Can you believe 2014 is almost over? As fabulous as the last 12 months have been (and I trust it was for all you too) I'm soooooo ready to ring in 2015.
I love New Year's Eve--- all the glitz and glam and of course partying the night away with loved ones. The only thing I don't like is the waiting. I feel like it takes forever for night to arrive and all my friends feel the same way too, similar to a group of restless kids on Christmas Eve waiting for morning to arrive so they can rip open their presents. The only difference is as adults we sit anxiously on pins and needles waiting to party and drink.
As we all know making a resolution is associated with January 1st and every January I always include in my list: learn to use chopsticks! Yes, I am that person who eats Chinese food with a fork and knife. But yet again another year has gone by and I still haven't mastered the art but in 2015 I will. Fingers crossed.
Aside from chopsticks my 2015 resolutions include:
1. Be Brave.
2. Take Chances.
3. Experience Everything.
4. Make It Happen. After-all, in the end we only regret the chances we didn't take. My lovelies, what are your resolutions? With a brand new year comes a fresh new start and with a fresh new start comes opportunities. My loyal and dear readers, I wish you love, luck, health and happiness in 2015. Always listen to your heart and may you find your light.
And remember to leave a little sparkle wherever you go.
Popping bottles, dancing til dawn...... I know the House DJ will be spinning electronica and euro tracks at the party and he better be playing this one--
Hmm, something tells me that he will.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
2015----BRING IT!!
It's going to be a fantastic New Year. I know it will.
Well, it's that time of year again--- my bags are packed and my ticket and passport are ready.
Last year I was unable to go on my annual Christmas Vaycay on account of sister breaking her leg and arm.Talk about bad timing, right? And if that wasn't bad enough we had quite possibly the worst winter ever-- from the ice storm, to frost quakes to the polar vortex.....let's just say it was a terrible and dreadfully long winter.
This year nothing is going to come between me and my pedicured toes from hitting the hot sand. Ah, I can already feel the cool breeze coming from the nearby palm trees.
I love everything about this time of year-- the songs, the parties, getting dolled up for parties, buying gifts, advent calendars, putting up the tree, the lovely and sparkling decorations and lights. It truly is the most joyous time of year --- unless you're trying to find a decent parking spot at the mall.
Honestly I don't understand the logic behind shoppers wasting their time waiting on a driver to return whose car is parked right by the entrance when they easily could park at the far end where there's plenty of empty parking spots available. Last week I saw a person actually standing in a parking spot while on his cell phone. I figured he must have been telling whomever he was shopping with that he'd secured a parking spot for them in Section "C 23." You wouldn't believe how many passerbys rolled down their windows and hurled out every obscenity and threat known to mankind. Unfortunately this is also the season known for cranky and aggressive shoppers. Seriously, don't they know Santa's watching?
And while I'm on the subject of Santa, how do you think Santa would rate you this year? Naughty or Nice?
Me, you ask?
*Giggle* What do you think?
Dear Santa,
Please remember that even naughty people deserve something nice.
Love,
Colombian Princess.
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During this month a multitude of holiday themed movies air back to back on TV. Some of my favorites include, Elf, Serendipity, Love Actually, Home Alone 1 & 2, The Holiday and this one here--
When it comes to Christmas songs, there's way too many to list and not just that but there's so many different versions sung by so many different artists that it makes it nearly impossible to narrow down. Aside from the classics I like the newer stuff too, (holiday pop) but again there's just too many to list. The other day Michael Bublé's annual Christmas Special aired and that made me think of a duet he did a few years ago with Mexican singer Thalía.
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Whether you celebrate Christmas or not one can't help but feel the magic in the air. One can't help but believe.......
My loyal and dear readers, from the bottom of my Colombian heart, I wish you love, peace and joy. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays.
I was going through my posts when I realized I had yet to post Pt. 3 of an entry I had blogged back in October, At The Track. Part 1 ishereand Part 2 is here.
Part 3
After watching a couple of races and listening to one spectator drop the F-bomb that would even make Tony Montana blush I headed outside to The Hats and Horseshoe Party.
The view from the top of the stairs.
Making my way through the crowd I snapped a couple of pics including one of the jockeys.
There was a massive lineup to enter the party as you can see by the picture below.
Upon entering the party here's one of the first tents a person encounters. How convenient for those who needed to be schooled in the art of gambling.
It was only when I heard a passerby scream and then laugh I realized there was a person hiding inside this artificial shrub. Then again I suppose the fact that the shrub was in the shape of a portly human being should have been a good tip off.
The Human Shrub was grabbing unsuspected people as they walked by. I'm not too sure how this fit in with the theme of the party but I suppose it was strictly for entertainment purposes only.
Various members of the press were there reporting live.
Also present, bicycle cops making sure everyone was behaving.
Several tables and chairs were set up for those who didn't have a seat inside.
A large screen was set up so they too could watch the races. Directly in front of it was a stage where a performer (whom I'd never heard of) was belting out classic tunes.
One of the many sponsors was Mercedes Benz who was giving away a Benz in a raffle.
