And, we're back.
After a day filled with much drama and heartbreak, I am now once again able to deliver this drivel to you on a timely basis.
My thanks especially to those of you that sympathized with my plight, and sent along your well wishes. A few sizeable donations, or a fresh strawberry tart might have been appreciated even more, but hey, I'll take all the well wishes I can get.
Our solution was slightly less than the brand-new, top-of-the-line HD, wide-screen long-battery-life laptop I felt had been alluded to by a posting from Mrs. That Dan Guy.
OK, a lot less. We picked up a new monitor, which while appreciated, admittedly is still unable to provide adequate computer speed for my daily (break-time only!) attempts to attain Level 6 of
Nascar NHL Mario Brothers Circus Of Running Scissors.
Alas...
However, most importantly, for my tens of readers out there, I am now able to view what I type.
I apologize that you are able to view it, as well...
Chow for now!!
After years of often daily attempts at humour and virtually any stray thought I could snare on my keyboard, I'm changing the name of this space from Such Is Life, to May I Present:. That should still allow me to post on a wide variety of topics, but steer the focus for readers to my most common writing efforts now, on Folk, Roots, Blues & Americana music! Check out my entertainment writing site @ http://danstyves.com/
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
What a way to start your day...
My computer monitor has been driving me crazy the last little while, shutting itself off ten or twenty times, while I'm trying to work on something. I've been trying to suck it up and ignore it, but this morning, it flickered off, and has been unresponsive since. Quite dead actually. As useful as a rotten fencepost in a weekend bonfire for viewing my data.
I'm in better spirits now, but if you're at all aware of how I react to inanimate objects that fail me, you may surmise how happy I was a couple of hours ago. I would have made Andrew Dice Clay blush.
As I had to take Mrs. That Dan Guy to a doctor's appointment first thing this morning, I thought I would simply blog from my Blackberry, but after scratching out a very modest posting, it failed to actually post. Or save the draft. No connection to Blogger.
Again, much to my delight, but in a doctor's waiting area, I was forced to internalize my glee.
So, once everything was wrapped up, and the Mrs. dropped off at work, I returned home, and got onto her laptop.
Voila, today's posting. I will now spend my day determining whether I can afford to repair a 2-year old monitor, or if I must delay my acne treatment, to purchase a new one. In this heat, the skin just looks super-sweaty anyway.
Chow for now...
My computer monitor has been driving me crazy the last little while, shutting itself off ten or twenty times, while I'm trying to work on something. I've been trying to suck it up and ignore it, but this morning, it flickered off, and has been unresponsive since. Quite dead actually. As useful as a rotten fencepost in a weekend bonfire for viewing my data.
I'm in better spirits now, but if you're at all aware of how I react to inanimate objects that fail me, you may surmise how happy I was a couple of hours ago. I would have made Andrew Dice Clay blush.
As I had to take Mrs. That Dan Guy to a doctor's appointment first thing this morning, I thought I would simply blog from my Blackberry, but after scratching out a very modest posting, it failed to actually post. Or save the draft. No connection to Blogger.
Again, much to my delight, but in a doctor's waiting area, I was forced to internalize my glee.
So, once everything was wrapped up, and the Mrs. dropped off at work, I returned home, and got onto her laptop.
Voila, today's posting. I will now spend my day determining whether I can afford to repair a 2-year old monitor, or if I must delay my acne treatment, to purchase a new one. In this heat, the skin just looks super-sweaty anyway.
Chow for now...
Sunday, July 29, 2007

The Sunday Morning Nobody-Asked-Me-To, But-Here-I-Go-Anyway Concert Review - John Fogerty
(or, Why I Will Never be A Professional Concert Reviewer...)
Un...
Freakin'...
Bee-lievable...
Last night we may have just seen the best live concert I have ever seen in my life. I mean, I was anticipating THIS one, but any expectations I may have brought to The Saddledome were blown out of the water. This guy was flippin' amazing!!!!
If you don't know who John Fogerty is, you're probably still nursing, so continue watching The Wiggles.
For the rest of you, the former leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival has clearly made peace with his past. He only played FOUR songs from his solo career over two hours last night, the rest were spectacular takes on the many, many CCR hits. I can't even begin to list them all, it seemed like he played the entire catalogue, starting the show right out of the gate with "Travelling Band". Songs I hadn't even dared to dream I might hear last night, and many more.
Even "Keep On Chooglin'". I never knew what "chooglin" was back when I was younger, still don't know now, but love the song anyway. I used to have it on an 8-track tape, CCR Live In Europe, and that version was so long it switched tracks midway through the song.
What struck me the most last night was that this guy has the most recognizable voice, and rock 'n' roll licks of all time. Every song has guitar licks that are known to listeners in the first few notes. Probably even more than The Beatles.
And Fogerty is the architect of all that. The rest of his old CCR bandmates still tour, as Creedence Clearwater Revisited. As a matter of fact, they were in town to close The Calgary Stampede. We passed on that. It would be like going to see Wings, without Paul McCartney. Or Overdrive, without Bachman & Turner.
