I see spots! Everywhere!!! No, no, my eyesight is fine! I just finished watching Disney’s classic film, 101 Dalmatians! I loved the movie and the book so much as a child, that I was excited to hear about Disney releasing their 2-disc platinum edition.

The first noticeable thing is the quality of the film. It is simply amazing and vivid. Certainly not the way I remember it as a child. The story itself, well it is a Disney classic. It as a joy to sit and watch this film now that I am in my 30s and watch it with the same wonder and amazement that I had as a child.

The 2nd disc has wonderful extras and features. Everything from demos of the songs recorded for the movie, to unreleased songs. There are great behind the scenes documentaries and even production art. The games are tons of fun, even for us big kids.

All in all, it is a great DVD set. Disney always goes above and beyond with these DVD releases and I am so happy to have my copy. Now make your way out to the store and pick up yours! It will be a movie that you will treasure forever!

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
National Contact: Darrell Borquez
Regional Contact: Michelle Alexander
818-295-5224
818-295-5246
Darrell.Borquez@Disney.com
Michelle.Alexander@Disney.com
Finally Unleashed from the Disney Vault For the First Time in Nearly 10 Years Walt Disney’s Original Classic 101 Dalmatians First time on Two-Disc DVD March 4, 2008
Featuring An All-New Digital Restoration, Deleted Songs, Virtual Dalmatians Game, and more
BURBANK, Calif., October 26, 2007 – For the first time in nearly a decade, Walt Disney Studios Home
Entertainment unleashes 101 of the world’s most famous dogs when Walt Disney’s original dog classic, 101
Dalmatians: Platinum Edition comes to DVD March 4, 2008 for a limited time only. 101 Dalmatians is the
true Disney Dog classic, considered by critics to be one of the best and most innovative Disney animated
films. This all-new two-disc Platinum Edition is a must-own for fans big and small, featuring beloved
characters Pongo, Perdita, and their 99 puppies, as well as one of Disney’s most deliciously evil villains of all
time – Cruella De Vil (ranked on American Film Institute’s Best Villains of All Time List).
101 Dalmatians: Platinum Edition is brilliantly restored with enhanced picture and sound and includes all-
new, never-before-seen bonus features that will have fans of all ages howling with delight: An all-new
interactive �Virtual Dalmatian� game with over 101 possibilities to adopt, train and care for your very own
virtual puppy, deleted songs, behind-the-scenes featurettes, an in-depth look at the personal correspondence
between Walt Disney and Dodie Smith, (author of the book The Hundred and One Dalmatians), and much
more.
One of the most cherished and sought-after Disney classics of all time, 101 Dalmatians is among the last
films to bear the personal touch of Walt Disney. This original classic is available for a limited time only before
it returns to the Disney vault.
Bonus Features
• Disney’s Virtual Dalmatians Adopt, name, train and care for your very own virtual puppy where there are over 101 possibilities.
• Puppy Profiler Find out which dog you’re most like!
• 101 Pop-Up Trivia Facts For The Family & Collector Discover 202 amazing things You Never Knew about the movie as you watch it – with 101 pop up facts for the family and 101 for the collector
• All-New “Cruella De Vil� Music Video The classic song “Cruella De Vil� gets a contemporary twist when multitalented teen Disney Channel
star Selena Gomez performs the song in a brand new video!
• Redefining The Line: The Making Of 101 Dalmatians 101 Dalmatians is considered by critics to be one of the best and most innovative Disney animated films. Go behind the scenes with its creators to find out about everything - including the technological innovation of the Xerox process in animation.
• Cruella De Vil: Drawn To Be Bad Inspired by flamboyant actress Tallulah Bankhead, Cruella De Vil has become a villain that movie
fans love to hate. Marc Davis, an animation legend and one of Disney’s immortal “Nine Old Men� reveals how this iconic character came to be.
• Sincerely Yours, Walt Disney Experience Walt Disney and Dodie Smith’s (author of the book The Hundred and One Dalmatians)
actual correspondence during the movie’s production.
• Deleted Songs Songs written for the film - finally come to life!
• And Much More!
When Pongo and Perdita, a pair of adorable Dalmatians play Cupid for their human pets, wedding bells soon ring! In a short time, the dogs become the proud parents of 15 winsome puppies, but their happiness is short-lived. The wicked Cruella De Vil wants to buy the all puppies—to make a coat! When her dastardly offer is turned down, she orders her bumbling henchmen Horace and Jasper to abscond with the puppies as well as every other Dalmatian puppy in London. Pongo and Perdita must rally a network of animals across England with the “twilight barkâ€� to help find Cruella’s secret hideaway and rescue 99 precious puppies.
STREET DATE: March 4, 2008
Suggested retail price: U.S. $29.99, Canada $36.99
Feature run time: 79 Minutes
Rated: “G� Bonus materials not rated or subtitled.
Technical specifications may only apply to feature
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1 full-screen aspect ratio
Sound: All-new Disney-enhanced Home Theater Mix Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Languages: English, French, and Spanish language tracks Close captioned in English
FastPlay: FastPlay enabled
Walt Disney Home Entertainment is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Inc., a
recognized industry leader. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is the marketing, sales and distribution
company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax, and Buena Vista videocassettes and
DVDs.
These press materials are available in electronic form at www.BVHEpublicity.com

