Yesterday I was driving down McKercher, and was stopped at a red light. I looked at the car next to me, and noticed a 'Baby on Board' placard in the back window. So I started thinking. Think that the sign is there for a reason, to let people know that there is precious cargo on board. But what is this supposed to mean? Looking deeper, it means 'if you are gunna rear end someone, rear end the guy next to me, they don't have a baby on board.' I mean really??? I have a dog riding shot gun, I need to get a sign that says 'Cute pooch on board'. Or maybe if you are giving an elderly person a ride to their appointment, do you need a sign that says 'Old person on Board'. Where will it end?? I know this isn't a new phenomenon, but it is precisly why I get annoyed at new parents these days. I know, you want to protect your child, watch over them, hover. But c'mon already.

On another note, I do happen to love those stickers on the back windows of soccer moms' mini vans. The one symobolizing your family with stick figures. I like these ony because the other day I saw a little diagram on the back window of an SUV...it was a stick man, stick woman, 2 stick dogs and a stick cat. This made me laugh a little. I woulda laughed more if it was a stick lady and 5 stick cats...I'm keeping my eyes open for that one!

I better get out there and strt removing the two feet of snow from my walk. Take care and happy shoveling!

'Tis the Season!

well hello! The weather outside is less frightful, and visions of cookies and egg nog are dancing in my head. I do love Christmas. I don't know what it is, whether it is the smell, the atmosphere, the music, the togetherness, it's my favorite time of year. It isn't everyone's though. I have a friend who HATES Christmas. She says it brings out the greed. While this is true, I consider myself somewhat of an optimist, I think it brings out the good in people as well. I think more people in Saskatoon are willing to be their neighbors' snow angels around Christmas time than other winter months. People seem more willing to hole the door ffor you, let you merge in traffic, and smile aat you as you pass them on the street. The only place this doesn't computer is at the mall. The mall is absolute chaos and hell this time of year, and it only gets worse as we get closer to the 25th! If I wasn't such a procrastinator this would not be an issue, but I seem to work better under pressure. But the good news is, there are many options when Christmas shopping that do not involve the mall! You can shop online (start now though to make sure they get to you on time), or you can check out numerous trade shows for uique and original gifts.

I think the most important things to keep in mind when frantically getting ready for the fast approaching holiday are to just take a breath, stay calm, be charitable, and be PATIENT. Christmas will be here and gone, but the long term health effects of stress will last a life time.

NOW it feels like winter!

Winter is a frenemy. I like it because the air smells cleaner, the snow is pretty, and Christmas is a resident. However, I hate the drivers, the fact I look like Shamu in a parka, and the dry skin.

People really, really forget how to drive every winter though. I mean, unless you are a new immigrant, there should be no excuse for terribly driving skills at freeze up! Yesterday Circle Drive was all backed up...people were literally sliding off the roads! SLOW DOWN! And don't tailgate! I'm in no way a perfect driver, I generally drive like a coffin-dodger when the snow flies, but better safe than sorry. The only thing I worry about are the people who fly by me in a pick up and then start their triple lutz in the intersection. (And no, I didn't look up what a 'lutz' is, so of its wrong sorry, I meant spin).

On to warmer news, I want to take this time to acknowledge the comments this blog has received. I often wonder if what I write is just dancing away in cyberspace all willy-nilly. It's reassuring to know that someone out there is reading it.

Keep warm this weekend, and Go Riders!

KISS this!

What an exciting weekend for KISS fans, fans of the show Gene Simmons Family Jewels, fans of Playboy...Shannon Tweed and gene Simmons were spotted all around town! I was at the Blades game (good game by the way, Blades score the winner with 2 minutes to play!), and the Hollywood couple were also seen at The Saskatoon Roller Derby match, and even spotted at Starbucks in Midtown! If you have a sighting to report let me know! Pretty cool deal, and the episode featuring Saskatoon should air next summer sometime! PS: Gene was a pretty good goalie, but I think the PBR cowoys were going easy on him ;)

Also this weekend was the Riders playoff game...what a game of ups and downs!! But of course the better team came out on top, and hopefully it won't be so hard on the heart next week in Calgary. Go RIDERS!

