That’s What She Said, Pet chickens, Walmart’s Chinese New Year, Love and Hip Hop

26 January 2012 No Comments

By Darling Nicky

Backyard Chickens

“If you aren’t supposed to have chickens as pets, then why do they always send you home with baby chicks for a week in Kindergarten?” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

So catching up on some of the local news this week and came across the story about Toronto woman Trish Tervit who has come to attention regarding the issue of her questionable choice of pet: chickens. Hens to be specific.

The City of Toronto does have a ban on chickens, of which she was aware, however not wanting her daughters to miss out on the opportunity of ever having pets citing allergies; she chose to try out the “backyard” chickens. About a year and a half later, a neighbour filed a complaint and Tervit is now awaiting a decision on whether the chickens can stay with her family under a section of the city bylaws that would allow for backyard hens for egg consumption, and not slaughter.

I immediately thought of my childhood friend who had lizards as pets. Rabbits. Mice even. So, I was really puzzled that there would even be such a ban on chickens. Chickens have no more chance of presenting a danger to society than squirrels, raccoons or other animals commonly found across the city. When I lived in Florida, there were chickens crossing the street at the cross walk.

“If you can have a garden to grow your own vegetables, why can’t you have a chicken to lay your own eggs?” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

#thatswhatSHEsaid

“Wal-Mart is the crack of retailers. (Any retailer that is smart enough to specifically cater to Asians for Chinese New Year is dope!” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

You don’t become the country’s largest retailer for no reason. The American big box retailer Wal-Mart understands the balance of high volume mass retailing while balancing that “neighbourhood store” feel. The supercentre location in Scarborough at Markham and Steeles strategically catered to the Asian community in honour of the Chinese New Year by housing an Asian bakery, a fish market and a butcher. Fish mongers preparing lobster, crab and tilapia not only served as a convenience to the almost 40% Asian customer base at this location, but added to the overall atmosphere and awareness of the Chinese holiday.

Many Canadians continue to have concerns over the “Americanization” of our retail landscape, but Wal-Mart has, for the most part, achieved solid customer loyalty in every community that bears a store, since it was first introduced in this country. I think it’s wonderful that during this special time of year members of this particular community can have access to the supplies and groceries that are needed to celebrate this holiday, as is so often enjoyed by others during the Christmas season.

Kung Hei Fat Choi might also be a neat way to say “Save Money Live Better”.

#thatswhatSHEsaid

Love and HipHop: What’s Not to Love?

“#confession: I had to. I just had to. I had to follow Chrissy, Kimbella, Yandy, and Emily on Twitter. I’m sorry, and I hate myself.” via @darlingnicky999 on Twitter

Ever have one of those moments when you’re just like, “Why Lord, why me?” Well, I had a moment like that recently after having successfully avoided the virtual hypnosis caused by excessive reality TV viewing for years, I found myself lured into a foreign dimension when I was introduced to VH1’s reality TV series Love and Hip Hop, which has been airing on Monday evenings in the U.S.

The show centred around some of the romantic partners of several famous rappers including Chrissy Lampkin, (fiancée to Jim Jones of The Diplomats), Emily Bustamante (mother of son with Fabolous), Kimbella Vanderhee (mother of son with Juelz Santana) along with Jim himself, his “phsyichotic b*tch” mother, Mama Jones (and NO, I did not misspell psychotic, watch the show and you’ll understand.)

I really have no idea how I ended up in front of a 60” inch LED screen TV with laptop connected by HDMI cords with a bowl of chips and a curiosity that seemed innocent enough initially, until some seven hours later I was STILL in front of the TV having watched ALL 10 episodes of Season 1, a reunion show, and the first two episodes of Season 2 before realizing I should probably eat or check on the laundry.

This show takes the raw emotion of the young black women brought into the music scene via their boyfriends or perhaps their own career ambitions, and casts a spotlight on all the unpredictable, heartfelt, crazy happenings that exist when you mix “Love and Hip Hop”. From Jim’s woman Chrissy proposing to him, to Jim’s mother recording a light-hearted diss record toward her, Fab’s woman taking a stand and moving out from their home, and former G-Unit female singer Olivia trying to score a record deal after two very public failed ventures, this show puts it all out there for us to see.

I wouldn’t recommend this show if you aren’t prepared to give up the better part of your day because like a vacuum, it will suck you in with no remorse. Thank goodness for all those online TV link sites or I would have missed out on this guilty pleasure, which has had me hating myself since the very first neck roll.

#thaswhatSHEsaid

Darling Nicky is an entertainment writer, blogger and publicist. Check out her out at www.darlingnicky.ca