We have just over a month to go till Christmas. Are you ready?
The Starbucks cups were out on the 1st, St. Paul’s Lights of Hope turns on next Thursday and the Christmas Train starts up on December 2nd, Each unique event reminds us of how close we are coming to the family holiday.
And there’s so much to do…
The cleaning is what stresses us out. Vacuuming, scrubbing, dusting, polishing – it all must be done before the family arrives.
Then there are the lights to be hung, the tree to buy and the sweets to be baked.
Finding time to rest over the holidays can be a chore in itself. To improve your horizontal hours, purchase a Simmons Beautyrest mattress from Vancouver’s mattress store. It will be a gift that you can enjoy every day of the year. You can’t say that about the Rudolph-themed slippers you received from Uncle Rob.
Since 1998, St. Paul’s Hospital in downtown Vancouver has been creating a public light display to raise funds for various projects and causes connected with the hospital.
This year, the ‘Lights of Hope’ display intends to raise $1.9 million in corporate and private donations. The St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation has already raised a total of $16 million since the conception of the light show.
The set-up for the lights began on November 5th, when a 100 volunteers helped erect the carefully planned display. It is estimated that the lights would span 10 kms, if attached as a single line. That would be quite the sight.
If you would like to donate, visit the charity’s website: http://www.helpstpauls.com The site suggest many creative ways to give, from security stock, to a mention in the will, to a monthly donation. Whatever you can afford to give, they’ll use.
The projects that the hospital wishes to fund are: the purchase of a new CT scanner, two 3D-capable echocardiography machines, bronchoscopy equipment, for the detection of lung disease and the completion of the Diagnostic Treatment Unit.
The official opening of this year’s Lights of Hope display will be on Thursday, November 24th.
Simmons Mattress Gallery is not usually a forum for gossip speculation, but the recent split of newlyweds Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries has us a little concerned.
The marriage lasted a total of 72 days. They didn’t even complete a financial quarter. Imagine what all the guests who attended that wedding are feeling. I bet a few of them are wishing they didn’t spend so much on their gift.
But the real question is: Why are so many celebrity couples calling it quits?
Is it the pressures of being in the spotlight? The legions of fans who bolster their egos? Is it that they were never in love to begin with? Are all these marriages simply grandiose publicity stunts?
No. Most probably started with love, but somewhere along the way, the fire died.
Sleeping apart from your partner can have that effect. We firmly believe the couple that sleeps together, stays together. Often celebrity couples are forced apart by the demands of their jobs. Without a permanent mattress to share, the individuals start to feel less like a union and more like two private enterprises.
Thankfully, most couples that buy our mattresses are able to enjoy the comfort they offer together. With non-flip pocket coils, designed to eliminate motion transfer, both partners can rise in the morning refreshed from an undisturbed sleep. When both parties in a relationship are rested, there is less chance of minor issues blowing up into major ones. There is also more energy for the other endeavors that mattresses provide.
Don’t model your life on the fleeting bond of two distant stars. Stay grounded on a mattress that supports the weight of a committed relationship.
Let’s take a look back at the beds that defined you:
The Wooden Prison – Your crib provided you with a confined space to for those short periods of sleep between epic crying bouts. The upside: you never had to get up to go to the washroom in the middle of the night. The downside: lack of freedom.
The Layer Cake – All of your friends were envious of your bunk bed, but sharing a bedroom with your older brother quickly lost its novelty. You dreamed of the top bunk, but sadly were forced to settle for the lower class bottom bunk for eight long years.
Puberty Plank – Pimples, emerging hair and voice crackles were manageable, but your Grade Ten growth spurt put your feet off the end of your twin mattress; it left you with 3/4’s of a comfortable night’s rest.
College Daze – If your dorm room mattresses could speak, we’re sure it would utter something along the lines of Kurtz’s final words; “The horror….the horror.”
Young Professional - Independent enough to buy your first bed – too poor to shop anywhere but IKEA.
Marriage Bed – She insisted on going to a proper mattress store. Together, you picked out a Beautyrest. Everything up to that point was…history.
An uninterrupted sleep can dramatically increase your daily health. There – we said it! But the next best thing is laughter.
We’re not 100% sure of the science, but we do know a good laugh is a great way to relieve anxiety. Forget the scented candles and bubble bath, grab a friend and find a local comedy club or check the events calendar for local comics coming to town. Then take a night-off from work/kids/bridge and laugh your way back to health.
This month, Paul F. Tompkins will be visiting the city and performing at the Rio Theatre, only a few km’s from our Broadway location. Tompkins’ humour is a little quirky, but if you have ever listened to his podcast or his appearances on Comedy Bang Bang, you wouldn’t miss this night for your Grandmother’s funeral. Tompkins will be taking to the stage on November 30th. For a little taste of his style, listen to the audio clip below:
Never been to the Rio Theater? You are in for a treat. Be forewarned, this is an adults only show and as a result, beer will be served. And yes, you may take your cans of PBR into the Theatre.
Another great venue for traveling comedians, as opposed to the community kind, is the River Rock Theatre. Last year, legendary comics Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld performed at the Rock.
If a smaller, more casual setting is more to your taste, check out the Comedy Mix in the Century Plaza Hotel downtown.
Out in the burbs? Try LaffLines in New Westminster. Tracy MacDonold, a fine Canadian comic, will be performing on November 4th and 5th.
Language is a toolbox from which we borrow implements to cut, shape and model our thoughts. From Facebook posts, to journal entries, to private poems, our soul is portrayed through the words we connect together.
This month, writers and readers from around the province will have a chance to celebrate the expressive power of writing. The 24th Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival will be held on Granville Island from Tuesday, October 18th to Sunday, October 23rd. It begins with an interactive session with the children’s author, Paulette Bourgeois. Bourgeois is the creator of the ‘Franklin’ series that adults and their children have enjoyed since 1986. The discussion is aimed at young readers. Primary teachers and encouraged to bring their classes down for this midmorning discussion.
The final event of the festival is the Governor General’s Award Party, where four previous recipients of Canada’s highest literary achievement will discuss the award and it’s social merit. The four writers, Nino Ricci, John Pass, Joan MacLeod and John Vaillant, will each read a short passage from their decorated work.
In between these bookends, will be a number of author seminars, publishing and writing workshops, poetry slams and literary debates.
The Vancouver festival will also host a short story and poetry contest for emerging writers. Deadline for submissions is October 23rd.
But words are things, and a small drop of ink, falling like dew upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think. -Lord Byron
Two weeks ago, we posted a story on Randy Gardner, the official Guinness record holder for the number of consecutive hours without sleep. The young man attempted the feat as part of a science experiment.
Since writing that article, Simmons Mattress Gallery has received a number of emails about other famous insomniacs.
One story that stood out from the others was the story of Peter Tripp. Tripp was a disc jockey, who in 1959, stayed awake for 201 hours as part of a promotional stunt for a New York radio station. The stunt took place in a glass booth in Times Square.
Unlike Gardner, Tripp used pharmaceutical stimulants to stay awake. Doctors, who should have known better, supplied these.
By the fifth day of the stunt, witnesses claim Tripp took on a crazed look. He began to hallucinate, claiming to see kittens and mice scurrying around the makeshift studio. He also became spooked when a man in a trench coat visited. Tripp believed the man to be an undertaker and ran out into the street in fear. He was dragged back to his turntables.
