The Rundown: First Year Favourites

I got no idea where the time has gone, but Friday will mark the 1 Year Anniversary of this blog.

Since beginning last Halloween, there have been 336 post written on this site (including this one) which is a pretty healthy number if I do say so myself. It's been an absolute blast so far and I'd like to think that being here and doing this everyday has not only been a great help to me as a vehicle for improving my writing, but it's also been both educational and entertaining at times.

In fact, that's going to be the new description in the title box: I Blog Because I Can - Quality Canadian Edutainment!

Anyway, I thought I'd use today's Rundown to look back at the five posts I've enjoyed the most over this year. Whether it's because of what it means to me, the number of comments and discussions it got started or just because it was totally retarded and kept me laughing.

Since I'm showing you mine, it means you have to show me your's later... deal?

Top Five First Year Posts

5. Dane Cook: Please God Make It Stop

The second post in the history of iBlog, this one not only kept me laughing for hours after I finished because I'm very much that guy who laughs at his own jokes, but also became fairly topical shortly thereafter because Memorial University was actually trying to bring Douchebag Dane in for a show. Needless to say, I let everyone and anyone know how much I despise the unfunny funny man.

4. Searching for a Porn-ucopia!

I made fun of a lot of customers from my various places of employment over the course of the last year, but this one was easily the funniest. Dude came into Blockbuster out east looking for porn and when told him to go to Jumbo across the road, he scoffed as their selection wasn't up to code. Absolutely hilarious...

3. Anything About Britney or Lindsay or Megan Fox

Not because I get to run a picture of a scantily clad skank to draw in the casual surfers who Stumble Upon site, but because these ridiculous tramps always - and I mean always - provide some kind of material to write about. I mean, I know it's usually them being totally moronic or breathing our precious air. Plus, I would bet that I've written more posts about them combined than anything else. I'm too lazy to actually count, but feel free if you'd like.

2. Soundtrack of My Life

These pieces have been special to me not only because I love writing about music and they help shed a little light on my inspirations to all of you who read this site, but because I've helped turn some people onto new bands and songs and music and that is awesome. Newt loves Mark Ronson and out East my girl E used to have a Spencer Playlist on her iPod consisting of all the Soundtrack songs. That's the ultimate right there as far as I'm concerned.

1. The Three Posts About My Grandfather

These three posts are my favourites because of everything surrounding them. The sudden illness and passing of my grandfather back in May made me reassess some things in my life and take stock of what is really important. Sadly, it took his passing for me to realize just how important and influential he is in my life. I also really enjoyed getting the opportunity to introduce all of you an incredible man.

There. You've seen mine... show me your's in the comments section!

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Yesterday was a beautiful ending to a long 10 days, as we laid my grandfather and namesake Edgar Gordon Levy to rest in Cornwall, Ontario.

This wasn't a day of sorrow and misery; yes there was sadness, but it was sadness from not being able to share the stories we told and the laughs we had with the man who inspired them all, the glue that held our family and friends together for so many years.

Yesterday was a day of remembering Papa and paying tribute to him and we did that in spades.

Faye read a great eulogy - sweet, funny, proud, all things Papa was every day.

The four grandsons - Rob, John, Peter and myself - all delivered readings and served as Pallbearers alongside four of Buster's closest and dearest friends - Ricky, Jack, Robin and Keith.

It wasn't until we laid Papa down at his final resting place that the emotion hit me.

Resting behind Papa - waiting for him for the last thirty years - was his only son, my uncle Eddie, who died tragically ten days after I was born in 1978.

One of the first thoughts I had upon hearing the news of Buster's passing on Tuesday was that now he's reunited with Eddie and the two of them have already lined up a couple fishing and hunting trips up in Heaven.

As we waited in the little room they usherd the eight pallbearers into, the stories and memories and laughs flowing freely, Robin looked around the room with a smile and said, "You know him and Eddie have already gone fishing together."

Everyone smiled and nodded their head, knowing full well that Papa was doing just fine.

In fact, yesterday, I think he was doing better than the rest of us.

So long Pere...
Give me a hand every once in a while, between fishing trips...
And say hi to Uncle Eddie for me.

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Edgar Gordon Levy: April 7, 1918 - May 13, 2008

"There's nothing to be scared of Spence."

That's what my grandpa said to me Saturday afternoon as he lay in a bed in the ICU of a Cornwall Hospital, the members of his family funneling in and out of his room, knowing he would be going to a better place very soon.

Early this morning, he passed away.

Friday night, after almost everyone had left the hospital, Buster had a massive heart attack and we were all called back to the hospital. He hadn't seen anyone during the day, as chest pains were making him uncomfortable and the ever-proud patriarch of the Levy Family wasn't up for visitors.

