The greatest fake out ever...

Ok.... time for a little bit of a back story.

For the last few months Sarah has been talking about how EASY shopping for me is this christmas, and how she has sooo many options. She had also been hinting for a long time about picking up an XBox 360. She asked things like, "so if you got one, which games would you like" and "you really think you want one of those?"

I had also caught her reading about it on xbox.com and a ton of review sites. Over the last few weeks all XBox mentions have stopped around the house. I let it go.

A couple weeks ago at Lina's place I was chatting with Lucas about Xmas. I asked him if a 360 was on his list and he said no because he was very happy with his old school Xbox. I told him I secretly hoped I was getting one. Later on, he sold me out and blurted to Sarah that i thought I was getting a 360.

That's when she hatched her little plan.

I asked her a couple times for hints into my gift - so I'd know what ballpark the gift I got her should be in - price wise. She wouldn't say. I told her she was getting a new perfume called "Lovely", to which she replied "Oh". I laughed and had her admit - well thats close to the price of ONE of the things I got you - but there's also a big gift for you that a bunch of us chipped in on. That comment definately had me thinking XBox.

When Christmas Eve came, I opened up a ton of AWESOME presents. From Sarah i got the WWE DVD board game which Dan-e-o and I run all the time. It was a cool gift, but I was a little confused. I asked her afterwards, "what happened to this group gift you were talking about". She quickly replied, "you're getting it tomorrow at our house". I didn't understand why all other gifts has been opened but one was left out. She made some remark about the gift not being ready, then seemed frustrated and just blurted "it's an expensive new suit. We all chipped in and got you a black suit with thin pinstripes from George Richards".

Now, don't get me wrong - a suit sounded great, but it seemed a little out of left field. She continued on - "I know you wanted an XBox, and we tried to get you one, but they were all sold out. We looked everywhere. The things were selling on Ebay for 1500 and we weren't about to spend that much. Your mom thought this would be a much better gift and she loves seeing you dressed up in suits".

Man... oh well. To be honest, I knew in my heart the XBox 360's were selling like mad and I didn't think they'd be able to pull it off - so a suit seemed very very generous.

Sunday morning we opened more gifts for Tasha and Sarah gave me all the stocking-stuffers she picked up. Dark chocolate, a Q20 game (WHICH I LOVE) and of all things NBA LIVE 2006 for the XBox 360! HUH??

She said that she bought the game months ago, knowing it would sell out, and expecting to get one of the later shipments of an XBox unit. She said she was on a waiting list at EB and something MIGHT materialize in February or March. She said I could hold onto the game or just return it Monday.

I appreciated this tremendously. This to me, was proof she had REALLY tried. I was blown away. I thanked her repeatedly.

Both our parents, Baba and Joe came by that afternoon. The plan was for David to prepare dinner and for us all to enjoy together.

Sarah told me to thank both moms for chipping in on the suit - to which 'Ma Lex' and my mom acted all surpised. "You told him Sarah? You ruined the surprise!"

Just before dinner, my dear wife said that my mother brought the suit and it was time to unwrap it. I was preparing to check out my new threads when suddenly, what was brought to me was a wrapped box! Well figure out the rest...

I was FLOORED. BLOWN AWAY.

They went on to tell me that they had lined up on three seperate mornings outside a store for three seperate shipments. The first two had them come up empty handed, but my mom got an inside tip on a small shipment coming in a few weeks ago and she lined up and snagged one. They said they even had family in the states searching the department stores.

Wow.

I'm still floored - even now - after having played about 9 hours of NBA LIVE 2006.

The only downside is learning that my wife is a TREMENDOUSLY gifted liar and I can never trust her again. Ever.

But at least I have an XBox.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Baby's first Christmas!

Christmas Eve has long been the most important day of the year for my family. We all gather at my parents house, eat enough to feed the portuguese army, and then open presents at midnight.

If I was going to try and list everything Tasha got for Christmas, this entry would take me the rest of my holiday vacation. Tons of clothes, toys, sentimental ornaments and more. It's amazing how many people just want to spoil my baby girl. She truly is very fortunate to be surrounded by so much love, and a ton of loot!


Even I got spoiled with a ton of gifts. A new track suit, DVD board game, dress clothes, cash, etc etc. Sarah got the Nike Shox she wanted from me, and a renewal of her gym membership (from my folks).