Van, without Halen. You get what I mean...
Opening the show was Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy, who was a treat as well. Terrific solo stuff, as well as a couple of outstanding Rodeo tunes, "Five Days In May", and "Trust Yourself".
But it'll be Fogerty that we'll never forget.
Un...
Freakin'...
Bee - lievable...
Chow for now!!
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Chicken Scratch
Hold onto your pinfeathers, my big skin-colored friends - Charlie's gone and got hisself pierced!!
That's right, pierced. You watch one too many episodes of Miami Ink, and look wut happens!
Buk-AAAAWK!!!
I hafta admit, it didn't hurt nearly as bad as I thought it might, but I may have also underestimated the nurturing qualities of a rain barrel full of tequila.
I had hoped to maybe get a hoop or stud for my ear, but the "artist" had some difficulty finding any ears.
And for the record, I don't wanna suggest that every male doctor got his medical license just to see chicks nekked, but they could have saved a FORTUNE in tuition and just went to tattoo school. While I was getting my noggin pierced, you wouldn't BEE-LIEVE the places some hens were getting inked up. My hat is off to the decline of modern morality.
Buk-AAAAAWK!!!
So, I gotta watch this thing for a few days. Nominal amounts of puss can be normal, a prolonged shower of puss will require consultation with a real doctor.
And, I should be careful to watch where I'm walkin' . Shoppin' in a fabric store could possibly end up with me snaggin' a roll of fabric, and runnin' around like a chicken with his head cut off. Heh heh heh...
I hafta admit, I do feel tougher, more roosterly. Pluckin' ay, man...
Cluck for now!!
Friday, July 27, 2007
I dread Fridays.
Fridays lead to Saturdays, and Saturdays inevitably draw out Charlie, the chain-smoking chicken. Charlie, the chicken you wouldn't bring home to meet your mother. Charlie, the chicken who would just hit on your mother anyway...
So far, there haven't been any lawsuits, or restraining orders, but still...I worry.
**********************************************************************************
So, we watched the finale of The Next Best Thing Thing, Celebrity Impersonators last night. I didn't think it was possible, given the incredibly low standards of the show, but they managed to make it an even bigger train wreck.
Does anybody else out there watch this stuff?
They opened the finale with a "We Are The World" style number, incredibly tacky. No, that's not quite right. It made tacky look classy. Two faux Elvii warbling along about their dreams of being impersonators. Sniff...I guess it was a bit inspiring...
If you missed it, the final 10 competitors were:
-two different Elvis impersonators.
-a Little Richard that should have won the whole thing, but didn't even make the final five.
-a not too bad, but already professionally employed Frank Sinatra.
-a Barbra Streisand with a voice that intermittently goes through puberty, or a meat grinder.
-a Lucille Ball that at one point hiked up her skirt, revealing the sad limitations of control top pantyhose.
-a spot-on ringer for outgoing (not soon enough) US President Dubya B.
-the wild card contestant - a hilarious Paris Hilton clone with a penchant for performing bad magic acts.
-Robin Williams II, who for his last performance didn't do stand-up, but a dance routine with Lucille Ball. Those wacky producers!
-finally, a Tina Turner wannabe, who resembled to me at least more what I expect Beyonce Knowles to look like when she's 70.
It was indeed a derailment of monumental proportions, one that had the voice of Mrs. That Dan Guy constantly groaning in the background.
The "Heartbreaker" Elvis won. And how could he not? He had more evidence of plastic surgery than Cher's backside, and a smile that just wouldn't quit. Because they stretched the skin back too far behind his ears...
Chow for now!!
Fridays lead to Saturdays, and Saturdays inevitably draw out Charlie, the chain-smoking chicken. Charlie, the chicken you wouldn't bring home to meet your mother. Charlie, the chicken who would just hit on your mother anyway...
So far, there haven't been any lawsuits, or restraining orders, but still...I worry.
**********************************************************************************
I Loves Me A Good Train Wreck, Part Two
So, we watched the finale of The Next Best Thing Thing, Celebrity Impersonators last night. I didn't think it was possible, given the incredibly low standards of the show, but they managed to make it an even bigger train wreck.
Does anybody else out there watch this stuff?
They opened the finale with a "We Are The World" style number, incredibly tacky. No, that's not quite right. It made tacky look classy. Two faux Elvii warbling along about their dreams of being impersonators. Sniff...I guess it was a bit inspiring...
If you missed it, the final 10 competitors were:
-two different Elvis impersonators.
-a Little Richard that should have won the whole thing, but didn't even make the final five.
-a not too bad, but already professionally employed Frank Sinatra.
-a Barbra Streisand with a voice that intermittently goes through puberty, or a meat grinder.
-a Lucille Ball that at one point hiked up her skirt, revealing the sad limitations of control top pantyhose.
-a spot-on ringer for outgoing (not soon enough) US President Dubya B.
