On Criminal, Britney Spears.

So, I heard there was a new Britney Spears song out and I.... ignored it. Really, it's Britney. Relevance = zilch for me right now. I had a couple people tell me not to bother with it, it sucks. Umm, Okay-can't wait to NOT hear it.

But like any good critic I then HAD to listen to it to have an INFORMED opinion (even if it is negative). I hate it when someone bags on something they have not experienced! It's like using curse words in a debate-once you've stooped there, you cred is gone.

Then I listened again. Damn it.

What are they talking about? This is the first Britney Spears song I've LIKED in years. All the tracks she's released in the last few years have been the same boring dance song with a different title.

 No, sorry, "If You Seek Amy" was NOT clever.

Entertainment Weekly's bullseye gave "Till the World Ends" good praise but I listened to it and now believe the writer has a) a vested interest in Ms. Spears gaining notoriety OR  b) is a long time fan who desperately wants her back on top.

She is coasting on her previous fame and die hard fans-hello, Mr Bullseye. Do you disagree? Quick, in one minute, name 3 Brit songs from the last 3 years and their chorus's. Can you do it? Did you have to use the 2 I mentioned above?

I can't-they all blur into one big ball of bad music.

Then came Criminal. Not a trashy lyric stockpile set to a dance beat (if I told you I wanted your body would you hold it against me? Really?) leave it to Janet who can actually pull it off. Not that Brit is a spectacular singer but you can hear her voice. You understand the words that are coming out of her mouth. It feels like a nice throw back to mellow 70's ballads not unlike Lady Gaga's awesome sidestep into a country beat with 'You and I'. Ahhh, refreshing.

Thank you i-tunes, I think I will buy this one. First Brit in a looooong time. Probably since "Womaniser".

I hope Criminal can start to do what a guest spot on Glee couldn't-give her back some relevance. Madonna survived by reinventing herself over the years, let's see if Brit can.

On weight Loss Smackdown.

63lbs in 9 months. It’s the reason I have been getting stopped in the street by people to ask, how?  ”Did you have a procedure?” Nope.  “What program did you use?” I didn’t.  “You look healthier, what are you doing?” S&S baby (sweat and sacrifice). No miracle plans, procedures or programs – I just get by with a little help from my friends.

In February my sister-in-law Christine and I pondered the idea of a weight loss contest similar to that of The Biggest Loser from TV.  Each person gives a $10 buy-in (which became the prize money) and the person who loses the most (as a percentage of their total weight) in 2 months, wins! We recruited from our family, friends and co-workers and opened a Facebook group to communicate. That was 3 contests ago, number 4 currently in progress.  Last round we lost 181lbs and current contest to date, we have lost 156lbs as a group. My co-captain Christine alone has lost 83lbs since starting.

I think a key to our success has been our Facebook page. It has become the forum on which we support each other. We ‘weigh in’ once a week and then put up the standings to help stay focused and competitive. We have a photo album to post pictures of what is motivating us to make this change; old photos of ourselves, a wedding dress or clothes we have shrunk out of during the contests. A few of us have declaration documents to share why we need this change or a personal mission statement.   

When we need to share our successes or our frustrations, we post it on our page. We have people in different stages of their journey so if one of us feels stuck; there are others who have been there to provide advice or support.  We post recipes, news articles, motivational statements and health/exercise tips. We even post our strategies to win. Yes it’s a contest but we feel it is more important to support and help each other make permanent lifestyle changes.  

Christine and I July 2010

Christine and I Halloween 2011

My way was through portion control, calorie counting (for the first 3 months with an app on my i-touch) and exercise exercise exercise! Calorie counting was an eye opener because I didn’t realise what was in some of the foods I considered healthy!  I had small success previous but it seems I needed the “Weight Loss Smackdown” group to give me the pat on the back or the kick in the pants to keep me on track. 

So thank you fellow Smackdowers! For input and support through this journey-couldn't have done it without a little help from my friends.

On Unemployment.

As many of you already know, I am currently employment-challenged and have been for a month. One of many screwed by the  liquidation of Blockbuster Canada to pay debts owed by the US parent company.  Many folks ask "What are you  doing now?" and the usual answer is-not much. So, me being me, I want to share some insights and opinions with you-dear reader.

I have the time. Obviously.

Have to admit, the last month has kinda felt like a vacation. After the turmoil of helping close down the store I've worked at for 13 years takes a toll. The people you work with had become your family and it's really hard watching the store you helped open, maintain, care for and commit to get picked apart. My analogy was; it's like your Grandma had passed away and you are watching relatives pick apart her house. People asking about shelving felt like vultures picking the bones before we were dead. After, to continue my macabre thought process, seeing the emptied store was like viewing the dead body at a funeral. You wish you didn't see it because now that's the image stuck in your head and not the many happy memories.

Sue me if I needed some time to recover from that experience and also the longer & busier hours involved. In the last month I haven't really committed to anything or accomplished much. Did some workshops, babysat, tossed out a few resumes like a good E.I. seeker. Checked job banks. Nothing to write about really. Didn't even see an improvement in the state of my house.

Wow. I couldn't really tell you WHAT I've been doing. Yikes.

Now, the shock is gone, acceptance arrived and I am wondering what next? Retraining or career advice? I don't know where I am going... getting directions is moot. It feels like I am back to "What do I want to be when I grow up?"

Well-I don't know. Growing up is overrated.

In the meantime I have rearranged furniture. Alphabetised my CD collection. Made a list of things I need to do to winter-ise my house.  Considered amalgamating my entire media collection; putting musical soundtracks in with the movie and the DVD's & blu-rays that were based on the novel with corresponding book... I might still do that. Never know.

I am past the anger at the murder of Blockbuster. I am not having a pity party. I am not embarrassed or sad at staying so long in retail - met way to many awesome people and had waaaaaaaay to much fun. I know something will come and I will rock it. I plan on covering my survival needs first and then developing hobbies to keep me amused and engaged. I thank God for my support system.

Let's see what happens tomorrow. Could be good.