There to celebrate Natasha's first noel were both sets of granparents, my sister, both brothers-in-law, Lina, Berto, Lucas, Serene, Tia, Tio, Sophie, James and of course, Champ.

The night was of course topped off with the very traditional 'clams and beer'.

It was honestly just an awesome night.

New Tasha pics now online!

There are a whole bunch of new Tasha pics now online. Just visit her online gallery at bigbrew.shutterfly.com. Click the December folder and scroll through the various pages. I added a whole bunch of never before seen Tasha goodness, including some shots from one of her recent Christmas photoshoots, some family snaps and more!

She is just way too cute for words. Someone get this kid a modelling contract quick!

Markham!! What???

Tonight was awesome.

Sarah, Joe, Tasha and I went to Milliken to see the Markham boys take them on in a battle for first place in the division. The Markham boys are not the same basketball team they've been the last 8 years... they are rebuilding with youth. So many of the top guys graduated last year and are now playing college ball.

Adam was on our team as a grade 9 and 10. He was basically a role player on a very deep team, but we always knew he had potential. All season he's been leading this team and scoring a ton. Tonight, he did it when it mattered most.

Markham lost the first game against Milliken a couple weeks ago but it was very close. They knew if they played hard they would be ok in the rematch. Adam came out hard and just dominated. A 6'7" point guard can do that.

Milliken went up 4-0 but then saw Markham's press and couldn't do a thing about it. Adam ended up scoring 20, had a ton of steals and assists and led the team to a very impressive 7 point win.

Part of the fun was seeing Adam's brother Mike (home from Acadia), Hobbsy, Cole (home from Niagara), Burrows, AK (home from Ohio) and CK (home from Boston) and a bunch of other familiar faces.

It was like old home week.

What a great game....

A little bit louder now...

Tasha has a new trick........... it's called, comedy. She's into laughing as loud as possible and babbling non stop - especially amongst a crowd, all for attention. She really is daddy's little girl.

On the weekend, Sarah and I talked about how much Tasha has changed in the last 72 houra. Her personality is really starting to shine. Yesterday, while Sarah was feeding her, I coughed - Tasha stopped eating looked at me and gave up a little baby cough. Sarah looked at her and said "Are you copying daddy?" to which she started laughing hysterically.

SHe got time to hang out with Lou, Lucy, Army, Matilde and the grandparents on the weekend and as per usual she was a crowd pleaser.

Oh - amd I'm blogging this so I have witnesses and so he doesn't try going back on his word. My uncle Lou predicted that Ottawa and Toronto would once again meet in the playoffs, and Toronto would once again stop them from advancing to the next round. I'm sayin, ain't no way in hell anybody is stopping the Sentators Express in 06.

Samoa Joe makes wrestling cool again

Dan-e-o and I just got through watching the TNA Turning Point ppv. Yes, I love wrestling - but TNA reminds me why. Everything they put forth tonight was rock solid with plenty of "HOLY CRAP!!" moments.

At the top of the "HOLY CRAP!!" list is Samoa Joe. Man this guy is sick. Everything he does just looks and sounds sooo real. I swear you can't fake what he does. This is an outstanding character with limitless potential. Joe's been one of my favs since he started in ROH and I'm thrilled he won the X-title tonight. I'm a regular reader of his blog and visit his site regularly.

Despite his gimmick, he's one of the 'good' guys in the business. Much respect Joe. Keep working hard.

Christmas shopping is fun

Well I picked up the big part of Sarah's christmas present today. I hope she likes it. Nothinig worse than one of those ...."oh... great. no really. it's just what i wanted........."

Do you wanna know what I got her? Promise not to tell?


Ya right. Nice try Sarah. I don't trust ANY OF YOU to keep a secret! And no peeking in my underwear drawer! (d'oh)

Tasha meets the other side

We took Natasha to the Christoff family christmas on saturday afternoon and introduced her to even MORE family. It was great. Amazing how she really commands attention.

We handed out these lovely Tasha-christmas cards (don't worry - yours is in the mail) which were a big hit.

After the party we went to the Garsides for a little chill time and to let Tash and Kaylen hang out. Good times.

Let's go Blue Jays, Let's go!

Not since the early 90's has there been THIS much excitement about the Toronto Blue Jays. Their off season moves have the entire baseball world talking about their commitment to winning. General Manager JP Richardi has said for years that they would clean up (former GM) Gord Ash's mess, build through their farm system and develop within. Then, when they felt close - go out and aquire talented players.

