Toronto's lovely IMAX theatre (mostly because London's IMAX closed down years ago) and I hear I may have some visitors at the end of July so I'll take my lovely mom to it too. And even better, Adam's hockey team wants to see it so hopefully, Chantelle, Adam, myself, and the TO version of Dumbledore's Army can all go together! I still want a DA shirt though Adam!
I'd love to write more about the movie now, some of the quirks, my favorite parts, but I'll wait a bit until we all get a chance to see it. I don't want to spoil it for anyone just because I couldn't wait.
Talk to you all soon!
I always thought I had a pretty unique name. I mean, "Tia" alone isn't that common but put a phillipean first name with french last name and what are the chances, really, of finding a second combination?
So, unable to sleep, and bored, I decided to Google myself.
At first, still bored. Links to this blog came up, links to Chantelle's blog came up. Nothing really interesting (oh, I think our blogs are interesting, I just meant that I wasn't surprised they came up on a search). Then, I started to find other people's websites in the search and lo and behold.... I'm not the only Tia Tremblay!!!! Rockin'!!!!
Oh, I came up on the alumni list for Fanshawe College and RMC too! My alma maters. Didn't know anyone cared enough to list me there!
I'm also on Wikopedia aparently. Well, okay, I read the whole article and never saw the connection, but I came up on Wikopedia's article about the Friday the 13th teleision series. I guess my name appeared there somewhere, but seriously, read the whole damn boring article and never saw my name once!
Anyways, that's my randomness for the day. Just thought it was kind of cool to find out my name is as unique as I thought.
Have you googled yourself lately?
So I found a cool little widget that counts the visits on my blog. Well, okay, you can get website counters anywhere but this one, tracks so much more. It tracks IP addresses, locations, content clicks, etc., etc. Check it out at http://www.sitemeter.com/
I found the widget through Chantelle's website actually, she has the same one and it's called Site Meter.
Being the innocent little gal that I am when it comes to computers, I always thought that the only people who would ever find my blog would be those that I told about it. WRONG!!!
I've had the meter up for less than a day and someone from Italy, Spain, and Bolivia found me (didn't even know where Bolivia was until I looked at the map).
Greetings to the two people from Jersey that popped in for a visit.
One person from Edmonton Alberta came to visit me. I'll bet you all a buck it was Cousin Jeff. Hi Cousin Jeff!!!
And a whole whack of people from Utah came and saw me today. I'm really not sure why there is a sudden flux from Utah, but it's cool nonetheless. Hello Utah!! Although, it could have just been one person from Utah that stopped by a whole bunch of times too, but greetings nonetheless.
Site Meter also tracks referrals which seems to be basically, how people found my blog and it looks like I'm mostly coming up google and blogger searches. One person found me through Chantelle's blog but that might have actually been me testing a link for my mom. I set the counter to ignore my own visits but according to the site meter site, I slipped through the counter times today.
So, I'm kind of enjoying this. It's really cool to me that people from all over the world can find my little blog. Not everyone sticks around, but some apparently did and that's pretty neat. One of the Utah people hung around for 53 minutes!
Can't wait to see who finds me next!
No, I didn't take another vacation from blogging, as you can see, I had a few posts saved up, waiting to be published. I just didn't publish anything for a few days.
"Why?" you ask?
Okay, I cannot tell a lie. I posted a blog with Leonardo DiCaprio's environmental website links a couple of days back for an informative and supportive reason. Then I found that the picture I found was actually quite hot and knew that if I published another blog, he would move down the list and disappear from sight. *Sigh*
So I kept creating my posts but waited a few days to publish them so I could enjoy a little more time with my Leo picture. Now you can all catch up!
You know, I either need to do more posts on great looking guys, or I desperately need a boyfriend. Blog.... boyfriend....hmmm. Ahhh, I'll find of you more guy pics and do more blogs. No time for a boyfriend!
I noticed today while editing my blog that my topics list is fairly small. At first glance I figured it was because I've only been blogging a few months, haven't said much (yeah, right! Me not say much?! That's funny....)
Then I realized that 90% of my posts fall under "Jingle", "Family", and "Friends". I also realized that 98% of my blog falls under "Random".
So, I'm thinking, since my life is Random by nature and will always be Random, I should probably take that particular topic out and be a little more specific.
I should maybe consider writing about a few more things than just Jingle but that is going to be a tough one.
So from now on, I'm going to expand my topic listing and slowly go back on previous posts and change them too.
Just thought I'd let you know!
It's here, it's here. The movie is on TV Links.
Check out http://tv-links.co.uk/ if you would like to check it out. It's not the greatest quality, it's a camcorder in a theatre, but for those of you that can't afford to see movies constantly or can't wait for others to see it with you, it's a neat little website.
