btvancouver

Once in a while, we all need a good cry. Maybe the men can understand, maybe not – but I KNOW the ladies know what I am talking about.

Sometimes, I’ll watch a certain movie knowing it will offer me that release. For me (don’t laugh) it’s the Anne of Green Gables mini-series starring Megan Follows.

Anne...with an "E"

Songs can do that too and you don’t have to invest hours of your time to get there. My “first” crying song was Luba’s “Everytime I See Your Picture I Cry” after my first serious boyfriend (at the age of 18) told me he was moving away. I rewinded that cassette tape over and over (yes, showing my age – lol)

Here’s my recommendation if you are in the market for a crying song. There are 3 versions to choose from and I have conveniently placed them in order of the severity of the emotional release so choose your dosage carefully!

SONG PRESCRIPTION TO MAKE YOU CRY: “A Case of You”

To “put a lump in your throat” if for no other reason than her sheer songwriting genius,  the Original Joni Mitchell Version. One of this countries greatest poets. No wonder people re-record her songs.

To make your eyes water if you are emotional - tears will fall if you are slightly “down” - the James Blake Version - I heard the other night on Parenthood. Hearing it again reminded me of what a great song this is.

And finally, “Turn out the lights, cause no one needs to see your “Ugly Cry”-the Diana Krall Version from “Live in Paris” . Not only is this haunting, but you can hear the emotion in her voice, and it can’t help but bring it out in you. Possibly one of the most “honest” recordings/ arrangements I have ever heard from her.

So there you have it, listen and repeat as needed until you feel better…feel free to share the “Songs that Make You Cry” by commenting on this page…sometimes, it’s nice to have a play list on hand – just in case.

Dawn

I apologize for the title, I just couldn’t resist….Counting cars continues today on the Alex Fraser and Queensborough Bridges…expect lengthy delays….here is the latest from Translink.

traffic counting team will be stationed on the Queensborough and Alex Fraser Bridges on Tuesday, Oct. 25. They will be manually counting the number and types of vehicles passing a given point, along with the number of persons in each vehicle.

The counting will take place from 6 a.m. and continue into the evening.

Future counting locations will be at:

            Oct. 26                        Oak St. Bridge; Westminster Hwy west of No. 8 Rd.; Hwy 1 east of Taylor Way (North Vancouver)

            Oct. 27                        Arthur Laing Bridge

            Oct. 28                        Marine Drive, east of Taylor Way (West Vancouver)

These manual counts are part of TransLink’s Screenline survey, which is taken every few years to plot the movements of vehicles throughout Metro Vancouver and provide a picture of road use. This information is invaluable for planners, as they develop an efficient integrated transportation system that makes most efficient use possible of public resources.

Counters wear high-visibility garments, and while they take every effort not to impede the flow of traffic, drivers should be aware of their locations so they do not present a visual distraction. TransLink apologizes for any inconvenience.

I recently received this press release about a way you could combine fashion AND philanthropy…

As you may have noticed, we now have a new Co-Host/ News Anchor! Welcome to Jody Vance!

That means a bit of shuffling, but it’s only for the better. We are always tweaking, but I think you will really like this new Breakfast Television format (which includes a new set as well!)

Here’s your team:

Riaz Meghji – Co-Host

Jody Vance  – Co-Host/ News Anchor

Dawn Chubai – Live Eye Host

Greg Harper – Live News Reporter

Thor Diakow – Entertainment

Michel McDermott – Traffic

Russ Lacate – Weather

And don’t worry about Kyle Donaldson, he’s busier than ever anchoring the news from 5:30-6:30am an then moving into the producer chair when Jody starts

Please give us all a chance to settle in…but feel free to offer your feedback. What are we doing right? What could we do to make a better show? What do you want to see?

It matters to us that you watch…thank you!

Dawn

I came across an article in the Georgia Straight that revealed a French App for android devices that “helps” parents determine if their son (no mention of daughters) is Gay by asking questions such as “did you wish for a daughter while you were pregnant”  and “does your son spend alot of time in the bathroom”.

I have so many thoughts about this as I am sure you at home do, my first being “seriously?!?!” I mean, firstly the questions themselves play into the fears that parents have about what they may have “done” to “turn” their kids gay. It continues to play into the misconceptions out there.

I realize this app was probably created to help ease parents into the idea that their child may be gay, perhaps making them feel they could initiate a discussion feeling like they have somehow prepared themselves, but I don’t think this will help. I do think it will only promote bullying, hatred and misunderstanding. I think kids have a hard enough time out there without something like this out there.

What are your thoughts?

Dawn

• Adjust your personal commute – Ask yourself: do you have to be in the office by 9? Can you leave before or after the traditional afternoon rush hour (4 – 6 p.m.)? If you can avoid those “peak-of-the-peak” times, even by half an hour, that can make a big difference and help those who do need to go at those times. The busiest transit spots are:
  • Commercial/Broadway bus stops have extremely long lineups for the 99 B-Line from about 8:15 – 8:45 a.m. but only a short wait immediately before or after. At that time, B-Line buses run about 2 minutes apart, and with a capacity of around 100 passengers, the wait is not very long.
  • Commercial/Broadway Platforms 3 & 4 (upstairs on the south side of Broadway) see a steady build-up of passengers between 7 and 8 am and then the heaviest loads between 8 – 8:45 a.m. before the rush begins tapering off to normal daytime volumes by about 9:30 a.m.
  • Production Way/University crowds hit their peak between 8 and 9 a.m. with students going to SFU
  • Brighouse sees its heaviest crowds between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.