Well things have been hectic.  Mostly because of work.  Working night shift can really suck the life out of you.  I’m hoping to eventually get out of doing nights but for now, it pays more and plus I don’t mind the work.

The music thing is slowly advancing.  Again, the nights kills it for me, but I do get out to sing whenever time allows for it. 

I’ve started seeing someone new… It’s been a while since I’ve actually dated anyone, but so far so good here.  One day at a time is all I can do at the moment though.

Faithy celebrated her bday a few weeks back!  Go say Happy Birthday to her!  She’d really appreciate it, even if its a little late!

And…. thats all for now! lol!  Yup, I’m boring!  Deal with it already!! 

I meant to do this yesterday, but got a little distracted with many other things.

September 11th, 2001 the whole world stopped and watched as one of the biggest world tragedies unfolded in New York City, Washington, and Pennsylvania (I think it was there, please correct me if I am wrong).

When the first plane hit in the early 9am hours on that day, it was only 6am in Jasper, Alberta. I was just crawling out of bed and getting ready for work since I had to be in the office for 8am. I did not turn on the tv, so I had no clue anything was going on.

By around 9am, I found it odd that the phones were quiet. So did my co-worker. Then I got an email from my friend Sandra in NB telling me something happened in NYC, that a couple planes had crashed. Apparently it was all over the news, and Fairmont was trying desperately to find out if our hotel, The Plaza, was affected in any way.

Suddenly, a colleague barged into the back office and was ranting about the fact his wife and a friend were in NYC and he couldn’t get through to the hotel and he was panicking. I was on the phone with a guest at that point, and I had to put her on hold because she could hear this guy freaking out. I poked my head out of my cubicle and asked him to hold it in for a few minutes while I finished the call. When I completed it, I went to switchboard and told them to divert any calls for reservations to Global Reservations because we had matters in the back office that needed to be taken care of.

My colleagues and I spent a better part of the day trying to get information on what was happening but all news websites were busy, and we didn’t have a tv nearby, so we knew nothing. Finally, the GM set up TVs in some of our hotel meeting rooms for guests and employees who wanted/needed a public place to stay close to each other. And we finally got news of the events that had unfolded.

Naturally, when I got home from work, I called my parents in NB to make sure they were ok, etc…

It was a shocker, no doubt. And when the news of terrorists finally came out, a sudden fear hit the world. Is it safe to travel? Is it safe to do anything anymore?

The day before 9/11, I had put in an application to stay in Jasper. I loved it so much there, but sadly, a week after the incident, anyone on temporary contracts were to be sent back home (meaning back to GRC) and there was a hiring freeze across the company. When they were ready to hire again, it was too late, my flight was booked to come back home. They say things happen for a reason, and with my Mother who became ill shortly after, I guess that was the reason why I needed to come back home.

I’m not afraid to travel and I still work in the hotel industry. I do meet people though who share their feelings and thoughts of what they went through. I’ve even met a former NYPD officer who was part of the rescue efforts. His stories of what he saw still give me goosebumps and even nightmares at times. I can only imagine what he went through.

