Walk The Line

Just saw it and LOVED IT!!! If you get a chance, go see it. The performances of the two leads are excellent (probably why they both got nominated for Academy Awards).

Some trivia for you: Johnny proposed to June on February 22, 1968 at a concert at the London Gardens in London, Ontario. It was an old hockey arena and the concert was attened by about 5,000 people.

Oh, and a quote from Mr. Cash: "I did not vote for Mr. Bush, let's leave it at that."

A Rant On Smoking

I'm an ex-smoker. I never smoked a lot and I never smoked before noon. I have made a conscious choice to have very few friends who are smokers (you know who you are and when are you quitting?). I am a very fanantical non-smoker. I think one of the main reasons I am returning to Canada is because of the strict non-smoking laws there. In Mexico, there are very few laws with respect to smoking. You can smoke almost anywhere and people usually do. My friends Amy and Ben have a non-smoking cafe and they still get looks of disbelief from their smoking patrons when they are asked to smoke outside. Apparently, it is offensive to them to be asked to smoke away from the food being prepared and other clients enjoying their meals.

Sometimes I think that all the smokers from NOTB are coming to Mexico so that they can smoke more freely. Cigarettes cost less here too. As a result, I am not a very happy camper most of the time. It doesn't matter where I am outside -- at the beach, out for lunch, in a bar -- the smoke will always come straight towards me. Kind of like the way dogs jump all over my Mom because she doesn't like them. My biggest pet peeve about smoking is people who don't understand that when they smoke, they are endangering the lives of the people around then. By NOT smoking, I am hurting no one. I have zero tolerance for smoking and just cancelled a six day road trip because the driver is a smoker.

When I return to Canada, I will be looking for a job. I think one of the questions I will ask prospective employers is, "What is your smoking policy?" If they tell me they allow their employees to take smoke breaks, I am going to ask them, "What is in it for me? What benefits will I receive as a non-smoker? Will I be able to leave my desk half a dozen times a day and ask my co-workers to do my work for me? Or will I actually get paid MORE for being the type of employee who stays at her desk for the requisite seven hours a day?" If not, I guess I won't be working for them for long, if at all.

GO CANADA!

I'm just feeling patriotic today, especially with respect to the Olympics, and hoping for a medal in men's hockey.



Edited to add that I caught the last period of the Canada/Russia game (which we lost 2-0) at Steve's Bar and got to shake the hand of the guy sitting beside me. He was FROM Russia and the only one in the bar cheering for them (with a flag too!). Small world here in Vallarta ... you never know who you are going to meet. BTW, he now thinks Canadians are pretty cool too. :)

You Know It's Going To Be A Good Day When ...

I woke up this morning with no hot water. Actually, I knew yesterday that I was probably out of gas but started thinking that maybe the painters just turned off my water heater while they were painting around it. I lit the pilot and turned it up to high but, unlike the Olympic torch, it would not stay lit. So I decided to call the gas company. I did this the last time I ran out and my Spanish has improved to the point where I can actually carry on a simple conversation over the phone. Of course, I called too early. What was I thinking? Imagine a business like the Gas Company being open before 9AM on a Monday morning! Sometime I forget I'm in Mexico ... LOL

Anyway, as I am sitting here, looking stupid and wondering how a cold shower would feel, I hear the little singsong that accompanies the gas truck as it patrols the neighbourhood, looking for customers who don't like cold showers. "ES GAS!!!" Ding, ding ding ... that would be me. I ran down the stairs and as I unlocked the door to the street, they were just passing by the corner and caught my wave. Sure beats jumping in a car and chasing after them all over town as some of my friends have been known to do! Anyway, within five minutes I had a full tank of gas and my hot water heater is heating up even as we speak. Unfortunately, the cost was close to $300 pesos so I guess my massage will have to wait for another day ...

What a CROC!

When is the last time you went to a party and received a free pair of shoes? That's what happened to me yesterday at Joe Jack's Fish Shack. Brenda Retzlaff has opened one of two new Croc stores here in Puerto Vallarta and she held her media event party to kick off her new venture. Edited to add Brenda's email: brenda@crocsmexico.com (in case you would like to contact her directly).

