My 2010 Christmas Wish List

I'm shocked that another year is almost over. It baffles the mind how quickly the days pass and before we know it we're into another holiday season and preparing for the start of another new year.

Something I've done in the past as Christmas approaches is sit down and complile a list of items that would be on my Wish List for Santa to fill.

But traditionally the Bundy Wish List has included items of a more unrealistic nature. These are gifts that range from a slight possibility of receiving to presents that I have no chance in hell of seeing under my tree. It’s more of a “Not in Your Wildest Dreams Christmas List”. Obviously a Lotto Max win of 50 million would be nice or to instantly lose a bunch of weight would be my first choice but for this list, I’ll only mention actual items that could be purchased...but not by me personally.

Before we begin, I can update that over the past year I have either received or purchased some of the items or variations of the items on last years list. Sadly no new vehicles or homes were included in these.

So, let’s have some fun shall we?

Logitech Harmony 900 - Universal Remote
Cost: $400

Xbox 360 Game Console
Cost: $300

Garmin Nuvi 3790T - GPS
Cost: $500

Apple iPhone 4
Cost: $660 (received)

Apple iPad 64GB
Cost: $750

Nikon D7000 DSLR Camera
Cost: $1400 (received)
Still would like the Nikon D3x worth $8000

Bose Lifestyle V35 Home Entertainment System
Cost: $3800

Nikon 600mm f4.0 VR II Telephoto Lens
Cost: $11000

Samsung 60" 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV
Cost: $3200

Unlimited Tickets and Airfare To Any NHL Games
Cost: Priceless

2011 Cadillac Escalade
Cost: $83000

2011 Bentley Continental GT
Cost: $200000

New Home and Land in Canada
Cost: $2500000 est.

New Home in Florida
Cost: $4000000 est.

So there you have it. I'm sure I've forgotten a few items but if I get these on Christmas morning I'm sure I won't be upset.

Of course, these are just things and the most important items are having a healthy and happy family and good friends. No price tag could be put on them.

I hope all of your Christmas Wishes come true and may you have a Merry Christmas.

Now I'm In The Spirit

I don't know why but each year I seem to have a tougher time getting into the holiday spirit. I can't explain why. Maybe it just happens as you get older or perhaps you need to experience something that helps to trigger that joyous feeling.

This year I was able to get that feeling sooner than normal.

It wasn't seeing the Christmas lights coming on that did it. The early arrival of some snow had no effect on me. Shopping in the malls with the songs of the season playing didn't set it off.

No, this year it was a commercial that gave me that warm feeling and desire to unwrap some items.

Why don't you watch this and see if it helps your spirit rise.

Almost Hockey Night Roadkill

Last night just prior to the second game on Hockey Night in Canada, commentators Scott Oake and former NHL goalie Kevin Weekes were giving their thoughts on the upcoming game between the San Jose Sharks and the Edmonton Oilers.

As usual, this was taking place at the opening in the boards where the Zamboni will enter and exit the ice for cleaning.

It just so happened that they were on the air as the big machines were leaving the ice and had to make a move to avoid being resurfaced themselves.

Not only was it a good job to move out of harms way but Weekes shows his professionalism by continuing his thoughts on the match-up while Oake tried to hop in the lap of a season ticket holder.

Pat Burns Passes Away

After a hoax earlier this year and unconfirmed reports of his passing were found to be untrue, we were a bit skeptical when we heard the news tonight about Pat Burns death. Sadly, this time it's true. Coach Burns has passed away at the age of 58 after a long battle with lung cancer.

He is easily my favourite NHL coach of all-time.

Burns' career spanned 14 seasons and 1,019 games, from 1988 to 2004. He won a Stanley Cup with the Devils and earned a record three coach of the year awards (Jack Adams Award) - a record he still holds.

After he retired as a cop in Montreal he eventually made his way to the NHL with stops in Montreal, Toronto, Boston and New Jersey.

What I'll remember most about Burns was his passion and how he never hid his emotions on the bench. He always stood up for his players and his coaching outbursts became legendary.

