The last goodbye of 2021...

RIP BETTY WHITE

ANOTHER American SWEETHEART & THE last Golden Girl!!!

Had a fabulous Swiss Chalet lunch
with my S/Stops Team!

Afterwards, the entire team took part in a gift exchange that Sharon helped
to bring to success!

My gift was for one of our
managers, Maria.
It was a nice box of patisseries from Duo Patisserie & Cafe.
Feedback was positive, score!

My gift came from Wilbert, a cup with a 'Cool to be kind' statement
and chocolates!

LOVED the bag it came in!

Respect?

The day started out well with a present of a tin of chocolates from the manager who's in this week...

HOWEVER, an event occurred that really surprised me...where our (the team's) SME (Smart Matter Expert) had asked everyone to not bring lunch for the day as she was going to bring in lunch. We ALL were excited for this treat...EXCEPT that come 1pm one of the team finally messaged her and FOUND OUT that she decided to make the 'executive decision' to move this forsaid lunch to FRIDAY. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?

We were NOT IMPRESSED...and after giving her our unimpressed feedback, she realized her tactical error and lunch was delivered (Much too late that one of the team had left already and we didn't actually eat (pizza, wings and brownies) until 1:30pm - which isn't so bad for me as I normally nosh around this time).

Even though the food arrived late and the team's present (the photo shows her present in purple but the card is for the Manager who's in this week) for her was delivered, personally my level of respect for her has plummeted.

And that is all.

Winter Solstice

Enjoyed dinner at J & Y Chinese Cuisine

BEST SEAT in the house!!!
(seeing a photo of Jason Momoa
with the owner of the reso!!!)

DELISH food, yaaaassss!!!

Triple vaxed!

3-times 🤟 vaccinated, whew!

#family #pfizer #boostershots

Hero Certified Burgers!

Christmas decorations outside (one's an artistic viewpoint!)

burger shots!!!

selfies between besties!

#WORD

Enjoyed a morning brekkie catch up of the netflix Tick, Tick...Boom! A 2021 American biographical musical drama film directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and from the screenplay by Steven Levenson Starring Andrew Garfield, Robin de Jesús, Alexandra Shipp, Joshua Henry, with Judith Light, and Vanessa Hudgens.
Edited Dec 5, 2021: The Talk on Dec 1 where Bradley Whitford was interviewed, who played Steven Sondheim in the movie - who had actually passed two days earlier...:0 An incredible composer who mentored Jonathan Larson, Lin-Manuel Miranda and literally blew open the broadway theatre field! Unreal!!!

Stopped by the Eaton Centre while out visiting Ames and enjoyed a sweet treat at Baskin Robbins while she and mom walked over from her place (Dad and I were unsuccessful in finding the DQ but hey, we're not picky with types of dessert places...
yes, the flavor's 'gold medal ribbon')!

Signs of the upcoming holiday all around the mall including being at the perfect spot to see an impromptu choir of carolers while hanging out in front
of the Indigo!

Enjoyed an office (thanksgiving doesn't have to be American, lol!) pizza lunch
(yum!) with the team and the entire floor yesterday!

Two stand out points of the day:
a) Coming into the office lobby through the revolving door this morning and seeing from the corner of my eye that there was a homeless person laying on the floor (I'm assuming for the warmth). Pretending to take no notice, I continued walking through to grab the elevator that takes me up to my office floor with my key card. THEN finding out from one of my colleagues that this isn't a surprise occurrance (which blows my mind as after eleven months...this is the very first time I've come across this scenario).

b) Another first...seeing two Abbey girls (from their blue kilts) in the York Mills food court while I went around the mall during my daily walkaround.
Considering my highschool is literally hidden by the trees at the South-West corner to where I work (my office at the North-East corner), I'm certainly surprised it's been so long since I've been here for nearly a year! (granted, the pandemic is probably a factor here...)

Definitely a day to remember!!!

Counting our blessings and standing proud.
#WeRemember

Sent virtual bday wishes to gal-pal Winnie, during the past week!

This also included a virtual present!
(Which I enjoyed in her honor, woot woot!)