Why was I invited? I haven't got a clue unless you consider the fact that: (1) I love shoes and (2) I know everyone she doesn't. LOL My particular pair were "Hecho en Canada" so I was pretty pleased about that little coincidence. And they're RED so they match my boa. I'm not entirely sold on them yet (they're pretty ugly) but I will give them a fair try and let you know what I think. And yes Heidi, you can try them on when you get here! (We're the same size.)

BTW, the nearest Croc store to me in Vallarta is conveniently located on V. Carranza #491 across from the Colin butchershop and almost kitty korner to El Brujo Restaurant. Here is the website.

Poll For My Readers

I'm getting fancy, schmancy with the blog again. Check out the minipoll on the right and exercise your right to vote! :)

All comments welcome but the ones I don't like will be deleted. After all, it's my blog. Hahahahahahahaha!!!

Blue Skies, From Now On ...

I want to plug my Dad's part-time "business" (he retired finally last month at age 73!!!). He's always been crazy about airplanes and was in the RCAF. And I've been going to airshows since I was little ...

Anyway, he's working with a guy online to sell aviation art prints and aircraft models. The website is www.blueskygear.com. Check under Aircraft Models (5 different areas of interest) and Aviation Art Prints.

He's also got a toll free number (1-866-202-1252) in Canada and the U.S. or you can email him directly at aeroart@sgci.com. His name is Bob Montagano. I just know there are some airplane enthusiasts out there!

Pepperoni and Peru

Before the holidays, I sent out a plea for pepperoni. I haven't been able to find it down here anywhere and I had a craving. Someone heard me and brought me 1.5 kgs of the stuff on Saturday January 28th. I've been in pepperoni heaven ever since! Pepperoni for breakfast, pepperoni for snacks, pepperoni whenever I feel like it. The best part is that it is Schneiders pepperoni, made in good old Kitchener, Ontario, Canada (my hometown).

I had lunch today at Chiles with my friend Colleen. Coll is my very first internet friend. We met here in PV over four years ago and have stayed in close touch ever since. She just got back from two miraculous weeks in Peru so she brought her laptop to lunch and showed me all of her photos. INCREDIBLE is all I can say. South America is now officially on my "must see" list of places in the world.

Gringo Gulch Goddess

I've been living the high life in Gringo Gulch for a week and a half now, housesitting for my friends on Calle Miramar. I am familiar with the house, having stayed here a couple of times before, but there are two new additions: (1) The rooftop terrace has been completely re-done with a wet bar, bathroom and improved seating area. This is my favourite place to hang out during a sunny afternoon while reading my book. (2) They have a new dog. Xochi (pronounced Zoe-CHEE) has been with the family for a year. She is a Rottweiler and we are getting along fine. I think she is enjoying all the attention I have been lavishing on her since I got here. I have satellite TV, wireless internet, my own bedroom with en suite bathroom, overlooking the bay, and all the other amenities of living in a Mexican hacienda.

To be honest, I can't wait to get back to my crummy, little apartment! I hate living out of a suitcase and the bed here is not as comfortable as mine. The house is really, REALLY big (four bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, pool, etc.). I'm feeling a little lost. I keep mainly to my room where I have my computer set up, the terrace, the den and the kitchen. I sometimes close all the doors in the house and let the dog run up and down the stairwell. It gives her exercise and she keeps me company. The housekeeper and her husband come in every day for a couple of hours and while I understand this is their job, I miss my privacy on those mornings when I want to lounge around in my PJs.

Actually, I haven't been doing too much lounging. I've been busy helping to organize this year's fundraiser for the Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (R.I.S.E.). We have confirmed the Marina Vallarta Club de Golf as the location for this year's benefit on February 18 between 5:00 and 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $450 pesos and include food, refreshments (beer, wine, soda pop and bottled water) and entertainment. Participating restaurants this year include: Cafe des Artistes, Daquiri Dick's, River Cafe, El Dorado, Tia Catrina and many others! Tickets are available at Que?Pasa and other locations around town. Or you can contact me at montyjam@gmail.com. Come on out to this worthy event and help support the kids!