-the wild card contestant - a hilarious Paris Hilton clone with a penchant for performing bad magic acts.
-Robin Williams II, who for his last performance didn't do stand-up, but a dance routine with Lucille Ball. Those wacky producers!
-finally, a Tina Turner wannabe, who resembled to me at least more what I expect Beyonce Knowles to look like when she's 70.
It was indeed a derailment of monumental proportions, one that had the voice of Mrs. That Dan Guy constantly groaning in the background.
The "Heartbreaker" Elvis won. And how could he not? He had more evidence of plastic surgery than Cher's backside, and a smile that just wouldn't quit. Because they stretched the skin back too far behind his ears...
Chow for now!!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Please!! Don't ANYBODY tell me who won!!!
I've got it on tape, and hope to watch it tonight. Until then, I must carefully protect myself from accidentally discovering who won the title of "The Next Best Thing - Celebrity Impersonator".
We've watched the entire season - all 4 shows I think, not including the "best of" retrospective.
We enjoyed the celebrity hosts - an allegedly A-list impressionist we've never heard of before; a lady that's supposed to be an actress, and the third guy...I think he's a writer. At any rate, these three people have held the fate of future superstar Cher impersonators in their hands. Until last night, when a winner was crowned.
We, um...missed it. We went shopping. But I did commit to recording it. That way we can even choose to extend the surprise by pausing the program. We can relive the joy and exhilaration of the winner (once announced), with the rewind feature.
We can even prolong the agony of not knowing, but I'm weak, and I can assure you - we will watch it tonight.
How will this change our lives, you might well ask?? I suppose that for one thing, we may have a chance some day to see the winner in person, at a stadium. Or Wal-Mart parking lot.
I just hope that whoever wins is a positive role model for kids, not another booze can like Lohan or Hilton. I can't imagine anything sadder than an inebriated Celine Dion impersonator, clubbing noisy fans over the head with a microphone stand...
Chow for now!!
I've got it on tape, and hope to watch it tonight. Until then, I must carefully protect myself from accidentally discovering who won the title of "The Next Best Thing - Celebrity Impersonator".
We've watched the entire season - all 4 shows I think, not including the "best of" retrospective.
We enjoyed the celebrity hosts - an allegedly A-list impressionist we've never heard of before; a lady that's supposed to be an actress, and the third guy...I think he's a writer. At any rate, these three people have held the fate of future superstar Cher impersonators in their hands. Until last night, when a winner was crowned.
We, um...missed it. We went shopping. But I did commit to recording it. That way we can even choose to extend the surprise by pausing the program. We can relive the joy and exhilaration of the winner (once announced), with the rewind feature.
We can even prolong the agony of not knowing, but I'm weak, and I can assure you - we will watch it tonight.
How will this change our lives, you might well ask?? I suppose that for one thing, we may have a chance some day to see the winner in person, at a stadium. Or Wal-Mart parking lot.
I just hope that whoever wins is a positive role model for kids, not another booze can like Lohan or Hilton. I can't imagine anything sadder than an inebriated Celine Dion impersonator, clubbing noisy fans over the head with a microphone stand...
Chow for now!!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Are shower curtains supposed to be green??
I think mine started out as clear, back when we bought it. It strikes me as being rather furry now, as well...
Hey, we got some rain last night! Hi-De-Ho, sweet relief from the heat wave!! We were even able to sleep upstairs in the bedroom once again. It was terrific.
I really don't mind the heat, if it just wasn't so unrelentingly HOT in the house all the time. If we ever retire to Hawaii, I'd feel the same way.
Man, if global warming keeps up, imagine how hot Hawaii is going to get. It could eventually make Hades look like an ice cream parlour.
Am I the only person that worries about stuff like this??
Chow for now!!
I think mine started out as clear, back when we bought it. It strikes me as being rather furry now, as well...
Hey, we got some rain last night! Hi-De-Ho, sweet relief from the heat wave!! We were even able to sleep upstairs in the bedroom once again. It was terrific.
I really don't mind the heat, if it just wasn't so unrelentingly HOT in the house all the time. If we ever retire to Hawaii, I'd feel the same way.
Man, if global warming keeps up, imagine how hot Hawaii is going to get. It could eventually make Hades look like an ice cream parlour.
Am I the only person that worries about stuff like this??
Chow for now!!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
This blog of mine is still working bass-ackwards. I need to do Word Verification after a posting, even after I've signed in as myself. You don't, if you leave a comment.
And the auto-save function appears to be disabled as well, so I have to do the stupid thing several times before my blog posts.
I am indeed technologically cursed...
Well, I could gripe about the heat wave again this morning, but I should probably find something else to carp on about.
I am getting to be in need of a haircut. I can always tell, seeing as how the top is considerably thinner than the sides. I end up looking like the love child of Neil Diamond, and Bozo The Clown. Sweet Caroline!!!