Soon after, he was diagnosed with colon cancer and in 2005 another new cancer attacked his liver. In 2009, he was again diagnosed with the disease, this time terminal lung cancer.

It was following this third diagnosis he decided to forgo further treatment.

On March 26, 2010, he made his final public appearance, when the Quebec town of Stanstead, near the U.S. border, announced it was building an arena bearing his name.

Not surprisingly the legend was met by a standing ovation and said the honour was one of the highest points of his career.

Burns knew he likely wouldn't be around long enough to see people skate on the ice. "I probably won't see the project to the end," Burns said at the time. "But let's hope I'm looking down on it and see a young Mario Lemieux or Wayne Gretzky."

I hope that every day where you are now Pat is like winning a Stanley Cup.

The one thing I had hoped to see before he passed was his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame. There's no doubt he will be in there one day but the powers that be really blew it when they didn't elect him to the Hall this past year.

Here now are a couple of video clips of Pat Burns that I enjoyed and thought you might as well.

WARNING: The first clip contains some foul language.

Pat loses it on the bench


Pat doing a commercial for Bad Boy in Toronto


A slide show tribute with music (The Best)

Continue Profiling, End the Groping

In a perfect and peaceful world, racial profiling wouldn’t be an issue because there would be no reason for it to take place in regard to concerns for safety and security.

News Flash! This isn’t a perfect world and if profiling leads security and anti-terrorism organizations to individuals who are hell bent on causing death and destruction before they’re able to reach their targets, then how can that possibly be a bad thing?

I understand that not every Yemeni, Arab or Muslim person is a terrorist but they shouldn’t be focusing their blame for being singled out while travelling on the security people. They should be angry with their fellow citizens of the same nationality who continue to pose a threat to freedom loving people such as myself. That’s the reason why they’re being pulled aside for secondary checks, interviews, body scans and explosive detection screening by national security agents (CSIS) in Canada and other similar organizations around the world.

OK, it’s not fair I’ll admit but who said life was fair. If the shoe bomb were on the other foot and it was Caucasian individuals flying planes into buildings, slipping on to planes with bombs or blowing up subways and trains, then I would fully expect the same treatment. I would be the person being scrutinized and picked out of the crowd when I travel.

That isn’t to say it doesn’t happen already. Just after 9/11 I was in New Orleans and before boarding my flight home I was checked with the wand twice and had to remove my shoes. I also had my luggage, both inside and out, swabbed down and checked for explosives. They don’t come much whiter than me.

Was I upset? Hell no, I wasn’t upset. We’re told to be at the airport three hours before our flight. This should allow plenty of time for not just the “profiled” people to be checked thoroughly but everyone boarding a flight. If you have nothing to hide then who cares if you get checked.

Where I do have a problem, and it sounds like I’m not alone, is with the new screening process in the U.S. whereby high school dropouts working as TSA’s are allowed to sexually assault you with foreplay to be able to pass through security. That’s right, they get to grope, prod and fondle you in search of anything dangerous. You can’t even have a cigarette when they’re done. If you choose not to have your naughty bits and pieces man-handled by Bubba, you can always select to have someone else scan your body with a machine that provides a strip search, without the dinner and a movie first.

Oh but these security officers are “rigorously trained to maintain the highest levels of professionalism.” What this really means is if the uniform fits and you can speak English, you’re qualified. A sexual predator has more training.

The really scary part is that kids are not exempt from this. Parents teach their children that strangers should not be touching them in their “special” places but I guess that doesn’t count for government approved workers. I’m sorry, call it what you will, but that is “sexual assault” by definition and doing it in the name of security is still wrong.

Why aren’t the same groups of people and organizations who get up in arms over Muslims being centred out for extra security scrutiny just as upset over the sexual assault of all passengers? I guess if it doesn’t only affect the visible minority it’s just not worth the trouble.

I suppose this is one of those, “you’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t” scenarios. If we cut out the invasive security measures, the terrorists win. If we keep things the same, then I know I can just head to the airport when I’m in the mood for some random action with strangers.