Adam, I swear, I haven't watched Order of the Phoenix yet, I only clicked the link to make sure the feed wasn't dead.
But I don't know how long I can hang on!!! I'll try. Good thing I have to work this weekend, may not have time to be tempted.
Okay, you all know that my secret desire is to some day marry Ewan McGregor, but as far as liking actors for their talent, their personalities, and what they stand for, one of my favorites has always been Leonardo Dicaprio.
I have always thought that Leo was an amazing actor, and even own What's Eating Gilbert Grape to prove it. For many years now, Leo has been a big advocate of the environment and has done a number of projects recently that focus on this passion.
A couple of years ago, I stumbled across Leo's website and began to watch it closely for the changes. Along with constant updates on his work as an actor, the website evolved more and more and Leo's passion for our home became even more evident and I started to follow his life more closely. It does help too that he's talented, rich, a genuinely nice guy, gorgeous, single and my age....hmmm.
For some exclusive previews on his upcoming "11th Hour" and some links to great ideas on helping ourselves, check out Leo's myspace website at http://www.myspace.com/leonardodicaprio or go to http://www.leonardodicaprio.com/ to see his previous documentaries on the environment.
I do want to explain one thing. I know I'm not perfect when it comes to being energy concious, but I try. I'm not trying to be in anyone's face about environmental issues, it's just my opinion. I'd love hear other's opinions, and I want to make sure that those with similar feelings get a chance to see some of the websites that Jingle and I have found. This also isn't anything new to me. I've been concerned about the environment for years. Like I said, I'm not perfect, but I do consider it and try, naturally, to do things that are better for us. I don't believe we are as dire as "others" say, but I do believe that if we don't start making changes, we will eventually be in trouble and I personally want to try to allow my future family to live indefinately. So please don't think I'm doing the last few blogs just because of the sudden flux of "green is good". It just happens that now, I have a means to express.
And Dad, I especially want to see comments from you. I know our opinions are a little different on these issues and I love our debates. Bring it on.
Enjoy you all! There are many more interesting sites out there and I'll slowly bring you what I've found.
One day and counting!
What am I counting down? Come on, seriously! Do you know me or not? What happens July 11th? Think hard.....
I've been hinting all week in my blogs and so has Jingle!
Okay, for those of you still way behind on the times, "Order of the Phoenix" comes out!!!
I've been waiting a year and a half for this! I can't wait!!
And I'll admit it right here, right now... If Chantelle, Adam and I can't get our schedules together relatively soon, I'm going to cave and make a stop at TV links until we do.
I'm just so excited, my favorite book so far in a movie!
Give me strength, I may loose my cool in the next day. And in 11 days, the final book too. What a month, phew!
Happy Harry Potter day everyone!
Well, I'm Canadian, I like music, so naturally, I watch Canadian Idol religiously.
This year, it's seems all the contestants are excellent, and it's too the point where I can't even bring myself to vote because I just can't decide. Although, I do think Greg Neufeld is pretty amazing and does sing the kind of music I love.
However, I personally think that the gem of the entire competition is Jaydee Bixby. 16, white blond hair, twangy beyond belief, and born in the completely wrong decade. I am no fan whatsoever of the kind of music he sings yet I find that every week, as soon as he starts to sing with that infectious smile, his constant little winks, I sit up straight, bop my head, tap my toes, and sway with my kitten. Jingle loves him too, comes right up to the screen. He's just contagious and the entire time he is on the screen every week, I just can't seem to stop giggling!
So that's my opinion, what's yours?
Okay, really, this blog is more about the fact that my plan of moving the Harry Potter movies to the top shelf, away from Jingle, failed. She got to them. Don't ask me how, I don't know, but I certainly didn't pull them down and drag them to the kitchen and the building is only 6 years old so it can't possible be ghosts. So I guess it wasn't my imagination, Jingle really was going after the Harry Potter movies specifically. There is nothing like waking up groggy in the morning and going to the kitchen to make the coffee, only to slip on plastic cases on the tile floor, yeah!!!!! But, mention does need to be made of the fact that the latest movie is almost here, closely followed by the last book.
I have been anxiously waiting for both to come out for many reasons. It's become tradition for Adam, Chantelle and I to get together and go see the movie with each other ever since the second movie. Chantelle saw the first one with friends and insisted I go with her again and she was right to insist because I've been hooked ever since. After the first the movie, we started going to see each new release with Adam and it's been a wonderful tradition ever since. Even with the last movie, I drove to Toronto to meet them just to make sure we all saw it together and we'll do it again this year, as soon as we figure out when.
Also, I'm excited about the final book being released and feel like I'm the only sister in the world that waits three months to give her sister a birthday gift just so she can get her the last book in our favorite series. Chantelle, Adam, and I get along really well and all love each other, but we openly admit we are different people. We have a lot of different ideas on fun, music, sometimes even movies. We usually do different things when hanging out with friends.