So far the Jays have signed the top free agent pitcher of 2005/2006, AJ Burnett, a terrific left handed closer in BJ Ryan and first baseman Lyle Overbay.

Burnett is a guy who many feel will be the next Roy Oswalt in baseball, which would give the Jays two supreme studs at the top of their rotation (obviously Halladay being the other), plus rookie standout Gustavo Chacin, veteran lefty Ted Lilly and the inning eater Josh Towers. Not to mention the 5 star pitching prospects on the farm like Dustin McGowan.

The aquisition of Ryan and Burnett makes Miguel Batista (former starter / current closer) a very tradeable and attractive commodity. He could probably be packaged to bring back another power hitter.

Overbay at first will be a defensive improvement over Hinske - but I don't think Overbay has enough power to play first.

There are still rumors flying about Adam Dunn, Manny Ramirez or Bobby Abreu coming to Toronto by trade or free agency.

I have to admit - I am jacked about the Jays.

Tis the season to see Tasha

Here they are...... the first batch of Tasha's holiday collection! We have her modelling on the couch, in front of the tree and in her Bumbo!

It's amazing how fast she's growing ... weighing in now at an impressive 17.5 pounds! When I look at pics of her from a month or two ago, I can't believe how much she has changed and grown. I'm blown away.

To see all the pics, visit her photo blog

7 years ago...

Seven years ago today, my old buddy Mealin held a party at a crappy little hall in New Market and invited as many people as he could think of. I was there (though I almost didn't go) and thank god I was. hat night changed my life. That was the night I met Sarah.

I'm not going to recount the entire story (if you reeeeally need to hear it, feel free to get a copy of our wedding video!) but needless to say it was a chance meeting that changed the way I felt about everything else. Suddenly my world was thrown upside down. I wasn't in any way looking for a relationship at the time - and suddenly I found myself feeling something I had never felt before. It was unbelievable.

Sarah, you instantly become my best friend, greatest supporter, true love and life long soul mate. I always remember how lucky I am and am so appreciative that fate stepped in seven years ago today.

I love you.

Silly Politicians...

The honour of being the first to be made fun of for something said on the campaign goes to...

It's a tie between Prime Minister Paul Martin, leader of the Liberal Party and Jack Layton, leader of the NDP. Here's why: In response to Stephen Harper's pledge to have no parallel private health care they each said the following...

Paul Martin - "I believe in a Canada that values and protects it's universally publically funded healthcare system, so that healthcare requires a health card, not a credit card."

Jack Layton - "We want our healthcare system to be one that where it's your healthcare card that gets you the healthcare, not your credit card." (Bonus points to Mr. Layton for holding up a health card and credit card as props, just incase we didn't know what he was talking about)

So, not only do they both use bad cliches, apparently they hire the same writers for them. So thank you to Paul Martin and Jack Layton by saying absolutely nothing, using the most words possible and therefore insulting my intelligence.

PS - Don't take me picking on the Liberals and NDP as giving the Conservatives an easy time. I plan to give them all a ride.

We caught Potter fever

Sarah and I left Tasha with Baba Lex and Grandpa David last night and went out to see Harry Potter 4 - the goblet of fire.

The big buzz word from cast members to producers to fans is that this film is much "darker" than the three that preceeded it. Indeed it is. In fact, I was watching it and remembering the number of 6,7 and 8 year olds and my school who said they had already seen it. I'm not sure it's appropriate for their age at all. Graphic depictions of death, scary imagery, horror movie-inspired sound tracks.... I'm just not sure this was for small children.

I understand that the CORE audience for Harry Potter is 10-14 years old and is growing up with the books - but the younger ones are also into it. I was trying to decide how old Tasha would have to be before I'd let her watch this, and I'm just not sure.

Anyhow - aside from the parenting issues ... I enjoyed the movie and thought it was really well done. The fact that it has made 200 million so far blows me away though. It's only been in theatres two weeks!

I'm in the wrong line of work.

Tornado on Tansley

So our place looks like a tornado has gone through it! Sarah and I decided the room that has received the least attention in our house deserved a little love this weekend. Our living/dining room was painted up with the very popular and trendy colours of light blue and brown. My father-in-law did the bulk of the painting while my pops came over on Sunday and lent a hand.

