HEAVEN HELP YOU IF YOU LOSE YOUR PASSPORT WHEN TRAVELLING!

You hear the horror stories all the time i.e. passport lost or stolen. You tell yourself it won't happen to you: you're too careful with something that important. And usually you are. But it only takes a moment of inattention and suddenly poof! It's gone! That's what happened to my daughter, who's 27, a seasoned traveller and usually cautious to the point of making one nauseous!

There she was, enjoying a week's well-earned vacation in Vegas and on her last night before flying to Phoenix, she decided to indulge in a last half-hour at a casino. She used her Canadian Passport as ID (I still don't know why she was carrying that in the casino), went over to get some chips and returned to the machine for a few more spins of the wheel. It wasn't until she went up to her room only 30 minutes later that she realized she didn't have the passport. Imagine the panic setting in ... and panic she did.

There it was 3am and she and her partner were back in the casino, combing the aisles, talking to the ladies sitting either side of where she'd sat, finding security (who were useless and said it was too much trouble to look at video footage and would take days and did she have days to wait etc etc). and by 5am she was distraught and in tears. After all, they were flying to Phoenix in a few hours. She got onto the US consulate and they said no problem travelling around the US but she'd better get hold of Canadian consulate asap and report the Passport lost (most likely stolen by this time). Well the Canadian consulate isn't open at that time of morning. They filed a police report and flew on to Phoenix to begin the odious task of trying to get through to the Canadian consulate. You must be kidding! It was a Friday but no-one was answering the phone. She tried 6 times. Nada! So she hunted down an email address and wrote, explaining her situation and giving the necessary details. The ISP tried "unsuccessfully" to deliver the email for the next 3-4 days. So the Canadian consulate in LA wasn't answering its phones and didn't appear to have a working email address. Her panic increased. Some holiday for R & R this was turning out to be and they were flying back to Canada in less than 24 hours!

Tuesday rolled around and lo and behold, someone from the Canadian consulate got in touch. They took the details and told her not to worry. She should be able to get back into Canada on her birth certificate since she's a Canadian. She also had her Aussie Passport with her (she has dual citizenship), and with the police report, apart from some extra questions at Canadian Immigration, she should have no problems. She breathed a sigh of relief and started to enjoy what little was left of her holiday.

She arrived at the Phoenix airport in plenty of time. They whisked through ticketing in 20 minutes and found they had 90 minutes to kill before boarding. Then came boarding time. The gal checking them in took a look at the Aussie Passport and the questions started. She asked my daughter to prove she was a Canadian citizen. My daughter produced her birth certificate, her driver's license, her OHIP medical card. The woman said it proved nothing. Scuse me?! She said the Aussie Passport proved nothing and wasn't stamped with the date she left Canada. Well no, of course not. She'd used the stolen Canadian Passport. They showed her the police report. Not good enough. There was 10 minutes left to boarding. My daughter could see her partner flying home and herself being stuck in the Phoenix airport! The woman asked where her "permanent resident card" was. My daughter explained you don't need one when you're a Canadian citizen! Your birth certificate is all you need to get back into Canada for heaven's sake. The woman was still not buying it. Why didn't she have a visitor visa for the US like her partner did? Because she's a Canadian citizen and doesn't need the visitor visa and she was travelling on a Canadian Passport NOW stolen. What doesn't she get here?!

With 8 minutes left to board, the woman finally called her supervisor who said to let her board. If it had been this hard leaving the US with a mere ticketing clerk, what would happen when she finally hit Canadian immigration?! She prepared for the worst.

Mercifully, Canadian Immigration "got it" right away. She showed her birth certificate, the Aussie Passport, the police report and they waved her on through with a "Welcome Home"! They did tell her to expect delays and questioning every time from now on when she travelled on the new Canadian Passport she'd have to get since the odds are now good her identity will be in question if someone else is now using her stolen passport.

A vacation that became a bit of a nightmare is over ... for now. Lesson from all this? If you've got one of those Passport pouches you can tie around your neck or waist or wherever, use it. And if you don't have to use a Passport for ID, lock it in a safe ... and hope the hotel maid doesn't have a key!

