My middle daughter's dog Wilson. Taken just after he was groomed. Wilson or Willie as I call him is a miniature schnauzer.

Happy Weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For more great Camera Critters please visit here.

Me circa 1977 with my little Sis Dee

I have been avoiding this list of 25 random things on Facebook like the Bubonic Plague, but since "Little Sue" tagged me I decided I'd play.... over here in my own domain.

1. I own the domain to my name suedarroch.com

2. An astrologer once told me I would be married twice. Once very young, and then again in middle age. Looks like he was correct.

3. Same astrologer predicted three girls...and yep I have three girls. I only lament that he did not give me the 649 winning lotto numbers!

4. My fave colours are blue, and silver.

5. I worship the sun, seriously I'm resurrecting the sun cult.

6. I seek immortality through artificial intelligence.

7. I am building a robot to house the AI.

8. My hubby is my best friend.

9. Twice I have witnessed what I believe were UFOs once in 1990, and again once in 2001.

10. I am the webmaster of five websites.

11. When I was a teenager I volunteered at the Metro Zoo.

12. I live with two dogs, three cats, a bunny, a bird, and a fish.

13. I love going to garage sales, yard sales, thrift stores, and flea markets.

14. Usually I am reading two to three books at the same time.

15. We own approx. 500 + books on ghosts, and hauntings, UFOs, Fortean etc.

16. My favourite tv programs are documentaries, although I also love Sc-Fi.

17. I believe there are parallel worlds, and Michio Kaku is my hero.

18. Another hero of mine is American physicist Hugh Everett III who first proposed the many-worlds interpretation (MWI) of quantum physics, which he called his "relative state" formulation.

19. Through some genealogy work I have found out that I am probably 1/8 Gypsy!

20. My Father's family including my Dad were from Transylvania, and Hungary, and my Mother's family were Ukrainian.

21. I am a first generation Canadian, and am strongly drawn to my Eastern roots.

22. I would like to travel to England, Egypt, and India in the next decade.

23. I collect skeletons, angels, Dr Who figures, and rocks from reportedly haunted locations, amongst other stuff.

24. I like to resurrect dead house plants, and I am often successful! I pick these up at flower shops, and sometimes out of the garbage.

25. I am a Nintendo junkie, and I love playing video games. My faves include the Zelda series, and Castlevania.

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

This week's H.O.T prompt from the lovely Skittles is "Case" so I decided to go with three computer cases that I think are fun!

Not really certain if the above one is me....but....

I definitely like this giant N.E.S controller computer case!

Info on these three cases, plus many other types can be found at my fave techy site Gizmodo.com

Happy H.O.T. day and thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For more Heads Or Tails please click here.

For RFC:

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

Yes, my Dad's Aunt Zsuzsanna

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Today, when Matthew was chopping onions

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

Yes

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

I don't eat lunch meat

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?

Three

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

Sure, why not

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM?

Rarely

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?

Yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

No!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

Quaker's Harvest Crunch

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

Rarely

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

Chocolate Chip

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

It depends on the person

15. RED OR PINK?

Both

16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

Some of the people I know (borrowed this answer from RFC)

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?

My Dad (he passed away in 1999)

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST?

Sure

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

Grey sweatpants, no shoes

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

The radio (news)

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

Black

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?

Lemon, because it smells clean, also salt air reminds me of the ocean

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

My daughter

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

None

27. HAIR COLOR?

Currently blonde

28. EYE COLOR?

Blue or green depending on my mood or what I'm wearing

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

No

30. FAVORITE FOOD?

Chocolate

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?

Both

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

Slumdog Millionaire

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?

Black

35. HUGS OR KISSES?

Where is question # 34?

36. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

More True Tales Of The Paranormal by Kimberley Molto

37. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

Don't use one

38. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?

A documentary on Indonesian death rituals

39. FAVORITE SOUND(S)

A howling wind and rushing water

40. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?

Both

41. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?

Germany with my Mom

42. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?

Yes, many.

43. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

Toronto

44. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?

I had no idea I was subjecting anyone to these questions.

45. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER?

At a former lunatic asylum, chasing ghosts

And now Matthew's answers to the same dreadful questions:

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

TRUTH: "Uncle Matthew" from Anne of Green Gables.
LIE I WISH WAS TRUE: For MATTHEW THE DESTROYER OF WORLDS AND STOMPER OF SMALL INSECTS!

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

I got my phone bill Friday... no, wait... that was merely whining. Okay, I'd say it was the Friday before that when I opened my pay stub.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

I don't know if you could qualify my penmanship as "writing"... perhaps "scrawling"... "scribbling"?

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

Roast dodo bird... which has been kind of difficult to find of late.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?

Nope, only adult goats.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

I would become my ARCH ENEMY!!! YES!!! Plotting my death and destruction at every turn! Muahahahaha! Oooo... a WORTHY opponent at last!!!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM?

Well now, let's examine this question... SIX WHOLE SYLABLES! Boy, I tell you, a real university grad came up with this winner here I tell ya! They should be going on Jeopardy! "Alex, I'll take the ridiculously self-evident for $500 please!"