Global Citizens Festival Sept 25, 2021

What I watched live yday included:
David Beaseley, Executive Director, World Food Programme; Andy Cohen, Meek Mill, Camila Cabello & Shawn Mendes, Forest Whitaker, Billy Porter, Lang Lang, Lizzo, Ja Rule, LLCoolJ, Jennifer Lopez...
I've been following up with all the other performances online afterwards like the Black Eyed Peas, Ed Sheeran etc...

A present to myself...yaaassss!!!! ;)

A couple posts behind schedule (obvio) as my obsessive need to post well thought out information.

However, due to the two recent mishaps in the past two weeks, I've been seemingly more clumsy and feel the need to inform...first took place last Tuesday as I was finishing my walk around the mall before having lunch at work. Occurred as I was reaching for the elevator button...missed and performed the weirdest fall manoever (always thinking how to fall so that I protect my assets, eg. face). Landed on my behind but scraping my right elbow. Considering the only audience was most likely security via big brother camera, my pride was what hurt most.

Unfortunately, this morning I also injured myself exiting my vehicle in the rain...totally misjudged the step and tumbled into the puddle! Again, biggest injury was my pride and this time, left elbow (there seems to be a bruise now). OTHER THAN my sopping butt (which dried off...).

clumsy? miscalculation? je ne sais quoi...

TBD...

Appreciation to all the sweet wishes!!!

Henry's was the earliest message, Ames came in close second. Cat, it's been much too long but Starbuck's coffee dates will come back!!! Abbeyites group messaging love that's coming as far as Oz...only Abbeyites can send this message to me!!!

As well as Amazon and Starbucks toppings from bestie's Karen & Shelley!

However, it's the surprise that took the wind out of me (kind of literally) was spotting an almost divine message during my morning garage walk workout...

Yaaaaaassss!!!
(the smallest and can be seen as most mundane things in life, lol!
It's like there's something watching over us all!)

Breakfast of champions?

Watched the hour and half Framing Britney Spears documentary while cooling down after my morning walk and having brekkie...something to take in a little tongue in cheek as even though this really puts into focus the term and meaning into a conservatorship (especially her conservatorship), it's much more of a conversation into the effects of fame and the differences between the effects of public relations on any celebrity (eg. be it male vs. female/ethnicity/age).

I've taken it into bringing to light as to the effects of celebrity status and the type of toll it takes on anyone's mental well-being (which seems to also have been gaining much more attention in the media recently).

It's hard to define this as a movie or documentary as it tells a story and as a viewer, I don't know how much to believe but it's definitely showcased a different perspective on how to view her situation. Not that I've had much of an opinion but I'm glad I'm not in her boat and hope it makes it to a destination in one piece. (fingers-crossed) *yikes*

Netflix's 'The Chair'

Is a satirical six-part series of contemporary academia disguised as a rom-com that's cocreated by Amanda Peet and starring Sandra Oh, Jay Duplass and Holland Taylor to name a few.

For “The Chair,” Amanda Peet needed a very specific kind of lead actress. Who else but Sandra Oh, could both “do a pratfall and also pass as someone with a Ph.D. in literature?” (agreed!!!)

At a major university, Ji-Yoon Kim's (Oh's character) the first woman of color to become chair tries to meet the dizzying demands and high expectations of a failing English department. Personally, Sandra embraces every character she's played so well (even in the thrilling Killing Eve) that it's always so much fun to see how she transforms into her role and take the ride with her!