Autumn in Canada

Crisp cool nights, the leaves changing colour and all that other happy crap that comes with the arrival of autumn in Canada.

No, this time of year isn’t my favourite season but as bitter as I seem to be about it, I’ve noticed this year more than any other, I actually hate it a smidgen less than usual.

Boy, you people are going to start thinking that I’m turning into a sour and cantankerous old man. The truth is…I’m not old at all.

I enjoy life but I’m not going to lie, I enjoy it a great deal more when you can actually feel the heat of the sun, the leaves are green, the tee times are abundant and women wear a lot less. Yes, I’m a lover of summer, among other things.

For some unknown reason however, this fall I am feeling less Grinch like about the changing seasons and inevitable arrival of old man winter. Autumn 2010 has been quite pleasant. The weather has been comfortable and rather dry for the most part which always puts a smile on my face.

I even found myself out on the golf course this past weekend in only a t-shirt. Yes, I was wearing jeans but no sweater which was wonderful. The latest I’ve golfed in Canada in the past was December 15th but that was several years ago when I was bothered less by the frosty temperatures. I did golf once on New Year’s Day but that was at a friend’s golf course and it was just after midnight using glow balls on the snow. Alcohol was involved of course.

The one thing I absolutely despise in the autumn is raking leaves. Every year we do it three or four times as some trees empty quicker than others. That was the case again this year but the purchase of a leaf blower that also mulches made the job so much more…I don’t want to say enjoyable, but less time consuming and back breaking. Money well spent.

Knock on wood, we’ve only had a few snow flurries so far but that will change soon enough I’m sure. The next task will be to decorate for Christmas. I’m not too gung-ho about that job either but I think the lights look nice once they’re up.

One thing I can’t stand is when people go crazy with their Christmas enthusiasm. I don’t mind people being excited about the season but don’t turn your yard into a toilet bowl in which Christmas threw up on.

A house in my neighbourhood takes it too far and the gaudy decorations make me ill. Oh sure I’m betting the kids like them which is fine but personally, it’s a bit much having 15 blow-up items cluttering the front yard. On the plus side, all of the vehicles that usually park on the lawn are now in the backyard I’m guessing. Yes, we do have rednecks in Canada.

Probably the best thing about autumn is when the grass stops growing. This year has been crazy. Cutting the lawn twice a week was common so it’s nice to have a break from that. The downside is that although the mower is put away, it’s been replaced by the snow blower which I’ve already had running in preparation of the unavoidable winter storms to come.

So I’ll continue to enjoy the season as best I can. Unfortunately that likely won’t be for long. I just checked the forecast and we’re looking at highs of plus 3 by the weekend with possible snow. Crap!

Holiday of Remembrance

Tomorrow is November 11th which of course is Remembrance Day in Canada. I believe they call it Veteran’s Day in the U.S.

It’s a day where all citizens should take some time to reflect, remember and thank those soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of their country and freedom.

Lately there has been talk of making the day a national holiday or statutory holiday to allow more people to attend services and to reflect on the meaning of the day.

Nobody loves having a day off or working a holiday for double time and half more than me but you can put me in the category of those who think this is a bad idea.

Holidays are great but most are meant to provide an opportunity for families to be together on special occasions. Christmas, Easter, Family Day, Thanksgiving and Canada Day are the one’s that come to mind. OK, Canada Day is more about celebrating the country’s birthday than being with family but the two usually go hand in hand.

Remembrance Day wouldn’t be about family, it would be about, well, remembering the brave men and women who fought in past wars and sacrificed their lives as it always has been. I honestly don’t think the majority of people would use the day for its intended purpose. Instead they would most likely sleep in and not even care about the day or taking the time to remember with a moment of silence at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month.

Of course the banks and government offices are closed already on Remembrance Day but they don’t count. They close on more days than anyone else. Heck, I think they’re closed on Groundhog Day.

I don’t think anything positive is gained by making Remembrance Day a holiday. School children can still be taken on a “field trip” to the local cenotaph or monument for the community ceremonies and I think that would continue to be a greater benefit and very educational.