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?

Yes. I keep them under my pillow.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

I jumped on top of a bungee cord once... I don't see what the big deal is?

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

How about serial... in which case it's the 1939 "Buck Rogers" one from Universal studios.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

I tried, but I kept ripping the velcro... and my crayons would fall out of my pockets.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

Ben and Jerry's WMDelicious (In honour of George Bush's presidency...)

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

Whether they are aiming the weapons at my head, or for my body.

15. RED OR PINK?

Ooo! Ooo! Do I *have* to decide? Maybe something in a nice salmon... I mean, chartreuse is so 1990's!

16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

The voices in my head.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?

Most of the people that the voices in my head talk about... but my aim's improving!

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST?

Yes. This should be global... and I do mean literally world wide. I can't wait to see what the Pope's answer to #9 is!

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

Umm... am I supposed to be wearing pants and shoes??? Dangit! That's why everyone in this internet cafe is staring at me!

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

Those aforementioned voices in my head... and you should here what they're saying about you!

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

I wouldn't... I'd be that super-cool sharpener on the side of the box of the really BIG Crayola packs! I love Crayola... they're non-toxic you know! You can eat as many as you like... and all they do is make your teeth look psychedelic!

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?

The burning flesh of my enemies!!!!!!!!!!!! Muahahahahaha!
...oh, sorry... I meant cookies baking... yeah... that's it... cookies.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

Oh, that was the nice fellow from the RCMP... he asked me so many questions about you! I answered as best as I could... and what I didn't know, those voices in my head helped with!

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

Full contact, nude, Mazolla tiddly-winks.

27. HAIR COLOR?

I refuse to answer this until the Queen's English is used... it's coloUr, dangit!

28. EYE COLOR?

What did I say above??? No wonder the voices don't like you!

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

Yes, I have electrical contacts placed in strategic places on my person... you never know when you'll need powering up in a jiffy!

30. FAVORITE FOOD?

It has to be edible.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?

Why can't scary movies have happy endings? Why must I choose? WHY MUST YOU PERSECUTE THOSE PEOPLE IN SCARY MOVIES!?!?!?

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

Well, after the heartless content of the last question, I am not inclined to reply!

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?

THAT'S IT... IT'S COLOUR!!! WITH A U!!!! My patience is being tested here... For doing it again, I'm skipping #34!

35. HUGS OR KISSES?

I barely know you... you should AT LEAST take me out to dinner first!

36. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

"How To Improve Your Aim" by T. Voices Inyourhead

37. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

A Kylorian Five deep-space battle cruiser with high-yield z-neutrino weapons that was sent to take over the planet Earth... but they forgot to check the scale on their intergalactic atlas and it's practically microscopic, so I'm just gonna squash 'em like a bug.

38. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?

Same as Sue... a lovely and charming documentary on Indonesian Death rites... we were taking notes. You never know when we may need this kind of information.

39. FAVORITE SOUND(S)

The sound of one hand clapping... and the funny voices in my head. Say, speaking of them, you wouldn't be interested in meeting me and a few of my invisible friends in this dark alley next Friday night? After all, they're the one's who've issued the invitation, so it would be RUDE to say no... right? Right? RIGHT!?!

40. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?

Einstürzende Neubauten

41. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?

In my mind... or in the flesh? There's a VERY big difference... or is there?

42. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?

Oh no, you won't catch me answering this again and showing off! I mean, it took AGES to get out of that police station holding cell!

43. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

I was awfully young at the time... um... perhaps I was manufactured? I'll have to get back to you...

44. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?

I told you, Joey Ratz!

45. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER?

TRUTH: At a mental institution.
LIE I WISH WAS TRUE: At a mental institution.

This wee fawn was hanging about my friend's cottage last summer.

I believe the fawn was orphaned, and was taken in by my friend's neighbour.

What a sweetie eh!

Happy Weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For more great Camera Critters please visit here.

Thirteen Fave Video Games

Yep, that is an Atari 2600 pictured above, which should give you an idea of how long I've been a gaming addict. Here is a list of my 13 fave video games of all-time for different gaming systems.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
2. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
3. Super Mario 64
4. Pac-Man
5. Space Invaders
6. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
7. Castlevania
8. Animal Crossing
9. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
10. Super Mario Sunshine
11. Mortal Kombat
12. Super Mario World
13. Star Fox

And yes, there are sooo many more. It was not easy sticking to just thirteen. Can you add to my list?

Thank you for stopping by, and Happy TT

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

New Thursday Thirteen Hub!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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I received the following alert about internet impostors from the David Tennant fan page that I belong to on Facebook.

"The BBC have reminded fans yet again that David does not use any social networking sites or forums. They have issued the following statement:
There have been several recent cases of people posing as David Tennant and other members of the Doctor Who cast in Internet chat rooms and forums - as well as setting up social networking profiles in their names.

