Getting Down to Business

With the revelations about work coming earlier in the week, there is an abundance of time at my mercy, with which I could do any number of things.

Copious amounts of televisions and / or XBox 360 would certainly be entertaining, but could result in a prolonged stay on the couch during non-television hours, if you know what I mean.

There are countless books that I would like to read and a library full of them at my disposal, but seeing as I knocked off four during the vacation (three from James Patterson's Alex Cross series and Chris Jericho's autobiography), I think a break from the books isn't too bad.

Which leaves writing.

Yes, I am going to eschew hours of Food TV and MLB 2K Sports Front Office Manager to spend serious time crafting my masterpiece. In fact, I started while we were away, seeing as things have now come full circle and I am a married man.

We've got most of the housework that needed to be done checked off the list and shifts at the restaurant are spread out neatly to allow for numerous hours of typing madness in the coming weeks.

First up - proposal letters.

Shouldn't take long and could result in someone being willing to pay me to write this thing, which is always better than investing all my time and hard work for the low, low price of SFA.

As always, I'll keep you posted.

Continue reading ...

One Helluva Weekend!

The last 72 hours have been the best 72 hour stretch of time in my life.

Getting to be around a large collection of the people who care and love about Sarah and I and threw us an incredible party Saturday was far more than either of us could ever ask for.

Everyone assembled in the booming metroplis of Damascus, Ontario - my apologizes to everyone who got lost along the way - and there is enough left over chicken and wine to feed thousands for the next week to ten days.

Friday brought Sarah's mom in from Vancouver and a first trip to the airport. All went well, aside from an extra thirty minutes in the Cell Phone Lot waiting for the phone to ring while Luke barked at anything and everything around.

Six hours after we jumped into our tent on the front lawn, it was time for Trip #2 to the Airport to collect Sarah's Best Friend and Maid of Honor Jena. Luke stayed at home for this one and we actually parked instead of waiting in the Cell Phone Lot.

Fun, little interesting tidbit of the day: we picked Jena up at the exact location where Sarah and I got engaged. We thought it was a fun way to start Engagement Party Day. Mind you, we only had a couple hours of sleep on the uneven ground with a barking dog sniffing his way around a tent.

The party itself was incredible. I won't go into details about place settings and table decorations and the little jars of candies for everyone.

All the people who said they were coming made it there (except Newt, but he had two sick kids so we understood) and all had a great time. We had some laughs, a couple of tears and a great time.

Thanks to everyone for the terrific gifts and all the generosity. It means more to us than anyone will ever know.

And then we got hammered!

Somehow, waking up bright and early Sunday morning for breakfast didn't even include a hangover and it certainly should have when you factor in the copious amounts of wine that filled our bellies that evening.

Gotta love it - a killer party with all our loved ones (well - many of our loved ones) and no hangover to make us feel bad about it the next day.

Next up: finalizing the Flying 20...

Continue reading ...

Soundtrack of My Life

Song: No One
Artist: Alicia Keys
Album: As I Am (2007)

Sarah already knows this, but just so the rest of y'all understand - I love Alicia Keys.

Like, there ain't many women in the world who rank higher than her. The list is pretty much Sarah, Diane Lane, Natalie Portman and P!nk. That's some pretty heady company right there...

As has been the case for a couple of previous Soundtrack pieces, I've decided to pick one song that most exemplifies all the things I love about the artist being featured. At least, when it comes to an artist the caliber of Alicia Keys, the honest truth is that there are a whole list of songs that I could use here without hesitation.

This one is extra special though for somewhat obvious reasons which are heightened this weekend.

Plain and simple, this is an old-fashion love song and with this being Engagement Party Weekend, nothing was more fitting than a song that expresses the thoughts I have for Sarah.

When the rain is pouring down
And my heart is hurting
You will always be around
This I know for certain

You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don't worry 'cause
Everything's gonna to be alright
People keep talking they can say what they like
But all i know is everything's gonna to be alright

No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you, you, you
Can get in the way of what I feel

Of course, the other kicker is that Ms. Keys is the talent tickling the ivories throughout this track and all the others that make up her albums.

Just to recap, she's an insane musician, pens solid lyrics and is crazy attractive. I honestly don't understand people who don't love Alicia Keys. With all the bullshit Pop Tarts out there today, here is a fierce young woman who does it herself and does it better than almost everyone else.

