Friday Night Fright

taken from Seattle Post Intelligencer
Ok, so I went to see Wolf Creek tonight with a new friend, aunt of my good friend M. My first in this city at a small two-plex theatre. The venue was good enough, no issue there, it was mostly empty, which is fine with me. If you have seen Wolf Creek or know what it's about, well, after watching it I then had to drive home in the dark to my cabin in the woods, alone. Good for a few jolts, paranoia served up nice and sweet anytime a pickup truck with search lights passed me...

So of course, I couldn't let the night go without completion and stopped off at the local Movie Gallery and picked up a new recommendation from my sis, The Exorcism of Emily Rose...we'll see how many heebie jeebies I can come up with after that...

oddly enough, they are both based on a true story. I think that makes them even scarier than those blood fest movies like Friday the 13th and Halloween. They got more than a little ridiculous towards the end of their run.

So, off I go, doors are locked, lights are dimmed, fire is crackling (it will likely pop with a bang now and again just to scare the shit out of me like it usually does).

I love a good Friday night fright...

Slothful Days

I've been off work since last Friday and don't go back until Tuesday. The 10 days of sloth are well under way. I had hoped to go out exploring a bit since I was off all week...I got about 25 km from my home so far...which is basically nowhere! I've watched a sinful amount of television...not too much on the dish though, more of my own collection than anything. I bought Season 4 of ER on DVD last week so started watching on Christmas Day and finished up yesterday. I haven't been completely idle though. I finished up my granny square afghan, thankfully. I thought my wrists and hands were gonna give out altogether. I finshed up a pair of mittens as well. I still have a scarf to finish and a pair of mittens to get done, but am not sure if that's gonna happen while I'm off. I have gone out, somewhat. I went out for dinner on Christmas Day...um, I drove to Takhini Hot Springs yesterday, and stopped at Bean North, a local fair trade coffee roaster/shop. Oh, and today I went to the gas station/convenience store, twice!

I am going out to a movie for the first time since my arrival, tomorrow night with a new friend, L. Then she invited me for turkey dinner on Sunday, yummy.

and inbetween, there shall be sloth...

My Charlie Brown Tree

Well, I broke down and went out and cut a tree. More like gnawed it down. I had forgotten to bring a knife and wasn't really expecting to find anything but had my car keys in my pocket so set to work gnawing through with that...lo and behold it worked. Poor little tree. It didn't have much of a chance out here anyhow. It was growing up next to a woodpile.

So it is the only decor I have up, and of course I don't have a small string of lights so chose to string my 100 strand around the table and then on up the tree. Had to watch the ornaments though as it is very small, no more than 2 feet tall I'm sure.

I "piled" the presents under the tree then. The biggest one is for that "Chinese Auction" I'm participating in tomorrow. There are a couple of presents for the felines too of course. A rubbing arch and a canister of treats. They had some early gifts too with the water fountain and a covered litter box.

Merry Christmas all!

GET OUT!!!

Well, I survived it. I left my office at 3pm today, went looking for Sears Order Office, stopped at the lawyer's office, went looking for Sears Order Office, then the foster parents, and went looking for the Sears Order Office, and then the liquor store, found the Sears Order Office, and lastly the grocery store and the pick up the mail and THEN come home. It was CRAZY busy in town. The thing was, all YTG (Yukon Territorial Governement) employees were let out early today, many at 3pm...which explained the traffic jams, otherwise unheard of in this city. Lineups were long, and when I finally did get to the Sears Order Office, I couldn't find what I wanted so left empty handed. But I am OUT OF TOWN now. Phew.

I picked up what I needed to get me through to Tuesday or Wednesday and then got the hell out. Too many people for my liking, and I needed to get home to start drinking and hide for a few days...

I am truly looking forward to sleeping until sunup tomorrow!

