Sheldon Kennedy!!!!

W00T!

Yesterday was the big day!

Sheldon Kennedy came to town! It was amazing.

I'm still trying to process it all, but it was amazing to spend the day with him and Wayne McNeil, the other co-founder of Respect In Sport.

We didn't know what to expect when we met with the two of them, but they were definitely down to earth and very, very cool guys.

You had no misapprehension that Sheldon is a Prairie boy when you talked to him.

He said 'give'er' a lot.

Oh. And the best part?

This conversation:

Shannon (my RISE team member): So Sheldon, what did you think of Oprah?

*Sheldon has been on The Oprah Winfrey Show 3 times

Sheldon: (deadpan) She's a bitch.

GOOD GOD I LOVE HIM.

Sigh.

More pics to come.

My Soul Mates are Literally Everywhere

So Dad and I got into a cab and headed towards the CBC building. When we got into the CBC there was a line up already for the taping. It seemed to me like there were a lot of people there, but 10 minutes later the number of people doubled.

We got our tickets, and moved to line number two, where we were shuffled off to a waiting elevator. We then waited again to board an elevator. Rode the elevator up to the 10th floor and waited again when we got off the elevator. We were then taken to Studio 42, and waited in line again to be seated.

I'm not implying anything, but this walking 10 yards, wait 10 minutes dance that we played was strikingly similar to when we were be admitted into Fort Benning.

We were seated and we had pretty good seats. We were in the middle left hand side, almost right in the middle of the crowd.

After about 20 minutes everyone was seated and the show got started. We were told when to clap, then Rick Mercer came on stage. A remarkable tiny man. I knew he was short, but I had no idea he was so teeny tiny.

So we got to see all the stuff they do every week, plus a few extras (because some of the jokes weren't too great...especially surrounding the Auditor General's findings about the ex-CFLer turned prison exec, snore).

And then in the midst, Rick and I made eye contact. First Justin, now Rick.

At the end, I was satisfied. Not bad for a free show.

Check out the episode and listen for my laugh Tuesday at 8pm on CBC.

Why Do You Have To Ruin The Dream?

Alright, I have a reliable source who tells me that they saw Justin Trudeau waiting outside the Starbucks on Central Ave. and Richmond St. waiting for his wife to order...and it was blatantly apparent that he was trying to be recognized.

On second thought, maybe he does have the makings of a future prime minister.

Where Are My Thunder Stix?

Alright, so now that you know I've momentarily crossed over to the Centre to support the Liberal in the Federal By-Election you should know what I'm getting out of it.

And it all happened last night.

Justin Trudeau showed up last night at Glen Pearson's campaign headquarters. You'd have thought there was a rock star in the house.

This was the first time I had seen Trudeau speak live, but I can remember the exact moment when I first saw him on television. When his father passed away our school let us watch the broadcast of the funeral live in the library. After that, I bought the latest copy of McLeans where Justin was profiled and his eulogy was published. So while my other friends had pictures of Prince William in their lockers, I had a royalty of a different sort.

Part of me is conflicted with my fascination with the Trudeaus. There was a lot of talk of have the "future prime minister" in the room.

Now it must be said that this should not have been my first live encounter with Justin Trudeau. I was supposed to go to his wedding (seriously), as a close friend of my dad and uncle had an invitation (with guest). Unfortunately, Prof. Matthews forgot to invite me. Probably had to do with the fact that I've met Jamie once or twice in my lifetime.

There were so many people who were clammering for a bit of Trudeau love, it was a bit ridiculous. We did manage to get his contact information, so there's reason to be hopeful.

But even in the crowded room I connected with Justin. The two of us made eye contact. It was an intense moment, to say the least. As if we were the only people in the room. And then Joe Fontana's cries startled, I think, the both of us.

But, the man is married (to a very gracious woman). And to be honest, I've been more intrigued by his younger brother, Sasha the documentary filmmaker for a few years now. Because let's face it, I may be ready to support a Liberal who is right for the job, but wife of a Prime Minister? Absolutely not.

I Have Sinned

Oh Lord.

I've done something I swore I'd never do.

Bet you can't guess what. In my wildest dreams I wouldn't have thought a day like this would happen.

Needless to say my parents are shocked, and a bit appalled. Must say that I am, too.

But in the midst of my betrayal, I found a soul mate, if only for a few fleeting moments across a crowded, noisy room.