Where is Rob?

As the snow is coming down, a Bladworth family is wondering where their precious son is, where has he been over the past month. 25 year old Rob Vicente has been missing since Thanksgiving weekend. No word from his, he has not accessed his bank account, his car was found burned out on an abandoned farm. Missing person posters are scattered throughout Saskatoon, and thoughout Facebook. His friends and family have a yellow ribbon as their profile picture, and people in this close knit rural town are keeping their porch lights on with hope that Rob will come home soon.

The story of the night Rob went missing has been speculated on, talked about, blogged about, and has the rumour mill working overtime. Someone, somewhere knows what happened. Meanwhile, his family and his many friends face the agony of not knowing. The media has been quiet since a duplex in Davidson was searched two weeks ago. But even we, as strangers, cannot forget Rob's face, cannot forget his name. His family needs rest, they need to know where their baby is. The cowards who know what happened need to man up and come clean, because in the end, karma will get to them.

Movember November!

Hope Halloween was a safe and enjoyable experience! I'm a home body, so I spent the weekend watching sports and eating candy. Had to get some, just in case trick'r'treaters stopped by. Seeing as I live in an apartment complex I knew this was highly unlikely...but any reason to eat tiny chocolate bars is good enough for me! ormal people it seems celebrated the festivities in style, and apparently there was even a showing of Rocky Horro Picture Show at the Broadway theater! Not well advertised, cuz I totally woulda been there!

October was breast cancer awareness month, a great reason for us ladies to buy everything in pink. Now, November moves in, and with it a rash of gross mustaches. But there is at least a cause and a reason for these...and no I don't mean a resergence of popularity for Tom Selleck (Although he is cool again)...MOVEMBER, guys get to grow our their 'staches and raise finds for prostate cancer awareness. Gross, yes. But it is a great cause, and who knows, maybe the gals will join and not shave our legs for the month of Movember?? Ha!

Winter?

It floors me every year when people are surprisedd at the first snow. Especially when it is the last week of October! I mean c'mon people, is this the first time you've lived in Saskatchewan? Or are you selectively amnesiac? I think that what happens is at the first sign of spring, we shed our coats, mitts, scarfs and bound into the warmth forgetting winter ever happened. Then, it's like the morning after a night of binge drinking and bad choices when winter comes back. "What happened? Where am I? What is all this white stuff?" Okay, that last part was probably gross, sorry. Anyways I am usually the first one to start dry heaving and bawling at the first snowflake, but this year I have come to terms with it. Especially this snow, because it will likely be gone next week. That always makes me smile.

People also take this opportunity to complain about bad drivers! There are two main issues with drivers after the first freeze up/snow fall. There are those who forget that ice is slippery, and there are those who forget their tires do have some tread (hopefully). Either way, accidents happen. I don't get too worked up about other drivers, I reduce my speed, and pay attention. I hope this is enough! If all else fails, and I end up in the ditch, I just found my red Olympic mittens in my trunk! This makes me very happy :)

Until next time....

Cal-Fit=Unfit?

I was driving down 8th Street and noticed California Fitness is no longer open, it is now a 24 Hour Fitness. So it got me wondering...what happened? Andwhere can I find out. I googled it, nothing. Word on the street has it that CalFit quietly went under recently. I mean quietly, according to one source, she signed up for a 1 year membership one day, and the next the business was gone. She is still on the hook for the membership. WHY would a business take money from someone when lord knows there would be some kind of rumblings that not everything is right in the financial department??? Now there is nothing that can be done for thse people who used to frequent that gym, but some food for thought: according to Wikipedia 24 Hour Fitness was the parent company to California Fitness. Makes me glad I have a leisure pass.

Oops!

Hi there! Sorry about the lapse! With Thanksgiving, and fall TV, I just ran out of time! A few updates around Saskatoon, apparently the road work on Boychuk will continue FOREVER. Crews aren't optimistic about getting the job done by the time the snow flies. Great.