And now, 6 years later… We are still fighting the war on terror and have unfortunately seen many more people sacrifice their lives to maintain peace for us. Our soldiers who are overseas are doing a lot for us, despite what many protestors think. It is a tedious job, but we are lucky to have people who are willing to fight for our right to be here, and our right to live in freedom. Its a shame many people don’t see it that way, but maybe its because of the fact I come from a military background that I see things slightly different that most. All I can hope for is a secure future for myself and perhaps my future children, and of course, mankind.

There’s not much new in the world of Nat…  Just back to my normal work schedule for the most part. 

I got to finally see POTC 3, which blew me away!  I LOVED it!!  I want to go see it again!! 

Been hanging out with some friends of mine, especially one friend in paticular…  Its funny how things happen and how different things can change your life, but when it happens for the better, it can add such an inner peace.  Yeah, I know, it sounds corny, but it’s true! 

Other than that, well… I’m in the process of backing up and moving my star wars site (http://sw-destiny.net).  Gertie at http://fan-sites.org can no longer host it so we’re moving over to http://digital-distortia.com/.  One of my oldest and dearest friends (whom I’ve lost contact with and resumed contact recently) is being wonderful enough to give me a new home.  Thanks Thia!  *huggles*

The Anne Hathaway site is doing incredible… http://ahathaway.info  It’s averaging a great number of hits daily and is growing every day.  I still say if it weren’t for Faith Bowie, the site wouldn’t be anywhere NEAR to what it is now!  We’ve got some tricks up our sleeves too, so should be interesting…

So that’s all for now… toodles!

This is gonna be a long one… Got lots to say…

Firstly… kidney stone & uti:

Luckily I didn’t have to have surgery… However things are still not 100%. I’m not sure what to do now… Wondering if I should wait to see the specialist next week or if I should go and get some tests done to see if the infection is truly gone.

I passed the stone a week ago and it was in fact 2cm long, 5mm wide. Much bigger than the originally thought 2mm. So the meds they put me on worked. Thankfully. It was painful! Horrible! I hate hospitals even more now!

Secondly… Work some colleagues seem to think I should have been back to work last Saturday because they had the flu and had to work with it to cover me. According to them, well I passed the stone so I was all better! Like the fuck I was! Are you fucking a doctor? NO! Passing a kidney stone is far worse than childbirth. I don’t wish that pain on anyone! Not even my worst enemies! Like I said, I’m still not 100%…

And to add to it… well suddenly I’m not doing my work like I’m supposed to and the manager wants to have a talk today. Fuck him! If he had a problem or issues with the way I’ve been doing my work, he should have freaking told me THREE MONTHS AGO when I took the full time position. You know what? My financials balance to a T. Perfect every single night. Because I don’t add a stupid freaking calculator ticker tape to the numbers doesn’t mean I don’t sit there and go receipt by receipt looking at everything in great details. And whats this shit about direct bills? I had two nights of training on the night shift … And I didn’t even stay the whole night. I was shown quickly how to do it because someone was leaving. Then it took nearly a month for that person to leave and then I had to start doing the night shift twice a week. Then I was thrown into the full time job because they were desperate. I really regret not leaving when I gave my notice. I’m currently looking for another job. I can’t take it there anymore. I’ve had heartburn since I went back and now I realize why its been bothering me so much for the last few months… Its because of work. Not to mention the rampaging gossip in that building.

Thirdly, I’m all settled into my new apartment. Same building, just bigger and nicer and prettier! Much more quiet too! Yay!

Fourthly… I’ve been doing lots of thinking and something I read kinda made me want to do this.

Over the years I accumulated a few exes. Some just fucked things up so horribly that I never want to date again. I have guys asking me out all the time… And I always turn them down. Why? Because I couldn’t be bothered with having a relationship with anybody. Too much trouble, heartache, headache, etc…

Now they say we meet people in our lives so that we may grow, change, learn lessons… Oh boy did I ever learn lessons. Some good, some bad, some I never want to encounter again… But I wanted to do a rundown of the guys I’ve had “serious” relationships with and what I learned from them… good and bad. Hope some of you don’t mind… To protect the guys, only their initials are used…

EP: First boyfriend, first love. Went out for 3 years. We grew apart, life changed and it was time to move on. Good memories and bad memories. What I learned? You can’t change a person, but the person can change over years… especially when you passing from teenager to adulthood. We still talk from time to time and we accepted that we changed and it was necessary to end things.