No racetrack (or party for that matter) is complete without alcohol or......
How about a Mobile Brewery!
Alexander Keith was promoting their Hop Series Lager by having pretty girls in cute little shorts informing party-goers about their new ale and offering a free sample.
I politely declined. I'm not a beer drinker. I don't know about you but I just can't get past the smell of beer. It's awful.
To Be Continued....
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My loyal and dear readers, it's finally Friday.
Whatever your plans are have an awesome weekend. ~x
The day has finally arrived up here for us. Black Friday. For years, Canadian shoppers and retailers alike looked south with envy at the U.S. shopping frenzy known as Black Friday. In the past few years, all that changed as Canadian retailers decided to launch their own Black Friday — and their own Cyber Monday, the day after the U.S. holiday weekend when tech stores offer deals on their gadgets. I came across this websitewhich compares Black Friday in the USA and Canada.
CANADA: An orderly line at Staples on Albert Street North in Regina.
(Don Healy / Leader-Post)
AMERICA: Macy’s in New York City.
(AP Photo/John Minchillo)
CANADA: 9 a.m. at a Walmart in Toronto.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
CANADA: A Target in Dartmouth, N.S.
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan)
AMERICA: A Target in Colma, California.
(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
CANADA: The Apple Store at Toronto’s Eaton Centre.
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)
AMERICA: Best Buy shoppers in Dunwoody, Ga. swarm the manager handing our door buster hats.
(AP Photo/David Tulis)
CANADA: To be fair, this happened in Burnaby, B.C.
(AP Photo/David Tulis)
As much as I love to shop I won't be one of the those individuals lining up at 4am nor will I be pushing my way through the crowds as early as 6am. I'll probably head on over to the mall by lunch time. I can't wait to score some pretty sweet deals. Let's just hope I'm able to get a decent parking spot first!
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My loyal and dear readers, it's finally Black Friday.
Whatever your plans are have a thankful long weekend. ~x
This past week the weather has been atrociously cold for us and it even snowed. And so it begins-- the soul-crushingly cold weather that will last until April. However, things could be worse as is the case in Buffalo. Mother Nature certainly unleashed her wrath on those poor folks. Click here for the full story and for the incredible pictures. I kind of like picture #4, the guy dressed head to toe in snow gear with a coffee in one hand and a cigar in another.
Speaking of the cold weather---
Singers Idina Menzel and Michael Bublé teamed up to record a tyke-friendly version of the classic holiday tune, "Baby, it's Cold Outside" complete with a YouTube video of lookalike kids lip-synching to their voices. In the video two cuties wearing Great Gatsby-esque attire partake in the duet while dancing around a grand hotel lobby. To make the tune appropriate for wee one’s ears, the world-renowned singers even changed some of its lyrics:
“Well maybe just half a drink more / Put some records on while I pour,” was changed to: “Well maybe just a soda pop more / Put some records on while I pour
“but maybe just a cigarette more / Never such a blizzard before” got a
kid-friendly spin as “But maybe just another dance more / Never such a blizzard before.”
I ask, how cute is the video?
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My loyal and dear readers, it's finally Friday.
Whatever your plans are have a wonderful weekend.~x
In honor of Remembrance Day 888,246 poppies have been planted by people at the Tower of London since July this year, including politicians and members of the Royal family. The exhibition was created by artist Paul Cummins and was created as part of the build up to to this day to help remember those who fought in World War One.
ll 888,246 poppies have now been planted in the dry 16-acre moat, heralding the completion of the poignant memorial.
Floodlights are being used to ensure more people get to see the piece.
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Today we pay our respects, and our gratitude to the heroes who served to keep our beautiful country proud and free.
I've been feeling a little under the weather. Shortly after my morning run the other day I began feeling ill--- queasy stomach, terrible headache and sinus pressure. Oh, the sinus pressure is the worst. I blame our unbalanced weather. One day the weather doesn't require you to wear a coat while the next day you need your mitts and scarf!
I'm feeling a little better today. My stomach has settled down but the sinus pain and pressure is still there.
So far the medicine I've been taking has failed in getting rid of the pain but then again it's only been one day.
In other important news, did you hear about the guy who plans to be eaten alive by an anaconda? And no that is not a reference to Nicki Minaj. TV presenter Paul Rosolie who has been dubbed the 'Indiana Jones of the Amazon' has allowed himself to be swallowed aliveby a snake for a documentary. The naturalist fed himself to a 30ft green anaconda in the Amazon jungle. However, the 26-year-old American took the precaution of donning a special snake-proof suit he devised to protect against the creature’s digestive juices.
Hmm, a special snake-proof suit? I wonder if Bass Pro Shopsells them? It is believed he was covered in pig’s blood to make himself appetizing to anacondas, which usually eat wild pigs, deer, capybaras and caiman, and was pulled out by a cord attached to the suit. The Discovery Channel, which will air "Eaten Alive" on December 7th, have been tight-lipped about the outcome of the stunt. But insiders said the snake did not die and Rosolie has since tweeted in response to animal lovers who have accused him of cruelty and demanded the show be axed. A petition started by A Change.org has sprung up and is close to its goal of collecting 500 signatures.
