Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Today...

... I had to do one of the hardest things I've ever done: walk away from someone I truly cared for.
Why? Well, it's a long and complicated saga - it always is. Bottom line is, it was something I didn't want to do, but I had to.
I've chosen to be miserable now as a step towards long-term happiness. And misery it most definitely is.

When I turned my back and walked out of Christa's life this afternoon, I felt my guts drop through my soles. Every step I took on them sent a searing jolt of pain though my stomach. I've told many a friend to "stay strong" in similar situations, but it was only today that I was reminded of just how hard it is to do. I wanted nothing more to turn around and hold her, but I knew I couldn't. I had a year to realize that the intimacy that was missing would never be there.

Now, that's not to say Christa didn't have feelings for me. She said there were many times when she nearly said those three little words that mean so much: "JJ, I'm pregnant." No, just kidding. Hey - at least still have a sense of humour. I hope it keeps me company for the next few months...

There were times she said she thought about saying the "L" word, but she kept it to herself, for whatever reason. I think that's a symptom of why we broke up. She may have these feelings, but they are rarely manifested in a way that I would see. I want someone who isn't afraid to put their heart out there. When we broke up the first time, she wasn't very affectionate. That changed over the last year, but she still held back. She'd turn her back on me when we were lying down because "it wasn't comfortable," but I'd always stroke it until she (or usually me) fell asleep. I think that kind of sums our relationship up right there.

She asked me if I was afraid of falling in love. I could have been... I went down that L road before and it ended rather badly. But I think I'm probably more scared of being lonely.. which is why this decision was so hard. But it's something, like I said before, that needed to be done.

Don't worry... this wasn't another pitiful request for advice or sympathy... this is all about self-therapy. I think I might have a little more self-therapy in a bottle in my freezer right now, too...

kidding...

Saturday, October 08, 2005

While I was at work ...

... some quotes and stories that came across the desk...

Lance Armstrong, on chances he might reverse course and return and try to win an eighth straight Tour de France title: “What for? So the French can throw more garbage at me?”

Lance Armstrong, on his continuing legal battles and war of words set off by recent doping allegations: “I lived with a lot for seven years, including them saying, 'He got cancer because he doped.’ It’s why I said what I said on the Champs-Elysees after the race — 'Shame on you.’ The cycling union has opened up an independent investigation. Let’s hope everybody answers the questions they ask. I know I will.”

Malaga coach Antonio Tapia on Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres , who pulled his tongue out and covered his ears as he ran toward the corner flag after converting a penalty in his team’s 2-0 Spanish soccer league win in Malaga last Sunday. Some of the home team’s followers behind the goal hurled objects at the striker in response.
“This was a provocation for the spectator which deserves a sanction. You could see his tongue from the bench. He has a very long and snakelike tongue.”

How's this for ironic?
Milson Jones, 45, a former CFL star running back who was named the most outstanding Canadian player in the 1987 Grey Cup is now a homeless, penniless drug addict fighting to staying alive on the streets of Winnipeg. He was arrested last week on a warrant after missing out on several court dates.
And the sheriff’s officer who led a handcuffed Jones into the Law Courts cells to meet with his lawyer Friday? It was former teammate and CFL legend Willard Reaves.

Friday, October 07, 2005

Avast, ye mateys ...

I saw this come across the wire today, and I had to post it. I loved this joke from near the end of the story...

On white people co-opting black slang without knowing anything of black culture, he offered sage advice: “You might as well talk like a pirate.”

Can I get an "Amen?" Or is that an "Arrrrr...."






Jonny
Originally uploaded by smoove_J.
In an April 2003 report entitled "SARS Attacks!," Jon Stewart lampooned Mayor Mel Lastman and the SARS situation in Toronto. "Senior Viral Analyst" Dr. Stephen Colbert reported from Toronto that "an epidemic might give this place a little zippity zing." Stewart also commented after viewing Mel Lastman's appearance on CNN: "You know, I was thinking of going to Toronto, but I've heard the mayor is kind of dick. By the way, for more information on Toronto, pick up a copy of the mayor's new city guide, Toronto: What the Hell?".