If you haven't listened to an entire Alicia Keys album yet, I suggest you do so. It doesn't matter which one you pick -they're all outstanding.

Just know that if you do, you're going to get hooked and end up listening to them over and over and over again.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Continue reading ...

10 Things I Learned This Week

1. You Can't Teach Work Ethic
It's been a busy week at Montana's and over the last seven days, it's become painfully obvious to me that there is nothing anyone can say or do to make someone work harder. For a time, maybe, but not over the long haul. Management is included in this sadly, as our new guy bailed when his shift was scheduled to end Monday, despite all kinds of people answering their phones and coming in to help him. The right thing to do would have been to stick around. But you can't make people do something they don't want to do.

2. Through The Wire
At least Season One so far. Honestly, without harping on the subject for too long, if you like cop shows with an edge and some realism to them, go find this show. Best Buy dropped their prices on the seasons - they're only $30 a piece now - so instead of having a beer and pizza night, make a sammich and go buy this show.

3. Silencing Critics Inside the Octagon
While I'm still pissed that I didn't get to watch UFC 87 last night, I know all the results and have to give a round of applause to George St. Pierre, Brock Lesnar and Kenny Florian. I picked against all three and the trio came out and fought the fights that everyone (myself included) knew they were capable of fighting en route to unanimous decisions for all three. Most impressive of the group is Lesnar, the one time WWE Heavyweight Champion who could soon be wearing a similar belt in the UFC.

4. Mixed Emotions for Next Sunday
A week from today, I won't be writing this column. Instead, I'll likely be sitting at the kitchen table stuffing my face with breakfast foods recovering from what is sure to be a crappy, wine-enduced hangover following our Engagement Party. Kind of torn on this one still. On one hand, it's going to be nice seeing the people who are coming that I haven't seen in a while. But on the other hand, there are a bunch of people who aren't going to be there that disappoints me. Funny how some people will go to great lengths to show their love while others won't make the smallest effort...

5. R.I.P. Bernie Mac
Everyone has their own opinion of Bernie Mac, the comedian who passed away recently from pneumonia. Sarah hated him. Me? I've been a fan for a while and will miss him. He fit perfectly in his supporting roles in the Ocean's Series and Bad Santa and will always be one of the Original Kings of Comedy in my books.

6. Radio Show Regular
A pattern is forming on C101.5 - Mohawk College Radio on Tuesday nights around 7:30 or so: the host and this cat who writes for a baseball website talk shop for fifteen minutes in between Canadian Indie Rock tracks. Tune in and enjoy my latest efforts in the shameless self-promotion of Spencer Kyte.

7. My Name is Spencer and I'm a Smoker
Still doing pretty good, but let's face it: I've smoked for 13 years and it's the one thing I use as a way of calming down, chilling out and dammit, I just plain like it. There is no way that I would get through the awkward interactions coming next Saturday without the occasional smoke and I would surely have snapped on someone at the Cookhouse by now if I didn't step outside for some unfresh air every once in a while.

8. Olympic Tragedy
I'm no tree-hugger, so I won't stump for the enviromental reasons why we shouldn't be staging an Olympics in Beijing, but the quickness with which there was an incident against American family members of a US Coach in the Communist country shows me that a mistake was made. I will never understand why decisions like this are made when there are less dangerous, equally willing and viable cities always interested in hosting the Olympics.

9. It Really Is Like Having A Kid
Being a dog owner really is a great way to prepare yourself for kids. At least, I would say so now that I'm a dog owner. Everything we do has the "Luke Factor" tied into it and he's been known to throw tantrums now and again for no apparent reason. Our little man is a total handful, but I wouldn't trade him for the world.

10. Operation: 185 Update
Starting Weight: 204 lbs.
Last Week's Weight: 198.5 lbs.
Current Weight: 198.5 lbs.

No change, which is better than going up. This week was actually a fairly crappy week Op-wise, as rain washed out a couple outdoor training sessions and the indoor replacements never go as well. Something about being outside that focuses me more. Probably because I don't have a dog licking at my face when I do crunches...

Continue reading ...