PW: Lying, cheating scumbag. This is the one who started my financial troubles. What I learned? Sometimes rumours aren’t true, but its good to listen to them and consider them… Why? Because they might actually be true. Plus this guy had issues with drugs, alcohol and gambling. So it was a good thing to move on.

KS: Verbally abusive. Thankfully he moved away during our last month together and the long distance thing made me realize that it was just time to move on… Lesson? When a guy freaks out that you are going on a weekend trip with the girls ONE WEEK after he met you, end it right then and there. When a guy tells you what to wear and what not to wear? End it! Verbal abuse and controling guys are NOT WORTH IT.

IG: Oh this guy put me through the ringer. We were doing so well, but he had issues. Big issues. Big enough for him to freak out and run the other direction when things were getting really serious. Lesson learned? Whenever you start dating someone who has a huge amount of emotional baggage to begin with… don’t get involved.

JD: We had a spiritual connection. First pagan boyfriend. A little unorthodox from what I had dated in the past. Definitely not your clean cut, blondish haired fella. We had good times, we had bad times. Made me discover the little darkside that I have. He brought out the worse anger and hatred I had ever felt towards someone. But he’s the one who really changed me. If I could’ve done things differently, I would have. Maybe I’d still have a friend. Maybe not… Either way, I wish him nothing but the best in life. He had his issues and baggage, but I think he was just a lost soul that needed to find himself. And as far as I know, he’s found himself and is actually happy and content. How does that make me feel? Content. At peace. That’s all I really wanted for him and I hope he really did find it. Lesson learned? Let go when it’s time to let go. Don’t pursue something that isn’t there. Be happy with what was good and take the values you learned from the bad things. When a person offers his friendship and nothing more, accept it and embrace it.

RR: This was a moment of temporary insanity. My gut told me not to and I should’ve listened to it. Thief!!! Lesson learned: Trust your gut, always! Even now the bastard still follows me around … Two years later!!!!!!!

So that’s that… Of course I’ve had dates in between and all that good stuff. But nothing really worthy of mentionning… Well maybe one…

LD: Seriously attracted to each other. Even still now (met last Fall). Dated a little bit. Sometimes sitting back and waiting to see how things go can sometimes be a good thing. Because I now have one of the most wonderful friends ever. What’s in store? Hopefully continued friendship. I doubt it’ll ever go any further though. Lesson learned: Sitting back and not making the first move can be good. Sometimes people you meet are meant to be nothing more than friends. And building the trust and friendship is good.

Crazy how I wanted to get this all off my chest… It’s been festering for a while. And I feel better! Somewhat… I still yearn for companionship, however I think things are best left alone for now. I’m still not one with myself (although I’m getting there). Besides, as I always said in regards to LD… I need a best friend more than a boyfriend.

So that’s it for now… Laters….

I just read this article:  http://channels.netscape.ca/news/article.adp?id=20070416110909990013

It’s basically about how the Virginia Tech gunman sent a package to NBC News between the two shootings from a few days ago.  Also how other people had noticed for the last few years that this person was not stable.

First of all, my heart goes out to the victims and their families.  May whatever God or Goddess you worship help you find the strength you need to get through this.

What is it with people going to schools, a supposed sanctuary for children, and shooting people?  Like WTF?  *sighs*

What irks me though, and please don’t take offence to this, is that the media coverage here in Canada is insane…  There is nothing else but these shootings on the news up here.  And yet we lost 8 Canadian soldiers to the Taliban in Afghanistan and there was barely anything…  Just that they died, and a few blurbs about the soldiers and then when the bodies came home. 

It doesn’t take away from the fact that 33 people lost their lives.  But we have our own people out fighting a war, that I am beginning to question and doubt, and they are losing their lives as well.  And it goes virtually unnoticed.  They may have chosen their profession (the soldiers) but they did not choose to die.

