Learning to Run (Again?)

Please feel free to sing the title of this blog in the style of the Foo Fighters, I sure am. 

Midday host Jenny Fines and I want to start running.

Okay, well Jenny Fines wants to start running. I want to just do a 5k and cross it off my bucket list. Before moving to the Kootenays I was in amazing shape. I went to the gym everyday and worked my butt off. Seriously, I was weight training 5 days a week (with minor cardio) and doing full cardio blasts twice a week. I was in training to get that 5k off my summer to do list.

But then I moved to BC and became a slight work addict, nixing my plans to run a 5k by the end of summer 2013. In the battle between spending half an hour working on my show prep or running, show prep will win every time. 

So, I am looking for you suggestions on getting into running. I am athletic, should I just run it and set the bar for myself that way or should I start a training regiment? To be clear, this is not about weight loss (I love my body) this is about putting one foot in front of the other foot over a distance that has been pre-determined and doing it in a timely fashion.

I have no desire to be a runner; I want to be able to say that I did it and wipe it clear off my bucket list. 

So what are your tips for breaking into the running scene? How much is too much to pay to run your first race? How much water should we bring? What is a good first finishing time? What is the best local 5k to run? Do I load up on carbs or cut them carbs before my first 5k?

I am a pretty healthy individual. I eat well; I live on a low carb diet (20g ish a day). I think I can run this cold without training, but I am still open to all suggestions and would consider giving it a few weeks of practice.

Here are some infographics I fully intend to read for advice: 

by hightable.
Explore more infographics like this one on the web's largest information design community - Visually.

Trish Bruce Makes Her Radio Debut on 'Calls From Kate's Mom' the Miley Cyrus VMA Edition

My mother is one of my favorite people on earth. Seriously, we hang out a lot when we are living in the same province. Now that I am a big girl and have moved across the country we haven’t lost touch though, Facebook keeps us connected with messages about everything from family updates to Miley Cyrus’s VMA performance. After days of casual messages discussing our disgust for Smiley Miley’s raunchy display I decided it was time to let her vent and a great opportunity for the Kootenays to meet my mother, Trish Bruce.

Here is the first (and maybe the last) segment of ‘Calls from Kate’s Mom’.

Life Depicted By Aaron Carter- I Want Candy

I have a slight addiction to candy. Yes, I want candy (right now as I am typing this I am fighting the urge to go buy some candy across the street).

Not just any candy, penny candy. It is something I have been obsessed with over my entire life and now that I work across the street from a convenience store and live on the back end of a 7/11 it is in my daily diet. I like to make my 50 cents go far in the candy world. Only sour soothers, a couple sour worms and maybe one or two blue live wires; I am pretty picky.

This is a huge problem, because apart from my daily candy cheat I do not eat sugar or wheat products so it puts me on a high and then into a really bad low (hence the Aaron Carter analogy below).

And, everyone makes fun of my problem. It does not help that I am one of those people who does not leave the building at all during the work day, if you see me going out that front door before quitting time it is solely in efforts to feed my penny candy addiction.

I know I am using the word ‘addiction’ pretty lightly and in good fun. I am an average sized woman who has a historical weakness for candy. I am not reality TV addicted, so the glass is half full.

Also, as a kid I had a mega-crush on Aaron Carter... I’m pretty happy I missed the boat on that one.

Oxford Dictionary Releases New Words List For 2013

Srsly, a "word" that may not have that red squiggly auto-correct line underneath it for much longer. It was announced today that some new "words" will be added into the Oxford Dictionary, words that you may be embarrassed to have in your vocabulary. Most of them are slang, abbreviations (for texting etc.) and acronyms. I think if you blush when you say one of these "words" to your boss it should not be entered into the dictionary. Seriously (not srsly, because I will never take that seriously) I work in radio and I would never say 90% of these "words" in my relaxed, trendy office. 