So I Bought This Safe

I have never owned a safe before, and never went to a Chinese auction before and how on earth could these two things be related? Well, has anyone ever heard of a party game called Chinese Auction? I hadn't but have played a game very similar to it. You bring something that you have at home, like a Christmas present you got last year and didn't like too much and are ready to regift it. Or something you bought for yourself or someone else and never used. So I went to my first one a few weeks ago at my supervisor's house and brought a little gift pack I had picked up at Hilltribe in Halifax earlier this fall and didn't quite know what to do with. Then you draw numbers and pick a gift from the pile from 1 to the last numbered person. The fun comes in when you get your numbered turn (I had # 1 as luck would have it) you can choose to pick a prize from the pile, OR you can take a gift from another person who has already picked. They then have to choose from the pile again, and not from anyone who has already picked a gift. Once you pick a gift, you have to unwrap it, so it's kind of like Monty Hall's Let's Make A Deal" I came home with a snowman candy dish and a bag of M & M's.

And now I am going to another one on Sunday, so had to buy something for that as they had a gift price minimum of $20. I didn't have anything as I had pretty well trimmed things down when I moved out here, so knew I would have to buy something. So I bought a personal safe, just a fireproof lock box. It was about $28 so should be ok. I wonder what I'll come home with on Sunday...should be good with a high minimum.

What I don't get is why it is called a Chinese auction...it doesn't appear to have anything to do with China, and there is no auctioning.

But who am I to question how things go in the Yukon...personally I think it is not actually Chinese auction but just a game someone came up. When I look it up on the net, I find a penny sale/ticket sales auction as the description and such things. I'll be sure to bring it to her attention on Sunday. What a way to get kicked out of a party, lol...just kidding!

I hope they enjoy the safe.

I'm Wireless Tonight!

Usually that would read I'm wired, but alas, with my birthday and Christmas money from my parents, I bought myself a wireless router! Now I can take my laptop anywhere in the range, which for sure is all of my house, but likely for me to sit out by the house in the summer too. I hated being bogged down to the dial-up back east, and then to the DSL cable, although it sure is sweet just to have DSL after crappy dial-up. ANYHOW, I digress...I got a nice router today on my lunch break, and then when I got home from the Longest Night I hauled it out and set it up. Why I felt it was necessary to do when I got home at the late hour of 11pm, I don't quite know, but I was like a kid at Christmas...now my laptop is truly portable.

Do You Know Jack?

so I have been writing to this guy I met through Lavalife...and he sent me his photo today...I am quite a suspicious person anyhow, but I think this pic belongs to someone else. For some strange reason it looks familiar, and the more I look at it, the more I am sure. My guess is this guy in the pic is a clothing model somewhere and that's why I recognize his face. Anyone have any guesses or recognize this dude, because I am quite sure it is NOT the guy from Lavalife...heh heh.

Laughs All Around

Turns out that some tasks can take up to 10 times longer to complete when under the influence of substances such as alcohol or drugs...I bought an electric Fresh Flow Fountain for the kitties last night and had a few drinks and such, and it took me over an hour to get that sucker together. The instructions were in a number of languages (4 or 5 I think) so I kept getting confused with them...didn't take long, lol. And then the damn thing didn't work. I got home with the replacement today, completely sober and it whipped together in minutes and was on the floor for them within 5.

Bought Volume Three of The Family Guy...good for a few hoots tonight. I'm watching Forrest Gump at the moment...needed a Tom Hanks fix for the night before moving on.

I bought another water bottle to get the cats with, namely Stormy, the shit disturber...that should also provide some entertainment, heh heh.

My supervisor bought me a bumper sticker yesterday - "Unless you're a Hemriod, get off my ass". I know, spelled incorrectly but I guess they thought the real spelling was too long, either that or they are manufactured in another country where spelling was not at the top of the list, lol.

ha ha..

Time Flies When You Can't Remember It

I was just organizing some yarn this week and cleared out some of my cloth bags. One has a screen printing from a winter carnival I helped organize in Newfoundland a few years back. Then I noted the year...1996. OMG that is nearly 10 years ago!!! Where in the hell did the time go? Ten years has seen a lot of change now that I think about it. Ten years ago I was still married, barely into my first university degree, my daughter was just 10 years old, and I was living in outport Newfoundland, and I remember wondering if my life was basically over. Well, maybe not that dramatic, but I do recall being disappointed with my life and how I felt trapped in my marriage, in my home, and in my situation. Now look at me, ten years later I am happily divorced, living on my own, my daughter is moved out on her own, and I have graduated from university 3 times and am in my fourth year working as a social worker. I live on the opposite end of the country and have been on three international backpacking trips thus far.

