About Me

Mary's Home Page

About Me

This is the page where I'll describe myself in more detail.

Thanks for visiting my site. I hope you enjoy your visit. Where to start about me? Well, how about a brief bio?

I was born in Los Angeles, California to a very Irish family. The first girl after four boys. Yes, even my dad couldn't believe that I was a girl and made the nursery staff reveal my gender to him.

After living in California for a short time my dad had an option to transfer and both parents decided that we would move to Toledo, Ohio because my mom was born and raised here.

A few years later my parents added one more child to their inventory, another girl. Oh how they didn't realize how much trouble raising two girls would be!

Well, until I decide on what to really do with this site here's a briefing on what I'm all about.

What some people don't know about me: My friends have nick-named me "IMP". Yep, a little devil in disguise, perveyor of all that is naughty. I may be quiet on the outside but I can be mischievous on the inside.

My dad took a trip in June of 96 to Ireland and traced our geneology. Come to find out that our history traces back to Breifne. He came back with this breif bit of information about one of our ancestor's Tieranan O'Rourke. It was in the part of Leveroch called Fid Dorcha that Dermot McMorrough made his last stand against Tieranan ORourke of Breifne before going to seek the help of the Normans in 1166.

UPDATE: Since starting this site I've done something a little radical. Actually, I've been planning on doing this "radical" thing since I turned 40 last October. What is this you ask? Well, I'm now a "freak" or permanently "scarred" on my left shoulder. I got a tattoo.

Some might think I'm a little crazy. But I have my reasons for it. This was well thought over and my friends Jayne, who drew and went through a few re-designs of the pattern, and Bev who edited the pattern with her computer, helped to make a decision as to the final pattern and what it should represent. The pattern is that of a horse (see pictures in the photo album) . To me a horse represents a "free spirit", always moving forward towrds the future without looking back to the past. Ever since I was a young girl horses have been a part of my life that I feel some sort of spiritual connection. My turning 40 represented a turning point in my life that follows this representation.

Travel: I love to travel. Here's a sampling of a few places I love to visit:

The Smoky Mountains:

I've been traveling to the Smoky's for the past ten years and love each experience. Although it's a favourite vacation spot for many folks and the changes over the years has added to more developement you can still travel here and find many places in the Smoky Mountain National Park to relax. Most of the park is well preserved and takes you back to a time when it was un-spoiled, serene and clean.

One of my favourite areas of the park is the Cades Cove section located in the western area that offers a valley an historic church, homesteads, horse pasture and hiking trails.

You can also take a hiking trip on the Appalacian trail which is accesible from areas within the park. One area is by the Newfound Gap area of the park located in the center of the park. The drive to this area takes about 20 to 30 minutes, provides great views and consists of a two lane highway that has many twists and turns. So, take your motion sickness medicine before venturing that way. The altitude changes are rather quick as well so be prepaired.

Places to stay in and near the park are a pleanty. You can either stay at area hotels or lodges in the Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge (the home of Dolly Parton) areas as well as rent cabins and chalets (my personal option) from various seasonal owners through out the travel season that provide more room for family's and have weekly rates that are more econimical for any traveling family. If camping is on the itinerary there are also pleanty of places to stay in either town or in the Smoky Mountains National park as well.

Driving in the areas, especially duiring high season is a bit treterous due to the one main highway that goes through both city's at times so patience is a must. But slowly driving through both gives you pleanty of time to see the many attractions that line the streets. Family fun is pleanty!

Canada: Why? Who knows for sure. Maybe, if you believe in such a thing, it has to do with past life? I started my travels to Canada as a teenager when my family went camping at Pinery Provincial Park in western Ontario. I loved the experience. Then there's Toronto, Ontario.

Ive been visiting there for the past 18 years and have yet to see the whole city.

On the trips to Toronto I've been to CN Tower, the restaurant there the 360, Casa Loma, Ontario Place, Ontario Science Museum, The Royal Ontario Museum, Centre Island, Eaton Centre, The Pantages Theatre for "Phantom" in it's final year, Hummingbird Centre for it's opening gala in '96 and more. I know there's more to see it's just getting the time and money to do it.

Other trips to Canada include Saulte Ste. Marie, Ontario, Tobermory, Owen Sound, Barrie and Windsor, Ontario, only 45 minutes from home. Multiple visits to Windsor include the annual International Freedom Festival celebrating Detroit and Windsor unity.