Here are some of my favourites:

A/W - autumn/winter

babymoon – n.: a relaxing or romantic holiday taken by parents-to-be before their baby is born

blondie – n.: a small square of dense, pale-coloured cake, typically of a butterscotch or vanilla flavour

buzzworthy: adj.: likely to arouse the interest and attention of the public, either by media coverage or word of mouth

cake pop – n.: a small round piece of cake coated with icing or chocolate and fixed on the end of a stick so as to resemble a lollipop

chandelier earring – n.: a long, elaborate dangling earring, typically consisting of various tiers of gemstones, crystals, beads, etc.

derp – (also herp derp) exclamation: used as a substitute for speech regarded as meaningless or stupid, or to comment on a foolish or stupid action

double denim – (aka the Canadian Tuxedo)  n.: a style of dress in which a denim jacket or shirt is worn with a pair of jeans or a denim skirt, often regarded as a breach of fashion etiquette

FOMO – fear of missing out; anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website

food baby – n.: a protruding stomach caused by eating a large quantity of food and supposedly resembling that of a woman in the early stages of pregnancy

girl crush – n.: an intense and typically non-sexual liking or admiration felt by one woman or girl for another

jorts – n.: denim shorts; jean shorts

squee – exclamation: used to express great delight or excitement

TL;DR – abbrev.: too long didn’t read; used as a dismissive response to a lengthy online post, or to introduce a summary of a lengthy post

twerk – v.: dance to popular music in a sexually provocative manner involving thrusting hip movements and a low, squatting stance

vom – v.: vomit

For a commentary and laugh about the new "words" in the Oxford Dictionary check out our latest Bruce & Fines rant below.

For the full list of new entries in the Oxford Dictionary visit: http://o.canada.com/2013/08/28/new-words-oxford-dictionaries-aug-2013/

For an enteraining look at how to work all of these new word into one article check out this post from 'The Atlantic' http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/08/how-to-fit-every-new-word-in-the-oxford-dictionary-into-1-article/279127/.

Things I Am Just To Lazy To Accomplish

My boyfriend has been away for nearly a week now and I started my adventure in living in the Kootenays alone strong.

I packed my lunches. I made supper. I did the dishes after eating. I even continued washing my hair regularly and did not sport pony tails.

All that impressive up keep has now vanished. I have a growing pile of dishes. I ate $2.00 worth of penny candies as part of my lunch today. And, I powdered my greasy hair this morning.

My life has turned into a BuzzFeed article once again. This time it is titled, ’24 Basic Life Activities You’re Too Lazy To Accomplish”.

Key points on this list (for me anyways) are:

6. Even calling somewhere to get food delivered. I’ve had breakfast for 9/10 meals since the BF left.

9. Walking the two extra blocks to your bank instead of paying a grey box $3. This is a problem regardless of the boyfriend situation.

13. Going grocery shopping at an actual grocery store.

I live way too close to a 7-11… okay; I live even closer to Ferraro Foods.

17. Or even doing laundry at all, when you can just buy a new pack of underwear. If only we had a Victoria Secret in these parts I would be so guilty of this one…

23. Fully spelling words. I am a lazy texter, consider yourself lucky that I get past, “Hello”.

But, this one is the one I am most guilty of:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/alexnaidus/basic-life-activities-youre-too-lazy-to-accomplish

Bottom Graphic

Not to toot my own horn, but I love this graphic I made. 

Needed to post it to use it on a very official looking email. 

#TuneTuesday: August 27, 2013

Unfortunately we will never share #MusicMonday because I work Tuesday to Saturday. So I will be hooking you up with my favorite music cuts on what I am calling #TuneTuesday. I would love it if you called it that too, lets make it a thing)

I am going to always try to pick one break out hit, a big band that everyone has heard from before and then another song I love from a Canadian band that I think deserves a shout out and attention for their incredible work. This week we have tunes form a band that hopes their song won’t go mainstream and may complain about playing it live if it does and another great collaboration from two amazing Maritimers.

1. MGMT- Your Life Is a Lie

This video really has it all. Seriously, I have watched it about a dozen times and all of the individual elements still are blowing my mind. I must say the talking dolphin, baby in the sky with a balloon and the trophy wife are my favourite parts. This video will mess with your mind a little bit; especially the old man eating a banana on beat towards the end, why is a simple banana is making him so happy? Most people in the video seem really happy that their life is a lie, maybe their lives are not lies and they are just seriously enjoying telling all of us that our lives are lies (light bulb moment). This is a pretty cool video (in my opinion), even though it is the type of video that makes you wonder what drugs the director was on when it was strung together. The song is pretty catchy too; I hummed it all day after my first viewing. Hopefully it only gets mildly popular so that MGMT can still enjoy it themselves… being mainstream is so not cool, right?

