Jeanne Dupuis

My grandmother celebrated her 82nd birthday and it was great to be able to be with her on that special day.  Unfortunately, the weather was really terrible so she wasn’t able to come over but that didn’t stop us from going over to see her!  Michael showed up so he followed us over in his car but he couldn’t stay for dinner.  Here’s a fun shot of us all (except Jyle who is taking the picture) while we were all still together.

The woman ended up with three bouquets of flowers (fitting for a woman named Rosie) and she was really thrilled.  We decided to try out a new Chinese restaurant in the area and she didn’t make any requests so I picked the menu.  I was really relieved that she enjoyed everything, including the foods she hadn’t tried before (how could she have never tried fried wontons, ginger beef and chicken balls?!).

I can already predict that some people are going to be a little irritated with me for writing this post but I am sitting here blogging with the best of intentions.   Before I go any further, I just want to say that I love Twitter.  I really do.  It is extremely useful for some things - promoting blog posts, connecting with celebrities and other bloggers in your niche, checking up on friends, etc… What confuses me, however, is when I see a tweet that says something like one of the following:

• “Spending time with my son.  He’s so funny.  He just said [insert quirky kid quip here]“
• “My wife is feeling under the weather so I’m making her some soup.”
• “My friends are here.  One of them is really upset.”
• “I just saw a crane fall from the sky.  I hope everyone is okay.”

To these types of tweets, my first thought is always:

• Tell me about your son later.  For now, shut down your computer and enjoy these precious moments with him.  He’ll be in college before you know it.
• If your wife is sick, give her all of your attention.  Instead of tweeting about this earth-shattering development, spend your energy thinking of something else you can do (aside from making the soup) to help her feel better.
• If your friends are at your house, TALK TO THEM.  Remember what that is?  Good old-fashioned speaking and eye contact can do wonders for a friendship.
• If a crane falls from the sky and you are close enough to see it, I’m kind of scared by the fact that your first thought was to tweet about it.  Call 911, go outside and see if people are okay, turn on the news and make sure aliens aren’t invading.  AFTER you’ve done all of these things, you can put something up on Twitter

My worry is that, we are so busy staying plugged in to technology that we are not “present” in our day-to-day lives.  I’m not saying we shouldn’t ever post Twitter updates about what we are doing but I will admit to being a little sad when I see someone put up 5-10 posts during a single outing (unless it’s some special event that warrants doing that, of course).   You go out dancing and you want us to all know you’re having a great time - I get it and I’ve even done it.  But can’t you remember a time when you and your friends were having so much fun that you forgot everything else in the world?  It was just you, the music and the shock of how late it got while you danced the night away?  What has happened to that?  Now, you see groups of people out on the dance floor with their iPhones in their hands trying to send drunken messages to their “Tweeps.”  It’s sad people.  It’s sad.

I’ve got three kids and late last year, I looked up and realized that I hadn’t really “seen” my kids properly for most of 2008.  They were older, different and I had missed some (or a lot) of it.  I was working a lot, understandably, but I also was checking Twitter, Facebook and getting sucked into YouTube far too often.  I’ve made a commitment to stop doing that this year.  I invest in my relationships instead of investing more time in cyberspace.

I’m challenging you to do the same.  Go for a walk.  Get outside.  Learn how to make a new recipe.  Take your significant other on a date.  Attend a school play and pay attention (I promise your child will be crushed to look up and see you staring down at your Blackberry during their solo).  Go to a game.  I don’t care what it is but just pick something (including having indigestion) to do OFFLINE.

That concludes today’s public service announcement

It’s only the third week of this new year but I can already feel, smell and taste the difference.  Things are shifting… in fact, it almost feels like the world is shifting and I can’t tell if I like it.

There have been moments of sheer exhilarating for me.  Obviously, I was thrilled that Barack Obama was sworn in as President of the United States yesterday.  It was a major step for our global society, as well as the American people.

I’ve also stuck to my resolutions so far.  By now, I’ve usually abandoned my efforts and have moved on to hating those New Years’ pacts that we make and break with ourselves.  Instead, I’m exercising daily, getting a decent amount of sleep, (almost) drinking enough water every day, I take a multivitamin (big step for me!), clean my face every night before bed and I’m trying to take time and gain perspective before I react to something that upsets me.  It’s a work in progress but at least I’m trying to work it…

On the flip side, there’s also all this recession crap that is just generally making people feel uneasy.  Almost none of my friends seemed excited over the holidays.  They couldn’t get into the seasonal spirit and neither could I.  I just wanted to curl up on the couch and sleep. And eat.  Truth be told, I gained like 8 pounds in December.