When I was in public school, once Halloween was over, for the next eleven days we spent a lot of time talking about and studying about Remembrance Day, poppies and the meaning and purpose of it all. It is easily the reason why to this day some 30 plus years later I still appreciate the importance of it. We had to memorize the famous poem, “In Flanders Fields” written by Canadian WW1 physician Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. No kids, it isn’t a story about Homer Simpson’s religious next-door neighbour. Google it if you don’t know what it is and then kick your own ass for being so uneducated.

I heard that the local high school is planning a video conference call tomorrow with soldiers currently serving and fighting in Afghanistan. What a great idea and a perfect way to clearly illustrate what our men and women in uniform are doing right now while risking their lives.

There is no need to make this a holiday, especially if it comes at the expense of losing the existing Family Day holiday in February. If you’re going to make it a holiday then you should keep Family Day as well.

Any employer who won’t let their employees attend a local service should they choose to do so needs to be berated and made an example of. I think a couple of hours of lost time is a small sacrifice once a year compared to the thousands of lives Canadians have lost since WW1 all in an effort to ensure that our freedom and way of life continues. If you don’t agree than perhaps you should move your company to Afghanistan or Iraq.

Keep Remembrance Day as it is. I attended the local services the last two years but tomorrow I will be at work and unable to be there in person. But I will be remembering and taking my moment of silence at 11 o’clock. I have already set the alarm on my mobile phone to remind me just in case I forget. I don’t want to forget, and neither should you.

Pet Peeve #146

On my way to work this morning I decided I had just enough time to stop into the local Mac’s Convenience store to grab a copy of the Toronto Sun newspaper.

Normally, even on a busy morning, I’m usually in and out in less than a minute. The newspapers are just inside the door right next to the checkout.

A quick scan of the barcode and exchange of a toonie and some change in return and I’m out the door back on the road with my morning news fix in my possession.

Seems like a harmless enough detour and transaction right? Not on this day!

I walked in the door and there was an older man at the counter and another guy about my age with a coffee in his hand waiting to pay for it. I grabbed the paper and took my place in line. I shouldn’t be waiting more than a few moments for these guys to pay and be on their way.

I give a quick glance at the clock and its 7:40am. I’m about 10 minutes from work and I have to be there for 8 o’clock but I usually like to be there at least 10 or 15 minutes early to let the guy who worked the night shift go a bit early.

I’m still standing in line. What the heck is taking so long? I peer around the shoulder of "coffee guy" and I see what’s happening. The old fellow has decided that this is the time of day when he should be checking his lottery and scratch tickets and cashing in his winning Nevada tickets. Are you kidding me?

Come on buddy! You may be retired and have all the time in the world to have junior behind the counter ringing your $2 and $5 winners through the machine but some of us are in a hurry. He couldn’t care less. He even pulls out an old change purse and dumps coins out to pay for more tickets while slowly counting enough to get the right amount.

The wait becomes painful and unbearable as I glance at the clock and five minutes has passed. It’s decision time. Do I put the paper back and just go? Do I give him a few more seconds or do I just toss the guy my toonie and tell him to keep the change?

Long story short, it was actually a combination of the choices. The retiree finally seems satisfied with his winnings and is slowly filling his change purse back up when coffee guy tosses some money on the counter and tells junior to keep the change. I quickly follow and do the same thing as the gentleman with the lottery tickets slowly exits the store without a care in the world or any idea of the delay he’s caused.

I made it to work before my shift started but I had to run some yellow lights and go a little faster than I normally would along the way.

Here’s a suggestion to anyone else who might find themselves in a similar situation as "Old Man Lottery". If you’re retired, do your business after 9am when most working people have made their way to work. Your lottery tickets won’t depreciate in value if you wait a couple of extra hours. And at the same time you won’t anger working folks who make a quick pit stop while on the way to their jobs.

Autumn Outings

Sadly this hasn't been a very productive year with my photography hobby. I just haven't had nearly as much free time to get out and really have fun taking photos.