2. David Myles- How’d I Ever Think I Loved You

I have been waiting on this one; I wasn’t sure it really fits our rock format but I think it has stood the test of time and deserves a mention. Watch it for David Myles smooth dance moves alone. ‘How’d I Ever Think I Loved You’ is so catchy; David Myles and Classified make a great team. I saw them perform at an ECMA after party this spring and they are brilliant live too. This video will take you back to your first crush in grade school, it is so fun. David Myles reminds me of that substitute teacher you would have whenever your teacher was sick, the type of sub you would totally mess with (like switching instruments in band class) you know the type of sub that tries to teach a class instead of showing the assigned movie. His disguises through the video are priceless as well. Not only is this a great video, I think it is a great breakup song for those who have parted on bad terms. It is not sad and depressing, it is addictive to the ears and I am sure you will find yourself singing it later today!

Morning Rocks Chats with Selkirk Saints Captain Logan Proulx

Just in case you missed it this morning, we spoke with the Selkirk Saints (newly named) Captain Logan Proulx about the upcoming season. Not only did we chat about last seasons big win, we talked about what is to come tomorrow night when the Saints square off with the Trail Smoke Eaters. All just 12 hours after the Saints opened up Training Camp 2013.

The excitement starts tomorrow night when the Trail Smoke Eaters host the Selkirk Saints at Cominco Arena. The puck will drop for this nail biter at 7pm. 

Saints fans unite at http://www.gosaints.ca for more info on this years squad. 

And all you Smoke Eaters fans you can find the latest on your team at http://www.trailsmokeeaters.com

Sneak Peek of the Walking Dead Season 4

I am so excited for Season 4 of 'The Walking Dead'.

Here is a sneak peek of what is to come when the new season airs starting Sunday, October 13th on AMC.

Skip to the 37 second mark if you are so inclined to skip the AMC preview. 

Kate's Reading Challenge Book 6: ‘Debt-Free Forever: Take Control of Your Money and Your Life' by Gail Vaz-Oxlade

One of my goals I set for myself on my twenty-fourth birthday was reading a book a week.  I am a little behind, moving twice and finishing school put a damper on my plan. To help motivate myself to finish books on time every week my new plan is to share my latest read with you on my blog. I will read anything and everything and I would love your suggestions, feel free to email them to me at kate@mountainfm.net.

Book 6: ‘Debt-Free Forever: Take Control of Your Money and Your Life' by Gail Vaz-Oxlade

Gail Vaz-Oxlade is the hard-nosed penny-pinching Canadian finance guru that hosts some of the hottest Canadian finance television reality shows. She caught my eye with her shows this spring and her insightful appearances on CBC news advising average Canadians on their finances.

I am not in crazy debt, I am actually in a pretty good place for being a twenty-something new grad working in my first professional job; but I chose this book because I want to be pro-active about my finances and not end up in the situation many Canadians find themselves in with dangerous credit cards.

I really do not think that they spend enough talking about personal finances and credit in school. I think you should have to take a course on using credit before receiving things like credit cards, you have to take driving tests and lessons; why a not financial test to prove you know how to use credit responsibly.

I chose ‘Debt-Free Forever’ because I wanted to learn the basics on personal finance. I wanted to be able to craft a responsible budget, begin an emergency fund, start a big expense savings account and start thinking about the future by saving for retirement (etc.). I ended up getting so much more out of this book than what I originally intended, I will be keeping it around for reference for the rest of my life.

If you are like me and pretty green to the world of finances, this book is for you; it is a pretty easy read but Gail still gets the important details across and manages to take a hard line on important issues. She does not allow excuses or whining, with all her experience it is like she can sense the moments where you want to fight her advise; at these points in the book she kindly reminds you to think of the goal and work hard towards it.

I think this is the perfect book for anyone, if I had a child I would give it to them around their final year of high school. Easy steps to get them started (without knowing it) are getting them to set milestones and goals. If you start your kids with in this process it will not be alien to them when they need to them. Even the smallest steps, like saving for the newest want will put them (or you) in the right direction to getting to the goal.

