Me & our family dog Kodee

Back in December 2008, a fire destroyed the Humane Society of Durham Region killing more than 150 animals. 13 animals were saved by firefighters.

Sadly, the Humane Society has yet to be rebuilt - and the community’s support is needed to get a new (temporary! hopefully) home for the hundreds of cats, dogs, rabbits, and other creatures the Humane Society serves. During March Break, the Pickering Town Centre is holding “Raise the Woof!” to help fundraise for the Humane Society, and to raise awareness about what the Humane Society has to offer and the services it provides. If you’re in Durham Region - please swing by the Pickering Mall to check out the event and donate! If you’re not in the area, then you can do what I’m going to be doing and make a donation online. :)

No, not me - and besides; I’m not blonde anymore.

I’m talking about a very close friend of mine, someone I’ve known since I was a kid. This girl’s pretty amazing - she’s loved by women all over the world, is well travelled and well educated, drop dead gorgeous, owns more than a few mansions, and her shoe collection and wardrobe is to die for. She’s had an ever changing, and very exciting, career history. She’s been a fashion editor, a surgeon. An airline attendant, and an astronaut. She spent a few years in the Marine Corps, and a few with the US Air Force. She’s even been a formula one driver, a presidential candidate, American Idol winner, and an Olympic Athelete.

And now, she finally will get a chance to be a star (again) AND show off her geeky side.

Mattel announced this week Barbie’s 125th and 126th Careers: News Anchor and Computer Engineer.

Computer Engineer Barbie & News Anchor Barbie

I find this highly entertaining, since, well, I’m a Video Journalist, and my sister is studying to do computer programming! It’s like Mattel just knew.

But, can we please just focus on News Anchor Barbie for a second - and the following:

1. Her perfect hair (as The Boy said- “You sound jealous!” and yes, I am… I want her bangs! Hairstylist, take note!)
2. Her VIDEO CAMERA!!
3. Microphone
4. Clipboard (B News!)
5. Her black shoes with PINK BOWS (must have - do they make them in a human-size 8?)
6. Her… pink suit? (okay, maybe that was a little much).

From the accessories and description, I think she’s more a Video Journalist than a News Anchor (lets be honest, and no offense to her, but when was the last time Christine Bentley touched a camera?) Either way, MUST. HAVE! I mean, she’s retailing for $12.99 American (and I’m assuming that will make it about $16.99 Canadian, despite the fact our dollar is almost even right now - damn you lame retail conversions!) …how can you go wrong??

Sadly, News Anchor Barbie won’t be released until October (although you can pre-order her… which I’ll be doing: can we say “belated birthday present to myself” anyone? ;) but you can get Computer Engineer Barbie this Spring!

I spent a few hours this afternoon volunteering my time at the annual Lions Club & CTV Telethon. I was there from 3:30ish until about 8, and it was great fun - talking to community members, reading out pledges, and encouraging people to call in and donate. It was (as one of my fellow hosts made me realize) my first live TV experience, since the work we do at EastLink is pre taped… I didn’t even clue in to that until about halfway though!

I just tuned into the end to see how much was raised - and we raised over $67,000 today! This is thanks to everyone who graciously donated their time to help out, and to the community members who came out and donated… I even recall reading a few donations from youngsters - I’m talking 3 years and 5 years old! - who emptied out their piggy banks to contribute. Very touching.

It’s amazing what can happen when a community pulls together like this!

Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill recently, and people are upset about his “hidden message”. Take a read of the first letter of every sentence.

Catch anything unusual?

His reps are claiming it’s a “strange coincidence”… yeah, I’d claim that too if I were them! Coincidence or not, I still think it’s rather funny… and clever. I’m fairly certain it was intentional, because honestly, who says “kicks the can down the alley” in a formal veto? The rest of the letter I can believe was just written normally… but that integral “K” is just so strategically placed!

You can view the “official” letter (on the government’s website) here.

What’s a girl stuck in Timmins due to a cancelled 7:30 flight to Toronto to do on a Thursday night?

What none of her family or friends CAN do (since they’re stuck without power in the midst of a severe thunderstom and tornado warning): track the tornado online.

The Star has a really comprehensive article about the damage and twisters - apparently, sadly, one person is dead (and unconfirmed reports are saying it’s a child) from the twister that ripped through a conservation area in Durham (the town, not the region).

What The Star is lacking however is media: pictures, videos, sound… so here’s some I’ve “collected” (aka stolen and linked to).

• A downed tree on Helendale, in Toronto.
• Not sure where these two are from - but they’re two more downed trees, and some traffic lights knocked over too! [One] [Two]
• A YouTube video of the twister in Vaughan
• CP24 has some good user submitted pictures, if you scroll past the article to the bottom.

And now, there’s a picture of a twister in North Bay - is the storm moving towards me? Probably not. Maybe though!

My favourite part of all this though? A comment posted on The Star’s news article:

“no need to panic, folks! CP24 has reported that the Kenny Chesney concert at the Molson Amphitheatre is going on despite the weather! I repeat, the Kenny Chesney show is a go!! yeeeeeeeehaaaaw! Bring the tarp from the pick up truck!”

… I wish I was there. haha!

Fingers crossed all this weather crap is cleared up by tomorrow so I can fly home for the weekend - if my flight gets cancelled again, I’ll cry.

Now, what’s a girl who was planning on going home tonight, and is now stuck in Timmins, do?

Get McDonalds of course.

McMmmm McYummy