This autumn I have managed to find a bit of time to click the shutter a few times and came home with some images I've been happy with.

I thought I might share a few with you. Hope you like them.


White-tailed Deer in a field


A leaf covered lane


Walking into the woods


A Red Fox scratching an itch

Hockey Traditions Disappearing

There’s something about the new hockey arena’s being built or that have been built in recent years around the NHL that just lack that "special" quality.

Oh sure, they’re big, clean and impressive and will seat a lot more people than the old rinks but they all look the same more or less. There’s nothing that sets them apart or gives them a unique appearance.

I’m not talking about the bricks and mortar so much as I am the atmosphere and even the oddities or history of the old barns.

For the record, I’ve only been in a few different NHL arenas over the years. I’ve been to both Maple Leaf Gardens and Air Canada Centre in Toronto and the Ice Palace in Tampa. I think the last time I was there it had been renamed the St. Petersburg Times Forum.

That’s right…I’m a die-hard life-long Montreal Canadiens fan and I’ve never been to the old Forum or the Bell Centre. It’s not that I wouldn’t like to but getting tickets is damn near impossible. I’d love to get my dad there once to see a game.

I guess what I’m hinting at is when you walk into the new arenas you just don’t feel the history or see anything different. Sure the Stanley Cup banners and retired numbers hang from the rafters to show the history of a franchise but the buildings have lost their charm. It’s kind of like how you’d feel walking into Fenway Park in Boston or Wrigley Field in Chicago. There’s a history there and you can imagine the old players from the past running out on to the field.

The Forum used to have the fence to separate the upper class from the cheap seats. I’m not suggesting that was a good thing but it certainly was different. In Boston the old Gardens used to have views of the ice obstructed by support beams. Not a fun spot to be sitting but still part of the charm. Of course who can forget the “Bunker” in Maple Leaf Gardens where Harold Ballard used to sit with former players? You don’t see that anymore with owners now sitting in luxury boxes high above the ice. Toronto stunk through those Ballard years but the old Gardens had some historic charm. In the photo shown you can see the bunker being taken apart and the stairs that lead up to it.

Even though I wasn’t a fan of the Leafs I can remember my last time going to a game there. It was the final meeting between the Leafs and Montreal before it closed. I got there early and walked the halls looking at the old black and white photos. I stopped and talked to Ron MacLean of Hockey Night in Canada for five minutes. I had interviewed and met Ron on my radio show a few weeks earlier and he made time to chat. Walking out into the seating area and looking up at the old rafters and building you felt the history. Prior to the game Ted "Teeder" Kennedy and Maurice “Rocket” Richard were introduced for the ceremonial face off and the standing ovation lasted for what seemed like 10 to 15 minutes. It was a special moment.

The two places that I know of that have attempted to keep the past alive are Chicago and Philadelphia. In Philly the Flyers during the playoffs will show video of the late Kate Smith singing God Bless America. It isn’t something you can see or feel when you walk into the arena but for those who are old enough to remember Kate when she was alive and hearing her sing, it brings back memories and gives you chills. In Chicago the one thing that made going to the Stadium a treat was hearing the booming organ playing. It was loud and shook the rafters. They didn't move the old organ to the new rink but a new one still helps to keep that original atmosphere and gets the crowd cheering. By the way, the old organ is now in someone's residence in Las Vegas.

I suppose long after I’m gone, the younger generation will probably look at these new arenas with the same sense of history but with the original six team league now a distant memory, the old barns just helped to keep some of the history and charm in the hockey experience.

Time For A Change

After many many years of the same look and no major changes to my blog, I finally felt is was time for a bit of a refresh.

I hope my regular readers enjoy the new look and changes I've made. The blog itself is more or less the same but the new and improved look and few coats of new paint go a long way towards keeping things fresh. Or at least that's my story.

You might notice that some of my past postings don't look exactly right as they didn't adapt well to the new surroundings but a change was necessary for my own sanity.

So I hope you like the new look and continue to stop by when you can.