I suppose I could go on about the e-mails I get incessantly lately, due to different membership "reward" programs. Radio stations, clothing stores, shoe stores, accordian outlets - the dang things just keep coming into my in-box. What exactly is the "reward"???? A bony claw that seizes up after opening one too many of these things (I really need to start using more than two fingers when I type)??
Just sayin'....
Chow for now!!
And the auto-save function appears to be disabled as well, so I have to do the stupid thing several times before my blog posts.
I am indeed technologically cursed...
Well, I could gripe about the heat wave again this morning, but I should probably find something else to carp on about.
I am getting to be in need of a haircut. I can always tell, seeing as how the top is considerably thinner than the sides. I end up looking like the love child of Neil Diamond, and Bozo The Clown. Sweet Caroline!!!
I suppose I could go on about the e-mails I get incessantly lately, due to different membership "reward" programs. Radio stations, clothing stores, shoe stores, accordian outlets - the dang things just keep coming into my in-box. What exactly is the "reward"???? A bony claw that seizes up after opening one too many of these things (I really need to start using more than two fingers when I type)??
Just sayin'....
Chow for now!!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Back sleeping on the sofas again last night. It was 28 freakin' degrees on the main floor at 10:45 last night. We could have roasted chickens upstairs in the bedrooms (Charlie???)...
The heat wave is expected to last all this week, with nominal drops in temperature. Lying on the sofa at night, trying desperately to sleep, we can hear our lawn pleading for just a day or two of rain.
That's right, our lawn is as whiney as we are...
Hey!
Oh brother. Forgot what I wanted to mention. What's up with that??
What was I just talking about??
Oh yeah, hot hot heat. Let me just set the record straight - I have absolutely nothing against good weather in the summertime. Mark my words, set your clocks - I will be griping about the cold weather when it hits here, this winter.
For that matter, I may gripe about the milder weather in the fall. I may get up on a soapbox over the colour of leaves - I just can't say for certain what will set me off. I'm like the Ed Asner of bloggers. Watch out - I'm Simon Cowell critiquing weather patterns!!
(As usual, delusions of grandeur...)
Better run. I need to drop some fresh ice cubes down my pants...
Chow for now!!
The heat wave is expected to last all this week, with nominal drops in temperature. Lying on the sofa at night, trying desperately to sleep, we can hear our lawn pleading for just a day or two of rain.
That's right, our lawn is as whiney as we are...
Hey!
Oh brother. Forgot what I wanted to mention. What's up with that??
What was I just talking about??
Oh yeah, hot hot heat. Let me just set the record straight - I have absolutely nothing against good weather in the summertime. Mark my words, set your clocks - I will be griping about the cold weather when it hits here, this winter.
For that matter, I may gripe about the milder weather in the fall. I may get up on a soapbox over the colour of leaves - I just can't say for certain what will set me off. I'm like the Ed Asner of bloggers. Watch out - I'm Simon Cowell critiquing weather patterns!!
(As usual, delusions of grandeur...)
Better run. I need to drop some fresh ice cubes down my pants...
Chow for now!!
Sunday, July 22, 2007

Return of the heat wave...
Well, after a couple of recent cooler nights that allowed us to sleep in our bed again, the heat wave has returned here. Which wouldn't be such a bad thing, if it weren't so danged HOT!!!!!!!
I know, I know - it's too cold - it's too hot - the alligator just chewed my arm off - I'm never happy, am I??
I guess I'm just mourning the central air conditioner we had in our last home, which kept things like Goldilocks used to like them - just right! I could shave in the morning, without the whiskers floating off my face like the logs on that Disney Mountain ride. I could do my morning Jumping Jacks without spraying fluids like a dog after a run into a lake.
The other odd thing that results from this endless heat wave is that I have become a back yard putterer, for the first time in my life. The lawn, which I recall being of a greenish hue earlier in the year, now resembles thatch. Departed thatch.
Deceased thatch.
My nights are now filled with watering the yard, in a hopeful attempt to nurse it back to life. At least the ants are getting regular showers...
Chow for now!
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Well hello, my fine feather-less friends. Welcome ta the 500th blog entry for Such Is Life.
I'm your host, and Guest Dignitary. Holy Pluckin' Toledo,the weight on my shoulders today!!
Come on in, pour yerself a glassa wine, and help me share some terrific memories. If you can think of any, let me know ASAP, cause I sure ain't got any...
Buk-AAAAWK!!!
I'm not even sure why The Dillsbury Poughboy asked me to do this today, except it was my regilar day to scribble. As you can see by my attire (fancy cluckin' word, eh??), I was otherwise occupied for the morning, at an all-night "Welcome Back Paris" party, at the Hefner Mansion. I was THIS close to french-beakin' Carmen Electra!!!
Oh well, 500 blog entries. Pretty big deal...
So, here I am.
OK, so what were some highlights of the past 500 blatherings? Well, clearly anything I was in, for sure. To be honest, Poughboy would have been kicked outta here loooong ago, if it weren't for my star power. I mean seriously, I got legs that go on forever!!