The biggest thing, once you have gotten past spending every dollar you earn each paycheck is to follow Gail’s mantra, “plan like a pessimist, so you can live like an optimist.”

I like to revert to the wise words of Kanye on this front, “Whether you broke or rich you gotta get this. Havin money's not everything not havin it is.”

A seriously good read. It is not an adventure that whisks you away to another time or place; it is not a lusty romance or a page-turner thriller that will stimulate your fantasies. ‘Debt-Free Forever: Take Control of Your Money and Your Life' is a book that will allow to have the freedom to have adventures of your own, a financially responsible relationship and a live in the moment life rather than a life filled with regretful spending and the stress of bills piling up. 

The 2013 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs)

I get it; Miley resents her Hannah Montana roots. She really wants to separate herself from the role that really defined the early part of her career, the role that made her a household name and filled her bank account with more money than the average person makes in their entire lifetime. I can understand that, truly you when you're her age it is important to figure out who you are for yourself. With that being said her performance on the VMAs was disturbing, as I have stated previously I actually really like her song 'We Can't Stop' and I am really disappointed with the way she is portraying a song that is a fun summer song. MTV even had to bleep her. The more Miley acts like this crazy bimbo that needs to prove she's an adult that can do grown-up things, the more I want Hannah Montana back. 

I love the crowd shot, between astonished celebrities and celebrities in awe of what is happening there is a shot of Drake and he looks so embarrassed to be in a room where these shenanigans are going on…

While we are on the topic of things I don't like, I would like to mention the new 'Moon Man' (the VMA trophy), and I really do not like the redesigned trophy. It is terrifying! 

Here are the clips you need to see from the 2013 VMAs:

All that Miley action I previously mentioned, including a performance by Robin Thicke. 

The rumours earlier this week were true, NSYNC made an appearence.

And that Daft Punk moment that was so important they had to cancel on Stephen Colbert, well here that is.

Get More: 2013 VMA, Artists.MTV, Music

And then Katy Perry's impressive VMA finale performance.

Netflix Classic: iSteve

Netflix Classic: iSteve 

Have you ever watched a movie so bad you wondered what were those people thinking? I do this all the time. In fact you can read my previous blog about ‘Sharknado’ it was the worst movie I have ever seen. Which has inspired me to start a log of all the movies I watch that are just down-right horrible, most of them are F-list horror movies with cooky titles found on Netflix, hence the label “Neflix Classics”.  Every Saturday you can find my latest “Netflix Classic” review right here on my Mountain FM Blog.

iSteve (2013)

With the release of the new bio-pic about Steve Jobs being last week I decided to pick a parody film about the life of Steve Jobs this week for my Netflix Classic this week it was released online in April and it is called 'iSteve'. It was just as bad as it sounds. 

It is not often that I find a comedy so bad that I will tell people not to watch it. Even movies I don't like have seem to have some silver lining redemption moments, not the case with 'iSteve'. Funny or Die (online comedy heroes) really disappointed me with this turd of a movie. 'iSteve' was just not funny. It is that simple. I watched the entire thing, at first I thought I had read the description wrong and that it was a serious movie. Then it continuously made errors about the life of Steve Jobs and really bad joke so I knew it really was trying to be a parody film. 

Urg. I am not a huge Jobs fan. I am not a hater either. I read his biography, I have invested time into learning about Steve Jobs and the makers of 'iSteve' clearly did not. It was made written in three days and shot in five, I think they could have had something if they invested more time into making it. I have yet to see 'Jobs' the Ashton Kutcher movie released last week, I think I will wait on that. From the press it has gotten I think I will wait until it makes it to Netflix.

I may take time out of my day and money out of my wallet to see the Aaron Sorkin adaptation of 'Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. I thought the book was fair and well written, I doubt the makers of 'iSteve' took the time to read it because there was little to no evidence of any research being done on the subject of his life.

I am being very critical, I know. It was just supposed to be a funny, light-hearted extended sketch but I found it kind of offensive. Funny or Die has a huge following, with people who will watch their content regardless of the quality.  