• There’s often more than one way… Check out your route options with the TransLink Trip Planner (www.translink.ca) because they might work better than your normal choice, for example:
  • The Broadway Corridor is one of the most-used transit corridors in all of North America, so over the years, TransLink has developed east-west routes worth choosing instead, such as:
    • #84 (from VCC-Clark Station via Olympic Village Station)
    • #25 (from Brentwood via Nanaimo and King Edward; rush-hour frequency between Nanaimo and King Edward has been improved as of Sept. 5)
    • #33 (from 29^th Ave. Station via King Edward Station; rush-hour frequency has been improved as of Sept. 5)
    • #41 (from Joyce via Oakridge-41^st Station)

• #49 (from Metrotown via Langara-49^th Ave. Station).
• If you’re driving to the Tri-Cities from Surrey or Langley or connecting to Highway #1 eastbound from anywhere north of the Fraser River, you might find the trip is faster and less congested over the Golden Ears Bridge (even with paying the toll, you’ll save money in the long run in gas and car costs).
• Google Transit is integrated into TransLink’s web site, providing all your road and transit options.

• Get up-to-the-minute information – TransLink has a variety of customer information tools that can help you find out the best way to go:
  • Twitter - @translink
  • By phone – 604-953-3333
  • Next Bus – text the 5-digit bus stop code to 33333 to find out the next 6 scheduled arrivals (for a specific bus stopping at a multi-route stop, add a space and then the route number after the bus stop code)
  • Trip Planner – (through www.translink.ca), enter your starting and finishing points and the time you want to travel and get the best three trip plans, sorted by time or walking distance.
  • Real-time info – get real-time transit information from TransLink’s new mobile information site, m.translink.ca.

Getting ready to enjoy 11 full days off, what I believe to be the longest amount of time I have ever taken since I moved to Vancouver in 2004. When I said goodbye to everyone on Wednesday after the show, everyone replied with an enthusiastic “Where are you going?”

Nowhere….just staying here.

“What will you be doing?” Well, that answer is a little more uncertain.

I have to do something right? I mean sleeping in past 4am is a great start, but then what? Lay on the couch like I have many a Saturday, knowing I was back at work on Monday? 

Friday I am going to the Power of Women in Vancouver - an investment for sure, but one I am making in myself – I am hoping for some insight/ validation of what I am capable of, and perhaps more importantly, some insipiration on what the next year (or 10) can bring to my life. 

I have also made arrangements to take the ferry over to Bowen Island to take my fellow Leo friend Georgia Nicols for lunch. Something I have wanted to do for a very long time.

Perfect - 2 days down. Ok…maybe 2 days and then the bit of time it took me to write this blog. Now what? Is figuring out what I am to do everyday going to turn into another full-time job? Sounds like a “first world problem” doesn’t it? Maybe the goal here WILL be to do nothing. Or at least be OK with that. We’ll see…

See you on August 22nd!

Dawn

Almost 12 years ago, I began my television broadcasting career as a weather presenter. I had no TV experience but my General Manager said I had personality – and as long as I had that, they could train me to do the rest.

Not many of us are good at our job right from the start…and I was no exception – take a peek at my AUDITION TAPE – seriously, how did I get the gig?? But I did…and the rest is history.

As you know,  last 3 years on Breakfast Television brought me an additional role as Co-Host, but I was still holding on to that “Weather” side of things doing double duty on the show. It was my comfort, my stability, my regular presence on the show.

Today though, was the last day I would hold onto that dual role (although I will still fill in) . Beginning August 9, 2011, News1130\’s Russ Lacate, who is a Meteorologist, will hold the weather position. This is a great thing for the the show, and we hope for you, the viewer.

This can also be a great thing for me personally and professionally as I will be given the opportunity to focus soley on the role that I was given 3 years ago. My chance to grow into that role (as I did the weather over a decade ago), offering to it, my complete attention. This again is a great thing for the show and we hope you the viewer will get more of what you need out of Breakfast Television. Another plus- now when the weather is wrong, you can bug him! lol…

And so, after over 2500 shows of presenting the weather, I am handing over the reins to Russ with with a warm welcome attached to it and I hope you welcome him to the team with open arms as well!

gotta give the new guy a bit of a hard time!

Thanks to everyone for their support!

Dawn

If you missed ‘America’s Got Talent’ (AGT) last night, allow me to put the spotlight on the final act of the evening, ‘Team iLuminate’. This group brought the house down with their innovative dance routine, infused with laser lights and goose bump inducing creativity.

Check out the clip and be sure to catch the results show tonight at 9pm on Citytv. Plus, if you’ve got a hidden talent check out Canada’s Got Talent and apply! Auditions are in Vancouver on September 19th and 20th.

RM

Hey all – sorry for my delay in posting…just trying to get back into my routine after a bit of time off!

Just wanted to thank everyone for their support with the 26 Week Transformation Project… it was a real success for me, having lost 10lbs of fat and gained 5 lbs of muscle!

Dr. Lyon and I tossing that fat away for good!

But now it’s been a few weeks…and no updates on TV to keep me accountable. So how am I doing at keeping it off?

GREAT!! In fact, I have lost a little more weight and I still feel great – a true testament to the benefits of stabilizing those blood sugars. My new way of eating is truly a habit now!

To everyone out there embarking on their own journey – I wish you the best- you can do it!

Dawn