The stunt was successful in raising money for the March of Dimes, a charity whose mission is to promote the health of young infants. Tripp’s health, however, declined after the stunt. Years later, he would complain of recurring headaches and emotional instability.
We think a car wash would have been a much healthier fundraiser.
The Queen of pop, Rihanna, has released a brand new video on a subject close to our hearts. Rihanna’s new single, “California King Bed,” details the relationship between two lovers who, even though they share a bed, are separated by an emotional distance.
The red-haired singer laments, “It feels like more than distance between us / In this California king bed / We’re 10,000 miles apart.”
In the video, directed by Anthony Mandler, Rihanna is seen lying in bed with a muscular model. As the song progresses, the bed widens and a physical separation appears between the couple.
Ironically, a California King, the largest mattress in the Simmons Beautyrest line, is four inches longer, not wider, than a regular king size mattress. Our Simmons’ mattress professionals recommend this mattress for individuals taller than 6’’.
The Barbados pop star measures in at 5′9”, a height that probably does not require the extra four inches in length. Our suggestion for Rihanna, go with a Queen size. It will bring you and your significant other closer and still allow for extended, after-hours play.
We understand her choice though, as ‘California king’ works more effectively as a symbol for her conflict and her lover.
The official video was released on Monday, May 9th. The single, we’re sure, will be the radio hit of the summer, adding to the list of hits that Rhianna’s Loud album has already generated.
Vancouverites will be able to see the singer live when she performs two sold out shows in June. We already have our tickets. Fingers crossed she encores with “California King Bed.”
Good morning! Two words that sneak from our lips, but often mean far too little.
What is a ‘good morning’? Is it a greeting, a statement of fact or a question?
Well if the Viagra commercials are to be believed, it is a state of being; a post-performance glow. It has gentlemen in suits leaping over hedges, bounding down sidewalks and freely swinging their briefcases.
According to The Beatles it is a mundane rundown of your average day, mixed with a flirty skirt and a barnyard serenade.
Here at Simmons Mattress Gallery, we believe a ‘good morning’ is the product of a peaceful night’s sleep on our superior, non-flip pocket coil mattress. Nothing prepares your mind, body and soul for taking on the new day than an undisturbed rest. And quite simply, that is what a Simmons mattress provides. Our Beautyrest line will provide more spring than any blue pill will.
Try a Simmons today and you will never look back. You will greet your staff with a boastful ‘How was your sleep last night? Mine was amazing!’ That is how to start the day. Leave the chickens and the pill popping to the ill informed.
Are you looking for a unique theatrical experience that will arouse your senses, bring you to tears with laughter and inspire your passions at home? Of course you are!
This week, our city hosts the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival. For three nights, international stars will join the performers of Vancouver’s growing burlesque scene on two different stages.
On May 5th and 6th the show will take place at the Rickshaw theatre. There will be three performances each night, with single and ensemble acts.
On May 7th, the action moves to the Vogue Theatre. This night will include a long line-up of stars that will perform from 8:00 on.
If you are curious about the burlesque artistry and would like to get involved as a participant, there are workshops being offered on Saturday May 7th at the Chicken Coop at 2280 East Hastings. Tickets are $20 per class. There are three classes being offered at this location along with a make-up class at the Prophouse Café.
General Admission seats for the nightly performances are $20. There is also the option to purchase tickets at fourteen VIP tables.
So pull out your fans and your fishnets and take in some sultry theatre at the 6th Annual Vancouver International Burlesque Festival.
A Simmons mattress is a quality product. We have built our company name for over a hundred years making beds for families across North America. When customers see our brand, they know they are buying a dependable product that offers the industry’s highest level of comfort.
But we aren’t the only ones with a Simmons moniker. There are three individuals in the entertainment industry that share our famous surname.
There is Russell Simmons; a legend in the hip-hop community for his co-founding of Def Jam records. Russell is also the brother of legendary hip-hop star ‘Run’ Simmons, from Run-D.M.C.
There is Gene Simmons; the mighty tongue from Kiss and failed Celebrity Apprentice star. Gene may have seen a lot of different beds in his lifetime, but we highly doubt he had any hand in creating them.
And of course there is Richard Simmons; the pint sized personal trainer with a fondness for AM radio favourites. See the video below for one of the funniest TV moments ever recorded.
Simmons Mattress Gallery is proud to share our name with these three men and we feel honoured that many of you think of mattresses first whenever you hear the Simmons name.
The Demon
You can rock’n'roll all night, but eventually you’ll gladly return to your Simmons pocket coils.
Maybe a stockbroker? Dealing with millions of dollars in stock each day would have to be ulcer inducing. You’re up, you’re down, you’re gambling with other people’s money. A whole company’s fortune could be lost in a day if you mess up.
What about a journalist? You would constantly be required to come up with new stories even when there was no ‘news’. Always under the gun…lawsuits pending…no job security…
How about the personal assistant to Naiomi Campbell? No explanation needed.
Well, the most stressful job, according to most surveys done around the world is air traffic controller. With dozens of planes circling some major airports, traffic controllers are responsible for literally thousands of lives at any given second. They can earn between $57,000 and $123,000 per year. The stress can lead to shorter careers than a NFL defensive lineman.
Shockingly, there have been a number of recent cases of these highly stressed individuals falling asleep on the job. Maybe they can’t fall asleep at night, due to their fear of accidently bringing down a jumbo jet. Whatever the case, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has issued new rules to prevent any further cases. Along with other measures, traffic controllers are now guaranteed one extra hour between shifts.
For the safety of millions of airline passengers around the world, we really believe these highly stressed workers should be finding their rest on the best mattresses possible; Simmons mattresses. Sleeping on a Simmons allows you to wake in the morning after enjoying a full night of undisturbed sleep.
If you’re finding you are losing sleep to stress, try a Simmons. We guarantee results.
In times like these, a little laughter is good for the soul. This week Ryan Kesler was providing Canuck fans with just that.
The athletic jokester was the key element in a montage video released by the Canucks. The video featured interviews with players from Vancouver’s team. The common thread between the interviews was Kesler’s appearance in the background.
In some of the tapes he is simply walking around shirtless, staring at the camera. In others, he is pranking the player being interviewed. The young American star asks Raffi Torres if he would like any pizza. In an interview with Cory Schneider, Kesler dons Luongo’s mask and walks into frame, testing the will of the interviewers themselves. In another, he skirts by with a popped collar and aviator shades.
Cluster Bomb
The collage video was added on Friday and was a viral sensation before the weekend was out. Kesler added to the hype on Saturday, when he appeared in a Daniel Sedin interview, slowly rising from behind the Swedish star.
Kesler has referred to his cameo technique as ‘videobombing.’
Good to know the Canucks are so loose heading into the playoff stretch.
The Westender Magazine has just published its annual Best of the City reader’s choice awards. From dining, to shopping, to health and fitness, the results are in and some of them are a little surprising.
In the people section, Mayor Gregor Robertson seems to be in every category. He’s third in the Most Wonderful Vancouverite category behind David Suzuki and our timeless captain Trevor Linden. He’s first in the Most Trustworthy Politician, in front of Spencer Chandra Herbert and ‘None’. But Robertson is also second in Most Spectacular Failure and second again in Biggest Windbag. Conflicting messages from the voters…
The city’s new bike lanes also seemed to be a dividing issue, with people either loving or hating them. The bike lanes won Best Use of Taxpayer’s Money and also came first in Worst Use of Taxpayer’s Money. The lanes also won Most Spectacular Failure, ahead of the wonderful HST.