I've been to Mill Cove Nova Scotia, on the South Shore about 35 minutes drive south west of Halifax, to visit with friends three times. One of those trips I took my daughter by train, VIA Rail. Something I'll always treasure and will eventually do again some day. While in Nova Scotia we either rent a cottage or stay at B&B's. One B&B I like is called the Just Inn Tyme B&B hosted by Julie and Gary is located between Fox Point and Mill Cove. It's just gorgeous there. So quiet, serene, peaceful. There's nothing like listening to the sound of the Loons and the waves from the Atlantic Ocean clapping on the beach near by.

Charity work: I'm a volunteer for the Motion Picture Industry Charitable Alliance, M.P.I.C.A. for short. A charity that holds annual auctions called Lights, Camera, Auction. I've been with them since the beginning in October, 1998. The auctions are recognized world wide as L.C.A.'s. Since then there have been a total of six auctions and more to come!

The auctions are held annually in Toronto, Ontario Canada. The volunteer staff members like to jokingly consider themselves Charity Zombies because of the lack of regular sleep and long working hours to make sure the auction goes off without a hitch.

What I like about the auctions? Volunteering for them is addicting! You can't put a value on the wonderful feeling you get when its all done knowing that you have helped the charities benefiting from the event. As well, you are getting together with many folks who have faithfully returned year after year to aid the charities, re-kindle friendships, catch up on life in general. Its like a reunion of sorts, one big party! I look forward to that every year.

More information about the Motion Picutre Industry Charitable Alliance can be found on my links section.

I thought this was an interesting 'About Me' survey.

WHAT COLOR ARE YOUR KITCHEN PLATES? Tan with blue trim.

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? None, if I tried to read I'd fall asleep.

WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Marco's Pizza advertisement. What can I say? It was free.

FAVORITE BOARD GAME? Trivial Persuit.

FAVORITE MAGAZINES? Any home improvement ones. I have an old house!

LEAST FAVORITE SMELL? Liver & Onions.

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKEUP IN THE MORNING? Where's the coffee?

FAVORITE COLOR? Warm, comfy tones. Reds, creams, sages.

LEAST FAVORITE COLOR? Pink! Yuck!

HOW MANY RINGS DOES IT TAKE BEFORE YOU ANSWER

THE PHONE? 3-4.

FUTURE CHILD'S NAME? None! I'm blessed with the two I already have.

WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IN LIFE? My children and happiness.

CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? Chocolate, most definatly.

DO YOU LIKE TO DRIVE FAST? LOL! Led foot Lizzy here!

DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL? I use to.

STORMS - COOL OR SCARY? Cool!

WHAT TYPE WAS YOUR FIRST CAR? '76 Monte Carlo.

IF YOU COULD MEET ONE PERSON DEAD OR ALIVE? Princess Diana.

FAVORITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK? Canadian Club and 7-UP.

WHAT IS YOUR SIGN & YOUR BIRTHDAY? Scorpio, October 26.

EAT THE STEMS OF BROCCOLI? Nope!

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB WHAT WOULD IT BE? Airline Industry, again.

YOUR HAIR COLOR? Medium, reddish brown.

EVER BEEN IN LOVE? Yes, and it still hurts.

FAVORITE MOVIE? Any good comedy.

DO YOU TYPE WITH YOUR FINGERS ON THE RIGHT KEYS? Yes.

WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED? Killer Dust Bunnies.

FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Hockey, Hockey, HOCKEY!!!!!!!

WHAT IS YOUR SINGLE BIGGEST FEAR? Falling.

FAVORITE CD ? Depends on my mood. Could be Evenscence 'Fallen' or John Tesh 'One World', among many others.

FAVORITE TV SHOW? 1-800-MISSING and Due South. I'm currently looking for another when I have the time.

KETCHUP OR MUSTARD? Mustard.

HAMBURGERS OR HOT-DOGS? Hot dogs.

FAVORITE SOFT DRINK? Coke.

BEST PLACE YOU'VE EVER BEEN? Every place I've ever traveled to.

DO YOU HAVE A SCREEN SAVER? Not at present.

BURGER KING or MCDONALD'S? Burger King. Slopper Jr., no tomato, extra pickle and cheese occasionally.

PASSIONATE ABOUT? Heh! You really don't want me to tell you now do you?

Here's more of what I'm about.

Astrological sign: Scorpio

A Hopeless Romantic: A dreamer about it.

Kids?: Yes, two. A son and a daughter. They are my world.

Things I Like: Nature, canoeing, hiking, music ranging from modern, contemporary, classical, jazz, rock, new wave. Artists include Lenny Kravitz, Sarah McLaughlin, Tragically Hip, Creed, Evanscence, John Tesh.