Anyway…  its just plain crazy!  No ifs and or buts about it.

Now I gotta get back to work…

I really don’t know what to say… except… Wow. No, this isn’t a jumping for joy wow… this is a very sorrowed wow.

Since Easter Sunday, Canada has seen 8 soldiers killed in Afghanistan. The latest article about the last two is found here

This brings the total to something like 53 soldiers killed since we joined the US in the fight on terrorism in 2002.

Five of those soldiers were stationned at CFB Gagetown, where my brother is currently stationned and where my Father was stationned between 1981-1986 (Yes, that means I lived tehre). Gagetwon is only a few hours away. Meaning these young men who lost their lives have family just 2 hours away who are grieving for them.

All along, every time news of a fallen soldier was released, it touched me. Of course it would, I grew up in a military family. But the recent ones have really hit hard, and it actually brings tears to my eyes that these soldiers are out there risking their lives… and for what exactly?  Why is Canada out there in Afghanistan?  For the longest time, I was sitting there, supporting our troops… And I’ll continue to do so.  But I thought I understood why we are there.  Now I’m beginning to question it.  And these soldiers did not die in combat.  They were killed by roadside bombs that the Taliban have set.

I’m truly speechless and I am not one to talk politics… mainly because I was trained to not talk about politics in the job that I do.  All I can say is my heart goes out to those left behind by these honourable men and women who are fighting, apparently, for us, our freedom, world peace, and also for the Afghan people to refind their way and bring modern life to their country.

Like You by Evanescence

Stay low
soft, dark, and dreamless
far beneath my nightmares and loneliness
I hate me
for breathing without you
I don’t want to feel anymore for you

grieving for you
I’m not grieving for you
nothing real love can’t undo
and though I may have lost my way
all paths lead straight to you

I long to be like you
lie cold in the ground like you

Halo
blinding wall between us
melt away and leave us alone again
humming, haunted somewhere out there
I believe our love can see us through in death

I long to be like you
lie cold in the ground like you
there’s room inside for two and I’m not grieving for you
I’m coming for you

You’re not alone
no matter what they told you you’re not alone
I’ll be right beside you forevermore

I long to be like you, sis
lie cold in the ground like you did
there’s room inside for two and I’m not grieving for you
and as we lay in silent bliss
I know you remember me
I long to be like you
lie cold in the ground like you
there’s room inside for two and I’m not grieving for you
I’m coming for you

Ok, so we’re back! *kicks Faith for kicking my butt to blog*  There, ya happy?  :p  LOL!

I haven’t written an actual blog in AGES!  I’ve changed hosts & domain names so much, its a wonder if anyone can even track me anymore!  Maybe that’s a good thing, though?  *thinks*  Yeah, its a good thing!

I’m at work right now, bored out my tree!  I’m in horrible pain since I’m passing kidney stones … again… for the bazillionth time.  So the fact that I’m just sitting here and blogging isn’t such a bad thing.

I’m in Maritime Idol (http://maritimeidol.com).  Compete again on the 15th this month.  We find out who won week #3 on Sunday, and sing our songs for week #4.  I better get off of my ass and practice.  I’m singing ‘Bring Me To Life’ & ‘Call Me When You’re Sober’ by Evanescence. 

Other than that, not much else to report… I think I’ll stop blabbing before this turns into a real boring blog post! LOL!

I have opened an Anne Hathaway site a few months back and you can find it at http://ahathaway.info.

I’m also co-webmaster at a Mandy Moore site which is at http://mandy-m.net

 

Finally we’re back.  Thanks to Faith Bowie for hosting the site until I can afford a new domain *smooches*

Fanlistings are being rebuilt and here’s what we’ve got:

http://www.enchanting-dreams.net/newhope/  for Obi-Wan, Padme, Leia and Luke

http://www.enchanting-dreams.net/artoo/ for Artoodeetoo

http://www.enchanting-dreams.net/royalbeauty/ for Queen Breha Organa

http://www.enchanting-dreams.net/heart/ for Shmi Skywalker

http://www.enchanting-dreams.net/galactic for Han, Leia, Luke and Chewbacca

Many more on the way… stay tuned!