Thanks,

Bundy

Monster Lived Among Us

***WARNING – Some contents of this blog posting are graphic in nature and may be offensive to some readers.***


Forget the creatures like Frankenstein, Dracula and the Wolfman in Transylvania. This October we’re dealing with a real life monster right here in my own small and tight knit Canadian community.

Colonel Russell Williams was the commander of Canada’s largest Air Force base, 8-Wing CFB Trenton, in the city of Quinte West. I live just minutes from the base and have so my entire life. The community has prided itself on the relationship between our military and the citizens of Trenton and the surrounding area.

That relationship has been strained as of late but for the most part, the non-military people of the community have been able separate the actions of the monster from the good work our men and women in the armed forces do each day.

The Canadian Forces are rightfully embarrassed to have had such a high ranking officer deceive them for so many years while being promoted through the ranks. But they weren’t the only one’s deceived by his secret life. The shock and disbelief felt by everyone in the community speaks volumes. How could such a high profile individual command the base and be well respected by day, yet be so evil and wicked by night? We may never know the whole truth.

Over the last several days, the real story of what took place by the depraved hands of Williams has come to light in a Belleville, Ontario courtroom. Hearing the disgusting and shocking evidence being read in court for the record has been difficult to listen to. Many people I know have chosen to avoid hearing the gruesome details of not only the murders but the sexual assaults and his actions inside the homes of those he invaded.

Williams had no defence and no choice but to plead guilty to a total of 86 repulsive charges including home invasions, sexual assaults and murders of Jessica Lloyd and Cpl. Marie-France Comeau. The vial descriptions of his actions ranged from breaking into homes of young girls to collect their underwear, dress in their undergarments and lie on their beds and masturbate while all the time documenting this on video and with a digital camera.

Samples of the more than 1,000 images were shown in court of Williams dressed in the underwear and lingerie of his victims and neatly arranging stolen undergarments to be photographed. He kept all of this evidence hidden in his homes in Ottawa and Tweed and the video and photographic evidence was meticulously organized and stored on his computer. This would be an orgy of evidence for police that they could use to incarcerate this beast for life.

***WARNING – Graphic details in the next two paragraphs.***

As awful as this was, the worst facts came on day two when descriptions of the two murders were read into evidence. The details were precise since Williams recorded the attacks on video which was recovered by police. Each woman used a different method of dealing with their attacker while hoping they would both be alive after it was over. Comeau fought Williams as best she could while being beaten, bound and raped. Sadly her efforts to find freedom failed to work. As she tried to escape, he knocked her out with a flashlight covered her nose and mouth with duct tape and watched her suffocate to death.

Lloyd’s approach was to be submissive and allow him to attack her repeatedly for hours while hoping to survive the assault. Williams was not about to let that happen though as he removed Lloyd from her home and drove them to his place in Tweed where the attacks continued. She suffered seizures and begged to be taken to the hospital and at one point knew her life was in danger and was heard on the video saying, "I don't want to die. If I die, will you make sure my mom knows that I love her?" Eventually Williams knocked Jessica out with a flashlight and used rope to strangle her. He’d leave her body in his garage for three days while he went back to work and flew to California. Upon his return he dumped her body in a heavily wooded area east of Tweed.

I had tears in my eyes as the details were gradually released. The horrific manner in which these two beautiful women were raped, beaten, tortured and killed was sickening. How could such evil exist? How could anyone do these things? How will the families of those he affected move on? How could another human being hear these women begging to not be killed and then end their lives so brutally? How could all of this happen in my own community?

He isn’t a man. He’s a soulless animal who should at the very least be castrated and tortured himself. If ever the death penalty would be welcome, this would be one of those times. It’s moments like this I wish we lived in a society of an eye for an eye but we are not all as sick and twisted as criminals like Williams. That is why he will spend the rest of his life behind bars before he spends the rest of eternity in hell.


My apologies to my regular readers who normally visit my blog for my lighthearted views of life but this story hit too close to home and I felt as though I had to talk about it.

Sex, Candy and Pumpkins

Does anyone else remember when Halloween was just about dressing up and going door to door with friends begging for free candy? Don’t get me wrong, for the kids, I’m sure it’s still pretty much the same as it was when I was a boy but I guess things and perceptions change when you get older.