The world has also moved on in the past 10 years, as things tend to do. In the words of John Lennon, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans". Try to enjoy the next ten years.

Christmas Spirit? What's That?

Christmas used to be one of my favorite times of year but I have found that it faded over the years and this year I could care less if it came at all. I now live away from my daughter, and with her grown and spending Christmas elsewhere, there just doesn't seem to be any point to the whole ordeal. I normally decorate in early December, and put up my tree in mid-December, always before my birthday on the 19th however this year, my decorations are sitting in a box in my dining room, as yet untouched. I don't think I shall bother this year, my heart isn't in it and it just seems like making a mess for nothing. As for the tree...hmmm, will miss that, but since it will be just me for the very first time in my life, why bother?

I mentioned this to my mother tonight and she was shocked...could not understand why I wouldn't decorate and at least have a tree up. She talked about her own mother not doing much after her children moved out and her husband had passed on, and how sad that made her and her siblings feel. I don't feel sad about it, I just don't feel concerned about it at all. God knows there is enough Christmas decor everywhere else that I don't need to add to it. The only thing I have done is to get some of those new LED lights that change color...they are pretty trippy and I will likely keep them on all winter as my outdoor light is cranky and only comes on when it wants to.

Even my gift-buying has gone to pot. I used to be the shopper that looked all year for the perfect gifts. It wasn't that I was super organized or anything (although I usually was) it was that when I saw the perfect gift for someone, I just bought it then and there if I could and stuck it in a closet somewhere. This year, I haven't bought a thing for my neice and nephews. Not one thing. What a rotten auntie I have become. I won't see any of them for the holiday, and they barely know me. My niece is more familiar with me since we spent time together over the summer, but the others are so young, and the two newest additions have only met me once (my brother's new woman's sons). Money has also been a factor...just moved up north so still trying to catch up with the bills and setting up, not leaving a lot of extra cash in my budget. A couple of more paycheques and I should be just fine, but until then...

The only thing I have done is write my annual newsletter, and buy a few token things for my daughter, and parents. Not mailed yet, of course. My dad's birthday is on Sunday and his card sits in a bag in my car still. Shocking for me. I am about the only one he could normally count on to get a card in the mail on time. Left to my brother and sister, you are lucky if they call you on the right day (well, that would be my brother normally) let alone send a card.

So anyhow, no Christmas spirit, no decor, no carols playing, no piles of baking in the freezer and no plans to do much of anything. I did get invited over to my supervisor's house for dinner. I will likely go, but will also cook my own bird as I love the leftovers. Other than that, I have a puzzle to put together and that is what my Christmas looks like.

One might say, bah humbug...

From The Back Pew

of course, I'm not the religious type, but this came from my mother last night, and gave me a chuckle, so thought I would share...

There was a preacher whose wife was expecting a baby so he went before the congregation and asked for a raise. After much discussion, they passed a rule that whenever the preacher's family expanded, so would his paycheck.
After 6 children, this started to get expensive and the Congregation decided to hold another meeting to discuss the preacher's salary. There was much yelling and bickering about how much the clergyman's additional children were costing the church.
Finally, the Preacher got up and spoke to the crowd, "Children are a gift from God," he said. Silence fell on the congregation.
In the back pew, a little old lady stood up and in her frail voice said, "Rain is also a gift from God, but when we get too much of it, we wear rubbers."
And the congregation said, "Amen."

Speaking Spanish In School is Forbidden

Is anyone else outraged at this story? When I read it I thought I was in a time warp to when First Nations people in Canada were forbidden to speak their native language in the residential schools. I cannot believe that an American school in this day and age would forbid any language, let alone Spanish, which seems to be very predominant in many states, much like French is in some of our provinces. I would think the school would embrace bilingualism, not suspend children for it. Ridiculous!