Buk-AAAAWK!!
What else?
Well, there was the great Banjo Quest 2006, which resulted in an actual banjo. Now if Banjo Boy could only get the cluckin' thing TUNED, he might be able to busk for a few bucks at a local park. So far, it's a paper weight for the carpet...
Are there any other highlights?? I mean, come on - aside from endless concert reviews, and drivel about his day-to-day life, what does this blog really accomplish?
I say today we start a new trend. I say we establish the Charlie Chicken Fund For Fiestas & Siestas, an organization dedicated to helping those fowls less fortunate than Donald Trump.
You can send your donations care of this blog, and rest assured, you will give underprivileged chicken(s) in Alberta the chance to feel the caress of a friendly palm, or some other thing I need ta think about a bit more...
For now, thanks for readin' if ya have been. If not, you don't seem to be missin' anything...
Cluck for now!!
Friday, July 20, 2007
A
B
C
Well, I suppose I could just keep going with that, and eventually I'd have the whole alphabet laid out on the page.
But probably not much of a column, even for these daily blog ramblings...
So, onward and upward!!
D
E
F
HEY!! I said NO more of that! It's time to start writing a real blog...
G
H
J
Oh, for the love of Pete...Not only are we still forging ahead with the alphabet, I can't even get THAT right!! What happened to I???
I
I
I
OK, OK, sorry I asked....
Hey, did you ever notice before that "I" rhymes with "aye"?? RRRRRR, matey!!!
K
L
M
Oh boy. This is like a train outta control. Like free socks at The Bay.
Why did I even mention The Bay? That doesn't make even the slightest bit of sense...
N
O
P
Interesting. I never made that connection before, but the alphabet actually spells out "NO", like some universal negativity demi-god, keeping us down as a society....the alphabet is the anti-Tony Robbins!!!
It almost spells "nope" as well...
Q
R
S
Sssssufferin' succotash! Will this drivel never end????????????????
T
U
V
You know, as silly as this is, if I really DO forget a letter, I'm gonna look like a REAL idiot...
W
X
Y
Z
Zzzzzz...probably what happened to any readers I may have had this morning...
Chow for now!!
B
C
Well, I suppose I could just keep going with that, and eventually I'd have the whole alphabet laid out on the page.
But probably not much of a column, even for these daily blog ramblings...
So, onward and upward!!
D
E
F
HEY!! I said NO more of that! It's time to start writing a real blog...
G
H
J
Oh, for the love of Pete...Not only are we still forging ahead with the alphabet, I can't even get THAT right!! What happened to I???
I
I
I
OK, OK, sorry I asked....
Hey, did you ever notice before that "I" rhymes with "aye"?? RRRRRR, matey!!!
K
L
M
Oh boy. This is like a train outta control. Like free socks at The Bay.
Why did I even mention The Bay? That doesn't make even the slightest bit of sense...
N
O
P
Interesting. I never made that connection before, but the alphabet actually spells out "NO", like some universal negativity demi-god, keeping us down as a society....the alphabet is the anti-Tony Robbins!!!
It almost spells "nope" as well...
Q
R
S
Sssssufferin' succotash! Will this drivel never end????????????????
T
U
V
You know, as silly as this is, if I really DO forget a letter, I'm gonna look like a REAL idiot...
W
X
Y
Z
Zzzzzz...probably what happened to any readers I may have had this morning...
Chow for now!!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
According to (Jim) my sign-on data today, this is my 498th posting. Almost 500 online columns, in almost 500 days. There appears to be a bit of a pattern developing...
This was my second stab at modern technology, having already put up a website for my writing earlier. I had always planned to do the blog daily, but I've surprised even myself at the consistency (if only there was quality) of these ramblings. I've even posted one from my wireless handheld,so as not to miss a daily installment.
Who knew I had commitment within me?? Who knew I shouldn't maybe be committed??
Some postings have gone on to be full-fledged newspaper columns. Some others may eventually be revisited as well, who knows??
I've been pushed aside on weekends by an anorexic chain-smoking rubber chicken, and given some of the lamest concert reviews in written history.
Sorry, just a flush of nostalgia...sniff...sniff...
*********************************************************************************
Even with some rainfall, it is still flippin' hot in here. Should hit the high 20's again today, although at the moment, Mother Nature's water tank has sprung an aggressive leak. Refreshing as the rain is, it won't last long enough to cool things down.
To make things even worse, looking out in our backyard this morning, I see that someone left a cake out.
In the rain!!
I don't think that I can take it....
Chow for now!!
This was my second stab at modern technology, having already put up a website for my writing earlier. I had always planned to do the blog daily, but I've surprised even myself at the consistency (if only there was quality) of these ramblings. I've even posted one from my wireless handheld,so as not to miss a daily installment.
Who knew I had commitment within me?? Who knew I shouldn't maybe be committed??
Some postings have gone on to be full-fledged newspaper columns. Some others may eventually be revisited as well, who knows??