Clear favourites in the foody section were Tojos for Chef and Japanese and surprisingly, the White Spot, which showed up on a number of the categories for casual fare.
We were a little surprised that Mattress Store was left off the list. We know it’s not nice to brag, but we’re pretty sure Simmons Mattress Gallery would have received top honours.
Justin Bieber and Drake were denied Grammies this Sunday, but their more mature compatriots – Neil Young, Michael Bublé and the Arcade Fire – managed to nab a few of the show’s top awards.
Bieber and Drake both lost out to American bassist and vocalist, Esperanza Spalding, in the new artist category. This was a crushing blow to the Bieb Army and to the many fans of Degrassi: The Next Generation.
But it was the Arcade Fire from Montreal, who pulled off the biggest upset of the evening by taking home the award for album of the year. After the announcement of the award, the ensemble group played an encore of “Ready to Start,” with the ironic lyrics: “all the kids have always known / that the Emperor wears no clothes.” Guess they never thought their indie pop would ever land them on a stage with a naked Eminem.
Neil Young proved his resilience, winning in the best rock song category with his track “Angry World.” It was Neil Young’s first Grammy for music.
Bruce Allen’s protégé, Michael Bublé, took home the award for Best Traditional Pop Album, with “Crazy Love” and housewives across the globe swooned simultaneously.
Simmons mattresses are a pleasure to sleep on. In a world of counterfeits and knock-offs, nothing beats a night on a pocket coiled Simmons. The masters of eliminating motion transfer, Simmons beds guarantee you and your loved one a sound sleep.
Well that is to say, ‘we guarantee a motionless sleep.’ All ’sounds’ that come from the two of you are your own. But we know that involuntary oral escapes can be a problem. Especially for the silent partner, the one who gets to enjoy the steam whistle every night.
For that lucky individual we have compiled a list of five snore remedies to try with your partner:
1. Ask your partner, in the nicest way possible, if they wouldn’t mind sleeping on their stomach. Sleeping on your back causes your throat to relax and block your airway.
2. Help or encourage your partner to butt-out. Smoking is one of the leading causes of snoring.
3. Use a humidifier to keep the air in your bedroom moist. Dry air can lead to a dry and irritable throat.
4. Ask your partner to try different throat exercises. Strengthening the muscles in your upper respiratory tract can help with the noise.
5. Try a new diet with your partner. Eating habits can directly affect your snoring. A diet of junk food leads to poor muscle tone and extra fatty tissue. Both of these contribute to snoring.
At least someone is sleeping...
*Nothing working. Time to talk to your doctor. Chances are he might recommend a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. This is a rather large commitment. Apart from being very pricey, the CPAP machine is fairly physically obtrusive in the bedroom. But if you can’t sleep…
Good luck with those tips. Try a few. And don’t worry. We’ll still keep on making quality beds for you to enjoy when that silent night finally comes.
The City of Vancouver has announced plans to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games this February.
The party will begin on the February 11th weekend. Free events are being planned that will take place at different locations around the city. Yaletown will have a nightly light display created by local artists, the Creekside Community Centre in the Athletes Village will be hosting a hockey sledge race and other Olympic activities for families, and Granville street will be closed between Smithe and Dunsmuir for the over 19 bar crowd.
The city will be announcing other events, closer to the date, at Vancouver.ca.
Some of the employees at Simmons Mattress Gallery are planning on reliving the magic of the Gold Medal Hockey Final by watching a taped copy of the game with a few friends. Remembering Crosby’s goal in overtime still brings shivers. The pride displayed that night by millions of Canadians was enough to warm the hearts of the most hardened separatists. That moment will never fade with time. It will always bind us as a nation; Canada’s Gold.
So pull out your red mittens, paint your face and share some memories of those two special weeks that we all shared together.
As a society, we are so hooked on caffeine that we are constantly finding new products to add it to. Some of the most bizarre caffeinated products currently on the market are:
Soap – Products like “Bath Buzz” contain 2400mg of caffeine in every bar. We guess this product is intended for those people who don’t have enough time to brew a morning cup. But mixing it with soap? What next? Morning caffeine toothpaste?
Oatmeal - Answering the question above, Sturm Foods has produced an warm breakfast cereal with a cup of coffee’s worth of caffeine. “Energy Instant Oatmeal” comes in three heart-racing flavours: cranberry apple, mixed berry and peach cobbler.
Inhaler – Yes, they’ve done it. Why bother drinking a mug of Columbian, when you can puff it back in less than a second. Buzzaire has created a puffer to blast 150mg of caffeine into your system with each depression. The manufacturer warns that no more than four doses are suggested in a 24-hour period.
But we’ve saved the best for last….
Pantyhose – Slim Fit 20 has a line of tights with sewn in caffeine microcapsules that release with body heat. The really alarming fact about this product is that the developers are trying to sell it as a weight-loss inducer. Somehow injecting caffeine into your legs will increase metabolism.
We Dare You To Keep Your Leg Still!
Our suggestion, avoid them all. The ONLY reason people need caffeine is to artificially stimulate wakefulness with increased adrenaline production. The only natural answer to daytime drowsiness is increased sleep at night. For those of you running on five hours each night, you are doing your body a daily disservice. Find the rest you need on a mattress from Simmons Mattress Gallery.
And when we are standing at the gates, who will judge us?
Apparently Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez.
The two aging megastars will be joining Randy Jackson on the three person American Idol panel. The judges will be critiquing the talent of the lucky few who make it past the initial screening process. Ultimately, they decide who will continue in the competition, until it is left up to the voting public.
Both Tyler and Lopez are expected to show a softer degree of criticism. The plan is to move away from the opinionated bullying often shown by judges from earlier seasons. Tyler and J. Lo are hoping to provide encouragement and career advice to the young up-and-comers. So look forward to a more cheerful production.
Gone from this years judging line-up are Simon ‘Always Negative’ Cowell and Paula ‘Fully Crazy’ Abdul. Both Cowell and Abdul are moving on to promote and star in their own televised talent shows. Cowell will be working on his own version of Idol in the U.K. The show is known as “X-Factor” and follows relatively the same format as Idol. Abdul is producing and starring in “Live to Dance.”
The first episode of this season’s American Idol will air Wednesday, January 19.
American Idol Panel (Plus Ryan Seacrest)
Oh and Ryan Seacrest is back… Was there even a doubt?
Though the boom years of the “X-Files” are over, Vancouver still is being sought as a shooting location for film and television productions. This past week, the big news around the city was that “Mission Impossible 4” had begun shooting. Tom Cruise was spotted at two public locations doing action scenes. The first was underneath the Burrard Bridge, just up from the Aquatic Center, in the West End. Tenants in the towers surrounding the set were able to watch Cruise perform a number of action sequences. The paparazzi arrived late and were under-the-gun to capture a shot of the megastar.
Later in the week, the crew set up outside the brand new Vancouver Convention Centre, across town. The neighbourhood was given a redress, standing in for an unknown city in India. Filming went late into the night, with Cruise performing a dramatic chase scene through parked traffic.