STEWART TAKES HIS STAND UP NORTH OF THE BORDER

By Greg Bonnell
TORONTO (CP) — Celebrated satirical newsman Jon Stewart came to talk Friday of all that’s wrong with America, but his Canadian audience couldn’t help but put this country — and its insecurities— on the agenda.
“Mention us on your show,” one man screamed out as Stewart prepared to take his final bow.
“What should I say about you?” asked the affable TV host.
“Toronto rocks,” was the reply to which Stewart retorted “that strikes me as a relatively insecure request. I think Winnipeg knows.”
Stewart couldn’t lose returning to his stand-up roots, drawing constant guffaws from an audience that clearly loved him. The Daily Show host proved he hadn’t lost his chops as a comic, albeit one with weighty issues on his mind.
Lamenting that the modern human lacks even an elementary understanding of the modern world they’ve created, Stewart tore into a gag about video gaming on his home PC.
“As far as I’m concerned, there’s eight really smart gerbils in that box.”
On science’s pre-occupation with curing erectile dysfunction, he was blunt.
“We’re hard, move on to cancer.”
On U.S. President George W. Bush and the perceived rush to war in Iraq, he was merciless.
“He’s not stupid…he’s not a retarded man…he just doesn’t give a shit about you, or anything,” Stewart said to howls of approval.
“Germany didn’t want to go to war (in Iraq). I don’t know how to say it any more simply than that.”
While the United States remains mired in the fragile politics of Iraq and the Middle East, Stewart served notice to his neighbours to the north.
“You may be next, I don’t know. You’ll all be at some hockey game somewhere and you come out and our flag will be flying.”
The event that would precipitate a hostile takeover by American forces? Tim Horton is mistaken for a terrorist.
Stewart clearly relished the freedom of language a stand-up enjoys as opposed to a TV host, with expletives punctuating most jokes.
“You’re thinking, `You’re not the nice man from the TV. You’re a dirty little man,’ ” said Stewart, whose U.S. cable show on Comedy Central is seen in Canada most week nights on CTV and The Comedy Network.
Notably absent, though, were any vitriolic attacks on the media — a practice Stewart frequently engages.
Last year, when invited on CNN’s Crossfire as comic relief, Stewart launched into host Tucker Carlson for his “partisan hackery.”
Last week at an industry panel discussion, Stewart tore a strip from some of America’s most powerful magazine editors, including those from Time and Vanity Fair, for failing to live up to journalist standards.
Not so funny.
But on Friday, despite the lengthy meditations on an America polarized by foreign policy, science, religion and race relations, Stewart proved himself to be a very funny man.
On white people co-opting black slang without knowing anything of black culture, he offered sage advice: “You might as well talk like a pirate.”
With numerous Emmy awards for The Daily Show and an ever-growing audience, Stewart understood the crowd would be hungry for his musings on current events — regardless of the night being billed as stand-up.
The collective sigh North America took when it was revealed that the mysterious deaths of 17 elderly people in Toronto was actually due to legionnaires’ disease, for Stewart, was a sad reflection on society’s obsession with the next big killer disease.
“Thank God, it’s that disease we don’t think will sweep the planet.”
Latecomers to the show became fodder for a gag on SARS, the respiratory illness that made Toronto the pariah of travel destinations in 2003.
“We were worried sick,” Stewart said to the people, who were unfortunate enough to have seats near the front. “We thought you had SARS. We thought to ourselves, get out the masks.”
Stewart ended the night with an encore that drew humour from his home life, a place his faithful audience clearly relished being invited into.

I saw grandpa buzzing Santa Claus

Well, it's been a minute since I've been up in here... I feel that I shouldn't post a blog unless I have something crucial, vital or important to say. Or really important news like THIS.
I got to wear two hats on my last road assignment, playing photographer as well as reporter. I was covering the Okanagan Sun vs. South Fraser Rams football game at the wonderful Bear Creek Park in Surrey. For those who haven't been there, it's the Vancouver equivalent of Central Park. Lots of picturesque greens, but crack dealers and dead bodies lurk in the bushes. It's real nice...
Anyways, here's some of the pics, just because. It was the first time I've ever filed action photos from a remote location, via the wonderful technology of the internet. For what that's worth, anyways...

And I'm spent...

peace!



THE PICS!




court
Originally uploaded by smoove_J.
David Court turns on the jets.



levy
Originally uploaded by smoove_J.
Jeremy Levy runs in from five yards out for the winning touchdown.



levy2
Originally uploaded by smoove_J.
Jeremy Levy says "Get off me!"