WHAT YOUR CHILDREN SEE WHEN YOU THINK THEY AREN'T LOOKING

This morning one of my friends sent me the piece below. It's wonderful and I wanted to share it with those who may think their actions, words and other behaviours go over our kids' heads or just aren't really noticed. You think? Think again. Read the piece below. It's very positive and a nice way to head into our weekend. But at the same time, I couldn't help but think how the piece below would read if the writer were talking about the negatives our children see in their homes day after day.

I remember cautioning my daughter years ago when her little one was really little. As a single mom, she was often frustrated, over-tired and overwhelmed by the way her life wasn't turning out as she hoped and dreamed. And when her little one, my grand-daughter, was acting up, misbehaving, not listening, you know...all the things kids do...my daughter too often yelled, screamed to get the child to listen. I told her "hey...cool down...if you keep screaming like that she'll either tune you out as her way of coping or in time, she too will scream when she's desperate to get her way or get her point across." Well of course, now, years later, that prophesy has come true. I watched our little one turn red with temper, trying to contain herself, screaming when she can't have her way or is frustrated trying to express herself. And too often I've heard my daughter complain that Sammy just doesn't listen. She zones out when mommy's trying to get her to do something. Really? No surprise there.

Sometimes I hate being a grandmother and being right. I also wish I'd had the wisdom I have now when I was raising my own girls. Sigh...

Well read on. At least this is the positive side of what your children see when you think they're not looking....




WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

A message every adult should read because children
are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my

favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.'



Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend)
influences the life of a child..

ADAM LAMBERT'S CD COVER: A COLLECTOR'S ITEM.

Maybe I'm weird, but this nearly 64-year-old vintage blogger and grandma just loves Adam Lambert. And I know there's a good number of grandmas who feel as I do. Adam had me from his first performance on American Idol. He, and Allison Iraheta, were the reason I came back week after week. I knew he'd have something to surprise or shock us with and that he'd never be dull. And to date, he certainly hasn't disappointed us. He shocked some, intrigued others when he came out. But hey, that just makes him even more interesting, doesn't it! After all, Elvis shocked us too when he arrived. I was an adolescent then and was thoroughly embarrassed by Elvis' pelvic motions. My mother thought he was disgusting. We both grew to love and admire him over his many years in the spotlight. So too, Michael Jackson was controversial most of his life, but he gave us some of the best music ever heard. And now there's Adam ...

I did the unprecedented for me: I'm one of the thousands who has pre-ordered Adam's CD. What's interesting about that is I generally don't even buy CD's. But for one, I love Adam. Secondly, I love his voice. Even the screaming doesn't deter me because this singer knows so well how to use his instrument (talking about his voice here folks!) And thirdly, I know this CD will become a collector's item. That's why I bought that Rolling Stone issue with him on the cover too. Notice what Elvis' and Michael's items auction for these days?

So now, this past week, I got to see his CD cover. And what a frenzy of comments and criticism it caused. His decision to have this as his cover shocked and annoyed so many many fans. What was he thinking they ask? Well maybe he was thinking what I'm thinking: don't be predictable; keep them guessing; keep them coming back for more, just like we did week after week on idol. There's nothing more boring ... and maybe more dangerous for an artist, than being predictable. And then there's this to consider: in the music business, you have to keep the fans talking and talking about you. Well we're talking aren't we! Why do all those Hollywood mags dishing on the stars sell so well? They keep us reading about the rich and famous. Where would they be if we weren't interested? So Adam's just done what we didn't expect. Good for him. Smart move!

I couldn't care less about his CD cover. So they air-brushed his face and reminded us of his feminine side. Who cares? When that amazing young artist starts to sing or takes over a stage, all that matters is his voice, his performance, his charisma, his talent.

You know, here we are nearly in 2010, and we still judge a person by his cover (pun intended). But it's what's inside that counts isn't it. Whether we're talking about the contents of Adam's new CD or about Adam, the human being, it's what's inside that counts. What I've seen and heard from this talented future superstar has impressed me more than any artist in the past 10 years. When I watch him, I know that hot flash and flush I feel isn't just menopause. It's the excitement a truly fabulous performer generates. And from what I've read and from the videos I've watched of him, he's as nice in person as he is hot onstage. So who cares about his CD cover? Not me!