In some ways, it’s the same old, same old.  What I plan on changing, however, is myself and how well I am prepared to take on whatever challenges come my way.  I encourage all of you to do the same

GROWL.  I hate memes!!!!  Anyway, Arieanna from over on Blogaholics memed me and what I had to do was go to my Flickr photostream and publish the 6th image there.  So, it’s this one of me and Lara Kulpa at the 2008 Blog World Expo in Las Vegas this past September.

See the photo on Blogaholics.

image: Jyle Dupuis

I must confess - I’ve never stopped being a New Kids on the Block fan.  Sure, the obsession part of it died down over the years but I always take out their Christmas album to play “Funky, Funky Christmas” during the holiday season and anyone who really knows me will tell you that I’ve never stopped loving Jordan Knight.  In fact, here’s a funny story:

When I was still living in a duplex in the suburbs of Montreal, I couldn’t get enough of Jordan’s solo single “Give it to You.”  I played it over and over and over again one day and finally, the phone rang.  It was my landlord Kosta and he said (and I quote): “that’s enough, Jeanne.”  It was hilarious.  I played it one more time and then I stopped playing it out loud.  To this day, that song is often on my iPod playlist.  Loves it.

So, when I was in Junior High the New Kids were all the rage.  I pulled pictures from Teen Beat, Bop and whatever else I could get my hands on and plastered them all over my wall.  The pictures of Jordan were always closest to my bed so I could kiss him in the morning!!!  I won’t bore you with the details but for very unfortunate (bordering on cruel) reasons, I was not able to go to the only NKOTB concert near my small town in Upstate New York but had to be in the same building for a religious conference.  I could hear the beat of the music but I couldn’t go and see them.  Do you know how painful that was!?

Fast-forward 17 or18 years.  I hear about the New Kids reuniting and going on tour and it all comes rushing in on me - the missed concert, the group breaking up, Jordan’s solo album and his stint on the third season of The Surreal Life and, of course, my own maturation - I’m a mother now, I’m married.  I’ve got no business spending money on NKOTB tickets!  We’re in a recession after all.  Besides… who would go with me?  Certainly not Jyle!  Then a magical thing happens.  My daughter, all 15 glorious years of her, says “hey mom, are you going to see the New Kids?  I love that new song ‘Summertime.’”  My heart starts pounding and I realize that all these years of NKOTB education may have paid off - I could have a hormonal partner in crime.  So, after I confirm that she really wants to go, I run to my desk and get the tickets.  It felt great but it was months ago so it sucked to have to wait so long.

Finally, it’s time to get ready for the concert and we are so giddy, I almost felt guilty that Jyle insisted on driving us (there was a lot of black ice and I don’t think he trusted me).  We get there and there’s this super long lineup for the goodies and souvenirs.  I immediately spot this track jacket that I want but, to my horror, I watch the last one get snatched up.  We decide to make a run for the gift shop on the other side of the Saddledome, same thing (no jacket) so we get in line to grab some tees.  We both got the orange tour shirt and I also got one that says “Property of Jordan Knight NKOTB.”  Is it lame?  Yes, but I didn’t care.  I was about to call Jyle to ask if he would mind if I got that shirt and this lady next to me was like “don’t you dare ask for permission.  You’ve waited years for the shirt, hang up and buy it.”  So, I listened.

The show started with some drivel from Lady Gaga.  My daughter had never been to a concert before so she was impressed and thrilled to just be in the same room with a famous person.  My mind was on trying to find that track jacket… Natasha Bedingfield came out next and, again, Lauren was enthralled.  I decided to go looking for the jacket.  No dice.  They told me to check the online store.  Boo.

At long last, it was time for the New Kids to come out.  They started with their new song “Single” and I swear I was worst than any teenage girl could ever be.  I’m tearing up and screaming while this uptight chick next to me barely breaks a sweat.  Why do you unenthusiastic people come out in public?  Really, stay home, watch it on YouTube and leave the partying to people who want to have fun.  Anyway, they went right from that into “Favorite Girl” and then I was just barely conscious for the rest.  It was amazing and Lauren even held my hand during Jordan’s slow songs.  I could barely contain myself.

Okay, I actually completely lost it when I heard the first couple bars from “Give it to You” (the song that drove my old landlord crazy).  Lauren loves the song too and we realized that it was not as well known since about 50% of the crowd sat down and seemed to not know it.  We screamed along.  It was awesome.