Speaking of optimism...holy wow was the mine rescue in Chile ever amazing! Seriously, it was truly a miracle. I am glad to see the men safe and sound and back enjoying the company of their family.

And finally for today, a missing person alert. Rob Vicente is missing from the Davidson area. He was last seen driving a back Colbalt, but I have word that the car has been found burned up in a garage west of Davidson. He is you, dark hair, dark eyes, about 200 lbs. So if you know Rob or have heard anything, please contact the police. His family is worried sick about him.

New opinions courtesty of Kijiji!

I've received a few more responses from my posting on Kijiji....they are as follows:

"This is the coldest city in Canada! The most unfriendly place on the planet! The people are afraid to say hello to their own shadow! I have never felt so unwelcome anywhere on earth! People would sooner cut off their hand than extend it in friendship, assistance or compassion! The women are ugly, wear no make-up, never wear high heels or dresses, and are damn nasty to boot! The drivers are the worst in North America, and the women give the Finger more than anywhere on the Continent! The guys are nice looking, much friendlier than the women, but that doesn't say much because everyone here is cold! I wish I had never come and cannot wait to leave! Don't know how people live here! "

Wowzers! This gyt doesn't seem to have a high impression of our beautiful city! But I have to disagree about the women being ugly...maybe they just don't have to wear makeup because they are naturally oretty--and don't have to hide their ugly. Whatta dink.

On to the next one, and a nicer one too :)

"the traffic in the city is ridiculous, mels cafe on 11th has some of the best homemade food for cheap prices and the servings are huge! and i love allykatz bar and grill the food is amazing and the staff in phenomenal!"

I always love a restaurant suggestion! Especially since I loathe to even look at the kitchen let alone cook in it!

Thanks for the e-mails, and keep 'em coming!

Manic Monday

Good morning! Happy fall! The colors are so goreous in this city, its fantastic! I was gunna take my dog for a walk by the river, but thanks to the City of Saskatoon banning animals in certain areas, I have no idea where I am allowed to walk him. Guess I'll stick to the dog parks! Too bad too-I think he would appreciate River Landing!

Fall is a good thing, it means sweaters, and construction wrapping up, and no more SPIDERS! It has been so wet this year, i have a 3 foot by 4 foot patio and there are 3 dofferent species of spiders. Spiders make me gag a little bit. Nasty, disgusting little creatures. Anyways, fall is fast becoming my favorite season.

I received another reply to my Kijiji ad, it's a little bit of a rant, and I will post it later this week. And as always, if you wqnt to leave a comment feel free to do so, or send me an e-mail saskatoonconfidential@gmail.com!

An opinion I actually agree with!

Sometimes the edditorial board of the Star Phoenix gets it wrong. I mean, really really wrong. But today's editorial is something I totally agree with! I am sure by now you have heard that Mr. 24 (Keifer Sutherland)was in the province for the unveiling of his grandpa's (Tommy Douglas) statue. Well the scultpor, while not wanting to make it about her (but making it about her) was apparently a little miffed Sutherland received so much attention. So, he shouldn't be allowed to celebrate his Grandfather's legacy because...it might diminish the attention given to you?? Ugh, I refuse to even name her.

On to better things, a reply to my Kijiji ad!

" A week ago, I could have ranted and ranted and ranted about this damn city, their construction, the snobbiness of the general populations, and so on and so forth. However, I just came back from Ottawa, and let me tell you, Saskatoon is definitely an amazing city in comparison!
Maybe once I get the Ottawa junk out of my head, I could tell you what I hate. Haha. "

Now I will say Ottawa is a beautiful city, its warmer there (likely from all the hot air coming from the House of Commons), and I am not one to slag other cities (with the exception of Regina of course), but I gotta agree with the author that Saskatoon is far superior.

Gag...I agreed with 2 people today!

This Girl Needs a BLOG

Certain things happen to me. People must sense that I am a listener or something. I happened to 'like' a certain post on someone's Facebook status....I log in a few hours later and THIS is waiting for me!!!

