Plug for My Dad

My father just started a blog: Trevor's Soul Food. Congrats, Dad! Blogging is contagious.

Check it out when you have a moment; the link is as follows:

http://trevoressmith.blogspot.com/

Happy reading!

So What if I Like (Love) TV Shows for Kids?

It's time for me to "open up the kimono" (this has been the phrase of the month in my business circles, so I figured why not "leverage" it here; leverage is another one of those business buzz words, it has been the phrase of the month for the past decade)...

Back to opening up the kimono: I love kids TV. Disney Channel, ABC Family, Nickelodeon are the primary stations. My love is definitely discriminatory, there are only a select number of shows that make it to my favourites list. I stopped to analyze my current favourites and found the following similarities:

- Yes to witty dialogue
- Yes to humour
- Yes to credible characters, flaws and all
- Yes to non-preachy life lessons
- No to annoying cheese fests (e.g. out with Barney-like mush, out with Mr. Rogers-like smarminess)

And without further ado, here is my current favourites list:

- That's So Raven (Disney Channel)
- The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron (Nickelodeon)
- The Naked Brothers Band (Nickelodeon)
- Zoey 101*** (Nickelodeon)
- Phil of the Future (Disney Channel)
- Sabrina the Teenage Witch (ABC Family, Nickelodeon)

Please don't let my opening up of the kimono go to waste. Sample a few of the shows and let me know what you think. Also, share some of your favourite kids shows with me. I know I am not the only one out there!


***Zoey 101 is somewhat smarmy, but the lead character is Britney Spear's sister and I am hoping that the family will redeem itself with this second daughter. Also, an added plus: the characters are enjoyable

April 2007 Birthday Celebrations

Thank you for the calls, emails, text messages, cards, e-cards, gifts, visits - some belated, some not - all appreciated! I was touched.

Fortunately this year I was blessed to have my mother in town for my birthday. She cooked a fantastic dinner for 16 on the special day and we had fun celebrating at the new apartment. The dinner included sweet and sour fish, mac and cheese, corn salad, fried rice, split pea casserole, salad, and my favourite since childhood - Family Fruit cake. Yummy! Thank you mom for preparing such a feast.

Also, yes, you did read correctly - we had a dinner party for 16. The apartment has now graduated from the "family only" stage to the "it is safe to allow a wider group inside without embarrassing yourself " stage. Warm thanks to my family for facilitating this transformation.

Finally, special thanks to God for granting me another year on this planet. Here's to living life to the fullest! We have one shot, let's make the most of it!

Going for the "Duo" - Part 1/2

This is one of my better years in terms of following through on New Year's Resolutions. Started the blog - have been fairly regular with posts. Executed on move to NY. Now, I am pushing forward on another goal: complete a duathlon in 2007.

My cousin Karyn and I are joining forces to achieve this goal. We started at the triathlon level - but she loves running, I love biking and swimming, and so we compromised on a duathlon. We have a target date of Summer 2007, but need to finalize the exact timing and location(s). I am contemplating whether to do a bike/swim or bike/run. Karyn will do the bike/run.

I need to buy a bike! Who has pointers? I love cycling and buying a bike will be a great way for me to move this from ad hoc activity to practice.

I also need to start training! My commitment is to start on 4/23. Do you hear that, Karyn? I know you have been itching to start and you probably have already started :)

Wish us luck. This will be a pretty cool life milestone for me.

"Getting New Apt Ready Because Family is Arriving in 48 Hrs" - Top 10 List

1. Bed
(Hmmm...some of us can sleep, but a Queen size won't fit 4 people)

2. Air Mattress
(Between the Queen Bed and the Full size Air Mattress now all of us can sleep)

3. TV & TV Stand
(Conversation will be great, but this is not Survivor...TV in the normal world is a staple. A TV Stand? Remember, this is not Survivor)

4. Phone
(Everyone can't use my cell...at least not simultaneously)

5. Cable and phone service
(TV without cable is like a Phone without service)

6. Sheets & Pillow Cases
(Probably should cover the mattresses; haven't gotten the pillows yet, but will one day soon)

7. Plates, Bowls, Cups & Glasses
(A hungry person can be an angry person. Hungry people need food & drink, both of which work best with dining ware. Haven't taken care of the food & drink part yet, but hoping to appease any signs of anger with pretty dining ware)

8. 1 Hammock Chair, 2 Wooden Stools
(After they walk in the door, put down their luggage, their first urge will likely be to sit!)

9. Assorted Cleaning Supplies
(Cleanliness is next to Godliness and also minimizes parental lectures)

10. Groceries
(Need something to put on the pretty plates and appease angry mob...see #7 for details)

A lot can be accomplished in 48 hrs. My family arrived, apartment had basic necessities and all is well in the world.