As an adult, it seems as though the event has taken on a different focus. You might even say it’s a more adult themed focus.

I’m sure when I was too young to notice there were adults who’d dress up and go to house parties or the local bars and have fun but I don’t recall seeing the types of costumes we see today back then. The costumes our parents and grandparents wore were, shall I say, more wholesome or traditional. Perhaps there were risqué costumes in the early and mid-1900’s but by today’s standards they’re exceedingly tame to say the least.

Oh sure the wee little children going door to door are still dressed up as cute characters that look adorable but the older kids and young teens seem to be influenced by our increasing culture of sex sells. I suppose there were probably girls dressing as Madonna back in the 80’s and wearing bras and panties but certainly not in my neighbourhood. Of course in Canada, quite often we had to wear our snowsuits under our costumes to keep us warm while trick or treating. Now we’re getting the Britney Spears and Lady Gaga impersonators wearing as little as possible even in the cold weather. What’s even more shocking is how their parents let them walk out the door looking like that.

I’m no prude but there are age appropriate costumes that should be worn. I have no trouble whatsoever with college aged girls or adults showing skin and dressing in sexy costumes. When you’re an adult it’s totally different and judging by some of the costumes I’ve seen over the years at bars and parties, the older girls get a lot of satisfaction of dressing up in as little as possible for both the shock factor and to get the boys all worked up. Heck, if I was a hot young woman, I’d probably do the same thing. I’m sure they enjoy teasing the guys.

As a man I can appreciate that. I’m certainly not opposed to having a look. After all, it’s not my daughter, sister or wife showing all that skin. But as appealing as that is to look at, I still prefer to think back to the memories of my youth.

Now we’re not talking Norman Rockwell type memories but still we had some good times at Halloween as kids. Much like my adult version, I wasn’t a small child and therefore my costumes compensated for this. The one costume I clearly recall wearing was an Old King Cole outfit from the nursery rhyme. It was a purple robe and crown and I had my pipe and bowl. I didn’t have my fiddlers three however. I think my mother made it for me.

For many years my mom was very popular with the local kids. She’d make candy apples. One year I even remember her burning herself quite badly while dipping the apples into the hot candy coating. She still has the scar on her hand where she was burnt. I know most of the kids in the neighbourhood loved them so much that they’d go directly to our house first, bypassing all others, to make sure they got one.

A few years later some sick and twisted individuals decided to start putting razor blades in apples so mom figured it was best to stop making them as parent’s stopped trusting any food that wasn’t factory sealed. I can’t say I blame them and I’m sure mom was ready to give it up as well.

The one area in which I had very little skill was pumpkin carving. That didn’t stop me from trying though. I’d draw the face design on the pumpkin and then I’d place newspaper on the kitchen floor before the carving began. The face was passable but nothing award worthy. We used to clean the seeds out of the pumpkin and then mom would bake them in the oven for us to eat. I remember loving them back then but years later I tried them again and they just didn’t have that same flavour. Perhaps I’d outgrown my seed eating phase.

Trick or treating was a lot of fun as a kid but like so many other things, I grew up and lost that childlike enthusiasm for it. I didn’t lose the love for eating treats and things that aren’t good for me though. Some things are just too good to give up on.

Mission Accomplished

Who would have guessed at the start of the year that the feel good story of 2010 would come from a disaster over 2000 feet underneath a Chilean desert?

Yet here we are celebrating the human spirit as 33 courageous men battled everything from despair, starvation and darkness for 69+ days to not only survive but prove to the rest of mankind that miracles and good things can still happen.

The entire world watched and prayed from the moment a hand written note was pulled from the depths of our planet until the final miner took his first breath of freedom. This was truly one of those moments where everyone had to feel relief and elation with the outcome.

This incident could have ended badly as most of this type do but in a world where greed, power, politics, evil and petty interests are broadcast every day on the nightly news, wasn’t it great to witness something positive for a change?