If you are looking to see Cruise in the flesh, you won’t be directed to set with giant signs that say Mission Impossible. The production company has chosen the code word ‘Aries’. So if you’re in the hunt, keep your eyes open for small white signs with green or orange arrows and the title “Aries” in the center.
Tom Cruise On Set In Vancouver
Other productions, currently shooting in Vancouver, are “Apollo 18,” a sci-fi picture concerning NASA’s last attempt to land on the moon and “The Grey,” a film about a group of stranded men who are stalked by a pack of wolves. “The Grey” stars Liam Neeson. It is expected to be released sometime in 2012.
There were many great stories in 2010. The Wikileaks escapade saw the world’s dirty laundry aired out for all the masses to read. Tiger Woods got busted without the help of Julian Assange. BP sprung a leak. Sabres were rattled in Korea. Miners were freed in Chile. And the Olympics were a huge success here at home, with Canada winning Hockey Gold.
But what about the movies? Simmons Mattress Gallery would like to spend a little time this week looking at the shining celluloid moments of 2010. Here are some of our favourite films from the year that was:
1. Inception
Christopher Nolan comes through again. Following his Blockbuster achievement with the Dark Knight, Nolan wrote and directed a sci-fi movie about dreams that had all the ingredients of a masterpiece. Like the Matrix, it pushed the limits of CGI while offering an engaging hypothetical storyline that was believable from its first ‘inception.’ If you haven’t seen this film, cross your fingers that they release it on the big screen. Our hat is off to you Mr. Nolan. The only question is: What will your next trick be?
2. The Social Network
A movie about a website that has become more addictive than cigarettes for its more than 500 million users. The film concerns the story of Mark Zuckerberg, ‘one’ of the handful of college students who helped create Facebook. It documents the many lawsuits that followed the websites release, when the world recognized the genius of a social networking tool that lets you stay updated with friends and associates from around the world. The movie has an excellent pace, intriguing characters and most importantly a heart. Even though Zuckerberg comes across as a total narcissistic —hole, he still, like all of us, just wants to be accepted for who he is.
[Friend Request Received]
3. Black Swan
From the director of ∏ and Requiem for a Dream, comes a movie that delves into the heart of madness. Natalie Portman is a ballerina who is vying for the lead role in Swan Lake. Perfectly suited for the white swan role, Portman must examine her darker side to come to an understanding of the black swan. There will be no question as to who will receive the best actress nod on Oscar night. It almost makes us forget those terrible scenes from Star Wars. Almost…
Feel free to comment and add your own review of a movie that moved you in 2010.
After publishing our Mattress Maintenance article last week, Simmons Mattress Gallery received some interesting questions from our readers. We thought, instead of answering them individually, we could share a few in a blog post.
1. “If I am unhappy with the support my box spring is providing, is it appropriate to add a layer of [plywood] between my foundation and my mattress?”
-NO! Absolutely not. If your foundation is so bad you need to beef it up with plywood, it’s time to buy a new bed set. You should never have to add anything to your bed set. Sorry to be so blunt, but your bed is not a sandwich.
2. “How do I prevent picking up bedbugs when I’m traveling?”
-Bed bugs are making a resurgence around the globe. Travelers can easily spread these annoying creatures. One way to minimize your chances of collecting bed bugs is to always store your luggage on a table or countertop. It may not be aesthetically pleasing to have your suitcase piled on the table, but the chance of bug collection dramatically decreases when you elevate your personal items. It is also a good idea to do a quick check of the mattress itself. Remove all the bed coverings and do a quick surface check. Bed bugs like the folds of the mattress, so always examine the hem lines just below the pillow top
Check Your Cracks and Folds
3. “My neighbour is offering to sell me his deluxe mattress of three years. What is an appropriate price to pay?”
-Zero. If it is a deluxe mattress, then there should be no reason why your neighbour would want to part with his bed after three years. He/She has probably damaged it. Either that, or it is not as deluxe as he/she claims. If you want to improve your sleeping conditions, purchase a ‘new’ mattress from a mattress dealer. If you want the best sleep possible, purchase a Simmons.
With thirty-five games ticked off, the Canucks are nearing the halfway mark of the season. They are finishing up a stellar December that saw them lead the league in power-play percentage. Their goaltending is two-tier, there seems to be strong leadership in the dressing room and one of their only losses this month was one of their best games (Dec. 22 / Detroit).
For a team that has gone its full existence, forty years, without a cup, it finally seems like Vancouver has put together a winning line-up. Not since the days of the West Coast Express, has Vancouver looked so poised for a deep playoff run.
And… we know it’s early and any number of things could happen to disrupt the near perfect chemistry that the team is currently showing, but really, if ever there was ever a time… this is it.
Well here’s a list of ten reasons why 2011 might just be THE year.
1.Luoooooo
-He may not be Captain, but he is still the pivot point on which the Canucks turn.
2. Super Twins
At the time of writing, the Sedin twins sit fourth and fifth in league points. Out of the bunk beds and onto a Beautyrest Black, the Sedins are showing the world that they have finally come of age. Thank you Sweden!
3. Malhotra in the Face-off Circle
What a pick-up! This guy is dominating the circle with the second highest percentage in the league. Don’t think that face-off percentage is an important stat? Back to your European handball.
4. Kes
That deflection goal last night was sick! And then one post away from a hat-trick. With none of the pressures of being Captain, Kesler is leading by example. We’ll forgive him for those few offhanded remarks he made about Canadians during the Olympics.
5. Fortunate Son
The son of former great Steve Tambellini, Jeff Tambellini is part of the new young breed energizing Vancouver.
6. Coach V
In his fifth season behind the bench, Alain Vigneault isn’t putting up with anything. Quick to send players down and even quicker to change line combinations, Vigneault is still keeping it fresh, while maintaining that mischievous grin.
7. German Efficiency
Christian Ehrhoff is giving the Canucks blue line a scoring touch. Night-in and night-out Ehrhoff stops them at one end and adds an offensive presence in the other.
8. Big Mike
All Mike Gillis needs to do is to maintain a steady course. “Please Mike don’t dump a bunch of contracts and snap-up another has-been like Mats. Just let the boys you have play.”
9. The Green Men
Nothing says intimidation like two dudes in full-body, fluorescent green, spandex suits. “What silly antic will they think up next.”
10. 40 Years
Enough is enough. It’s been FORTY YEARS! The time is now. The window is open.
Simon and his fiancé are traveling from Calgary. Brenda, Scotty and the kids are coming in from Oshawa. Fran is making her way from Nova Scotia and Frank and Laura are flying out of Cranbrook.
It’ll be a packed house.
The turkey has been bought, you’ve planned dinners for both Christmas Eve and Boxing Day and the presents are wrapped. The only thing left to do is to figure out where everyone will sleep.
2nd Bedroom (Jules’s) – Your two kids and Brenda and Scotty’s boys. They can squish. You have three extra foamies plus Jule’s bed.
3rd Bedroom (Mathew’s) – Simon and his finance. The bed’s small, but they’re in love. Well, newly in love, so you assume they still enjoy holding each other at night.
Office – Fran. It’s small as well, but there is a mattress in the garage that fits perfectly into the room. She’ll also be closer to the computer, which you’re sure she will appreciate.
Basement – Brenda and Scotty. They need a break from their little monsters and that’s the furthest spot away you could offer them.
Den – Laura and Frank, your husband’s parents.