"MXXXXXX KXXXXX September 14 at 6:03pm Report

Hi XXXXXX

I don't know you and you don't know me, however, you "liked" my comment on JXXXXXX IXXXXX's status, and I just wanted to THANK YOU for that !

Not trying to commit a crime, but needed to point out the truth. Some parents these days are CRAZED FREAKS, that make me crazy ! LOL.

I have three children under aged 6, and have had little sickness, or illness in the last few years...however when my son started ECS last year, that all changed. NO PEANUT BUTTER, please INCLUDE HAND SANITIZER IN THE BACK PACK, NO Birthday Cupcakes, or Cakes...Etc....what the heck has happened to our society??

When I was a kid, Mom kicked us outta the house at 7 am Saturday morning, and didn't expect us home til 2 in the afternoon, when we GULPED down our lunch, and couldn't wait until we could get back to our friends. Nowadays we have to escort our kids to the toilet, just 2 feet away from us, IN OUR OWN HOMES, for fear of someone calling Social Services, that we are "BAD PARENTS"...no wonder so many kids have autism, ADHD, and other issues.....

AGAIN, Just my two cents. I am a stay at home mom, whom loves my kids more than life itself, but am not going to keep them in little bubbles, away from life, sickness, experience, hurt, happiness, or love !

Look forward to your reply ! MXXX KXXXX"

WHAT the HELL! I didn't reply, what am I supposed to say to that! "Hey, you must have missed that day in class teaching about stranger danger"

I think she needs a blog.

Your replies!

I have been getting some steady replies for my Kijiji ad, much thanks to everyone!!

In the interest of anonymity I am going to leave out the e-mail addresses of any responses I get!


"From: *****@hotmail.com
what bugs me the most in this city?...The drama people have to bring upon others and act like children lol...What i love about this city??...Id have to say the river maybe?...I guess for hot spots you could say that new bar tequila!..."

Now, we'll call this person "Skinny Lover". I'm not too sure what SL means by people bringing drama to other people, okay yes I do. But I don't think that is geographically unique, but I also hate that! I'm lying, I love other people's drama. Hence this blog. This is also why I like ALL of the Real Housewives series, even those nasty women from New Jersey. But I digress...

As for loving the River, yes! Gorgeous! And Tequila? Haven't been....any thoughts? Is that the old Rileys? Rileys smelled like dirty feet, I sure hope Tequila's took care of that!

Thanks for your response Skinny Lover! And I'll keep posting some responses as they come in!

RAIN!

Ugh, anyone else tired of this rain??? Been MIA lately, RL and all.

My inbox has been very quiet lately, no one wants to share their dirt with me I guess. So until the reviews and rants and raves roll in, you're stuck with my opinions!

I heardthat the riverboat tours can't even go under certain parts of the Traffic Bridge due to worry over parts falling! Holy moly, thank God nothing happened to the people who were driving over it while it should have been condemned.

Also, gotta say: Cosmo Industries needs to stop belly aching about this proposed curbside recycling plan. For Christ's sakes there is enough recycling to go around!!! Saskatoon is ridiculously behind the times...stone aged, when it comes to recycling. -40 and those stupid bins (WHICH by the way don't even facilitate all aspects of recycling) do not mix. More people would recycle if it was as easy as putting it on the curb. I know, I know, there are curbside programs. BUT they are costly, and who really thinks to call a recycling depot, other than those of us who recycle anyways. Sheesh. AND YES YES YES there should be bins in apartment buildings!

Thats my rant for today.

Try an keep dry :)

Oh Kijiji....

I posted an ad of sorts to try and drum up some information/tips/stories for this blog. I do eventually want it to be Saskatoon's source for dirt and info and reviews. Well...I got my first reply!

Kijiji Reply (from xxxx@hotmail.ca) to me
show details 6:25 PM (18 hours ago)

Hello! The following is a reply to your "Your info/ideas!" Ad on Kijiji:

From: xxxx@hotmail.ca
You must have too much time on your hands! Find something useful to do instead of gossip!

Nice! Oh, and I tried to reply, but seems it was just a fake e-mail! WHO has the time to a) cruise personals on Kijiji, and b) make a fake email up to reply to an ad??? Ha!

