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Friday, February 28, 2014

February 28th - Fantastic Morning

Well - got up this morning to a horrible headache and a windchill of -3000  or something close to that.  Not exactly a stellar morning.

On top of that - the Sens were badly beat 6 - 1 by the Red Wings. 

I was not the happiest of girls.  Walked into the office at 6am looking forward to the day ending and going back home to bed.

I was listening to Majic 100 and started getting MAD because of the most recent "French Language Police" situation.  Social Media is NOT based in Quebec, leave it ALONE!! 

Really - is anything else going to make this morning unbearable???

To the Majic Mornings hosts credit though - they were able to get my day going a little better with the fun that they always have in the mornings. 

But they weren't done!!!

I got up from my desk to talk to a co-worker about the Sens game for a few minutes.
I guess I lost track of time...

Before I continue, Majic 100 currently have a contest that you need to enter where, if they call your name during the day and you call back within 15 minutes - you win $500.  It's THAT easy.  I entered the contest when it was announced.

You see, these types of contests are the only ones I'll enter at any radio station.  If I need to do anything else like answer trivia or anything else really - I don't call.  I only try the - "Be the 25th caller through" or things like that.  All I ever hear during those contests is the busy signal though.

Anyway - back to this morning.  After I finished talking to my co-worker, I got to my desk and my cell phone was flashing.  There were 2 missed calls, multiple tweets and text messages from family and friends on it.  I looked at the time and realized it was passed 8:50.  Saw the first text that told me to call Majic and I knew...

I called and Stuntman Stu answered the phone.  I told him who it was and I heard who I assume were the other Majic Morning hosts Angie, Trish and Procucer Dean in the background cheering. :)

I WON $500. 

I was so excited that when they said Congrats to me the first time - I didn't answer right away because I was reading my texts and tweets and listening to Majic at the same time :).  Guess I'm bad at multitasking!!

I was actually shaking...now, I'm not sure if this is due to winning the money or just having to call in to the radio station.  Probably a bit / lot of both :)

I've been on a high ever since.

Thank you Majic 100 - this has been a huge relief for me!!!

WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY!!!   Thank you Majic 100!!!!!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Thank you Sens

If you’ve ever been to a Sens game, you know that they usually have a video montage that they show before the players jump onto the ice at every game.

This montage has been different from one year to the next ever since I’ve been going to Sens games.  One of my first seasons as a season ticket holder, they had one set to the song “For the love of the game” by Semisonic.  I immediately fell in love with the imagery of the video and how it fit in so well with the song.  I believe this was either in 1999 or 2000.

I’ve watched every season since to see if another video would come close in my eyes but none really measured up.

I tried in vain to obtain a copy of this video from different people within the Sens organization, but no one was able to find it.  Or they thought I meant another video.

A few weeks ago, Paul Beirne, Executive Vice President of ticketing for the Ottawa Senators, posted in a forum I read regularly.  He was asking for Sens fans opinions on ways to improve the whole Senators experience.

Well, I had quite a few ideas and sent Paul a fairly wordy email (honestly, it was more of a book).  Somewhere buried  within that email, I mentioned the video just as an example of what the Sens did that once worked. 

Paul emailed me back almost immediately and liked some of the comments I had made.  I emailed him back and forth a few times, but never mentioned the video other than that first email.

One day, I get home and check my email.  What do I see in there?  An email from Paul saying: “We found your vid” with a link to the video.

OMG, you have ablsolutely NO IDEA how happy that made me.  I clicked on the link right away and watched my video over and over...and over again..  All the players from that season – so many memories.  I might have been on a high for a bit after that.  It made me happier than something like that really should, but I don’t care.

The fact that Paul took the time to ask someone to track down the video for me went above and beyond anything I ever expected from him.  

The person that did the searching and uploading of the video for me is Stan Kertesz.  I'm not sure how long it took Stan to find the video and convert it to an MP4 format, but I absolutely appreciate the time and work it took.  He'll probably never really know how happy he made this Sens fan, but if I ever see him - I'll be sure to tell him. 

I now have the video on my phone and can watch it whenever I want to :)

To see the video that made me so happy - click ===> Video

That kind of customer service, along with a few other stories I’ve heard about, show me just how great the Sens organization is.  

Thank you Paul, Stan and the Sens.