But wait, you replaced the hide-a-bed last year with that new couch from the Brick. It doesn’t fold out! OMG! You can’t make them sleep on the floor…. Frank’s back is always bothering him. Plus, Laura would never forgive you. She’s still sour about the spaghetti incident from last summer.
What now?!??!
Don't Leave Your Loved Ones On The Floor
The quick solution: buy a spare mattress from Simmons Mattress Gallery. They’re open all week till six o’clock. You can make it to the Coquitlam location after work on Tuesday. You’ll have the mini-van and you can tie the mattress to the roof. Best of all, Laura can’t complain about the quality of a Simmons!
The annoying cookie crumbs, the red wine stain on the sheets, the pastrami under your pillow, with all the culinary clutter it’s hard to enjoy your amazing new Beautyrest properly.
Maybe it’s time you stood up and said something.
You could confront the issue head on, banning all edible items from the bedroom. You could collect articles on how food attracts bugs and decreases the sanitary level of your sleeping quarters.
Or… you could plan a quiet vacation to Germany with a casual stop at The Food Hotel.
The Food Hotel in Neuwied, Germany
It seems counter-productive, but after spending a night in a room totally devoted to food, your partner could be scared straight.
One of the hotel’s highlights is a room produced by Chio, a German chip manufacturer. The room features a rotating mirror ball, strobe lights and an integrated sound system. Who knew potato chips were the life of the party?
You always knew the ‘man in the red suit’ loved his cookies and milk and the odd sip of bourbon, but do you also know that Santa is a huge fan of the flapjack?
Breakfast with Santa, since its inception at the old Eatons building, has been a tradition in Vancouver for years. This year Santa will be making a pre-Christmas visit to sample breakfast wares at four different locations around the city:
1. The largest and most established event will be held at the Vancouver Convention Center. There will be a exquisite buffet offering, live entertainment and of course a visit from the jolly one himself. There are two dates planned for this event: December 18th and 19th.
2. For a more scenic meeting place, Grouse Mountain will be hosting a meet-and-greet in the Lupins Café at the top of the gondola. Buffet brunch will be provided, along with children’s entertainment. This event will run daily from December 15th to the 24th.
3. For a more community feel, both Douglas Park and West Point Grey Community Centre will be hosting Santa on the 11th of December. Crafts will be on display for purchase.
Have your child bring their wish list down and their appetite.
Walking the streets this month, you may notice a few more Burt Reynolds impersonators than normal. No, it’s not the thirtieth anniversary of Smokey and the Bandit (well it might be…probably should look that up), no, it’s the return of Movember. It is the time of year when men across the globe let their upper lip go untamed for a good cause.
The idea is simple, 30 days to grow a moustache and promote awareness for men’s health. Sponsorship is appreciated. Funds collected go to helping fight prostate cancer.
The idea was first started in 2003. Although no money was raised that first year, the men behind the movement were inspired by the women around them who had done so much for breast cancer. The men decided to attach their facial fodder to the cancer fight and Movember became an official event.
Last year Canadians raised 7.8 million during the Movember campaign.
Let’s try and break that this year. Support your hubbies pencil thin stache, persuade a family member to join and encourage that cute guy at the office to let his inner Tom Selleck out.
Simmons Mattress Gallery has been sharing blog entries with our readers for over a year now. We have written on a variety of topics ranging from our showroom mattresses, to events around town, to the local sport’s stories. We have given you useful information about sleeping disorders, bedbugs and relationship advice. We have had a lot of fun writing and researching our articles. I hope you have enjoyed reading them.
For a quick look back at some of our posts, here is a thematic listing:
Sleep Disorders:
Grinding in the Night- ‘Bruxism’ is a term used to describe the practice of grinding one’s teeth during sleep
The Phantom Leg – This article talks about the neurological disorder, restless leg syndrome.
Mattress Guilt- For older readers, this article concerns sleepers who unknowingly engage in sexual activity while asleep.
Breathless at Night – Sleep apnea causes some individuals to pause their breathing during sleep.
You’ve just signed a two-year lease on an apartment in Yaletown. You finally get to move out of that dark basement just off Commercial. You’re young, single, and moving up in the world. But what now?
Before you go moving all your old stuff to your new pad, Simmons Mattress Gallery would like to offer a few hints on how to pimp your new bedroom:
1. Buy a new bed. One that says I am a lover not a wuss. Your single mattress from when you were sixteen is not going to fly. (Tip: the lower the frame, the more fun you can have without worrying about a falling Fail.)
2. Bed placement is key. Put the bed in the middle of the room. That’s where it belongs. Now lets get down to business.
Bed Placement is Key
3. Lose all memorabilia associated with your ex. That means get rid of the cute picture frame, the stuffed orca and that concert t-shirt you still go to bed in.
4. Go to a furniture store, we won’t mention the ‘I’ word, and buy some ambient lighting. Japanese style floor lamps are good for setting the mood.
5. Sell off your cumbersome stereo and buy a simple iPod dock with some decent speakers. Then download some Drake.
That’s a start. We’ll let you handle the rest. Just remember, start with the mattress.
There is a one time, five-dollar membership fee for attending the festival. The tickets themselves will only cost you $10 on weekdays and $12 on weekends.
Since there are so many shows, all performances will start exactly on time. No latecomers will be admitted. (They seem to be fairly strict about this.)
Some of the shows that are already creating a buzz are:
7 (X1) Samurai – A wordless show based on Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai film by mime and clowning expert David Gaines.
Freud vs. his Ego – Another one-man project about the most famous psychoanalyst of our time.
Miracle in Rwanda – Leslie Lewsis takes on the role of up to seven Rwandan genocide survivors who hide in a bathroom for 91 days to avoid being captured.
After each performance, the audience will be asked to rate the show. These reports will be used to select the Public Market Pick of the Fringe.
The festival will run until the 19th of September.
Beatirce had to think fast on her feet. The Gatekeeper was demanding a reason why he should let her enter, even though the torrential rain seemed to be the obvious answer.
“I’m a princess,” she said coldly, mustering a stare that demanded attention.
Half an hour later, her ruse had her inside the gates and heading to the castle. The king had apparently set aside a special room for her to sleep in.
Once inside, she was lead to a tower and asked politely to climb a long staircase. After five minutes of climbing, she reached a stone platform with a single door. A servant swung it open and motioned her in. The room was well lit with candles and from their glow Beatrice could see that the only piece of furniture was a towering four-post bed.
“This, your lady, will be your sleeping quarters.”
“You mean I am supposed to sleep on that? I don’t think so. How would I even get up there?”
“There’s a ladder my lady,” the servant explained, ” on the far side of the bed.”
“Is this any way to treat a princess,” she said, remembering her character.
“It is by the Queen’s orders,” replied the servant, shutting the door.
Beatrice stared back at the mattress stack and whispered under her breath, “Are they serious?”
Mattress Stack
Early the next morning there was a loud banging at the door. Beatrice climbed down from the mountain of beds and opened it, still half asleep.
As she did, a small crowd of royal dignitaries burst into the room, staring intently at her.
The Queen pushed to the front of the pack and addressed Beatrice: “So young lady, how was your sleep?” The others in the room leaned closer, as if Beatrice’s answer would change their lives forever.
“Not so great, now that you ask,” replied Beatrice.
A cheer erupted from the crowd at the back of the room, but was quickly hushed by the Queen. “And why would that be.”