No doubt the ordeal these miners faced from the moment the collapse happened and the dust settled three hours later to reveal their helpless situation until they found freedom was unimaginable. What a hopeless feeling they must have felt those early days. The physical and mental conditions were a test of their character.

The rescue itself was no small feat either and the crews who found them and ultimately saved them are all heroes. With so many things that could have gone wrong, they made all of the right moves to ensure that an already ugly situation didn’t get worse.

I couldn’t understand a word the miners or their families said when they were reunited but you didn’t need an interpreter to see the happiness, relief and love on their faces and in the tears they shed.

I have no doubt that before too long we’ll see this story being told on the big screen and in theatres around the world. But for those close to the story and the rest of us who watched the events unfold on TV, there was no emotional soundtrack or big name stars to keep us on the edges of our seats. This was a real, suspenseful human drama with a happy ending, just as everyone had hoped. And they all lived happily ever after.

Scary Movies For Halloween

The month of October is associated with many things. The baseball playoffs, football, leaves changing colours, Thanksgiving (in Canada) and Halloween. And what goes along with Halloween…scary movies of course.

This started me thinking about what movies I thought were frightening. It seems what was considered scary when I was a kid isn’t thought to be as terrifying by today’s kids. I suppose the same can be said about me with my dad’s generation.

My father has told me the story of him going to the movie theatre as a young lad and being scared while watching Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein. By today’s standards, or even 70’s & 80’s standards, that movie isn’t creepy at all but at the time it probably kept kids up at night.

Of course during my youth and even as a younger adult I enjoyed the odd chilling flick from time to time, although it isn’t my favourite genre.

I decided to give it some thought and I’ve come up with my personal list of scary movies of all-time. Some are full-fledged horror movies while others are more suspense flicks that kept me on the edge of my seat. Oddly enough, as scary and creepy as it was, Weekend at Bernie’s didn’t make my list.

Bundy’s Top Ten Scary Movies

10 – The Mist (2007)
Stephen King isn't the master of horror for no reason. Never has a foggy day been more terrifying. The ending alone was worth the ride. Well, the ride wasn't great for some.










9 – The Shining (1980)
This movie freaked me out and when you add in a Jack Nicholson's "Here's Johnny" or "All work and no play" lines, it made for a great movie. Oh ya, another movie based on a Stephen King novel.









8 – The Ring (2002)
I dare you to watch this movie and then pick up the phone when it rings. I bet you can't. Of course having the beautiful Naomi Watts starring in the movie helped to ease my suffering.









7 – Psycho (1960)
Norman Bates taught me to never stay at a family run motel or leave the door unlocked when taking a shower. Just ask Janet Leigh. Alfred Hitchcock set the bar high and is rarely topped.










6 – The Thing (1982)
As a youngster watching this movie, I was terrified. The film follows a crew stationed at an Antarctic base stalked by a shape-shifting alien. The guys head that sprouts legs was a bit unnerving.









5 – Silence of the Lambs (1991)
I don’t know what terrified me more…the cannibalism or never agreeing to put lotion on when asked to by a psychopath. If I didn't like eating liver before I watched this movie, I certainly woulnd't want to eat it after.








4 – Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
I still remember watching this movie in the theatre as a teen and not wanting to go to sleep that night. Freddy might have come for me with his metal knife claws. This was no Edward Scissorhands. Wes Craven at his best.







3 – Alien (1979)
I’ve had an upset stomach before but nothing has ripped open my belly from the inside…yet. Do you think they have problems like this on the International Space Station and they just don't tell us?









2 – Jaws (1975)
This movie kept us from going in the water all summer in 1975. My dad assured me there were no fresh water sharks in Canada. It also produced one of the best lines in movie history, “We’re gonna need a bigger boat.”








And my Number 1 Scary Movie of All-Time…



1 – Exorcist (1973)
I thought I was having a bad day until I saw that poor girls head spinning, the vomit and Priests freaking out. Of course I watched it all from under my blanket. Pea soup anyone?

So there you go, my choices for scariest movies of all time. Enjoy the movies!