"This is animal abuse to the highest degree and absolutely disgusting, and could kill the snake - an adult green anaconda cannot fit the width of an adult man's shoulders into it's body,' reads the petition." Mr Rosolie responded to fears people may have over the snake’s well-being in a tweet, saying: “If you know me - I would never hurt a living thing. But you'll have to watch #EatenAlive to find out how it goes down!”
The outlandish premise has prompted skepticism from some,who have questioned whether such an experiment is even physically possible. Others have suggested it could all be an elaborate hoax involving mechanical snakes and special effects. But representative from the Discovery channel assured Entertainment Weeklythat it's all real.
Hey, if Nik Wallendasuccessfully completed a tightrope walk in Chicago while blindfolded I don't see why a man can't be swallowed alive by a gigantic snake and live to tell about it, however Bart Simpson did it first.
Q: Why did the Vampire read the Wall Street Journal? A: He heard it had great circulation.
I love Halloween and always will. Next to Christmas, it's my favorite holiday.Costumes, free candy, watching "It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown"! & bloody movies-- what's not to love?! And for a hardcore horror fan as myself October is when all us horror movie fanatics go insane.
Leatherface If his huge built doesn’t intimidate you, his mask made of human skin and chainsaw will surely send you scampering away. Leatherface, or Jedidiah “Jed” Sawyer, first appeared in the Tobe Hooper-helmed “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” (1974) and portrayed by Gunnar Hansen. Hooper reportedly described the villain as a “big baby” who apparently was only driven to kill whenever he feels threatened. A slasher film in every sense of the word, “Texas Chain Saw Massacre” portrayed Leatherface as a merciless serial killer who acts upon the instructions of his dysfunctional, cannibalistic family.
Michael Myers John Carpenter’s 1978 classic, “Halloween” introduced the public to the masked and knife-wielding Michael Myers. Having murdered his older sister when he was only a young boy, Michael Meyers proves that he really is evil and insane as he returns to his hometown 15 years after and kills off more youngsters.
Jason Vorhees
Just like Leatherface and Michael, the physically deformed Jason
Voorhees of the “Friday the 13th” (1980) series hides behind a mask –
this time, a hockey goalie mask – and wields a sort of signature weapon,
a machete. First portrayed by Ari Lehman, Jason famously kills off
teenagers who goes to Camp Crystal Lake. Jason is the brainchild of
Victor Miller, with a little help from Ron Kurz, Sean S. Cunningham, and
Tom Savini.
Freddy Krueger (My personal fave-- a villain that can kill you in your dreams!)
Unlike the hulking mass murdered aforementioned, Freddy Kruegerof Wes Craven's
“A Nightmare of Elm Street” (1984) fame is a bit on the lanky side
and is a spirit. His severely deformed face isn’t a mask; instead it’s
all ugly burnt skin, the result of being burned by angry parents whose
children he had killed. With his trademark fedora, red-and-green striped
sweater, and clawed glove, Freddy enters the dreams of teenagers in his
old neighborhood and kills them as an act of revenge. In the film,
Freddy was first portrayed by Robert Englund.
Dr. Hannibal Lecter
The villains in this list so far are, well, just as menacing as they look. But not Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Don’t let his prim and proper looks deceive you, for he may just be the most unsettling person you’ll ever meet and (hopefully not the last). Hannibal is educated, smart, well-mannered, and has sophisticated taste that applies not only to art and music but also to the things he eat. Hannibal, to put it bluntly, loves human meat. He prepares his meals himself, gourmet-style.
The role of Hannibal has been played by three other actors on film and on TV, but none of them as memorable as Anthony Hopkins’ version in the Oscar-winning “The Silence of the Lambs” by Jonathan Demme. Meanwhile, the character of Hannibal itself was created by author Thomas Harris and first appeared in his 1981 novel, “Red Dragon.”
What are some of your favorite horror films and villains?
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Each year I always make it a point to mention that no child wants to be given any health related snacks in their treat bag. Kids only want chocolates and the sweet stuff! Should you decide to hand out those tiny, little boxes of raisins, fruit or even dental floss, then by all means I hope a tiny little devil toilet papers your house.
Each year I also post a music video related to this awesome day. Some past videos have been:
Rob Zombie: I'm Your Boggie Man Pet Shop Boys: Heart Timbaland/Nelly/SoShy- The Morning After Dark.
This year I decided to kick it old school, "A Nightmare On My Street" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. An actual video for the song at one time did exist but the producers of "A Nightmare On Elm Street" sued DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's record label for copyright infringement, forcing the label to destroy a music video produced for the song. For a description of the once video, click on the above highlighted link.
All that was posted on youtube was the lyrical version to the song. I love how The Fresh Prince refers to Freddy Krueger as Fred!!
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Q: What is a vampires least favorite food? A: Steak
My loyal and dear readers, it's not just Friday, it's Halloween!!!! Beware of The Bogeyman tonight.
Whatever your plans are have a spook-tacular weekend.... BOO!~x
PS: Remember to turn your clocks back this weekend.