The one constant we have always had, has been Harry Potter. I think that even though the last book comes out this year, we'll continue this tradition of bonding right up until the last movie is released. Then, we'll find something new to bond over.
See you two soon!
It took me the whole two years of my feline life to figure out what the greatest thing in the world was. And I believe the humans call it family.
I couldn't understand this because it took me a while to realize what family was, but I figured out that family doesn't mean blood relatives.
I figured out that Mommy is my family, and we are a great family. We look out for each other, we comfort each other, and we understand each other. I watch how mommy raised me and know that when human children come into play, she'll be a great mommy again.
I see Mommys face light up when she gets her brother or sister on the phone and can't wait to hear what's new. I see her relax and become at ease when she talks to her mom and dad. I see her laugh and chuckle with joy when she talks to her Grandparents. I notice she always asks how the other cats are doing and never fails to say hi for me, even though I know she can't understand me asking her too. This is her family, this is my family.
I realized that Chuki, Holly, and Peewee are family. We all have different cat parents but were adopted into the same human family. We've become friends. I've learned to be playful and curious from Peewee, I learned grace and beauty from Holly, I learned confidence and wisdom from Uncle Chuki. His human parents are also going to be excellent parents to little baby humans when the time comes too.
And Holly and Peewee's pet parents raised mine and Chuki's parents so they must be great too. They are certainly great to me.
And our family have amazing friends that the humans consider family too. Mommy's best friend Melissa and her family became a part of my mommy's and aunty's family a long time ago. Same thing with the humans called Sarah and Bill and the little humans they have. I met Mommy's and her parents friends John and Karen and the friendly dog named Ellie, first dog I wasn't scared of. They are also part of our family. And Grandma and Grandpa have some friends, Willie and Sue and their children and grandchildren. They are also family.
Family is who you want it to be. Friends, relatives, pets like me. They are the ones that are there for you always, that cheer you on, or pick you up. The ones you learn from and the ones you teach in return. They are the ones who no matter how tired they are, wait every night until you get your snuggles and rubs before rolling over and falling asleep.
I love my family, I know Mommy loves her family, and I know our family loves us. It's a great day when a little cat like me can actually figure out what human love really is, and it's priceless.
I hope all you cats that have human love realize this and love your humans back. And for those of you that don't have it, I hope a human like mine adopts you soon.
Cheerio,
Jingle
Here's one for you Mom & Dad. And I'm not sure if its better than the train or not.
So let's go back a few years, or a few months for my parents, and remember the crazy biker jerk that would do wheelies up and down Hwy 22 at outragious speeds, weeving in and out of traffic like a maniac and somehow never attracting cops.
When I lived with my parents on McGarrell we had a biker with a very loud bike that was probably the great great grandson of the guy that the "disturbing the peace" laws were made after. He was an annoyance to us and our neighbours and risked lives with the way he rode. He also distrupted many nice relaxing moments on the patio. Everytime we heard that little no good... well, you get the picture.... our blood would boil.
After I moved to Niagara I kind of forgot about him and it seemed that when I visited my parents, he usually didn't show up. But now, quite recently, he's back, and its worse. I also face Hwy 22 like may parents did but 11 floors up makes most road noise a peaceful reminder of the city you love, even with the windows open. It's high enough to sleep peacefully at night with your windows wide open and one of the busy streets in London below you. Unless biker boy comes out to play.
He came back a couple weeks ago and continues to fly down Hwy 22 at all hours of the day and night. But this year, he has a new bike, and this one has no semblance of a muffler at all. He reves his engine, and I start to hear him from Adelaide and Fanshawe (I've watched him when I hear him coming and I can actually see 8 city blocks down the road from my balcony). Just before Richmond street, the noise gets loud enough to scare Jingle under the bed. At Fanshawe and North Centre, I can't hear a thing in the house, windows open or closed, and feel the apartment vibrate. At Fanshawe and Louise, the sound starts to pass and I start to hear angry shouts of drivers and home owners on the road. At Fanshawe and Wonderland, it's a distant sound but I'm so angry now that I barely notice the sound has dissapated. After he passes Wonderland, I go searching for Jingle and try to get her out her hiding spot.
And this year, to top it off, biker boy has a boyfriend!! One who usually follows about 10 seconds behind him. I have watched these two runs cars to the side of the road, weave into oncoming traffic, run red lights, and speed in excess of 100km in a 60km zone. How, after years of this, has our police not done something about it?! He's a menace, so is his boyfriend, they will hurt innocent people, and need to be punished!
And I don't like anything that scares my little girl so much.
There I said my peace, I'm okay now until his next joy ride.