Beatrice stared at the tower she had slept on and thought for moment. “Well, you may have stacked twenty mattresses and twenty feather beds on top of one another, but I don’t see a single Simmons in the bunch.”
When mattresses stories surface, we are all ears, and this week we heard a doozie.
Our tale takes place in Edmonton, at the apartment of Timmy DeJordy.
DeJordy was sick of her old mattress and ordered a new one from a local mattress dealer. Being 69 years old, DeJordy arranged for the company to deliver her new mattress and kindly donate her old one to charity.
The movers arrived and went to work. They first removed DeJordy’s old twin and then setup the new bed. The process seemed to be painless and DeJordy felt the instant satisfaction of being a new mattress owner.
But things changed the next morning, when DeJordy’s cat, Precious, failed to show up for breakfast. Precious was a lover of the indoors and it was hard to believe she had fled the apartment. But there was no sign of her. DeJordy was crushed.
Later that day, while she was talking with her sister Gwen, DeJordy was reminded of the time Precious hid inside the boxspring. Instantly the thought occurred to her that maybe Precious was hiding in the mattress foundation when the movers came to take it away.
She called the distribution center immediately and told them the story.
The company sympathized with the woman and sent two supervisors to check on all the new donations. After a dozen mattresses they finally found the frightened feline.
In good health, Precious was returned to her owner the following Monday. The only visible symptom from the ordeal was an increase in shedding, due to the shock of being trapped for so long.
With her friend back at home, DeJordy could finally enjoy her purchase.
As mattress professionals, we get asked a lot of random questions. Last week we posted some of the most bizarre examples of questions related to our specialty. This week, we would like to look at one question in a little more depth.
The question is this: “Can spicy foods affect my sleep potential?”
The answer: “Yes, both negatively and positively.”
Spices: Combatting Bland for Centuries
Spices are often added to foods that are high in protein and fat. These foods can be difficult for your body to digest, often requiring more than the standard four hours for full digestion. If you try and fall asleep to early after eating any large meal, your brain will focus on your body’s struggle to breakdown the food you have added to it, instead of calmly slipping into a state of restfulness.
Spicy foods can also irritate your upper esophagus, which can lead to pain and acid reflex. Falling asleep is hard enough as it is some nights, but add heartburn to the mix and you’re in for a few hours of staring painfully at the ceiling – wishing you hadn’t ordered that third round of suicide wings.
On the flip side, there are a few spices, like cinnamon, that aid digestion. These spices can reduce the time needed before bed.
There are also many other spices that lower blood sugar. And still others that contain essential antioxidants that our body needs to combat disease.
Spices that promote sleep directly are nutmeg, turmeric and the always tasty, garlic.
The best advice we can give you is, “know your own body.” If certain spices give you heartburn, try to avoid them, especially when you’re behind on your sleep. If you feel you need a natural aid to dose off before a big day, go heavy on the garlic.
At Simmons Mattress Gallery, we talk with conscientious consumers every day who are interested in finding the perfect mattress for their unique lifestyle. With the entire Simmons catalogue available to us, we are able to match every customer with a bed that will meet his or her comfort, quality and price expectations.
But there are those few moments when we are caught off guard by a random question.
This week we thought we would post a few questions that made us smile:
1. I love the mattress set and the price is in my range, but does it come in hot pink?
2. I rode my bike over. Do you have any rope I could use to tie my new mattress to my handlebars?
4. Does the Beautyrest line come with a complimentary makeover?
5. What if I sleep too soundly? Will I constantly be late for work?
6. My great dane sometimes likes to share my bed. Will the motion separation provided by your patented pocket coils ensure me an undisturbed sleep if he starts to move in the middle of the night?
You got on at MacDonald and Broadway, heading for the fireworks. You were with your friends, I think one was named Olive. You wore a purple dress with white embroidery. I sat across from you pretending to listen to my iPod. You look tired, well beyond tired. Your friend was talking about her trip to India. I was listening, but you seemed to be having trouble. I saw your head bob more than once as you fought back sleep. It was only 7:30, but for you it looked like 3:00 in the morning. Your friends continued to talk with each other and you continued to bob. Then you looked up and saw me watching you and smiled…
I wanted to say something witty, to comment on your shoes, or make a joke about narcolepsy. But my tongue was tied, pasted to my mouth with the ease of your smile.
You were beautiful, but I could see the bags under your eyes and a secret behind your pupils.
“Why were you so tired? What had you been doing the night before? Why hadn’t you slept?” These were all questions that raced through my head until your friends dragged you off the bus, just after Pacific.
It’s been four days, but I can’t get you off my mind. You haunt my thoughts.
If I could rewind time, use the playback option on my PVR, I would offer one comment. One simple sentence. One piece of advice from a man across the aisle:
“You owe it to yourself to buy a new mattress, preferably a Simmons.” With that simple phrase I would stand up and move to the doors.
You would stand to thank me, but this time you would be speechless. All you would be able to do is smile. A thank you, with the lifted corners of your mouth. That’s all I would need. Content I would exit at the next stop, looking back only once to meet your tired eyes through the window. My gaze: A simple, you’re welcome.
“We make sacred pact. I promise teach karate to you, you promise learn. I say, you do, no questions. “
-Mr. Miyagi
The Karate Kid
For all those children of the 80s who were brought up on adventure classics like the Goonies and Star Wars, rejoice. FreshAirCinema is bringing classic popcorn films back to the big screen; well, back to a big blow up screen.
FreshAirCinema is hosting free outdoor movie nights around the province for the next month and a half. Locations and times can be found on the company’s Facebook page titled: Free Outdoor Movie Events in BC.
This week’s can’t-miss-feature is the ‘original’ Karate Kid, starring a young Ralph Macchio as Daniel Larusso and Pat Morita as the zen master, Mr. Miyagi. The movie will be screened at Ceperley Field, the large grassy area just behind Second Beach, in Stanley Park. The start time will be 9:30.
Last year’s performance of The Princess Bride brought out huge crowds to the same setting. So get there early, bring a blanket and spread out.
Other outdoor free shows around the Lower Mainland this summer are:
August 7th: Wizard of Oz at Holland Park in Surrey (9:00)
August 8th: Back to the Future at David Lam Park in Yaletown (9:00)
August 9th: The Never Ending Story at McSpadden Park in East Van
August 13th: E.T. at Harbour Green Park in Coal Harbour
This week, Simmons Mattress Gallery would like to thank all the faithful mattress lovers out there in cyberspace who have been enjoying our weekly blog. This is our 116th entry. We have tried to keep our articles fresh and current, while still emphasizing the need for a comfortable sleep. The focus has been on our products, sleeping issues and fun activities to get involved in around the Lower Mainland. Our readership has grown and our blog has even attracted the attention of local sports star Brent Seabrook.
Seabrook plays for the Chicago Blackhawks and is one of the major factors behind Vancouver’s early exit from the playoffs. So even though we hate him for his shutdown performance against the Canucks, we love the fact he reads our blogs and was inspired to come buy a mattress.
Seabrook Celebrates Goal With Teammate Versteeg
Here is a list of some of our most popular articles:
-Getting rid of your old mattress once you have purchased a new one is always difficult. This article offers four easy ways to dispose of your old bed.
-A lot of our customers are looking to buy a new mattress, but don’t know how to begin the process. This simple article lists six easy steps to start you on the road to comfort.
