High apple pie in the sky...

Okay so maybe there was no apple pie. But there were logs, wires and a whole lot of caterpillars!

Today was the much anticipated Monday of the Victoria Day long weekend in Canada, and instead of doing my usual--nothing--I decided to make plans with some friends. After about a year of talking and not-so-much doing, we decided to make a reservation to go Treetop Trekking!

You may ask, "What is treetop trekking?" And well, that's a good question.

Treetop Trekking (courtesy of Arbaska just outside of Barrie, ON) is essentially 3 hours of above-the-ground ropes courses that put your athletic skills to the test. I'm not always the most athletic person, but I do enjoy fun adventures that get me going... and treetop trekking did just that!

We started off with our guide, Brian, giving us an orientation to get us ready for the real courses. This was essentially the appetizer of the day, which was followed by us navigating our way through the beginner, intermediate and advanced treetop courses.

Each course offered varying levels of challenging and fun activities: balancing across tightropes, crossing tilting bridges, navigating across barrels, through netting and along zip lines. All while making your way from tree to shining tree!

Oh! And trying not to squish all the caterpillars along the way.

While I did find some games more "me" friendly than others, all of the courses (we did four of five) offered a great balance of "easier" tasks with those that provided a welcome challenge! Our guide was also a great help when I was unsure of what to do.

And then there was THE BIG ZIP. And yes, it requires capitalization.

Like the gold at the end of the rainbow, the final activity of the day was a speedy and thrilling trip across the Big Zip--the 900 ft. zipline that is their claim to fame! Longest in the province... or so says their website.

If you're in the Barrie area (or willing to make the trip) I would definitely recommend Treetop Trekking for anyone who is seeking an afternoon of challenging and inexpensive fun! At $62 per adult, you really can't go wrong!

I just can't stop loving you...

I know that it's usually used to refer to the passing of Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper and Buddy Holly, but I have to say that for my generation and likely the one before it, today is the day the music died.

As I'm sure you've heard by now, pop icon/legend Michael Jackson has passed away at the age of 50. I've been a lifelong fan--yes, 25 years of loving--and as lame or cliche as it sounds, I'm experiencing great sadness about the death of MJ. I've never felt so directly affected by the passing of a celebrity, and doubt I ever will be again. As I read the confirmation of his passing on CNN, my local radio station started playing The Way You Make Me Feel, my favourite Michael Jackson song, and it hit me really hard.

I immediately called my dad when I heard, after all he was on the one that put the MJ bug into my ear many years ago. You know what he said to me? "You literally owe your life to Michael Jackson... you know my first date with your mother was to a Michael Jackson concert... I've told you that many times." And with that, I was destined to be a slave to the rhythm...

I'm currently listening to Toronto DJ Starting from Scratch playing a great set of MJ tunes, from Jackson 5 times and on. And as I'm listening to the segue from Smooth Criminal into Shake Your Body Down To The Ground, I'm thankful that I have had so many years of amazing music, performances, choreography and everything else that MJ was known for to reflect upon.

MJ was an overall performer who, in his prime, could rock a crowd to the core. Or so I've heard... and seen on TV. I never had the joy of seeing him live, but for anyone who did, I can only imagine what an experience it was.

We all know that in recent years Jackson has gone through some rough times from money issues to clear body image distortion problems. I don't want to focus on all that.

I think that in spite of his issues (and honestly, who doesn't have them?) Michael Jackson has graced us with so much beauty, creativity and musical genious over the decades, and that's what is most important at his time of passing.

So if you're reading this, all I can suggest is to give thanks for your reality, and send Michael off with appreciation and hopes for a less tortured existence in the life beyond.

It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday...

Hey y'all

It's been a hot minute since my last post, but I'm back. I'm going to try my best to stay on top of it this time around.

I figured this news warranted me dusting off the keyboard and getting back online.

Michael Vick--the NFL's controversial, just-out-of-prison quarterback and my favourite player, was officially released yesterday from the Atlanta Falcons' roster.

Damn.

We all knew it was coming. The Falcons have said many times over that if reinstated from his current suspension, Vick would no longer play for the club, but until yesterday they retained his contractual rights.

And now it's all over.

The 2001 first-overall draft pick is officially a free agent whose career hangs in the balance.