I've been pushed aside on weekends by an anorexic chain-smoking rubber chicken, and given some of the lamest concert reviews in written history.
Sorry, just a flush of nostalgia...sniff...sniff...
*********************************************************************************
Even with some rainfall, it is still flippin' hot in here. Should hit the high 20's again today, although at the moment, Mother Nature's water tank has sprung an aggressive leak. Refreshing as the rain is, it won't last long enough to cool things down.
To make things even worse, looking out in our backyard this morning, I see that someone left a cake out.
In the rain!!
I don't think that I can take it....
Chow for now!!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
We've been primarily sleeping in our family room for over a week now, thanks to this heat wave. We forgot a basic rule of physics when we bought this place (with all the bedrooms and my office on the upper floor) - without central air, humans sweat like jogging yaks...
It is entirely unpleasant to sleep (or try to sleep, honestly) beside a sweaty yak.
So, we've tried to compromise by bunking down on our two sofas in the family room - one an actual sofa; the other a loveseat.
Being a shade on the larger side myself, I was awarded the sofa. Which is OK, but still about 4 inches too short when it comes to stretching my frame out comfortably. I end up having to either crook my legs in, or splay one up onto the back of the sofa, while the other one dangles dangerously off the end of the cushiony part of the couch. After some time, I find a comfortable-enough position and drift off to purring like a newborn kitten.
Mrs. That Dan Guy has to use the loveseat. Even though she's CONSIDERABLY shorter than I am, there's still only about 18 inches of flat space between the two arm rests, so she REALLY has to be an acrobat to find a restful position. Thanks God it's dark in there when we shut the lights off, or I'd be hard-pressed to fall asleep, watching her scrunch into a cannonball-style pose, most suitable for the tiny sofa space.
Next year - central air!!
(NOTE: Every effort has been taken to protect the identity of the sweaty yak...)
Chow for now!!
It is entirely unpleasant to sleep (or try to sleep, honestly) beside a sweaty yak.
So, we've tried to compromise by bunking down on our two sofas in the family room - one an actual sofa; the other a loveseat.
Being a shade on the larger side myself, I was awarded the sofa. Which is OK, but still about 4 inches too short when it comes to stretching my frame out comfortably. I end up having to either crook my legs in, or splay one up onto the back of the sofa, while the other one dangles dangerously off the end of the cushiony part of the couch. After some time, I find a comfortable-enough position and drift off to purring like a newborn kitten.
Mrs. That Dan Guy has to use the loveseat. Even though she's CONSIDERABLY shorter than I am, there's still only about 18 inches of flat space between the two arm rests, so she REALLY has to be an acrobat to find a restful position. Thanks God it's dark in there when we shut the lights off, or I'd be hard-pressed to fall asleep, watching her scrunch into a cannonball-style pose, most suitable for the tiny sofa space.
Next year - central air!!
(NOTE: Every effort has been taken to protect the identity of the sweaty yak...)
Chow for now!!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
I had my Calgary TV debut yesterday, on CTV - a short interview on the post-news health segment. I played the role of "Diabetes Patient", along with a doctor that was there to actually explain the technical aspects of the disease. It may not have been "TV's most riveting moment so far this year", but watching it yesterday after the fact, I was amazed at how much I looked like a walrus in a dress shirt...
This appearance was an offshoot of my volunteer work for The Canadian Diabetes Association. They needed someone to be the local media contact for a groundbreaking new national survey on diabetes. I won't bore you with all the details and results, except to say diabetes is bad, it is approaching epidemic proportions, and Fruit Loops are like a total contradiction to dietary needs, as related to The Canada Food Guide.
So, to prepare for my Calgary TV debut yesterday, on CTV, I spent the weekend studying the results of this new national survey, and surfed The Google for pertinent and related diabetes articles. I discovered for example, among other things, that diabetes is not at all related to dyed beets. Seriously!!
Come yesterday morning, I mapped out my arrival to the studio, and left plenty early, so as not to get stuck in surprise summer construction, routing traffic to Moose Jaw as a temporary detour.
I was a little bewildered when I ended up back at my original starting point, 20 minutes later. Seems that if you have a map with "North" at the top, it may not match the actual landscape, which could be pointing, oh, let's say...SOUTH!!!!
Once I learned how to read upside down, I arrived at the studio in no time.
Reception directed me to my very first "Green Room". You always hear about guests on talk shows waiting in a "Green Room". My "Green Room" was kind of a light green, almost bordering on ecru. Not that green at all, frankly.
I nursed my disappointment over the "Barely Green Room" by watching The View, on the network's station. Until I was approached by the producer, who went over the process the doctor and I would be interviewed under (over, under??).
When we finally got herded into the studio, it was dang impressive. The two anchors were anchoring, and the weather lady was forecasting. All very official.
Our spot came along, and I could just get a glance of something very large wearing a dress shirt, on the monitor. I would later discover this to be me...