Traffic Woes....

Saskatoon is a maze of detours and closed streets on a good day, but yesterday may have proved the breaking point for many drivers here in the city. The 103 year old Traffic bridge was closed around 4 PM to both motor and pedestrian traffic for safety reasons. 4 pm, most downton zombies are about to make their way across that bridge, or across otehr in the city to get to their not-downtown homes.

I was told by one woman, who's flight arrived in Saskatoon around 4:30PM, it took her over an hour and a half to get home to the south east side of the city. Now that is what traffic is like in say Toronto, or Montreal. But this is Saskatoon! Rush hour is when the person at the front of the line is checking Facebook on their phone and doesn't immediately go when the light turns green, or when everyone stops at the 4 way stop at the same time and are too polite to go first( personal aside here, I honestly come to a rolling stop to purposely stop last to avoid awkwardness at these stop signs).

But the City had to do what it had to do...it just came at the absolute WORST time. Luckily I can avoid downltown and that entire area.

Dustin LaFortune Case!

So I won't lie, I love a good twisted story. If it is true, all the better. In May the story broke about 26 year old Dustin LaFortune. He was dumped off at RGH, terribly beaten, tortured, emaciated, and nearly dead. My curiosity immediately peaked. So I joined the Facebook support group to find out more, and soon something started smelling funny. So I turned to my ally Google and found Gangster's Out. WOW! Now that is some fascinating reading material. 6 days, and I was caught up. Now, granted, the majority of the information there was all based on speculation, but it really shone a different light on the situation.

Must say a big thank you to Agent K, to Wiccan Outlaw, to Shannon, to the others for keeping me up to date. I never posted on the blog, but I still follow it at its new location. AWESOME JOB!

Anyways here is the latest as of today on the story.

UPDATE:

Dustin Paxton has been arrested without incident in Edmonton. looks like the fuzz had their eyes on him the entire time and were just looking to make their move when the warrants were issued!

This is why I love Brad Wall:

Let me tell you, we should be very proud to have a such a strong, progressive, intelligent Premier. I know that Brad Wall and his SK Party governemnt have their faults, but this article today in the Globe and Mail (And other articles this week) really makes me so proud to be from Saskatchewan. Usually, I think the media overblows and dramatizes things, but when they say "Everyone knows someone with MS', I think they are spot on. Here in Saskatchewan, we have a higher per capita instance of MS than anyone else in the country. I personally know a handful of people who arefighting the disease. This neww treatment really is exciting. The sad thing is we are sending our dollars to places like Bulgaria, Poland and India as Canadians head that way for treatment.

So good job Brad Wall!

Daily Rundown!

Well FINALLY summer is here, only a month late! Looks like construction is also about a month late. Now I know most people like to slag the amount of construction in Saskatoon, but it needs to be done. I'm from the country, and I'd rather be dodging those orange cones than losing my two front tires to a pot hole.

In other news, looks like the City is going to beef up controls on panhandlers. I can't really comment on how bad the problem is (Or whether it is a problem for that matter), but I have heard some stories about people being harassed. DO you have any stories about panhandlers you would like to share? Comment on this post, or feel free to e-mail me @ saskatoonconfidential@gmail.com.

And finally, many aboriginal women in western Canada have gone missing over the past ten years. Unfortunately many of them (or their remains) were found on Robert Pickton's pig farm in BC. So many women, and no one looking for them. Let's not make this same mistake again. Karina Beth-Ann Wolfe has been missing for almost a month, and her mother (who is deaf) fears the worse. Please call Crime Stoppers if you know anything.

Welcome!

This space is going to be used as a way to talk, bitch, compliment, and discuss happenings and events in Saskatoon. Whether you want to complain about construction or talk about a fantastic restaurant, this is the place to do it.

Let me tell you about myself. I have lived in many different places, but none so beautiful as Saskatoon. I truly love this city.

So enjoy! Let me know if you have any ideas, want to contribute, or have any questions. E-mail me at saskatoonconfidential@gmail.com.