Favourite Animal ('s): Horses, dogs, cats.

Favourite Color ('s): Reds, golds, sages, browns, creams.

Favourite Wine: White Zinfendel.

Favourite Beer: Molson

Favourite Sport: Hockey.

Teams: The Detroit Red Wings and The Toronto Maple Leafs

What's the last movie I saw that I liked?: "The Devine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood." Very deep.

What's the first album I ever owned?: The "Star Wars" soundtrack. I love the music in the film and really like John Williams compositions.

The last book I read?: "The Glass Lake" by Mauve Binchy.

Pet Peeves: People who are fakes.

Favourite food: Pot roast.

Worst job: Secretary at an insurance office.

Best job: Working for a major airline. I was weaned on Jet A fuel. Airplanes have been in my blood since child hood thanks to my dad and one of my brothers.

What one gadget/gizmo I can't live without?: My remote control's to the T.V., VCR, stereo and DVD player. I wouldn't know how to operate the devices without them.

What hobby do I have that would suprise most people?: Crocheting. Forget the insturctions that come with the yarn. I like to create my own patterns.

If I could change one thing about myself what would it be?: To be a better cook.

Whom do I admire?: My late grandmother Peg. When I was younger I would sit and listen to her stories of being born and raised in the plains of Colorado and take to heart the advice she gave me on seeing the good in people.

What is my greatest extravagence?: My 2003 GMC Envoy! It rocks! My friends like to say "Have Envoy, will travel!"

My favourite quote's: "I carry my dreams in my pocket."

"Talk show, <click of remote>, talk show <click of remote>, talk show <click of remote>, ah Curling!" Steve Yzerman - Detroit Red Wings Captain.

Strangest question asked?: "You sure you're an American?"

Favourite television shows: "Due South". So far I have the first two seasons on DVD and plan on getting the third season when it's available.

"1-800-MISSING" - Season One

Webmaster's Note: Since this page was built the series has been renewed twice and is currently in season three. Season one was my favourite because it had a much better feel to the story lines.

In the season's to follow most of the original cast in exception to Caterina Scorsone has moved on to other projects. The show since then has turned in to what I feel is a 'Super Drama'. In other words, too much action, kick-em in the ass, I'm invincible super agents as opposed to what it was in season one to which was more realistic.

The story lines for season two started out a little too lame and without much transition in to the main characters' growth from season one to season two. Season one, she's a consultant that contemplates going to training. Beginning of season two, she's a rookie agent thrown in to the action before she's done with training.

Needless to say, I was a little dissapointed with that development and nauseated at the change of character so quickly!

The show, based on the books 1-800-Where -Are-U by Meg Cabot , premiered in early August with record network viewer ratings. It was originally contracted to air 13 episodes originally but after the record ratings was tagged with 5 additional episodes rounding out the season with 18.

The series centers on a special missing persons task force formed by F.B.I. Special Agent In Charge Alan Coyle, S.A.I.C., (Dean McDermott, Due South, Power Play, Open Range), after he instructs one of his agents Brooke Haslett (Gloria Reuben, E.R., Homicide - Life of the Street), to investigate a college student, Jess Mastriani's (Caterina Scorsone), psychic ability to find missing persons with visions she gets in her dreams.

A reluctant Jess can't understand herself but thinks it may have something to do with being struck by lightning one night while trying to talk her brother off of a bridge during one of this dilusional episodes. She finds herself being taken in to custody by Brooke to investigate further her ability.

After a brief testing session Jess finds herself in a meeting with Coyle and Haslett discussing her abilities and that the F.B.I. could use her as a special consultant in finding missing persons. Brookes skeptical and reluctant about this new team but is given no choice in the matter when Alan assigns her the position and welcomes Jess to the F.B.I. The team adds up to Alan Coyle, S.A.I.C., agent Brooke Haslett, Sunny Estrada (Justina Machado), and Jess Mastriani.

I'm not going to spoil it any further. If you'd like, you can catch the show on Saturday's at 10:00pm Eastern on Lifetime Network.

Since the last time I updated this site alot has happened with "1-800-MISSING". The good news first. The show was renewed by Lifetime network for a second season with a firm 13 episode commitment. The bad news: Gloria Reuben (Brooke Haslett), will not be returning for the renewel. Gloria chose on her own to not continue with the show to further persue other projects in the business.

'CSI'

Although not quite accurate for actual investigations it's close enough. This is another show that really catches my attention. The detail of each story line is enough to catch my attention and keep me there through out the entire show.

More summary coming soon!