Mike's Bloggity Blog

>2007.

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So this has been bothering me a for a little bit.  A couple of weeks ago a friend and I rented Johnny Depp’s The Pirates of The Caribbean :At World’s End. 

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As another year wraps up, it’s time to reflect on the year that was. It had its ups (last seasons Flames home record) and it had its downs (Calgary Flames this season). We saw Calgary continue to grow into one of Canada’s most prosperous cities and with it we saw an increase in murders, the nations most expensive rent and a Toby Keith concert.

So as I sit hear on my couch thinking back to this years biggest headlines I try to think of just one that sticks out the most important. “Bronconier wins again!”, “Ed Stelmach’s first year in office”, “The Deefoot” would all be excellent suggestions, I however don’t feel like they really sum up 2007.

For me the biggest and best headline was without a doubt:
“Prince Harry chats up Calgary Bartender!”

That’s right my friends, who could forget Cherie Cymbalisty and her romantic night at Cowboys with the 3rd in line for the British throne. It put Calgary on the map both nationally and internationally. I mean sure we have a housing crisis and our public transit systems resembles that of an early Bostons, but Prince Harry macking on a bartender in our very own city? You can’t write that stuff!

In case you forgot about that fateful night at Cowboys earlier this year, Harry was doing military exercises up north and he some buddies took a break and showed up at Cowboys. After talking up some ladies Harry set his sights on one of Cowboy’s classiest bartenders (a future Playmate at that) and shared a romantic night together….after hours. And with that sullied the ones respectable Cowboys reputation for ever.

From what we could tell the time they spent together was special (and drunken), it should have remained between the two potential star crossed lovers forever. Instead it lasted until the next day when Cherie sold her story to a British media outlet. Ahh to be young and be able to sell your love again.

So while other Calgarians will remember 2007 for perhaps more “important” issues, I will remember Cherie’s brief stint in the headlines and for showing the world that if your famous and want to be normal, don’t come here. Cause this city is expensive and we’ll do anything for the money.

Hey maybe that’s another angle on finally getting affordable housing.

>As I sit here on my sister’s couch with her and her husband watching Christmas Deal or No Deal, I’m left thinking several things as the final hours of Christmas wind down.

-After listening to a 4 and 7 year old talkig all day, i can’t help but feel like I’m talking them. Me want sleep.
-I think I ate 18 maderine oranges today.
-I’m happy to announce that “Santa” reads my blog, he brought me Waitress.
-My family was unusually quiet to me today. Their reason? They were scared what would end up on the blog. Sigh.
-My life, apartment and job in Calgary have never felt sooooo far away. I can’t tell if that is a good thing.
-Do you know that Perez Hilton is updated on Christmas day! What’s that say about him? What’s that say about me?!
-I could dance with a 4 year old or my grandmother all day long. “Mike, your up!”
-Sitting with my nephew by the fire and playing boardgames is better than watching TV any day of the week. At least during the writers strike.

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There is no denying the Idol franchise. It is HUGE. It has produced grammy, golden globe, American Music Awards and one singular Oscar winner.

Then there is Canadian Idol.

While the contest winners of Canada’s version of the popular talent show haven’t reached the status of superstardom like with our neighbors to the south (Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Daughtry), it has produced several very talented contestants and tonight at a bar out on McLeod Trail three of the more successful Canadian Idols performed in support for the Calgary Food Bank and I was there to watch it all. (For journalistic purposes only).

This evening Snatch Rock Bar and Energy 101.5 hosted the event which had the talents of Canadian Idol runner up Rex Goudie and two different winners of Canadian Idol, Kalan Porter and Brian Mello.

Rather than bore you with the minute by minute replay of the three performances, I thought it would be important to share with you the 8 things I learned by spending a night with three Idols.

1. When people are that talented, it doesn’t inspire me. It just reminds me how bad of a singer I actually am. Sigh.
2. I am taller than Rex Goudie. (I look for the small victories)
3. Kalan Porter is funny. He also owns the night’s best quote: “I love Snatch!” (Please take note of the name of the bar above.)
4.Rex Goudie is no longer dating Canadian Idol winner and Calgarian Melissa O’Neil. But Brian Melo is dating this year’s 6th place finisher Tara Oram. (Why I feel like is this useful information is lost on me.)
5. And who is Kalan Porter dating? See #3
6. Women of all ages (and one creepy man) screamed with joy all night for all three of the performances. (Although Kalan definitely won the popularity contest.)
7. Kalan Porter and Rex Goudie each played their own instruments.
8. Brian Melo still wears those stupid hats.

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I love writers.

>I’m not a big Hollywood gossip guy.  I read the sites but I don’t put much thought to them. 

>I never really talk about my day job much.  Mostly because the two don’t really mix.  But what I can tell you is that it is a great job that I am fortunate enough to actually have gone to school for and up until yesterday it was a temporary job.  I was actually just covering a maternity leave position but I found out yesterday that I’m no longer a temp, I actually have a full time permanant job!!! Woohoo.

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My absolute favorite movie of the entire year is finally released on DVD (and I think VHS) today and I have been waiting since March to remind you how important it is that you watch Once.

The first thing you might hear about this movie is that it is a musical. Which is technically true, but there isn’t a dancing nun or a character from Hairspray any where near this magical movies that is as close to perfect story telling as you’ll ever get.

And I’m alone. Check out the reviews.

“The captivating Irish musical romance Once will warm all but the stoniest hearts.”
-Minnealopis Star Tribune

“This is a film guaranteed to set your toes to tapping even as it plays a number on your heartstrings.”
-Globe and Mail

“A wonderful film that is one of the year’s best.”
-Chicago Sun Times

This movie has perfect timing for being released during the holidays because it should either be given to someone that appreciates wonderful movies, or better yet watch it with people that you know and love so you can all fall in love with it together.

Seriously, I’m not joking. This movie is perfect.

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People always make fun of reality shows because it’s easy.

They usually don’t need writers, the cast will usually make their own drama and compared to a regular show they are cheap cheap cheap to make.

But on Tuesday night an actually good and important reality show will finally get to it’s season finale. That show is The Biggest Loser and since there won’t be much else on TV this season finale is a MUST watch.

The Biggest Loser is probably the easiest reality show to throw away, but if you’ve ever actually sat down and watched the show you would see that not only is it just as exciting as Survivor, Big Brother or American Idol, these contestants work harder than all of those shows combined. And why do they do it? They do it for themselves. They do it for their family and they do it so they can live.

Richard Hatch wouldn’t last a minute next to this season’s Biggest Loser contestant Kay.

The challenges that these contestants have been put up against would break a person of a normal weight, but the fact that these people do it with the extra weight is nothing but inspirational.

Oh and did I mention their prize for being away from their families for more than 3 months (Survivor and the Amazing Race are about4 or 5 weeks) is only $250,000. Doesn’t really seem fair compared to Survivor’s $1 Million.

The smart money on tonight’s winner would be Bill Germanakos (see above), who so far has lost a remarkable 120 pounds.

Now that is reality.

The finale airs Tuesday night on NBC