Weekend distractions…

WE LOVE NYC: The Homecoming Concert
New York Philharmonic - 'Candide', 'Rhapsody in Blue', 'Manhattan','Arthur's Theme', 'New York State of Mind', 'New York, New York' DJ Cassidy introducing Andrea Bocelli, Tenor with New York Philharmonic - 'You'll Never Walk Alone'; 'O Sole Mio' with Flute solo Jennifer Hudson with New York Philarmonic - 'Nessun Dorma'
Clive Davis introduced Carlos Santana - 'Maria Maria'
Santana with Rob Thomas - 'Move'; 'Smooth'
Julia Michaels & JP Saxe with Sam Smith, H.E.R. & Alessia Cara, Niall Horan, Keith Urban & Finneas - 'If The World Was Ending'
Gayle King - Co-host, 'CBS This Morning' presents Kane Brown - 'Homesick' & 'Be Like That'
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer
Journey ' Any Ay You Want It,' Don't Stop Believin'
Don Lemon, CNN Anchor introducing LLCool J, Melle Mel & Scorpio, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, French Montana, Bad Joe, Remy Ma, Boogie with the Hoodie, Run DMC & Busta Rymes
Melle Mel and Scorpio - 'The Message'
Busta Rhymes and Spliff Star - 'Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See'
A Boogie Wit da Hoodie - ' Look Back At It'
French Monatana, Fat Joe and Remy Ma - 'All The Way Up' & 'Lean Back'
LL Cool J - 'Mama Said Knock You Out,' LL Cool J and Rev Run - 'It's Tricky, 'LL Cool J and Friends - 'Rock The Bells'
Stephen Colber, Host 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' presents Jon Batiste - 'Freedom'
Mayor Bill de Blasio & Charlene - New York introducing Earth, Wind & Fire Ft. Lucky Daye - 'Want My Love' & 'September'
DJ Cassidy introduces Executive producers Jeff Gordon & Jason Miller from Live Nation
Polo G - 'Rapstar'
Don Lemon and Carlos Espinoza (Bakery giving free food to the public) introduces and Barry Manilow - 'Copacabana,' 'Mandy'

Due to rain, concert stopped and Barry Mainlow's called in and played 'I made it through the rain'
On the phone convos with Carlos Santana, rapper French Montana, DJ Cassidy, Elvis Costello, Stephen Colbert in The Killer's tent with a Digeridoo - Bruce and Paul Simon drops in looking for Paul Simon to jam with The Killers.
Snapshot of an acoustic performance fromThe Killers (Brandon Flowers) singing 'Mr Brightside' with Gayle King (Co-host, 'CBS This Morning) with Don Lemon on the phone

On the phone with Patti Smith
Final word via Erica Hill (CNN National Correspondent) that the rest of the show is cancelled in the park. Oh well, we take what we can!

Stand Up To Cancer:
Celebrities supporting research into the disease: Tony Hale, Katie Couric, Anthony Anderson, Ken Jeong, Tran Ho, Sofia Vergara, Common, Brittany Howard
Chapter One - Valuing the Importance of Life - hosted by Reese Witherspoon (Jennifer Garner; Tony & October Gonzalez; Ed Helms; Ciara)
Dr. Rayne H. Rouce, MD - Texas Children's Hospital; Dr. John Carpten; Dr. Kimberly Stegmaier; Dr. Andrew Chan; Dr. Brian Wolpin; Dr. Folasade May; Dr. Michal Sheffer; Brittany Howard;
Chapter Two - Equity Is Necessary - hosted by Anthony Anderson (Tony Hale, Michael Pena, Mj Rodriguez, Chandra Wilson, Iliza Shlesinger, Jamie Camil, Kate del Castillo)
Cancer: A Love Story - Once Upon A Time...Yaphet and Kelly Smith - Cancer was upon them
Yaphet volunteered to be a part of the PROMISE Study, a SUZC supported trial that tests healthy people who may be at risk for multiple myeloma. 'CANCER IS NOT A DEATH SENTENCE' And they are living their Happily Ever After

Chadwick Boseman's wife Simone sings
Danielle Michaud - Host, Sportsnet; Yannick Bisson - Murdoch Mysteries, CBC; Bryan Mudryk - Sportcaster, TSN; Carolyn Mackenzie - The Morning Show, Global;

Chapter Three - Science Saves Lives
Hosted by: Ken Jeong & Tran Ho - 'You complete me, Ho!'

'MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE'
HOPE
Stand Up To Cancer came at a very critical time. Everyone was siloed and sharing data was a very difficult thing. Now we can credibly say 'it's a collaborative effort'. Dream teams, immunotherapy, convergance, innovative approachs, technologies and genetics, precision medicine, pharma, clinical trials, interception...HOPE. Stand Up To Cancer really allows us to take chances and they are okay with not all the ideas working to get that special one that's going to make a huge difference. The world cancer started in 1971. We did not think we had the tools to cure cancer. What's actually changed? EVERYTHING. Cancer doesn't need to be that death sentence that we used to think 10 years ago. It's scientists, it's technologists, it's advocates, it's patients...we're ALL working together. Stand Up To Cancer has made team science the norm. And that's why Stand Up To Cancer is out there shouting 'NOW NOW NOW!' ARE YOU STANDING YET?
NEW EVERY DAY , NEW IDEAS, NEW INSIGHTS, NEW DISCOVERIES
Amazing arsonal of diverse weaponry: - quantitative ways of thinking, targeted therapies, combination therapy, tumour micro-environment, bioinformatics, geonomics...LET'S MAKE THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE.
Stand Up To Cancer started the revolution but it's an evolving revolution. There's no turning back.
The fight against cancer...is a fight for more time.

Ken & Tran thanks Bradley Cooper who was there for them as he'd lost his own father, Charlie from lung cancer 10 years ago
Italia Ricci, Cecily Strong, Max Greenfield, Deon Cole
Survivor: Alison Sweeney
Chapter Four - Better Together
Hosted by: Sofia Vergara
Katie Couric - Legacy Circle with AACR - American Association for Cancer Research

Matthew McConaughey

Common raps, Stevie Wonder on harmonica

This date's CELEBRATIONS!!! #wootwoot! #family

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY DEAREST RANDHAWA'S!!!

&

HAPPY BDAY AMES!!!

“Suji-wa-Dokushin-ni-Kagiru"

'Numbers should be single, a bachelor' - translation

Awww....I was scrolling through msn and just saw a post (from this morning) that Maki Kaji, the creator of (my MOST favorite hobby and past-time) the numbers puzzle Sudoku, whose life's work was spreading the joy of puzzles, has died from bile duct cancer.

Known as the 'Godfather of Sudoku', Kaji had created the puzzle to be easy for children and others who didn't want to think too hard. The name 'Sudoku' is made up of the Japanese characters for 'number' and single,' where the numbers 1 through 9 are placed in rows, columns and blocks without repeating them.

After dropping out of Keio University in Tokyo, he founded Nikoli in 1983 and came up with Sudoku around the same time. Nikoli has provided original puzzles to more than 100 media companies, 10 of them foreign ones. He'd traveled to more than 30 countries spreading his enjoyment of puzzles. Sudoku championships have drawn over 200 million people in 100 countries over the years!

'Kaji-san came up with the name Sudoku and was loved by puzzle fans from all over the world. We are grateful from the bottom of out hearts for the
patronage shown throughout his life.'

According to the article, it Sudoku only became a global hit in 2004 when a New Zealand fan pitched and had it published in The Times newspaper. Two years later, Japan rediscovered the puzzle as a 'gyakuyunyu' or 'reimport.'
A major Japanese newspaper Mainichi in its obituary credited Kaji for starting the puzzles sections at bookstores, as well as introducing the word ' Sudoku' into the Oxfor English dictionary. !!!

The extraordinary impact Kaji-san has had on my life cannot be adequately explained. It played a gigantic role in my recovery period, so much that I had even written a speech about Sudoku (Hobby - Sudoku - 'Going Out Of My Mind) in my 2018 toastmasters group (Mon Sheong Inspired Toastmasters)

Besties catch-up!!!

Had TWO awesome nearly hour long phone convo chats (as she's headed to and from work) with bestie, Shelley today!!!

Granted, we message one another regularly online but I think the last time we had a long phone convo was back in May for her birthday. So, I'd like a record to remember this day (conversation topics irrelevant, lol!)!!!

Aug 20, 2021 Update:
Had a 90 minute intense check in chat with bestie where I learned some potentially unforgiving news regarding her health that she's currently still in the midst of. Due to the unknown, everything (including covid-19 vaccine) is potentially dangerous...tbd...
MUCH love from afar...