-Your personality may be linked to the way you sleep. This article examines six different sleeping positions and the personality that they are connected with.
-Although you wouldn’t think it these days, we do get a fair number of rainy days here in Vancouver. This article provides a number of gallery locations to spend your time during the wet months. The top gallery on the list: Simmons Mattress Gallery.
-The history of memory foam. It was actually a product invented by NASA to add a shock layer on the seats of the shuttle. Who knew that the comfort of an astronaut’s posterior would change the mattress world forever.
So for all those reading our weekly blogs, thank you. And for those just joining us, welcome. We promise to continue to provide you with entertaining and educational articles. Thanks for reading.
Orange is the colour of summer 2010; it denotes the Netherlands bold advancement towards the World Cup Final.
The colour, with no rhyming equal, represents the Dutch Royal Family and not the national flag, which is red, white and blue.
You see it everywhere on the streets of Vancouver, as everyone under the west coast sun, who has even the slightest percent of Dutch heritage, is expressing their pride in Holland’s soccer achievement.
To celebrate the Netherlands’ accomplishment, Simmons Mattress Gallery would like to discuss another proud product of Holland, the Dutch oven.
Literally speaking, a Dutch oven is a cast iron pot with a thick lid. It can be placed on or over coals to produce a casserole-like effect for cooking. Modern Dutch ovens are also designed to be used in conventional ovens and on stovetops.
While there may be a plethora of varieties, the main feature that is unique to this type of cookware is the pot’s ability to trap the moisture of the food inside. In doing so, it also contains and traps the smell of the items.
This is where the urban definition for the term ‘giving a Dutch oven,’ arises from.
In slang, the expression, ‘performing a Dutch oven,’ refers to a rather vile act where a pocket of flatulence is created and shared with a partner.
Specifically, it is when an individual passes wind underneath the sheets and then pulls the bedding over another person who is sharing the same bed. The recipient is trapped in a virtual chamber of gas.
While not recommended for some couples, performing this practice correctly can lead to more laughs than Mike Myers’ Dutch villain, Goldmember.
You may want to test out your partner’s comfort level with your own gas before performing this feat.
If you are successful and both you and your partner are able to share a laugh, give a quick thank you to Holland for their inspiring cookware design.
This weeks, ‘wow-that-can’t-be-real’ story, comes from Coney Island, where on the Fourth of July, the world of Major League Eating was shocked by scandal.
Takeru ‘Tsunami’ Kobayashi, a previous champion and star of the competitive eating circuit, stormed the stage of Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest to protest his exclusion from the event.
Kobayashi had been barred from the competition after refusing to sign an exclusive contract that would forbid him from entering competing eating events.
Wearing a t-shirt that read ‘Free Kobi,’ the Japanese star was taken down by security and local police, as fans chanted,”Let him eat! Let him eat!”
With Canada Day just a day away, Simmons Mattress Gallery thought it would be fun to put together a small quiz to test your knowledge of the land and country you hold so dear. So without further ado, here are the questions:
What native artist designed the sculptures on the $20 dollar bill?
What is the highest mountain in Canada?
What is the capital city of Nunavut?
What year was “O Canada” proclaimed as Canada’s national anthem?
Who was the first team to win the Stanley Cup?
How many yards is a CFL field?
How many time zones are there in Canada?
Which province in Canada is officially declared bilingual?
Who was the longest serving Canadian Prime Minister?
What is the longest river in Canada?
Who is the author of Anne of Green Gables
What was Fredrick Banting and J.J.R. Macleod credited for creating?
What organization has the motto “maintien le droit” (uphold the right)?
What is the name of the schooner on the ten-cent coin?
There are hundreds of places to hide unwanted items around the house, but somehow, under the bed always seems like the most logical option.
This week, it’s time to pull out your sleeping platform and discover all the random treasures buried beneath your mattress.
Take a log, send it in and receive two pillows with your next mattress purchase at Simmons Mattress Gallery.
Just to get you in the mood, here is a list of possible items you might discover:
1. The popcorn bowl from that movie night three weeks ago.
-You and your girlfriends had decided to watch the first “Sex in the City” to get you in the mood for the sequel. It was late, so you piled on top of your bed and indulged in some heavily buttered corn. Somehow the bowl got kicked under the bed.
2. Yearbooks.
-All five years of high school. Don’t open them up, unless you plan to spend the rest of the day laughing at that ridiculous haircut you had in Grade 9.
3. The pirate eye patch from Halloween 2008.
-Your date thought it was sexy.
4. Christmas wrapping paper.
-A classic under-the-bed find. You always end up buying more paper the following year, but somehow you still think you will use the leftover ends next year. (Tip: You never do)
5. Disreputable magazines.
-Enough said.
6. The “Bush X” concert shirt.
-Why did they need the ‘X?’
7. The box of letters from your last boyfriend/girlfriend?
-Throw them out! It was three years ago. Sorry to be so direct, but you need to move on and focus on the now. Saving them isn’t helping anyone. If it was meant to be, you two will find your way back to each other. A saved letter from 2007 will not help the situation.
8. Dust
-Vacuum!
9. Socks
-A whole collection of singles. And you thought the wash machine just ate them…
-Get rid of them both. Simmons Mattress Gallery will set you up with all your sleeping needs. Come into one of our three convenient locations. And don’t forget to bring your own list of under-the-bed treasures.
The report, entitled, “Caught in the Time Crunch: Time Use, Leisure and Culture in Canada,” claims that non-standard work hours, increased caregiving for the elderly and technology’s firm grasp on our personal lives has diminished the idle time available to Canadians.
An increase in non-standard work hours, means Canadians are more likely to have small blocks of idle time that are less likely to coincide with the free time of friends and family. Evening work hours are especially damaging to the family dynamic.
With the baby-boomers in full retirement mode, more and more middle-aged adults are having to care for their aging parents. This too, is taking away from the time professionals could be spending with their children or relaxing on their own.
But the real killer affecting society is the technological umbilical chord connecting us 24 hours a day to our jobs; thank you Blackberry, for the subtle reminder that in today’s world, data sharing is much more important than simple experiences like exploring nature.
So what do we do to stop the trend?
Here are Simmons Mattress Gallery’s top 5:
1. Have a time every evening when you turn off your work phone; not for an hour or two, but for the rest of the night. Make this time as early as possible.
2. Consider a job-share program with a co-worker. This would allow you to spend more time with your family or your own, quietly enjoying a book or a glass of wine. It would also mean a less extravagant yearly vacation and maybe a budget tweak.
3. Look into retirement homes. Yes, they cost a fortune, but it’s money you can spare and hopefully your parents are lucky enough to have a pension. It doesn’t mean you love them any less. They will understand.
4. Petition the government to upgrade employment standards. The message will be heard if the volume is there. Feel free to quote this article or the report itself.
5. Buy a new bed. It will help you secure the rest you need to operate during your busy day. Simmons Mattress Gallery is a great place to start your search. Find a little bit of time between the crunch and come check out our stock. And bring the kids. And maybe the parents too.
-You don’t really know what that funky scent is from but it’s not good. Maybe it’s from the cereal you spilt, while watching the NFL in bed one Sunday. Maybe the smell from your forgotten gym shoes, the ones you stored under your bed for eight months, has seeped into the fabric. Or maybe it’s from that sweaty uncle who housesitted for you while you were in Europe. Whatever the case, no amount of Febreeze is going to hide it.