The Rundown: Excitement Mounts

Pictured is the Grand Bahia Principe Cayacao in Samana, Dominican Republic.

That's where I'll be getting married next April. Exact dates aren't set in stone yet, but the resort is and I couldn't be more excited. Sarah and I have been eying this place for six months and to know now that we're definitely getting to have our wedding there is awesome.

Obviously, tying the knot and gettin' hitched is the most exciting thing on the schedule, but that is still nine months off and there are a lot of things I'm looking forward to between now and then, wedding related and otherwise.

Here they are in Today's Better-Late-Than-Never Rundown...

Five Most Anticipated Events

5. Engagement Party - August 16th
I have some reservations and apprehension about this thing, but ultimately, it's a chance for me to see a bunch of people that I haven't gotten to spend much time with over the last two years. It'll be Sarah's first real chance to meet some of the people that are really important in my life and for both our families to interact together, which, in spite of any hang-ups I may have with things, is something to look forward to.

4. Next Stop - TBA
As I mentioned in the last installment of 10 Things, we're in the process of figuring out where we'll be setting up shop next and this is something that I truly am looking forward to. I've moved so much in my life that it doesn't phase me anymore and I only see the fun and enjoyable parts, like finding a killer apartment, buying new things for the space and decorating. Yeah, I said decorating... I like it... sue me!

3. Vancouver - September 2008
Looking forward to this one for a number of reasons. We were supposed to go over last Christmas until someone had to have their appendix removed and then Bambi happened, so now that we've got tickets booked, I'm starting to get excited again. I've never been to BC and I can't wait to just see how beautiful it is, but I'm also looking forward to meeting Sarah's Girls, spending some QT with her mom and getting a chance to spend more time with her brother Tim.

2. Champagne Birthday - October 30, 2008
The Big Three Oh doesn't phase me at all - you're only as old as you feel and I feel like I'm about 21 most days, so piss on all the worrying and nonsense. I'd like to have one hell of a party for this one, Spencer Style though. No out all night boozefest like the younger years; I want my closest friend at my house / apartment, great food, better beverages and just lots of laughs and entertainment. Feel free to contact Sarah to make this happen...

1. Our First Christmas Together - December 25, 2008
Yes, we've been together for two actual Christmases thus far, but neither has really been together in the complete sense of the word. For that matter, they weren't really Christmas-y either. Sarah was home in VanCity for the first one and last year I was at work after we spent all of Christmas Eve travelling home post-Bambi. While I know Sarah may have to work, I also know that I most likely won't and that means I make sure we have a great Christmas together, wherever we are.

Continue reading ...

10 Things I Learned This Week

1. Josh Hamilton Smashes Home Runs
What a display on Monday night! I took some extra pleasure in watching it happen as I have been a huge Hamilton supporter since he started on his road back last season. Dude is killing it and I, for one, think it's outstanding.

2. But Not Everybody Does
There are people out there who don't think Josh Hamilton is a good story or an inspiring story or a story worth telling at all. Well pfffffft to them! He's overcome a crack addiction to make it back to the Majors. Beyond that, he's clobbering the baseball. In our world where we're hit with so much bad news and so many horrible stories, can't we just enjoy this one without picking it to shreds? Get the latest B&C take on the situation here and here and here.

3. Why Did I Install PokerStars?
Seriously, I have done pretty much nothing other than play poker during the spare minutes of my days since I installed the stupid thing. I even stayed up until about 4 AM the other night playing some Free Money tournament for a good three hours. I could see if I was winning money, but it's actually just a great big waste of time... and still I play!

4. Engagement Party Update
This little shindig is about a month away and it can't get here soon enough. Not because I'm super excited for it, but so that it can be over. Don't get me wrong, I'm really looking forward to seeing the people who are coming and it's going to be a nice day, but for a party that someone else is throwing for us and that we didn't ask for, it sure is causing us a lot of goddamn headaches.

5. So I Bought Me a Medicine Ball...
Not those giant ones you had in Gym Class growing up - one of the four pound ones that is like a weighted basketball. It's the newest wrinkle to the Training for Warriors program that I am undertaking. Lemme tell you how insane using this thing is? You want an arm workout? Forget lifting weights, buy one of these things and fire it off the wall in 8-10 different positions and whole whack of times. And don't forget about the crunches, figure eights, pushups and everything else you can do with it...