Hump day Bar barritto & bake shop

Catching up on some
sweet memories
with Winnie!!!

Dins over at BarBurrito first...

Magical 2 pics detz!!! Before dessert next door at Bake Code
#besties

Watched the HBO Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind documentary (that was released back in 2018) that looked into the extraordinary life and career of a most amazing comedian, the great Robin Williams. It included celebrity guests with the likes of David Letterman, Jay Leno, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin (Waiting for Gadot), Matt Damon & Ben Affleck (Good Will Hunting) as well as his breakout acting partner, Pam Dwaber (Mork & Mindy)

'His pathos was seeking to entertain and please. And he felt when he wasn't doing that,
he was not succeeding as a person. That was always hard to see because in so many senses he is the most successful person that I know. and yet he didn't always feel that.'
- Zack Williams (son)

'Great ppl make you better. You got over the fact that it was Robin, and then you got to work.
You did what you needed to do...because you wanted to be up to speed.' It was just like
'Oh no, you're not leaving me in the dust. I'm going to be right next to you, running.
You wanted to be able to play and keep up.'
- Whoopi Goldberg

The three muskateers (Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldbert & Robin Williams!)

Also caught Les Miserables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary which included Nick Jonas who portrayed the role of Marius!

This musical NEVER stops being popular, it has such a history in my life...I remember being introduced to this musical via Grace and Jules when Ames and I were all such young'uns...I mean we were literally babies.
We memorized ALL the words in Les Mis...so that to this day I always remember and sing along to all the songs!

BUT the four of us were so diligent in learning the lyrics to the roles we were committed to (Grace - Cosette; Ames - Eponine; Myself - Fantine; Jules - ALL the male roles ahahahaaaa!!! )

Inspiring

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics began off-kilter enough (let's begin with the fact that it's called 'The Tokyo 2020 Olympics' while obviously taking place in 2021...) with the world in a weird dimensional axle.

Now that it has finally begun, another spin occurred with the announcement of withdrawing from the games by Olympic champion and Gymnastics superstar Simone Biles to focus on her mental well-being.

I have to focus on my mental health and not jeopardize my health and well-being''

Conidering she was given such a huge 'weight of the world' on her shoulders, it's not surprising that this has affected her mentally. It's literally a BURDEN.

'I felt like it would be better to take a back seat.
I didn't want to risk the team a medal because they worked way too hard for my screw-ups'

While in the past this act would never have been a sane possibility, this courageous decision is now seen as 'revolutionary' as it showcases a very powerful and meaningful shift in the way mental health is being publically discussed in the public sphere. Where in the past this may have led to heavy criticism, in the light of the new world she's now receiving much support for sharing what's she's going through and I fully believe in what she's doing.

She's not the first and only one as the phenomenal tennis player Naomi Osaka had withdrawn from the French Open earlier in the year over similar misgivings over her mental health.

Where in the past these acts are seen negatively, I believe this is the better way as it's very important to address this for the betterment to any person's well-being.

It is very encouraging that she has the support from the USA Gymnastics:

Hint of past 'normal'

FINALLY enjoyed Shelley's birthday Starbucks gift card present from nearly two years ago!!!
No matter...it was still very much worth it (in the form of a Strawberry Funnel frappacino)...as a reminder of the taste of the funnel cake treat that I associate with Wonderland, a place I don't frequent ever, lol!!!

Yesterday, hit up the Donut Hive after checking out appliances at Miele as Ames' condo is nearing completion!

Part of this morning's brekkie, YUM!!!

After spending the afternoon browsing around the mall, we enjoyed dinner at JOEY Yorkdale where I finished off a BBQ Salmon Rice Bowl (made up of sweet sesame soy sauce, edamame, mushrooms, daikon). It was such a delish delight!

This arvo, Fayewood dropped by and we meandered over to Cafe Landwer where we ordered juices to go!

Then we enjoyed our beverages over at Willowdale Park.

I particularly enjoyed the park sights of adorable canines (and nice looking owner, *wink wink*) and bike patrol as they rode throught the park!