So fans are not disappointed or misled, we'd like to point out that both David Tennant and incoming Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith do not use social networking websites, chatrooms or forums. They wouldn't want fans to think that anyone who uses these are talking to the real actors.

For their own safety, we would strongly advise all Doctor Who fans to ignore any such postings and not be fooled by these impersonators - it will never be David Tennant or Matt Smith online."

Here is a video clip that sort of spoofs/warns of the fake Davids that are out there:

Are people really getting fooled into thinking they are talking with the actual celebrity? What do you think? Have you ever been fooled by someone online?

Be careful out there!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

These were all taken last summer at an agricultural fair here in Toronto.

I think I might have actually woke this poor fella or girl up from a nap.

Next week I'll post up some more photos of the critters I came across at the fair.

Happy Valentines Day! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For more great Camera Critters please visit here.

I was horrified to hear on the morning news of the Dash 8 crash that has resulted in the death of 49 people including someone who was on the ground in their home.

To be honest the Dash 8 has made me nervous for a long time now. Matthew had a bad experience in one once on a flight from Sudbury to Toronto, and they have had a bad reputation in Europe causing many emergency and crash landings of Dash-8 planes operated by Scandinavian Airlines.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones of those who died because of this terrible tragedy.

Sue
XOX

Image Credit

On Tuesday I had a badly infected upper molar removed, and tomorrow I will have one more taken out. My dentist decided to split the appointment because the teeth to be extracted were on opposite sides, and I would not have been able to eat had they come out the same day.

While not fun, it was relatively painless, and the only thing about the tooth extractions that was affected by my Graves Disease, and hyperthyroidism is that the standard Novocaine could not be used. No worries I still got anesthetic that numbed up the tooth and gum just fine only it was much weaker and began unfreezing much sooner than the usual stuff they use.

The reason the dentist cannot use Novocaine on hyperthyroid people is because it can cause your heart to race, or perhaps induce a thyroid storm.

I am glad that I finally got the bad tooth out, and will be looking forward to getting tomorrow's appointment over.

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

The photo of us above was taken four years ago at our friend's wedding.

Matthew, and I initially met online in 1999. We both were running different websites at the time that related to our hobby of paranormal research, and studies.

At first we chatted solely about the topics that interested us, and over time we became good friends. Finally we met in person at a former insane asylum while on a ghost investigation, (I'm not kidding!) which is going to make a really fun story for the grandkids one day! And the rest as they say is history ...

Some people think you cannot meet nice, worthwhile people online. Matthew's and my story prove that they are wrong, and yes you can meet the love of your life through the internet.

Happy H.O.T. day and thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For more Heads Or Tails please click here.

Well I'm off to visit the dentist this morning about fixing two broken, upper back molars. Why is it this terrifies me in comparison to going to the nuclear medicine department next month, and getting a giant dose of radioactive iodine to kill my thyroid? Makes no sense eh! However, I have always been unnerved by the dentist, and know that I am not alone.

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

Her Majesty, Queen Mary, all curled up with her blankie on a cold, winter night. She tends to hide behind her big, fluffy tail when the temperatures drop.

Hope you are all enjoying the weekend. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For more great Camera Critters please visit here.

It has now been almost an entire year since I was first diagnosed with Graves Disease, and put on antithyroid medication. The medication, specifically Tapazole has brought the condition under control, but all attempts to lower the dosage has resulted in the hyperthyroidism coming right back.

Frankly I'm tired of this, and have finally opted for the radioactive iodine treatment, which I call the "atomic solution." This will require I go completely off the medication so that the hyperthyroidism can return in full swing in order to allow the doctor to prescribe the right amount of radiation needed in order to destroy my thyroid. And I can tell you, I am not looking forward to the return of all my symptoms!

The doctor has kindly scheduled the big day for the beginning of the March Break holiday as the kid will need to stay with relatives for the week as I cannot be in too close of contact with anyone for approx. 7 days.

Once the thyroid dies off (approx 2-4 mos) I will be left permanently with an under-active thyroid condition, and will need to take one pill every day for the rest of my life. Believe it or not, this will be far more manageable then what is currently going on. So, as horrible as this might sound I am actually looking forward to it.

In other health news I believe I actually passed one of the kidney stones last week! I'll spare you the gory details.

What is it about turning 40? I swear I turned forty, and all hell broke loose with my body, and health.

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

This week's H.O.T theme is a challenge to go back into the past, and choose a former topic. To be honest I've done almost all of them! Since I joined about the third week in I decide to go with the very first theme: Fool This carving of a fool or jester is actually a little creepy in my opinion, granted I also find clowns pretty creepy too!

Happy H.O.T. day and thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers!
Sue
XOX

For more Heads Or Tails please click here.

Just a quick note to say Happy Groundhog Day 2009 fingers, and toes crossed that he does not see his shadow!

Today should be the last day of the kitchen renovation, fingers, and toes crossed about that too. I will also be spending part of the morning at the hospital getting my routine blood check up done.

Hopefully I'll be able to blog more this week, and catch up on my fave blog reading.

Cheers!
Sue
XOX