Anyone Want My Autograph?

Move aside, Brad Pitt and George Bush, Shirley Temple and Madonna, because here come the Vander Deens and the Mussches. These long-lost celebrities have recently been discovered and it is here, today, that I reveal their true identities.
Try it yourself: http://www.myheritage.com/FP/Company/tryFaceRecognition.php?s=1&u=g0&lang=EN

Sarah = Barbara Stanwyck

Jeremy = Al Pacino

Karen = Rachel Bilson

Andrea = Halle Berry

Rachel = Penelope Cruz

Michael = Prince Harry of Wales

David = Justin Timberlake

Danielle = Condoleeza Rice

Lauren = Helen Clark

Rachel = Greg Lemond

I don't know how I ended up being a man.

Michael = Prince Harry of Wales

Rachel = Prince William of Wales

Somehow I am a man again. This time, royalty.

Perhaps the family ties are a little disturbing?

Why Didn't Somebody Tell Me

So, in one week from now, I will have worked at Staples for 7 months. Most full-time employees participate in a Tim's run, taking orders for people and bringing coffee at some point in the day, two or three times a week. I have thus far declined, for although I would absolutely love to have a coffee or a hot chocolate or a cafe mocha or some other such caffeinated delight, or even a chocolate glazed donut, I haven't really felt I can afford to take my turn treating 10 or 15 other people to whatever they happen to want from Tim's that day.
My somewhat frustrated question of the day is, why is it that I didn't learn until TODAY that these weekly Tim's runs are almost always paid for by the company?

I Can't Wait for New Landlords

Yesterday when Mike and I got home from work, we found an email from our wonderful landlord Redeemer Ancillary Services informing us that there would be a secondary fire safety inspection taking place this morning sometime. This would involve inspecting the landings and stairs of the independent apartments to be sure they were clear, as well as entering the apartments (whether or not anyone was home) to check the fire alarm and the fire extinguisher. These were inspected two weeks ago, but perhaps they have gone bad since then. Well, even though it seems a little wrong to have people snooping around in our home while we're away, I suppose being tenants we can expect these safety things every once in a while. So we complied - we cleaned up the house, hid the valuables, and removed absolutely everything from the landing. And this morning we left for work and were both gone by 7:15.
After we left, the Hamilton Spectator was delivered to our door (to which we do not subscribe, but it is left unsolicited at our doorstep every morning). After this delivery, the fire inspector came accompanied, I can assume, by a member of ancillary services. So they posted this big official sign on our door informing us that we have to remove our newspaper by April 17, or else Redeemer University College will remove it forcibly, and will not be held responsible for any loss or damage of personal property. The stairway assumably being an escape from possible fire, we have been instructed to "maintain these means of egress free of combustible storage and obstructions" or else we may face a large fine.
I've never heard of anyone being fined for not being home when their newspaper was delivered. Does this seem ridiculous to anybody else?

Spring and Snowmen

With the weather being up and down lately, it seems that spring has arrived, if ever so tentatively. And though I have been outside often without a coat this winter due to nature of my job, this morning I carted 35 bags of garbage to the bin with no coat and the temperature was almost comfortable. Also, there were birds chirping outside at 6:00 in the dark when we woke up. I have to say that though I agree that waking up early in the morning can make one feel responsible and hard-working and Dutch-Calvinistic, waking up before the sun wakes up is just a wee bit too depressing for me. The sun should come up with me when my alarm goes off.
Anyways, the coming of spring, combined with my search for entertaining children's poetry this evening, has led me to recall one of my more favourite poems of all time, which once upon a time I illustrated for an art class.

The Snowman

by Shel Silverstein

'Twas the first day of springtime,
And the snowman stood alone
As the winter snows were melting,
And the pine trees seemed to groan,
"Ah, you poor sad smiling snowman,

You'll be melting by and by."
Said the snowman, "What a pity,
For I'd like to see July.
Yes, I'd like to see July, and please don't ask me why.
But I'd like to, yes I'd like to, oh I'd like to see July."

Chirped a robin, just arriving,
"Seasons come and seasons go,
And the greatest ice must crumble
When it's flowers' time to grow.
And as one thing is beginning
So another thing must die,
And there's never been a snowman
Who has ever seen July.
No, they never see July, no matter how they try.
No, they never ever, never ever, never see July."

But the snowman sniffed his carrot nose
And said, "At least I'll try,"
And he bravely smiled his frosty smile
And blinked his coal black eye.
And there he stood and faced the sun
A blazin' from the sky
And I really cannot tell you
If he ever saw July.
Did he ever see July? You can guess as well as I
If he ever, if he never, if he ever saw July.

Lost

Please be aware that the creative juices of Rachel Vander Deen have somehow been misplaced. If you happen to find them hiding somewhere, in a dark corner of your home or in your sock drawer, or if you see them slinking away down the street, you are requested to apprehend them as soon as possible and return them to their rightful owner. Reward to be discussed.