As I walked into his room early Saturday morning, the bright smile that I will always remember my grandpa for came to his face.

"Hi Spence," he said, reaching out his hand for me to hold. "I hear congratulations are in order." He wasn't avoiding the obvious; he was being Buster. Enough about me, let's talk about you.

Later in the day, when Sarah came in with me to say hello/goodbye, Buster spoke with her and then turned to me with a wink and asked how we - he and I - had ended up with such beautiful women in our lives.

"They like the name Pop. It's all in the name," I replied.

Buster laughed as best he could and squeezed my hand a little tighter.

"I read your articles, you know. Nan found a place that sells your magazine and we both read those articles," he told me, showing the support he has always provided, even in his last days. "You've found something you love and you're good at it. Make sure you keep it up."

"Did you see that E at the front of the name?" I questioned. The smile I got in return was all the answer I needed.

That E stands for Edgar - in honour and now in memory of my grandfather.

You're the best man I've ever know and I miss you already Pop...

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10 Things I Learned This Week

1. My Grandfather is a Great Man
I knew this all along, but seeing the people who have shown up to see him at the hospital and the phone calls that have poured into my grandmother's house asking about him reminded me. Buster is an institution in Cornwall, but he's also the glue that holds our family together, along with Nan, of course. In the span of two days, everyone was there. That tells you how important he is to us all.

2. My Son Will Have Edgar in His Name
The legacy needs to be carried on...

3. I Have an Incredible Girl
She's been with me the whole time and she's been outstanding. She knows me almost as well as I know myself and knows when to talk and when nothing at all is what needs to be said. My family gave me the best gift I could ever ask for this past couple days, opening their arms and accepting her fully into our little group. You're my rock Sarah... I Love You!

4. No More Blockbuster
All this Cornwall business put an end to Blockbuster before the official date could arrive. Sadly, I didn't get to have a "Fuck Blockbuster" moment yet. Maybe I'll burn all my uniforms later. I will say this: there isn't a single ounce of me that is going to miss that job. No one should hate what they do. Life is too short to not follow your dreams.

5. Speaking of Dreams...
Starting tomorrow, writing becomes Priority #1. Passion falling by the wayside (or wherever it has fallen as of right now) is a good thing, because it gives me more time to go out and grab at bigger, brassier rings and that is what I intend to do. It's time to make this shit happen instead of waiting for it to come to me.

6. I Think I Gotta Make Up With My Old Man
This being angry is just too damn hard. I'm too damn old to still be walking around holding grudges. Yeah, he fucked up and we had a couple good dust-ups about it. Time to move forward. Life is happening rapidly around me and he is one obstacle that I can't keep avoiding.

7. The Wedding Planning Has Commenced
Destination Wedding Magazine #1 was purchased last night - not by me you bunch of smart-ass bastards - and talk on The Cole Side of an Engagement Party sometime this summer has begun as well. I find it hilarious that everyone took that one week to be caught off guard and surprised, then dove into planning mode head first. Time to start on My Guest List I suppose...

8. Ryan Seacrest is a Total Douchebag!
Not that I hadn't realized this before, but the only radio station we could get pre-Toronto on yesterday's drive home had American Top 40 on and hearing that uber-douche talk made me want to drive the car into an overpass. Thankfully, Sarah was driving and I could just stare out the window, fuming at how much I hate Ryan Seacrest.

9. Living Here is Weird
Not weird bad, just weird. I think anyone who has been on their own for an extended period of time then moves back into a parent's home will tell you the same thing. Just odd going from walking around your apartment naked - if you're so inclined - and peeing with the door open whilst talking to the missus to closing the door and always having pants on.

10. The Jays Are Done
Read the latest B&C piece if you don't know why already. It's going to be a long summer of trying to make crappy baseball seem interesting... but we'll still give it a shot!

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For Buster...

No Rundown today. This one is real personal, so if you're not into that, come back tomorrow.

I'm asking for your strength and your prayers.

My grandpa and namesake - Edgar Gordon Levy - is in the hospital right now. He went in a couple days ago and while one concern has been dealt with, there are still a handful of unanswered questions to go along with the knowledge that at age 90, being in the hospital is never a good thing.

Buster is the only grandfather I have ever known; my dad's dad died when the old man was six, but somehow, Buster more than made up for the lack of a paternal grandfather. He was the best. Hell, he still is the best.

A gifted and talented artist, I know my passion for prose comes through him, as page upon page of handwritten notes and letters used to arrive at the house about once every two weeks. Some of his paintings still hang in Faye's apartment and I hope to one day scam one from her to have in our place.

Around Cornwall, he is the master of the St. Lawrence - the guy you need to talk to when you're heading out onto the water in search of perch, bass, pike or anything in between. Buster has the spots, the status report and the best homemade minnow traps every produced. Besides, a bad day on the water is better than a good day anywhere else...