Julie/@Flip_4

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Big Rig Review - Best Fried Pickles Anywhere

Originally posted at Kickass Ottawa on February 23rd, 2014,

In a surprising twist - I talk about Big Rig and how great they all are. :)  Originally posted at:

http://www.kickassottawa.com/big-rig-review-best-fried-pickles-anywhere/

big-rig-logo-smaller-300x153

As you may or may not know, Big Rig is one of my favorite places to hang out.  There are many reasons for this, but here are a few of the best ones.
First off, they have FANTASTIC food.  My favorites include their fabulous deep friend pickles.  They’re the only fried pickles I’ve ever liked…and I am now addicted.  They also have some great wings with spicy maple sauce.  Mmmmmm.  Their taco salad comes in a Mason jar and is oh so delectable.  Perfect combination of ingredients.   A more recent favourite tasty dish are the ribs and ravioli.  Or Ribs and Rav as we’ve been told they call them.  The ribs are fall off the bone succulent and perfectly marinated and cooked.  The sauce used on them is oh so tasty and I believe might actually be made with the same spicy maple sauce they use on the wings.  Their ravioli pieces are huge and tossed in Big Rig’s homemade meat sauce.  I’m also told their pizza is AMAZING!!! (Editor note: the pizza is fantastic!)
For dessert, my absolutely favourite is their “birthday cookie”, but you can get it even if it isn’t your birthday.  The cookie is the size of a dinner plate and comes warm with ice cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce.  Easily feeds 6 people, but I’ve been known to order for two of us and bring some home.
cookie photo
That’s one thing about their food portions, many times, you’ll be able to take the leftover home to enjoy the next day.
Another reason I love going there is that they really make you feel comfortable.  As an extremely shy single woman in Ottawa, it’s not easy to walk into a bar/restaurant and feel at ease.  In the almost two years the place has been open, I’ve only ever felt welcome.
It starts at the door when you’re greeted by the hostess.  She’ll seat you where you want and will make sure you have everything you need before your server comes to look after you.  The servers are friendly and extremely helpful.  I’m usually very early whenever I meet my friends, but they’ve never made me feel like I was in the way or taking up valuable space.  I’ve never felt this way anywhere before.
I’ve been to a few events here, including my 40th birthday party, and it’s always so very well organized.   They make sure everyone leaves happy.
Having been to many bars/restaurants in the past, you often see the token slobbering drunk patron who’s always hitting on the women. I’ve never noticed anything like that here.  It really helps with making the atmosphere more inviting.
All in all, I’d be hard pressed to find somewhere I’m more at ease than at Big Rig.
Next time you go – be sure to have the cookie.
Julie / @Flip_4

Vision Uncertainties

On September 17, 2013 I contributed a post to the Ottawa Valley Moms Website.

Vision Uncertainties about my eye condition - Corneal Dystrophy.

http://www.ottawavalleymoms.com/2013/09/vision-uncertanties/

Julie / @Flip_4

Sight One Day - Gone Tomorrow

August 19, 2013 I contributed a post to the Ottawa Valley Moms Website.

The post was about my eye condition - Corneal Dystrophy.

http://www.ottawavalleymoms.com/2013/08/sight-one-day-gone-the-next/

Julie / @Flip_4

50 Book Pledge

I LOVE to read.  For anyone who knows me, they know this statement is true.

From the time I learned how to read, I’ve had this love affair with books.  I can’t explain it, I just love to read.

I remember in grade school, each student was allowed to borrow a certain number of books a week from the library.   The librarian made an exception for me and I could bring as many books as I wanted every week.  This is because I returned them all on time and I did read all of them.  Sometimes I would borrow up to 10 books.

My grandparents worked at my grade school and sometimes, after school, I would sit in the library and read while they were cleaning and finishing up what they had to do. 

At home, my parents would buy me books for birthdays and Christmas and to be honest, those gifts made me as happy as any other gifts they could get me.

In HS, we’d get a book to read as an assignment for class and I would bring it home that night and likely finish it before the next class. 

There was no stopping me. 

Then I became and adult and although I still read quite a bit, it seems that I have replaced reading with the computer or television.  Last year, I believe I MAY have  read a total of 15 books and I’m probably being a little generous with the total.

In order to get back into reading, I’ve decided to take the 50 book pledge.  I will attempt to read 50 books this year.   So far so good - I've read 10 books.

I read during my lunch hour at work.  I read before going to bed at night.  I read on the weekends when I first get up in the morning.   I have always brought my books or e-reader with me everywhere I go – but now I will actually read whenever I find the time. 

Really, is there anything more relaxing?

Let me know if you like to read.  What are your favourite books?  How many books do you plan on reading this year?

Join me in the 50 book pledge.

http://www.50bookpledge.ca/user/772005371k/r

Have a great day!!

Julie / @Flip_4

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Getting back on track

Wow - the past few months - I've really fallen off the "Saving" wagon.

I was doing so well - sticking to a budget so that I could get myself out of debt and then buy my house a couple of years ago.

Now, between multiple car issues and just plain not being careful on what I spent money on, I've depleted the accounts.  I took a look the other day and was actually shocked.

The one good thing is that I am NOT in debt other than the house.  That's a positive as I don't have to start from getting rid of debt, I just have to start a savings plan again.

Back to Gail Vaz-Oxlade's website I go for her budget worksheet and to get myself back on the savings track.

With a trip, my Sens season tickets and some expensive car repairs coming up - it's going to be tight for a bit.  

Guess I'll have to re-evaluate where my money goes.  Cut down on movies, books, clothes and constant take-outs or restaurant meals.  I'll keep Big Rig outings though ;)

Back to "No fun Julie" it is ;)

Who's got the winning lottery numbers for me???

Til next time
Julie / @Flip_4