6. Yeah Me!
It's two weeks into this and I haven't quit. That in itself is an accomplishment. Mix in the fact that I'm still eating right and it's a success. So what is it when you add the fact that I haven't bought a pack of smokes in nearly three weeks and have had about four in the last two weeks? A small miracle and a major victory.

7. Oh That Silly Lohan Family
So the latest, if you didn't already know, is that Linds is a lesbo and living with Sam Ronson, DJ'ing sister of one of my favs Mark Ronson. She (Lindsay) seems happy and hasn't been making any bad news since this relationship started. What's the rest of the family got to say about it? They're all in denial! Supermom Dina and little sister / Lindsay clone Ali swear they're just friends. Yeah, friends who like to go down on each other!

8. I'm So Pumped for The Dark Knight
There hasn't been a movie that I have been this stoked to see in ages. I can't even tell you the last thing that I was so excited about going to the theatre to see. Maybe nothing. Ever. Everyone I know who has seen it is raving. Now all I need is a night off with Sarah so we can take it in.

9. Anderson Silva is a Bad Motherfucker!
Watched UFC Fight Night last night with great anticipation of seeing Anderson Silva, the best pound-for-pound fighter on the face of the Earth, take on James Irvin, a dude with scary punching power. I thought Silva would win. I didn't think it would be as insane as it was. 1:01. That's it. Caught his leg on a kick, right hand, over. 8 more punches landed before the ref stopped it and Irvin was gashed bad under his eye. There isn't fighter on the planet that I wouldn't take Silva over right now.

10. Operation: 185 Update
Starting Weight: 204
Last Week: 201
This Week: 201
This isn't a setback - you never lose as much in Week Two as you do in Week One - and I'm writing this before getting in a workout or heading to work, so chances are that by the end of the day that number will be lower. Even if it isn't, we're good. With the addition of the aforementioned Medicine Ball, there are a whole bunch of other exercises I can do to continue dropping libs and toning my flabby physique into the rock-solid sculpture I'm gunning for for next April.

Have a great week everybody!

Continue reading ...

The Rundown: Latest Developments

I know that - for the most part - I use this blog on a daily basis to keep you updated on what's going on in my life and my head, but it's time for a Rundown and well, there is just a bunch of crap to full you in on, so here we go...


Top Five Recent Developments in the Life of E. Spencer Kyte

5. I Showered Today
Just thought I would let you all know that I'm not always a dirty, stinky bastard. That was only yesterday.

4. Sarah's Next Schedule Kicks Ass
Starting in July when she moves to General Surgery, her schedule will be two days, two days, five off for the rest of the summer. How awesome is that? We're going to get to have actual time to spend together through July and August. It'll also give us a chance to go visit people and spend some time preparing for this Engagement Party that's coming up.

3. I Still Have No Idea How These Things Work
By these things, I mean the Engagement Party. We keep getting conflicting reports and conflicting points of view. Register for gifts, don't register for gifts. We need an MC, we don't need an MC. Have a bar, don't have a bar. So far, the decisions are at register, no MC and some booze... I'll keep you posted.

2. No More Nomad
For at least the next eight months, we'll be staying in London. Sarah has an opportunity to get onto a floor that she really loves (Labour & Delivery), I've got a good thing going with my schedule at Montana's and the dynamics of living here with Garry are pretty solid, outside of Cool Hand Luke still barking at him whenever I'm around. So instead of packing up shop and shipping off somewhere new after our September sabbatical in Vancouver, we're staying put and worrying about moving post-wedding.

1. R.I.P. Passion Magazine
After six weeks of waiting around wondering WTF was going on, I finally got an email from one of my peeps at Passion last night. Actually, he used to be at Passion. He's not anymore. No one is. They're right back where they we this time last year when I was first scheduled to come on board. Positives - four published pieces and some quality exposure. Negatives - they still owe me for all my work and I think the chances of me seeing that green are slim and none.

Continue reading ...

The Rundown: You Better Be There...

As mentioned yesterday, there is an Engagement Party happening this summer for me and the missus. I told a couple people about it earlier in the week and after completing work on the invitations yesterday, I riffled off an email to the rest of my peeps to accumulate the Mailing Addresses necessary for sending out invitations.