Except at the track!

That love of horse racing that courses through the veins of Pete and I may come from Faye and Phil, but Faye sure as shit got it from her old man. For the last I don't know how many years, he's stashed away his allowance every week to build "The Bankroll," a pocket full of potential to wager at the wickets on longshots, sure things and hot tips at the track. Whether it be the old days of crossing the bridge to Massina, New York or hitting one of the shady spots that ran OTB in Cornwall itself, if we were in town, we made a trip to the track.

My mind is going to be preoccupied a little until I know what's going to happen with my grandpa, so I apologize in advance if I miss giving you your fix over the next couple of days...

I'm talking to you here Newt! Just kidding...

I'll be here and I will keep you posted.

When I talked to him last week he told me how proud he was that I had found something I was passionate about, so I can't stop, not for nothing.

That's the way he would want it.

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10 Things I Learned This Week

1. Best Weekend Ever
Everyone needs to do a weekend away whenever they have the opportunity. We spent the past couple days at The Beach House, a must visit for anyone coming to Newfoundland and a great spot for those who live here and need to get away. I'll tell you about the meals in a minute...

2. Thumbs Down: The Keg, Friday Night with the Nursing Class
Oh, the meal was good, as per usual and the Kettel One Martini was great, but the service... saying it was a little lacking would be an understatement. The point of reservations is to assure a group they get what they want, so why was the group that had the room from 5-8 still there when we rolled in and how was that our problem? And another thing: the waitress was either the most easily rattled waitress in the history of the world or it was her first night. She was horrible. That's why she got a $5.49 cent tip on a $70 bill...

3. Thumbs Up: Atlantica, Saturday Night at The Beach House
I interviewed the parties involved in Atlantica last June for an article that has yet to materialize in Passion Magazine and so finally getting to eat there was a nice treat. Actually, it was beyond a nice treat; it was the best meal I've had in my life. You have got to go. There is a reason it was named Canada's Best New Restaurant for 2007. The Seafood Soup starter was outstanding and my main, the biggest, most delicious tuna steak every, was heavenly. Yeah, I said heavenly. Sarah loved her Salmon Tartar and Pan Seared Scallops too. The Chocolate Truffles to end the night were dynamite too. You've got to go...

4. My Happy Place, Part I
Saturday morning we got up real early - Sarah woke at 7 am and opened the blinds. We were done breakfast and off for the day before 10 and our first stop was Middle Cove Beach. This spot is one of the reasons I'll miss Newfoundland. While it's only 20 minutes out of town, it feels like miles from everything. Peaceful, beautiful, right on the ocean... calming and soothing are the best two words to describe it. Being there refreshes me...

5. My Happy Place, Part II
Chapters followed Middle Cove Beach. I love Chapters. Delicious coffee, books and magazines galore, comfy chairs... heaven. You can be as social or antisocial as you want, leaf through as many magazines and books without buying a thing and stay until they close the store. Every time I walk out of that place I feel ready for a nap, it's that relaxing to me. They may not have Middle Cove Beach in Ontario, but at least I'll have Chapters.
6. So Much for UNC
Kansas thumped them last night. Thumped doesn't actually do it justice. They put a big time beatdown on the Tar Heels. The loss actually makes for an interesting question: Does Tyler Hansbrough turn pro or not? Last season's loss in the tourney left a sour taste in his mouth, so what will this one do? Sure he won Player of the Year, but he still doesn't have that National Championship. I still think he'll declare for the draft. Oh, and Kansas will beat Memphis tomorrow night.

7. The T-Shirts Look Great
I got my going away present from the E, Smash and Kim Thursday night - the long rumoured "I Heart Spencer" t-shirts with the address for this little number on the back. Sarah can be seen modeling the homemade beauties on the Facebook Fan Page. The desk pen and gift card were great too... as were the Cinnamon Buns too Yennifer!

8. Happy Birthday to the Original Edgar
My grandfather and namesake Edgar Gordon Levy turns 90 tomorrow. 90! I can't even imagine. Buster has been one of my artistic influences throughout my life, as he is a gifted painted and woodworker with a talent with the pen as well and I am proud to carry on his name. He's the reason the "E" is present in all my published works. That and I think it looks cool...

9. Decisions, Decisions
Book or Screenplay? Which do I write? Part of me thinks screenplay because I can bang it out faster than an actual book, but the novel is what truly burns inside me to be written. Any thoughts?

10. A Couple Days of Goodbyes...
Saying goodbye to the '97 Saturn Shitbox SL later today, my man Deuce later tonight, the Blockbuster Posse Monday afternoon and Newfoundland as a whole Tuesday morning. Parting is such sweet sorrow...

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