So bring it on Adam. This old duffer is ready for whatever you're bringing to the table. Can't wait to get my copy. And if nothing else, I know I'll have a collector's item!

NO MORE TALKING ON YOUR CELL PHONE IN THE CAR ... HA HA HA!

So Ontario's jumped in and passed that law that says we can no longer chat or text while driving. About damn time!

For the life of me ... and the lives of others who've been in an accident just because someone has to talk or text another person while on the road ... I can't see why it's taken this long, and who knows, how many lives to finally decide it's not safe to do both at once!

I mean really, how can you focus on the road and the car ahead if you're trying to type onto something that fits in the palm of your hand? When did we grow an extra pair of eyes that see front and down simultaneously? Unless really, there are aliens amongst us and we don't know it! This is taking multi-tasking to a whole new level but it's far from safe. Computers crash. What about us?

And really, how good is your concentration if you're in the middle of an argument with your wife, lover, boss or client when someone cuts in front of you on the highway as you scream along at 100k? I mean, just look at this video below: it's hilarious but now imagine the driver in the other car busy chatting or texting when someone does this for real:



The video is funny as hell but the reality is not!

So for the rest of us who don't see why it's so important to be in touch, connected, 24/7, I say high time this law was passed. Maybe I'm just getting too old and cantakerous but I cannot understand the modern generation's need to be tuned in to everything except what they are doing when they're doing it. Maybe we're trying to show we're smarter than computers i.e. multi -tasking without crashing. Well car crashes occur even when you're not multi-tasking.

Put your cell-phones away folks when you're driving. If you really need to answer it, pull over. The few minutes it takes to do that might save people's lives, including your own. Is that chat or text really that much more important than a life?

CONCERT FOR AUTISM IN HAMILTON, ONTARIO WAS A GREAT SHOW!

On the evening of October 16, 2009, my hubby and I had the pleasure of attending a concert in the Studio Theatre at Hamilton Place, Ontario. The concert was put on by the Canadian National Autism Foundation, a group who works tirelessly to create awareness of and financial support for research into Autism.

We first became involved with this group back in 2000, when my daughter, Victoria Boland, was about to release her first CD, "All Woman Girl". The group approached us for sponsorship. As a budding singer/songwriter, Victoria was not in a position to financially support the group, but she did pledge to donate $1 of every CD she sold to the Foundation. So began our long association with this hard-working, dedicated group.

Well what a pleasure it was to enjoy this concert with a lineup of some well-known and not so well-known Canadian musicians, and one rather famous American actor, Jerry Douglas of the TV soap opera, "The Young and the Restless". Most reading this probably don't know that Jerry is quite the singer, Frank Sinatra style, and has just released a CD in which he covers some fabulous old standards like "Witchcraft", "Come Rain or Come Shine" and many others. You can learn more about Jerry's musical career and new CD HERE. Jerry closed the show with a great selection of his songs and he was delightful, regaling us with funny stories about television and doing an improv skit with my daughter that shocked her and us and left us all in stitches. The foundation was thrilled to have such a celebrity donate his time to their cause.

Also on the bill were Juno-winner Canadian guitarist and songwriter, Rik Emmet. Rik performed some of his better known songs to an admiring audience but had to leave us immediately after his set. Opening the show was a crazy, but endearing rock artist, SAB. Gravelly-voiced but with soul emanating from every fibre, he was a different and most enjoyable showman. If you ever get a chance to see him, do. He's very entertaining.

The show was hosted by Canada's funny man, Rick Wharton who is an amazing emcee, and indeed, very funny. I'd love to catch one of his comedy spots sometime. You can learn all about Rick HERE. He has a very impressive background in show business.

And last on the bill, but far from last for me, was my own daughter, Victoria, who performed with her professional and personal partner, Andrew Rudd. They did a selection of songs including the "AUTISM SONG: DON'T GIVE UP ON ME" which Victoria and I wrote for the CNAF back in 2002 and which Victoria recorded in 2005. The video above is of their performance at the concert, a simple acoustic version of the song. You can purchase the actual single, done with piano and violin, directly from the CNAF.