The only part of the movie that I thought was mildly funny was part of the evolution of Pixar that showed a meeting between George Lucas and Steve Jobs. 

Not worth your time, do anything else. Seriously, anything else. 

iSteve - Buy on Amazon or watch on Netflix from Justin Long

Big Brother With Kate & Jenny

I am a Big Brother addict. I have been since I was in Grade 12, way back in 2007. It is what I look forward to summer evenings, it actually makes me excited for Sunday night to come around. I talk about it a lot, so it is super annoying for anyone who does not watch the show. So when you spend as much time together as Afternoon Drive Host Jenny Fines and I do, your bound to be forced into watching at least one episode.

Here is Jenny's take on her first episode (ever) of Big Brother. Keep in mind she has not watched ANY reality TV since the very first Survivor.

First Looks At Baby North West and Kanye West's Interview On Kris

Keeping it in the family, Kanye West visited the Kris show today and talked about being a 'musical genius' and a new dad. Kris of course is Kris Kardashian Jenner, the mother of Kanye's boo Kim Kardashian. During Kanye's visit he offered up the first photos of baby North West, his precious two month old daughter. 

When you read what he says in the Rolling Stone article it comes off as 50% ramblings of a egocentric maniac, 49% I better do this interview or this crazy lady (mother of my baby's Mama is going to kill me) and 1% man changed by love and a new baby . But, watching the videos is completely different. I judged all this self promotion (for both Kris and Kanye) as a all you can eat buffet to feed their egos, but in the videos of the interview Kanye actually comes off more like a cuddly teddy bear (not unlike the bear blasting off into new adventures on the cover of Graduation). 

Here is an a quote from the Rolling Stone article, quoting Kanye on the Kris show.

"The only thing I want to do in life is help people, and that's what's so disturbing about being written up in society as being some type of enemy. The last thing I would want to happen to my daughter is some crazy drunk black guy in a leather shirt to come up and cut her off at an awards show."

If you want to let Kanye finish you can read the rest of the article on Rolling Stone. Or check out the YouTube video. Both are posted below.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kanye-wests-10-best-quotes-on-kris-jenners-talk-show-20130823

WIN TICKETS TO A YOUNG CANUCKS GAME!

Just over 40 Days and 3 Hours until the NHL season begins (I am really excited, the 2013-2014 NHL season will be the first season I live in a province with a NHL team) . If you want a sneak peak at the Canucks Young Stars, be listening tomorrow morning to Morning Rocks. Derek did this morning and won 2 tickets to see the Young Canucks play against the Alumni!

It is going to be a great weekend full of the top talent from the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets and the San Jose Sharks in Penticton at the South Okanagan Events Centre. 

Make sure your listening to 'Morning Rocks' from 6am to 10am weekdays for your shot at the next set of tickets to see the Young Stars Classic. 


I was pretty excited, this was my first day on Mountain FM's Morning Rocks and my first call-in winner! 

My Face on Meth

Jenny Fines posted her photos using the 'Rehab.com' app called 'Your Face On Meth'. I thought I would give you a sneak peak into why I will never do meth. It is truly disturbing, kind of like a cross between a the "tanning mom" and a zombie.


You can give it a try here... let me know how it works out for you.
http://www.rehabs.com/explore/your-face-on-meth/

90's Moments: Netscape Navigator 3.0

Everyday I am one of the luckiest people in the Kootenays, I get to travel back in time to the 90s and talk about all of the things that made my childhood. My family did not have a computer until I was in the sixth grade. I learned the basis of everything I know about computing at my elementary school. Every classroom had one computer that was equipped with Windows 95, all of the others were DOS systems and for pure educational purposes. The one computer in the classroom that was Neopets friendly taught me everything I needed to know to be the computer whiz in my family when we bought our first computer in the year 2000. 

I'm not sure if we waited until 2000 to buy a computer because my parents did not want to have to worry about anything other than the VCR during the Y2K scare or if they simply wanted to regain the weekend afternoons they had been spending researching elementary school projects at our library. Regardless, we bought my aunt’s computer from her and entered the tech age. I spent a lot of time between the never-ending search for Carmen Sandiego and tying up my parent’s phone lines on Netscape Navigator. 