I must admit, the final effect is very dramatic and warm. It may not be everyone's cup of tea - but if it's good enough for the last four houses on Extreme Home Makeover - it's good enough for us.

I'll be posting pictures as soon as the curtains and artwork are all in place!

Tasha's Abreu-Debut (hey that rhymes!)

Last night Tasha and her mom and dad went to the Abreu family christmas party. It was a lot of fun. We had the whole big brood gathered in a church hall for some eating, drinking, dancing and gambling. Just the way it should be in a church basement.

For many of my cousins, uncles and aunts - this was their first chance to see Tasha in person. Needless to say they were impressed by her size, strength, stunning good looks and impressive vocabulary. Most seemed taken with her bubbly "a-goo" sound but others also enjoyed her views on a non confidence vote and a winter election.


She was totally spoiled too. In addition to all the attention she received, she also cleaned up taking home gifts from Michelle, Sandy (Steve, Blaze and Riley), Matilde (and Army) and Tia Percella. Honestly, everyone was just way too generous. We are all humbled by your kindness and are very appreciative.

Anyhow - it was a good night. I haven't had a chance to download pics yet. I will, and then I'll post some here and on the photoblog.

Oh ya, Mike won all the dough playin poker - but next time I'm playing.

Happy Birthday Natasha!

Hard to believe. It was three months ago today at exactly the time I am writing this post that my little angel came into our lives. It's amazing how much life has changed in three months. Priorities, visions of the world, and general mood have all made dramatic shifts. Sarah said something 3 minutes after Tash was born that I'll never forget. "She's going to do great things".

I do believe my daughter will change the world. She's already changed mine.

Happy birthday my little bath-loving devil!

Ughhh..... enough already with the snow!

Isabele and Adam had been planning to come up and visit this weekend for quite some time, but unfortunately the first snow fall of this winter made that impossible.

Buffalo and Syracuse got hit hard, cutting of their two main routes to come up. Damn you snow. I'm glad they didn't decide to chance it though.

My drive to work on Thursday was a nightmare. First of all - my standard 20 minute drive took two hours! The roads were a little icy, but really no big deal as long as you slow down a LITTLE and just relax.

Unfortunately, too many people out there go one extreme or the other. They drive like the conditions haven't changed at all - then end up in a ditch as I drive past and laugh .... OR ... they slow down to the point where glaciers and evolution are moving faster. FRUSTRATING.

Yesterday my prof let us all leave class an hour early to avoid the evening down pour. Again, I don't understand these people who JUST PANIC. Where did they grow up, Jamaica?? If you are a Canadian citizen - or live ANYWHERE in the North East U.S. and CAN'T drive with a little white stuff on the ground, you should be immediately imprisoned or executed. I'm not sure which.

Just stay out of my way!

Sleep well Mr. Miyagi

Since his role on Happy Days, Pat Morita has seemed to always play the role of the loveable old guy. I loved the Karate Kid movies during the 80's. Of course, Morita had to act his tiny ass of to carry Hilary Swank through the terrible sequel "The Next Karate Kid", affectionately known as 'Karate Chick'.

Sucks to hear that he passed away - but I was surprised to hear he was only 73. I mean geeez - William Shatner's older!

The following story was written by the Washington Post and the Associated Press.

Noriyuki "Pat" Morita, 73, whose portrayal of the wise and sly master teacher in "The Karate Kid" earned him an Oscar nomination, died Nov. 24 at his home in Las Vegas.

There were conflicting reports about the cause of death. His daughter Aly Morita said he died of heart failure at a Las Vegas hospital. His longtime manager, Arnold Soloway, said the actor died of kidney failure at a hospital while awaiting a transplant.

Pat Morita played the mentor to "Daniel-san" (Ralph Macchio, left) and later to a character played by Hilary Swank in the "Karate Kid" films. (Associated Press)

As Kesuke Miyagi, the mentor to Ralph Macchio's "Daniel-san" in the 1984 movie, Mr. Morita taught karate and such skills as how to catch flies with chopsticks. He lost the Academy Award for best supporting actor to Haing S. Ngor, who appeared in "The Killing Fields." But he won more roles, including three "Karate Kid" sequels, the last one in 1994 with actress Hilary Swank.