2. The size of your current mattress.
They say size doesn’t matter, but we all know they’re lying. Of course it does and sleeping on a mattress built for a vertically challenged 10 year-old is not healthy. You need room.
3. There are skid marks on the underside of your bed.
True story – there are people out there who use mattresses for surfing. (Many of these individuals tend to have a rosy tinge on their neck.) The act is preformed by towing a mattress from the back of a moving vehicle, while a rider kneels. The setting is usually a field or driveway. Don’t believe us? Watch this video.
*Simmons Mattress Gallery does not condone this activity.
4. Your significant other burned your last mattress on the front lawn.
-Was that really necessary? Breaking the Petro-Canada glasses you had since you were six was one thing… but the mattress? That’s just cruel. But then again, it was the scene of the crime.
5. That hole you cut to hide your baseball card collection
-First of all, are they really the most prized possession you own? And why the mattress? Well, we guess you found out the hard way (literally) that removing a section of coils from the inner lying would translate into a comfortless sleep. Try using the closet next time. Or if you feel like tearing something apart to build a secret compartment, go with the floorboards.
Priceless...
Whatever the case may be, Simmons Mattress Gallery has your new mattress ready and waiting.
Simmons Mattress Gallery is always on the lookout for bizarre tales of a sleep related nature. This week we found the Holy Grail.
It has been reported, that an exhibition in Tokyo, Japan, that features former possessions of the late pop star Michael Jackson, will be hosting a one-time sleepover event where fans will get to spend the night with various Michael Jackson memorabilia.
The exhibition is on display at the Tokyo Tower, where it has already had 300,000 visitors.
Titled the Neverland Collection, the exhibition contains costumes from Michael’s “Thriller” video, a 1967 Rolls Royce, an antique piano and many other artifacts owned by the ‘King of Pop.’
The sleepover will be held on June 25th, the one year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death.
Apparently, in Japanese culture, spending time with the possessions of a loved one on the one-year anniversary of their death is an important ritual.
The sleepover will commence at 10:30 and will conclude at 8:00 in the morning the following day.
Fans will be able to purchase tickets for a lottery that will be held to determine the lucky few who will be given the privilege to spend the night amongst Michael’s . . . stuff.
It is not known where or what the ‘winners’ will be sleeping on.
We hope they are supplied with mattresses worthy of the former pop star; something from the Simmons Beautyrest NXG series would be appropriate.
The Victoria Day long weekend is coming up and across our lovely country, Canadians will be celebrating the late Queen’s birthday by rekindling their enthusiasm for our beloved monarchy.
Well, that is probably not entirely correct, but is a public holiday and the unofficial first camping weekend of the year.
Mixed in with the tents, tarps and campfires will undoubtedly be the usual beer drinking.
Beer is the inspiration behind the affectionate alternative label for the last weekend before the 25th, May 2-4; this refers to the standard number of cans sold in a flat of barley pops.
So if tea and crumpets isn’t your thing, grab your friends, your camping gear and all the hotdogs you can fit in your cooler and head off for a semi-wilderness adventure.
The Queen looking noble and surly.
We at Simmons Mattress Gallery may not condone the beer consumption, but we would like to recommend a few ideal camping destinations inside the lovely province of British Columbia.
-It’s a quick ferry ride to the most beautiful campground on the Gulf Islands. Located right along the shoreline, Ruckle has 78 sites and is perfect for cyclists who want a medium distance ride from the ferry terminal.
-This is a great alternative for campers with limited travel time. Golden Ears is just outside of Maple Ridge and hosts three separate campgrounds. Canoes, kayaks and pedal boats are available for rent.
The last dinner trays are being collected and the lights in coach are being dimmed. The plane is packed, well coach at least. There is no chance of getting any sleep with this many people sardined together in a giant flying tin cylinder.
You look over at the middle-aged lady beside you and quietly try to stifle a laugh. She’s wearing a maroon sleeping mask with white lace edging. In her ears are matching maroon earplugs; they must have come as a set. You silently pull out your iphone and take a picture to send to your friends once you land.
Three hours later, you’re wide-awake and the middle aged ‘kook’ beside you has been sleeping for hours.
Lesson learned?
We hope so. If not, here’s a little more to sleep on:
Researchers in China studying ICU patients found that the use of physical sleeping aids like earplugs and eye masks resulted in longer periods of REM, less accidental arousal and increased amounts of melatonin produced by the pineal gland.
What does this add up to: A better sleep.
And really, isn’t that what we are all after?
So if you are looking for a deeper sleep, why not invest in a satiny eye mask. We’re sure they sell them without the lace.
The open blog site WordPress unexpectedly crashed on Friday March 26th. The site experienced unprecedented traffic to one of its blog pages, swamping the server.
The blog that caused the Internet fury, was a relatively small weekly, article driven page, on mattresses.
Apparently, a submission written by the mattress author went viral at around 3:30 on Friday afternoon. The article in question concerned a recent sighting of Johnny Depp in his pajamas.
Depp was filming his new film “The Tourist,” in Venice Italy, when he was spotted running through the streets in his nightwear. The mattress author caught wind of the story and posted it on mattressvancouver.wordpress.com.
TMZ is now interested in purchasing the site and Perez Hilton has inquired about a guest editor position.
WordPress has requested the blog page be moved to a new location that is capable of handling the thousands of readers the page is currently attracting.
We are glad you found the new page.
This is just a friendly reminder that Thursday is April Fools.
Plan something big, film or document it and send your work in and we will include your story in next week’s posts.
Our thousands of readers are waiting patiently for your submission.
“‘. . . and clover, over and over / Crimson and clover, over and over. . .’
The sweet melody of Tommy James and the Shondells suddenly fills my bedroom. It’s 6:45 and it’s time to rise and shine. Well, at least rise.
There will be no visible shine until after a shower and two cups of coffee. And even then it will be more of flicker than a shine.
My clock radio has been performing its duties since the mid 90’s, a solid timepiece with a speaker as scratchy as an apartment intercom. But it’s not the sound quality that saves it from the trash; it’s the little clock’s reliability.
It’s never failed me. Not once. I may have forgotten to set it and for that I take full responsibility. But when I have punched my desired digits, it’s executed its task beautifully.
Some of you may rely on a significant other for a morning nudge. But I warn you, be careful, human error is unavoidable. She may promise you that she’ll pull off the sheets right at 7:00, but if her sister calls from New York and they get chatting, you might become an afterthought. Try explaining to your boss how Liza’s new man made you miss the performance meeting.
Then there are those of you who sleep with the curtains open to the east, ready for the sunrise to wake you softly from your slumber. This method is fairly inefficient, especially in the cloud cave of Vancouver. But if your granola can wait, who am I to tell you to abandon your faith in Ra.
And then there are the ‘lucky’ few of you who are able to wake naturally, right at the desired time. To you, I offer my condolences. For you, my friend, are the product of unconscious stress. Your body releases a hormone called adrenocorticotropin, as a product of your anxiety. You may feel privileged to be free of an alarm, but your nervous nature has your internal clock in a full mount. Try releasing some of that stress to free you from subconscious submission.
No, the best way, I figure, is to partner with a simple bedside box. You set it and forget about it; confident it will perform its task in the morning.
Just remember to add a nine-volt battery in case the power fails.”
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