Happy Birthday Netscape Navigator 3.0! On this day, back in 1996 you were released. The initial Netscape Navigator was released in 1994; AOL made the final version of Netscape Navigator in 2007 (taking me all the way through to the end of high school) and stopped updating it in 2008. Contemporary Netscape Navigator is an internet portal, similar to the search engines it used back in the day like AltaVista. 

Kate On-Air Reaches Its First 1000 Hits

Thanks everyone for helping me reach my first 1000 hits on my backlog of 'On-Air' Blog.

In appreciation, here is a GIF of a prairie dog stealing a kiss :)

#TuneTuesday: August 20, 2013

Unfortunately we will never share a #MusicMonday because I work Tuesday to Saturday. So I will be hooking you up with my favorite music cuts on what I am calling #TuneTuesday. I would love it if you called it that too, lets make it a thing;)

I am going to always try to pick one break out hit, a big band that everyone has heard from before and then another song I love from a Canadian band that I think deserves a shout out and attention for their incredible work. This week some Californian sisters are breaking  hearts and a BC artistshas his heart broken!

HAIM- The Wire

Okay, HAIM is my new obsession. I love girl rock and their new song ‘The Wire’ is my jam right now. I love the video, all three of the HAIM sisters are breakup artists making boys cry (including the Lonely Island’s Jorma Taccone). The video is pretty funny, but the song stands out. I have been driving around in my car blasting it; ‘The Wire’ is absolutely infectious. ‘The Wire’ is off HAIM's upcoming album ‘Days Are Gone’ (out September 30th); they will be playing the Commodore Ballroom on October 24th. I hope to see you there!

Dominique Fricot -Our Last Song (Jenny’s pick)

The first song in this week’s #TuneTuesday is Dominique Fricot’s ‘Our Last Song’. This is a pretty cool video, watching it at first I was wondering why his apartment looked like it was clearly decorated by his a significant other. The apartment had a clear feminine look, I absolutely loved it… I thought it was gorgeous. Through the video Dominique is dealing with a fresh breakup, suffering living in the home that was shared with his previous flame. It is spot on in showing how painful it can be to live somewhere that is a constant reminder of better times. The song is catchy; I can’t wait to hear more from Dominique Fricot!

This is the first track I have heard from Dominique Fricot, Mountain FM’s afternoon drive host Jenny Fines introduced me to Dominique Fricot’s music when I was fishing for suggestions for this week’s post. Dominique Fricot is from BC, you can find out more about his music at http://dominiquefricot.com/. 

Two of My Favourite Canadians: Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole

I am not a huge fan of change. I was really unhappy when I learned two of my favourite Canadians were planning on heading south of the border to Ammmurrrica. When Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole announced they were going to be leaving their program ‘Sportcentre’ on TSN my heart broke. I am a huge sports fan  I would fight the urge to read sports articles and watch game updates just to keep things fresh for the late-night edition of ‘Sportscentre’. Living on the East Coast you have to stay up pretty late to catch the live edition of the show, the live edition is the best run of the show because it roles unedited unlike other editions.

Jay and Dan are hilarious. When my boyfriend and I drove across Canada we listened to all of their Podcasts… yes, every single one. Listening to hours and hours of audio in a short duration of time can convince you that you actually know these people and give you a personal attachment, very strange (and worrying) indeed. The podcasts are part of my emotional reaction to this dynamic-duo moving stateside.

I seriously miss them on ‘Sportscentre’ as well. Seriously, all those crappy things you don't want to do ‘Sportscentre’ makes better. If you have the gumption to get your butt somewhere early in the day you can catch ‘Sportscentre’ in line rather than boring afternoon poker. That is the world I live in, waiting in line at the DMV, waiting out at the service centre, waking up from a hangover, going to the gym; all things made better by Jay and Dan’s presence (and made worse by TSN’s typical afternoon programming).

Seriously, if I could meet any of my media idols Jay and Dan come in second (they are “life partners” so they count as one person in my rulebook) to the almighty, Lorne Michaels.

I miss you Jay and Dan, TSN is  just not the same. I still love the main crew at 'Sportscentre', but they are lacking the Jay and Dan flare... 

This month Jay and Dan made their American debut; below you can check them out working blue in the US.