Personally, it's a sad day for me because even though I knew he wouldn't play in the Falcons' number seven again, there was still a small piece of me that hoped the team and their fallen hero could kiss and make up, and bring Vick back to the Georgia Dome where he belongs.

I'm confident that Commissioner Goodell will make the right decision (read: reinstate Vick) come the end of Vick's official sentence on July 20. And more importantly, I'm sure that there's a team out there who will go ABBA and take a chance on him.

And yes, I did make an ABBA reference.

Only time will tell what's going to happen with Mike Vick.

But for the moment I know that me, and likely a plethora of other fans around North America are feeling the official loss of our number seven.

And she said...

Take me now... for what I'm worth, anyhow.

It's been a minute since my last post, so I figured I'd list it out for you. You know? Keep it short and sweet.

Here's where I'm at right now, in no particular order:

10. Writing really is a process. To do it well is a lot harder than it may appear, and I think it definitely requires feedback from those around you.

9. The Caribbean is an amazingly beautiful, lush, and soul rejuvenating place to be. This is a broad generalization, but in my experience, it remains entirely true.

8. Along the same lines, I tend to believe that there is nothing else on earth like Carnival in Trinidad & Tobago

7. Gold earrings are my shit right now.

6. Long distance relationships are underrated.

5. Justin Timberlake needs to come out with a new album... I'm ready.

4. Why is Michael Jackson going on tour? It might be the most exciting/horrifying/anticipated/disasterous event of my lifetime thus far...

3. It feels good to read for pleasure again. Currently reading the Dexter series, next up is Colbert's I am America, and So can you. I recently joined a book club and slacked on the first book, but have every intention to be on top of it for the second one. Also, The Complete Reprint of John Willie's Bizarre is a good "pick up and open" read for a lazy afternoon. There's much to be said for vintage fetish lit.

2. I'm not so secretly excited about ABBA Singstar with my aunt in the very near future. I call dibs on Knowing Me, Knowing You.

1. I'm really--REALLY--excited for football season to start again. Yes, this includes draft weekend. Anything to do with it really...count me in!

Who let the dogs out

It's no secret that I'm a Michael Vick fan. The man is talented, and great to watch. I held my stance through the dog fighting scandal, maintaining that as a dog lover, yes it was cruel and unusual, but the facts have to be just that. His poor decisions regarding gambling and animal cruelty have nothing to do with his ability as a football player.

Vick is due for release from prison in July of this year. That said, I don't know any football fans who aren't at least a little bit interested to see what happens at that point. Where does he go? Is continued suspension looming? Will he join the Lions and lead them to Superbowl victory. Okay... that one is a stretch.

I'm just going to take my fan hat off, and put on my PR chapeau for a minute. Yesterday I read a short article about a potentially missed opportunity for Vick to work with PETA. Essentially, in exchange for a PSA opp. with PETA, Vick would have to undergo testing for his mental stability. It seems though, that this effort is stalled with Vick's representatives.

Sure, it might be a lofty request from PETA, and sure it may be humiliating for Vick. But sometimes you have to play the game. In a situation like this where Vick's popularity has waned, it might actually do him some good to show that he's just a man who made a mistake, and wants to help correct it.

PETA is a large and influential organization, and Vick is a man with a tarnished rep. I can't see the cons outweighing the pros at present moment, and I would strongly urge Vick, as a PR girl and as a fan who wants to see much more of him, to take full advantage of the opportunity.

If good PR is priceless, then I would think this is a small price to pay.

I don't want a lot this Christmas...

True story, folks. I didn't ask for much this Christmas, but it was still a good one!

I've been in Baltimore for most of it, and have had the great joy of spending it with my little cousins. And let's be honest... the best part of Christmas is spending it with happy and excited (and really cute) little kids.

And yeah, I got my camera and am about to order my brand, shining, new Matt Ryan jersey, so it's nothing to scoff at... it's bee a good Christmas for me!

And did I mention the Falcons made it to the playoffs?

Santa really does exist!

I know I can... be what I wanna be!

For example, a playoff contender... or even, dare I say it:

A Superbowl XLIII contender?

Both are possibilities for my dearly beloved Atlanta Falcons this season.

Here's to Matt Ryan and Michael Turner... the dream duo we've been awaiting for many-a-season! To all the others: just keep on doin' what you're doin' - it's working.

NFC South in the house!