The doctor, being all fact-filled and such, got the lion's share of the TV time. I fielded two questions, not a single one on this blog, or my recent entry into Facebook. I will admit, neither of those endeavors involve diabetes to any major degree...
It was over in minutes. We were thanked for our time, and ushered back out to the parking lot.
I have yet to hear how the ratings for the episode were, but I do hope we might get picked up as a replacement series in the fall..."Diabetes Patient & The Doc"!!
Chow for now!
This appearance was an offshoot of my volunteer work for The Canadian Diabetes Association. They needed someone to be the local media contact for a groundbreaking new national survey on diabetes. I won't bore you with all the details and results, except to say diabetes is bad, it is approaching epidemic proportions, and Fruit Loops are like a total contradiction to dietary needs, as related to The Canada Food Guide.
So, to prepare for my Calgary TV debut yesterday, on CTV, I spent the weekend studying the results of this new national survey, and surfed The Google for pertinent and related diabetes articles. I discovered for example, among other things, that diabetes is not at all related to dyed beets. Seriously!!
Come yesterday morning, I mapped out my arrival to the studio, and left plenty early, so as not to get stuck in surprise summer construction, routing traffic to Moose Jaw as a temporary detour.
I was a little bewildered when I ended up back at my original starting point, 20 minutes later. Seems that if you have a map with "North" at the top, it may not match the actual landscape, which could be pointing, oh, let's say...SOUTH!!!!
Once I learned how to read upside down, I arrived at the studio in no time.
Reception directed me to my very first "Green Room". You always hear about guests on talk shows waiting in a "Green Room". My "Green Room" was kind of a light green, almost bordering on ecru. Not that green at all, frankly.
I nursed my disappointment over the "Barely Green Room" by watching The View, on the network's station. Until I was approached by the producer, who went over the process the doctor and I would be interviewed under (over, under??).
When we finally got herded into the studio, it was dang impressive. The two anchors were anchoring, and the weather lady was forecasting. All very official.
Our spot came along, and I could just get a glance of something very large wearing a dress shirt, on the monitor. I would later discover this to be me...
The doctor, being all fact-filled and such, got the lion's share of the TV time. I fielded two questions, not a single one on this blog, or my recent entry into Facebook. I will admit, neither of those endeavors involve diabetes to any major degree...
It was over in minutes. We were thanked for our time, and ushered back out to the parking lot.
I have yet to hear how the ratings for the episode were, but I do hope we might get picked up as a replacement series in the fall..."Diabetes Patient & The Doc"!!
Chow for now!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Hearing about John Ferguson Sr. passing away over the weekend reminded me of how long it's been since I was a serious hockey follower.
I grew up watching my Dad listen to NHL hockey on the kitchen radio, and watching it whenever possible on CBC-TV. I fell in line with the TV viewing, and this is where my memory gets a little fuzzy. I seem to recall watching Mr. Ferguson play ( but I could be mistaken), along with so many other stellar stars of that generation - Yvan Cournoyer, The Pocket Rocket - OK, mostly Canadiens, but stellar nonetheless. Toronto still had lovely jerseys, what with those blue leaves...
I watched hockey fairly regularly myself during that span of my life. Not crazy-fanatic levels, but I at least followed the game, and knew the big ticket names. Loved the bad guys of the game, enjoyed the occasional bench-clearing brawl, and certainly appreciated what seemed to be the age of finesse from the star players.
And then there was John Ferguson - the enforcer. I can remember seeing at least one bloody fight, but there must have been many more than that. By the time my guy Dryden was tending the net in Montreal, Ferguson had turned to management, most notably my lamented Winnipeg Jets.
I may have blurred timelines with all that jabber, but I was always respectful of Ferguson. I may be crotchety and out-of-touch, but they just don't seem to make 'em like those guys anymore...
Chow for now!!
I grew up watching my Dad listen to NHL hockey on the kitchen radio, and watching it whenever possible on CBC-TV. I fell in line with the TV viewing, and this is where my memory gets a little fuzzy. I seem to recall watching Mr. Ferguson play ( but I could be mistaken), along with so many other stellar stars of that generation - Yvan Cournoyer, The Pocket Rocket - OK, mostly Canadiens, but stellar nonetheless. Toronto still had lovely jerseys, what with those blue leaves...
I watched hockey fairly regularly myself during that span of my life. Not crazy-fanatic levels, but I at least followed the game, and knew the big ticket names. Loved the bad guys of the game, enjoyed the occasional bench-clearing brawl, and certainly appreciated what seemed to be the age of finesse from the star players.
And then there was John Ferguson - the enforcer. I can remember seeing at least one bloody fight, but there must have been many more than that. By the time my guy Dryden was tending the net in Montreal, Ferguson had turned to management, most notably my lamented Winnipeg Jets.
I may have blurred timelines with all that jabber, but I was always respectful of Ferguson. I may be crotchety and out-of-touch, but they just don't seem to make 'em like those guys anymore...
