Check out this blog - it's one of my new faves. The latest couple of posts have inspired some very long-winded responses to starting out in comedy, which I will shortly post to this very blog. So thanks Brody!

For now though, I'm having a little writing break today. Due to Christmas holidays and the like, my editor required me to submit my ramblings - ideally complete with wit, wisdom and (shock! horror!) coherence - not only four days earlier than usual but in the form of not one but TWO columns in the one hit. Hence, I was up til two this morning banging my head on the desk and boy did it hurt.

I'll post the column here once it's published. But be warned ye readers - I highly doubt that any of it will even make sense. But on the bright side, you will get to see what my brain looks like spilled out onto the page in the early morning stages of deadline-driven delerium.

I ain't saying it'll be pretty, but it'll be something.

Jamie Lynn Spears: mamma mia.

Oh boy. I don't even want to get into the pop culture element of this whole debacle. All I can say is that now, two kids into my life, whenever I see ANYBODY pregnant with their first child - whether they're 16, 29 or 43, there is a part of me thinking 'Wow, oh wow. You have absolutely no idea what you're in for.'

Because I didn't. Nobody does. No matter how many books you read, stories you hear and people you talk to, at the end of the day, absolutely NOTHING prepares you for parenthood. Nothing.

The difference with seeing a 16 year old get up the duff - regardless of who she is or how famous her family might be - is that my thoughts move on to: 'Wow, oh wow. One hundred per cent of your post-child life (spot the irony?) is going to be about kids...and you have absolutely no idea what you're in for.'

I'm tired just thinking about it.

Mel Brooks: What I've Learned

Just thought I'd share with you this interesting little snippet on Mel Brooks from Esquire, which I just stumbled upon.

I particularly like the part about comedy not being frivolous, that it needs to have heart. I'm paraphrasing, of course, but when I think about my favourite comedies, it's true - there's something deeper going on than just 'wacka wacka' type stuff. Buffy, Muriel's Wedding, Kung Fu Hustle, I could go on for a while here...even Spaceballs, which at the time, I thought was the funniest thing on the planet - no pun intended - a big part of the appeal was, I guess, heart-type stuff, in that case, a real belief in the chemistry between Bill Pullman and Daphne Zuniga. Oh and John Candy was just so damn cute.

Anyway, I've just realised I'm starting off my morning by psychoanalysing Spaceballs, so I guess the day is gonna be all downhill from here.

Need. More. Coffee.

Of Mice and Music.

Sorry for the massive gap between entries - it's been what? Two whole days? Anyhoo, my excuse note goes a little something like this:

1) Our mouse decided to curl up in a tiny little corner of the computer and die. On the downside, this means we've been completely disconnected from computah land. On the upside, it's the kinda dead mouse that doesn't smell.

2) I've been using the extra time to embark on a mad and torrid affair with my keyboard (the musical one). Man oh man. I'm elated and exhausted all at once.

Excuse me while I go give it another dry-hump.

New links: finally!!

Forgot to mention I've also updated my links list, which now includes - in addition to my wonderful new cyber-buddy Miss Understood - some really wicked blogs revolving around comedy and writing respectively. So if you get that loving feeling, check em out!!

Latest column: Confessions of an Ice Queen

Oh the joys of ice skating.

In other news, thank heavens it's the weekend! We've got a mad one planned, mainly comprising social engagements and fun/tantrum-inducing Christmasy stuff with the kiddlies. Yay!

Plus I feel like this week I've FINALLY cracked the critical balance of friends in this town to make me feel actually loved here. Translation = able to walk down the street and bump into at least one person I know. (I know, I know, I'm sure given enough time that will become annoying, but for now: oh sweet friends. Go forth and multiply! Not literally. That would just be weird and mildly uncomfortable.)

So today: down to the local playroom for me and the kids, then we're baking Christmas tree cookies (yes, ME...BAKING...what is this country doing to me?) and are all off to a Christmas party for the afternoon.

O Canada, O Canada...

(I'd sing more but that's all I know. Sozzoms).