And just so we are clear (for all those naysayers who want to comment on the fact that the New Kids are now closer to middle-age) - they looked INCREDIBLE.  Here’s a side-by-side comparison of Jordan Knight 18 years ago and him today.  He actually looks better now, thank you very much

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to dig around Amazon so I can order CDs to replace my old New Kids on the Block cassettes.  Don’t judge me…

Today is the day.  The United States of America is currently in the process of electing a new leader.  For the first time in 24 years, there will not be a Clinton or a Bush in office - we’re starting fresh and I’m both exhilarated and terrified at the same time.

I won’t lie - I would really like for Democratic Senator, Barack Obama, to take this thing tonight.  I don’t even just want him to win - I want it to be a landslide.  I don’t normally get political but this is so important.

The sad part is, I used to really like John McCain (Republican Senator) but he made some serious mistakes.  With everything that has happened in the past 8 years, I was surprised that he didn’t try to put more distance between himself and President Bush.  After all this time in government, I was surprised he decided to select Governor Sarah Palin (Alaska-R) as his running mate.  With so much on the line and the economy near crippled, why would he pick someone who is relatively unknown?  And for goodness sakes, all you have to do is spend a few minutes with her to know that she’s not ready for this.  Does Barack lack experience too?  Of course!   I’m willing to forgive a man, however, who is able to inspire and motivate people the way he has.  There comes a time when someone starts a movement so large that you have to just say “the other way hasn’t worked so far.  Why the hell doesn’t he deserve a chance?”  Know what I’m sayin’?

The final thing that just stopped any possibility of me supporting McCain was that the man just does not know how to pretend he’s not about to kill someone.  He has looked like a man on the edge far too many times and, in a position where body language counts so much (especially when dealing with foreign leaders), there is NO WAY a person who looks as angry as McCain should be leading a country (particularly with a gun-toting vice president waiting in the wings).

Let me make something else clear, though.  I don’t actually have anything against McCain as a person.  I actually think he’d be fun to have a drink with (he certainly knows how to poke fun at himself) and probably makes a pretty nice grandfather but there’s no way he is getting my endorsement for president.

So, tonight is going to be all about hope.  I’m going to sit on my couch and hope to witness history.  I’m going to hope that all of the American people who want change are going to see it unfolding before their eyes.  I’m hoping voters will not be disenfranchised AGAIN and, finally - I hope this is a sign that it’s finally safe to have hope again…

image: Flickr

I’ve been blogging for more than two years now and I have never had my own blog (can you believe it?).  I’ve had a family blog that I neglected and I’ve been paid to post but I haven’t had any *official* place to call my own.  Finally, I bought the domain name and jumped right in!  Er… okay, that’s a lie - it’s been months since I bought the domain.  I just never had the time to actually write anything.

So… I decided to cordon off a little time for myself this weekend to put up my very first post and here I am, at 1:25am on Monday morning trying to figure out what to write.  That’s the other thing!  I developed a little performance anxiety when I thought about writing this post - what would I write?  Would it be witty enough?  How often would I update the site?  Is the template too plain?  Too girly?  Does my picture show too much cleavage?

I finally have chosen to just share a few fun facts about myself.  Pull up a chair - let’s get to know each other a little better (yeah, that’s an invitation for you to leave a comment and include any info/links you would like to share!).  Here we go…

If You Spend an Hour With me, You Should Know:

• I am married and I have three kids (spouse and offspring are pretty awesome)
• My favourite thing is spending time with my family
• I talk a LOT, am really energetic and laugh loudly
• I can’t go 5 minutes without humming or singing
• I have a partially photographic memory but I remember useless stuff that I can only bust out when Jeopardy is on.  It helps when I need to memorize city streets, though
• I love Star Trek, the X-Files, Star Wars and a lot of science fiction
• I think using shells/weapons when playing Mario Kart is cheating (just try to beat me with your driving skills and not by throwing things at me!)
• I am a huge fan of horror movies
• I have medical problems
• I am OBSESSIVE (clinically diagnosed, even) about handwashing and not ashamed of it!
• I LOVE HOCKEY
• I speak French and have a working knowledge of Spanish
• I love to cook
• I do not sleep for anything near the recommended number of hours
• I try to be kind to the environment
• I don’t eat ground beef
• Reading the Twilight series made me fall in love with my husband all over again
• I am freakishly good at board games - no one likes to play with me
• I have been known to faint while watching very stressful movies or games (I had to give up watching Formula 1 race car driving for this reason)
• I tend to care more about others than about myself
• I’ve had at least 5 of my friends for more than 20 years
• I hate hotels but I hate crashing at friends’ places even more
• I hold two psychology degrees and spent two years working at my local distress centre

There’s more, of course, but this is probably what would end up spilling out of my mouth if you sat with me for a full 60 minutes, lol.  *sigh* I’m so glad this first post is over with…