Chow for now!!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
The "Sunday Morning Nobody-Asked-Me-To, But-Here I-Go-Anyway Concert Review - Reba McEntire
(or, Why I Will Never Be A Professional Concert Reviewer)
We missed her in Winnipeg.
We missed her in Kelowna.
By gum, we didn't miss her here in Calgary!! We finally caught Reba McEntire live last night.
It was the only Stampede concert we've attended this year at the actual Stampede, the other show being held off site. Frankly, that doesn't matter one iota...
At any rate, yesterday was a freakin' cooker, 34 degrees on the Stampede grounds. We arrived plenty early, to find parking, and mini-donuts. Found both!!
After some donuts, we realized we needed some dinner, so we hit the casino, which for Stampede triples in size, taking over the adjacent convention space in The Big Four building. It was absolutely nutty in there!
(I'm getting to Reba, relax...)
We waited half an hour for a simple hot dog, then had to scramble over to The Saddledome for the show. I hafta say, after numerous visits, the place is still a pretty neat facility to see in person...
Anyways, in we go, and get our seats, clear across the arena. I can see a stage somewhere in the distance, but it's really just a fuzzy blur.
First surprise, her warm-up act - Canadian country star Gil Grand, who we happen to really like. He puts on a killer show, virtually every song a hit single. Who knew? Including, by the way, his terrific remake of Burton Cummings' "Break It To Them Gently".
Tres enjoyable...
After a brief intermission, the house lights go down, and the place goes absolutely bananas. They're all koo-koo for Cocoa Puffs. Standing ovations that would end up lasting all night long, roaring, cheering - what a crowd.
Oh yeah, Reba...
We've both been fans since the first time we jumped Stetson-first into country music, back in the 90's. We even enjoyed her recent sitcom (hey, we weren't the only ones - six seasons!!).
She was phenomenal. Outstanding. A tidal wave of tunes. A hive of hits. More songs than we could shake a stick at.
She had a crackerjack band, an HD big-screen smack-dab in the centre of the stage, and with over 40 #1 hits, her show clocked in at just under two hours. Class act, no disappointment here.
Again though, we marvel at the younger generation of concert-goers. Much like an ant farm at sugar time, these people cannot sit still. Up and down, down and up - grab a flippin' seat, for the love of Pete!!
By the time we toodled out of the show, we were able to catch Tom Cochrane on The Coca-Cola Stage, kickin' out "Life Is A Highway", and encore "Lunatic Fringe".
We've seen him before...
That's all for today, peoples!!
Chow for now!!
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Oh boy....
Looks like ole Charlie done gone and did it again...
I honestly thought that when I ordered my hamburger at The Stampede last night, I could pick my own cow. That old piece of furry leather fell like a boat anchor when I plugged him with my six gun.
Turns out six guns ain't so legal, at a Stampede. They might wanna post some signs about that...
Once the stinky bits hit the fan, I had to scramble (no pun intended) my little tailfeathers, to avoid getting my pluckin' neck wrung!!
Buk-AAAAAWK!!
Thankfully I was an expert track and fielder, back in Poultry Public Elementary School. My little chicken legs were flailin' , and being short didn't hurt all that much either. A couple of overweight security guards with big country-and-western belt buckles coUld barely reach their pant pockets, let alone a speedy litte spitfire like masself...
Buk-AAAAAWK!!!!!
What a pluckin' mess. I was just starting to impress the little chick running the Chicken Fingers stand. Not sure what the pluck chicken fingers are, but I woulda found out, given a few more moments opportunity...
So, this mornin's paper had this not-so-flatterin' picture of me. I'm gonna have to lay low for a few days, stick around the coop. I don't wanna share a jail cell with ole Conrad Black!!
The coop, by the way, is a cluckin' boiler oven , with temperatures over 30 degrees these last couple of days. My beak is startin' to curl...
Cluck for now!!
Friday, July 13, 2007
We attended a Stampede Concert last night - Lorrie Morgan. You can be forgiven for maybe not having her name on the tip of your tongue.
She was really successful back in the 90's, with a string of country hits. We had always been fans, and sure weren't disappointed by her show last night. I have tremendous respect for artists that toss out their biggest hit right at the beginning of the show, and then proceed to wow you with stuff you hadn't expected. She did just that.
The good news for us is that she premiered a bunch of stuff from her new album, all of which sounded pretty darn good. Mrs. That Dan Guy enjoyed a song called "Mirror Mirror" in particular, sounded like a future hit!!
***********************************************************
To cap off our evening, we returned home, and watched the second episode of "Don't Forget The Lyrics". We won't be remembering to watch the show, never mind worrying about the lyrics.
I'm a fan of Wayne Brady, but having to listen to one more contestant like the one they've had on the last couple of episodes (all the musical talent of a carp that had been run over by a fleet of gravel trucks), and I might actually start looking forward to Justin Timberlake albums.
Hey, does it worry anybody else out there that one day there may be as huge a demand for a N'Sync reunion, as there has been recently for The Police??
Seriously, these things haunt me...
Chow for now!!
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