Victoria and Andrew will soon be releasing their own CD. They performed one of the new tracks at that concert and the audience loved it. They can't wait to share all their other new songs with the world in the coming months. You'll be able to hear those, when they're ready, at their MySpace Page. and you can learn more about them right now on their personal website at AndrewVictoria. There's also lots of information and videos on this duo who have raised over $100,000 for the Children's Wish Foundation and other Canadian charities at YOU TUBE.

LETTERMAN, LET A WOMAN, LET 'EM ALL ... !

You know, I've never considered myself a prude and I know I'm not one. But lately I'm having a hard time staying open-minded about celebrities, their antics, their lifestyles, their actions, their apologies ... You know what I'm talking about.

There's David Letterman, suddenly doing the right thing I guess by airing his indiscretions and more to a world-wide audience. I suppose doing it this way somehow makes him look less "guilty"...if that's the right word ... of having sex with his female employees. It's like if I tell you everything upfront and come clean, somehow you'll forgive me for being honest and overlook how dishonest I've been.

And then we read how sorry he is, apologizing to his lovely wife, just like Clinton and so many others did before him. Does telling all and apologizing make the wife feel better, less humiliated by her cheating husband's actions? Does it take away her pain or let her hold her head any higher now that it's all out in the open? What about her trust in him?

Of course, the question in my mind is would he have 'fessed up, even to her alone, if he hadn't been found out? Since apparently there's been more than one of his female employees enjoying his attentions (putting it nicely) and who knows for how long, how long would it have gone on and how many more women would have let Letterman have his way with them? Does this mean it'll never happen again? Hmmm... Letterman, let a woman, let a man, let 'em all and let the chips fall as they may seems to be the order of today. Then 'fess up, apologize and the world will applaud your honesty and courage and forget all about it in time. Ob la di Ob La da ... life goes on ...GRRRRR!

SO SORRY SAMMY BUT YOUR NAME'S NOT SURI & MINE'S NOT KATIE HOLMES CRUISE!

So did you read that news clip this past week about how Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes splashed out about $3.4 million on clothes for Suri? I nearly choked on my cereal. Poor little Sammy, that grand-daughter I introduced in my first post, thought I was having a heart attack. Well I nearly did. $3.4 million on clothes for a kid who'll be out of them before she's 3 1/2?

Seems mommy and daddy want her to always look her best and "think nothing of dressing her in designer outfits". Well I bet those designers are laughing all the way to the bank. Just how indulgent can parents be? Gees, I get uptight when I drop $50 on clothes for Sammy in our local Walmart, knowing the T-shirts will be covered in mustard or jam within minutes of wearing them or the jeans will have mud caked to the knees the next time she goes out to play. I wonder if Suri has play clothes. Do they get dirty? How can you always look your best when you're a normal, fun-loving, dirt-digging, drink spilling kid? Do you suppose the Cruises discard the dirty clothes as soon as she dumps on them? Or maybe, she's already like the stars i.e. you can't be seen in the same outfit twice. Yeah, that'd make it necessary to spend $3.4 million on your kid's clothes.

So little Suri rides her tricycle wearing Giorgio Armani, slurps ice cream in her Donatella Versace, wets her Roberto Cavalli when she has one of "those" accidents, and vomits on her Burberry when her tummy's upset. Yeeouch! And then there's those Christian Laboutin shoes that mommy Katie asked be created just for Suri. Will she wear them often or long enough to scuff the toes? Oh, that's right: probably can't be seen in the same shoes more than once either. Ah see, I was right! Apparently

"When Katie gets the Laboutins she always gets a few pairs so Suri can wear new shoes every time". Hey, can we have the hand-me-downs or will mommy and daddy do something noble like auction off all this stuff and give the money to some worthwhile cause? That'd at least make all
this seem somewhat less vacuous.

And then there's this tidbit: Holmes had a smaller version of her own Valextra bag made for Suri because the toddler was "desperate" to have one like mommy's. For a mere $4000, her wish was granted. Hmmm. Sammy, would you like a smaller version of the "green bag" I use for groceries? It's only 99 cents. Grandma will be happy to buy you one of those.

Come on Sammy. Let's go for a McDonald's ice cream and you can mess up your $5 dollar t-shirt that I got at the last clearance sale. Do those sneakers I got you last week still fit? Sure just wear those in case you step in dog-crap on the way!