An experienced stand-up comic and comic actor, Mr. Morita had previously been best known for his recurring role in the 1970s and 1980s as the excitable malt shop owner Arnold on the popular television series "Happy Days." He also was a regular on "Sanford and Son" as Lamont's buddy Ah Chew. He was the first Japanese American to star in a television series with the leading role in "Mr. T and Tina," which aired in 1976.

He had worked frequently in movies since the 1980s and provided the voice for a character in the Disney movie "Mulan" in 1998. He had a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Mr. Morita's success in Hollywood was a long way from his start as the son of migrant fruit pickers in the fields and groves of Northern California. He contracted spinal tuberculosis at the age of 2, and when he was finally able to walk unassisted, he and his family were forced into the World War II-era internment camp at Manzanar, Calif.

"One day I was an invalid," he recalled in a 1989 interview with the Associated Press. "The next day I was public enemy No. 1 being escorted to an internment camp by an FBI agent wearing a piece."

After being released, the family opened a restaurant in Sacramento, serving Chinese cuisine because of lingering anti-Japanese prejudice. "You get the picture?" he once said to the Los Angeles Times. "A Japanese family running a Chinese restaurant in a black neighborhood with a clientele of blacks, Filipinos and everybody else who didn't fit in any of the other neighborhoods."

He eventually became a data processor with the state Department of Motor Vehicles, then secured a graveyard-shift job at Aerojet-General Corp. At age 30, he made the make-or-break decision to go into comedy full time.

His first appearances were in small clubs, until he was asked to fill in for entertainer Don Ho at a 2,000-seat hall in Hawaii. Mr. Morita unexpectedly found himself facing a huge crowd of World War II veterans, many of them disabled. They were there to observe the 25th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

"If you're a comic, these are the moments when you have to prove you've really got it," he told the San Jose Mercury News in 1998. "So, I began by telling them I wanted to apologize, on behalf of my people, for screwing up their harbor."

The vets roared. He went on to build a two-decade career in nightclubs, but not until he began making movies was he was able to develop a believable Japanese accent. He won the audition for the sensei in "The Karate Kid" even though he had no martial arts experience and the producers wanted a Japanese rather than a Japanese American actor. He agreed to use his given name, Noriyuki, rather than his stage name of Pat, for the credits, to make him sound more ethnic.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and three daughters from a previous marriage.

So what are your intentions towards my daughter young man?

It has begun. Natasha has a boyfriend.

Well, we couldn't hold on to her forever. I had hoped we would at least keep her around until she learned to use the toilet and talk, but apparently her heart now belongs to another. We had to give her up sometime!

On Wednesday, Sarah took Tasha down to see Alexa (the bridesmaid who passed out at our wedding -- ya that's her) and her two boys. Saam is almost 3 and Sasha is four and a half months old. They let the two babies lay down together, and next thing you know he reached out, grabbed her hand and wouldn't let go!

So far his intentions seem honorable but I'm keeping an eye on him! Don't make me get David's axe!

There are more pics of the happy couple available on Tasha's photo site.

What happened over the last 9 days?

Well, i've been a very bad blogger! I was sick with report card fever. I am proud to say however that several late nights have allowed me to hand them in two days early for the first time since I started teaching. Yay!

Let me try to catch you up as to what's been happening - rapid-fire style.

Sarah and I bought a Christmas Tree last week. It's a really nice 7.5' with prelit LED's. We put it up last week, decorated it and it looked gorgeous. Problem now is, one whole section of the lights have gone dark. They won't light at all and I'm not sure if there's a sudden short or a wiring issue or just defective lights. I'm just hoping we don't have to take all the ornaments off and return the damn thing!

Our Christmas lights outside the house are up too. Dad and I put those up on the weekend and I must admit, they look great!

Class has been busy lately. I've had a ton of reading to do, and with all this report card stuff going on it's been a little tricky to stay on top of it.

My former team - the Augustine girls won another York region title this week. My other former team, the Markham boys are struggling. I went and watched their practice last night and was reminded at just how much the team has changed. Everyone's gone except for Adam and two end of the bench guys from last year. I just hope Adam keeps working hard, and has a good year.

Tasha's been babbling a lot this week. Talking on and on. It's hilarious. She was laying on her playmate last week and hit the dangling ball with her hand. She giggled then kept hitting the ball for the next hour or so. It's so much fun seeing little things like that happen.

Tomorrow Is and Adam are coming up to finally see Tash and spend the weekend with us! I can't wait.

Oh, and there are NEW Tasha pics posted on her photo site.