Note: I can't invite you all... we're running on a tight budget here people! It doesn't mean I don't love you...

Anywho, in the little more than a week that it's been since I started prepping people for the #1 event on the Summer Social Calendar, the positioning for presumably skipping the shindig has already begun. My mother even wavered a little...

This is not acceptable. There are only a handful of reasons that we'll accept for you being a No Show and here they are in today's Rundown.

Top Five Acceptable Excuses for Missing Our Engagement Party

5. You Live Really Far Away
Really far = Newfoundland, BC, Alberta, Korea, England... places like that. Flights cost a lot of money and we'd understand. If you currently live outside of the above areas, you better keep reading if you're thinking about not making it this summer, especially considering Deuce is going to try and make it in from St. John's for this bad boy...

4. Pre-Existing Plans
My friends Paul & Cori aren't going to be able to attend because it's Cori's Mom's 50th (Happy Birthday Dale!) and they've had a party in the works for some time. Summer vacations fall into this category as well. However, work does not count as a pre-made plan. Book the day off - or two days if need be - or switch with someone and get your ass to the party.

3. Freak Accident
If anyone can understand that accidents happen, it's me and Sarah. Christmas wasn't that long ago. Vancouver got ousted because of an appendectomy and our planned drive back to Newfoundland got changed into a flight home on Christmas Eve because of The Bambi Incident. Shit happens, we get that.

2. You Actually Don't Like Me
I don't think I'm the only one in the world who has a wrong impression about some people. There very well could be some people out there that I consider to be my friends that receive invitations who actually dislike me. I have that kind of personality. I know this. Just do me one favour? If this is the case, tell me, so I can add you to my "Who To Kill When I Take Over The World" list. Notice I said "Me" and not "Us" - most everyone likes Sarah!

1. Depression Due to Lack of iBlog Posts
Obviously, I'm going to be fairly busy during that week. At least, I think I'm going to be fairly busy during that week. Chances are that I won't be chiming in here every single day as per usual and I know how much some of you rely on this to help get you through the day (Newt...), so it would be understandable if you're too sad to leave the house. Then again, you'd be coming to see me and I'm even more entertaining live!

Continue reading ...

An Engaging Story

We're gettin' hitched!

Saturday night I asked Sarah to marry me and for some reason she actually agreed.

I'll pass along your congratulations - we're both really appreciative of all the support and excitement from the last couple days.

So I know what you're thinking: How'd you do it?

I'm glad you asked.

It starts a year and a half ago - October 2006 - when Sarah came home from Newfoundland for my cousin Rob's wedding. I went to pick her up and had made a sign one night at work that read "Welcome Home Baby!" and held it up like a sappy doofus when she came through the doors at Pearson.

Since then, every time I have had to pick her up at the airport - which hasn't been many, but still - I've brought that sign. Saturday was no different, except...

On the flip side of the cardboard was a brand new sign that simply read, "Sarah - Marry Me! - I Love You," along with a ring, of course.

She walked out of the baggage claim, noticed me, noticed the original sign and gave me a hug. Do you see it anywhere in there that she noticed the new sign? Nope.

I had to draw her attention to it post-hug.

"Look at the sign bub," I said, shaking and holding the ring in front of it.

Look.
Read.
Comprehend.
Astonishment.
Biggest Smile Ever.

Then she kind of just looked at the ring for a minute, smiling uncontrollably and shaking a little, all of which was the anticipated and welcomed reaction, not that I had any worries.

And with that, me and Ms. Cole were engaged.

* * * * * * * * * *

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

1) Do we have a date in mind?
Yes - end of April, early May next year.

2) Where?
We're thinking destination, having found a beautiful resort in the Dominican that we both really like, but nothing is certain... yet. If 1/3 of the guests have to travel (think plane, not car) regardless of where we have it, why don't we all go some place?

3) Is she crazy, marrying me, the starving artist / part-time waiter?
I think so, but it was her decision...

4) Could I be any happier?
Nope, not in a million years!

I'll keep you posted on all things weddingy as they come up...

* * * * * * * * * *

One last thing:

I asked both her parents before proposing.

Guys - trust me on this one - this is a must. Do things the right way. Thank me for it later.

Continue reading ...