Under the Influence - CBC Radio

Listened to a program on CBC radio the other morning called Voices of Influence. It was about the voices we hear in the advertisements and in our surroundings. For example, I didn't realize that a few of the TV commercial voices are movie stars - George Clooney for Budweiser ( http://youtu.be/sHNs_mn1BWg ), Tim Allen in Chevy Cruze ( http://youtu.be/69PtPvlZQBw ), or Michael C Hall - Dexter for Dodge Tent Event (http://youtu.be/CXYfDO9mS4o ).

As well, probably a voice we have all heard and not thought too much about is the "airport" voice. This voice is Carolyn Hopkins. She is 63, and is the voice of over 200 airports around the world. As well as subway platforms, train stations, and even weather warnings.

Carolyn Hopkins' has been reading those announcements for over 15 years, and records them in a tiny home office in Maine. Her voice is clear and authoritative, without being harsh and overbearing. Her impeccable diction means she can be understood even by those who don't speak English as a first language. (http://youtu.be/_ALH5KwR788 )

It was an interesting 1/2 hour program and is available on iTunes via podcast or you can see more on this internet link - http://www.cbc.ca/undertheinfluence/season-1/2012/01/21/voices-of-influence/

Paraprosdokians I stole from cousin Joe's blog...

Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down

the street with a bald head and a beer gut,

and still think they are sexy.

The other one I really like is:

War does not determine who is right - only who is left.

Weather Watch

6:30 AM and it is -36 degrees C. This afternoon, with the windchill, it is predicted to be -47 !
Did I not say enough already ??

At 9:30 PM

-38 C

Enough already!

Because I am a Girl

Watching the first Canada Women's Soccer Team Olympic qualifyer game (Canada 2, Haiti 0 at 39 minutes) (but cannot help but feel sorry for the Haitians and all they have been through with the Hurricane et al), but through the excellent commentary of the game learned about Because I am a Girl. Lots of the Team Canada players are wearing pink - headbands, shoes etc. to support this cause.



To learn more, click here.

Team Canada - Women's Olympic Qualifying

Support Team Canada's Women's Soccer Team. First Game on SNP on Thursday night. I've followed these girls for a number of years now and we have superb players. I know they have it in them to qualify. Go Canada!

Global Warming??

Once or twice a year, I do ask that question. Have been holed up for a couple of days trying to get rid of that -37 degree weather. Finally (as I had a hair cut appointment) ventured downtown with my list - grocery store, computer store, hair dressers ... and the power was off in all of downtown. All the stores were closed - and black inside - but did get a hair cut - in the seat by the window to allow a bit of light to shine on me. Luckily it was only partially overcast so there was a bit of daylight streaming through. Alas, it is warming up. Currently -32.

Today

Weather: -3 degrees C today...
...with the windchill it's -26 degrees C.
(Quite the windchill!)

Ooops ...

Forgot to say,

!!!!HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!!

Don't forget Us

Want to know how it feels to live in the north? Read the following article:

http://cupwire.ca/articles/50636 (thanks Iris!)

And don't forget:

"Regardless of the fact that few Canadians will ever make their way up to the territories because of how expensive they are to visit, they’re part of Canada, they’re part of who we are — and we can’t leave them out.

Next time you’re talking about Canada and its different regions, just take the extra 0.8 seconds to mention the territories. You’re sure to be making at least one Yukoner happy."

This article reminds me of the time I went down to Edmonton to help SR set up for university. I phoned Telus and was able to get a great rate for his monthly phone bill - $20 unlimited calling across Canada per month. It worked out especially great as he was living with 2 other Yukoners - 3 in total. The first month passed and he gave me a phone call.

"Guess how much our phone bill was this month?"

I answered, "$20 + the monthly fee?"

"No. It was $575.00. And we only called the Yukon"

I phoned Telus and got hold of a manager.

"How is this possible?" I asked. "I was assured he was on the $20 special rate across Canada."

"Oh yes" she replied, "he is. That rate is 'across' Canada, and the Yukon is 'up and down'."

Windy Arm Again

Remember the Windy Arm Youtube of people skating on the lake? Well, above is SR who, along with 1/2 of Whitehorse, travelled to Windy Arm to do a bit of skating. The ice is still pretty good!

Christmas

It is Christmas Eve and the snowflakes are floating down from a-high. Everyone in the south is praying for a white Christmas and we DO have one. Lovely with temperatures just below 0. Perfect Christmas Eve weather.

To All my Blog readers, I want to wish you all a Very Happy Christmas!

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

If you can sit for 2-1/2 hours this movie is the one to see. It follows the book closely for the first 30 pages which is all I read before seeing the movie so whatever happened after that was a surprise to me. Of course Daniel Craig was excellent (and even if he wasn't just looking at him would make up for any shortfall) and Rooney Mara (who I haven't heard of before) was excellent as well. Top that off with a great story and filming and how could you lose? Rating = 5 Stars.

You Can't Hurry Love

It's one of those days where I start one thing, start another thing, start another ... I am currently vacuuming, as you can tell. I vacuumed past my computer, clicked the wrong button, came across this ... laughed, laughed, laughed ... then thought I'd share it with you. It is from a tv show in the UK.

Well, SR is off to YVR for Xmas. Drove him to the airport at 6:45 AM this morning. The weather is very very gusty, only -1 C, but I repeat, very very gusty.
Above is our new sculpture, seated at the top of 2 Mile Hill. I absolutely love it.

P.S. Happy Birthday sister Deb.