25 years John...has it been that long?

Hard to believe, but it's been a quarter of a century since John Lennon's death. I have been a fan as long as I can remember, and I remember the day I heard on the radio that he was murdered. I was setting the table for supper at our house in Newfoundland and I just sat down and started to cry. Even though my mother was not a huge fan, she understood. She and I had lived through losing Elvis in the seventies.

I miss you John, but at least I have your music to help me out.

Imagine.

Rick Mercer

Does anyone out there watch Rick Mercer's Monday Report? He used to be on This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and now has his own show. It is freaking hilarious! I have just recently become a fan and wanted to get the word out. Watch it, you'll laugh. My favorite segment is Talking to Americans...it amazes me how ignorant some Americans are of anything Canadian.

Two Year Anniversary

Well, I just noticed when flipping through my old posts that today marks two full years of blogging. I was re-reading the old stuff about me not knowing what to do with my life next...nice to know that I was finally able to decide THAT! Now here I am in the Yukon, starting a new chapter in my life. Happy Blogiversary!

Let The Shredding Begin

Made an attempt to glue some nail caps onto Stormy tonight. Yeah, that was fun. I didn't get too many wounds but by the shrieking and howling sounds coming out of him, you would swear I was driving bamboo shoots up under his nails instead of simply slipping rubber nail caps over them. If anyone has any tips on how to put them on with the least amount of shredding and howling, please, let me know.

Usually I can simply lull him into a false sense of security and slip one on here and there, but he is up to my tricks now and I go through similar shrieking while simply clipping his razor like talons. Gawd, what a pussy.

It's The Little Things That Irritate Me

Like going to the supermarket today to do a simple thing…pick up some milk and a roasted chicken. Then I attempt to check out. The checking out part goes fine, but when I go to put my bank card back in my wallet, it slips and falls down into the void that is the checkout stand, in some random crevice. There is a line-up at the checkout, of course. Never mind that the lady behind me has about 100 things in the express checkout I am at. Pressure is on. FIND THE DAMN BANK CARD!!! We search and root and search and root. Nowhere in sight. Sorry ma’am, did you put it back in your purse, or maybe it’s in your pocket. NO, IT IS NOT IN MY POCKET, I heard it clink as it hit something hard. WTF??? So I tell her to go ahead, check out the lady behind me, she has all of her 100 items spread out on the belt anyhow and I will root through my purse and coat, floor, whatever to see if I can find my damn card. It’s not like there is any money in my accounts or anything (the big cheques have not yet begun). But it is a royal pain in the ass to replace it and memorize YET another number. Mega shopper finishes up and I implore the prepubescent checkout girl to keep looking. She gives me a little spiel about, well, it’s not there, hmmm…guess it’s gone. GONE WHERE? Where in the hell do you think it has gone, evaporated??? WE ARE GOING TO KEEP LOOKING! Oh, ok.

I am pretty sure it went down in the crack below the weight scale, so I ask her to look on the shelf below the scale. She looks on the shelf below the shelf below the scale. No dear, please look on the shelf just below the scale. Oh, you mean here? Yeah, it’s not there. Um, I think it might be, it’s a red card and it might not show up on your red shelf. Oh, really? Hmmm…let me check again. Oh, look, here it is, your card. Ok. GIVE ME THE CARD. Have a nice evening…sure. Later dumbass.

That was one of the little things that irritate me. Ridiculous I know, when there are so many more major things that could irritate a person. It’s the little things that matter.

That DAMN Feral Cat

Stormy scared the shit out of me today...in the pre-dawn hours, I heard this growling, thinking he must have cornered Via or something...oh no, psycho cat had a fake mouse in his mouth (you know the kind, covered in rabbit fur) and was snarling and growling at anyone who came near him. I tried to take it from him and got shredded for my efforts, so then I thought I would try to distract him with another fake mouse...he picked up both in his mouth and snarled at me. The only other time I had seen him do that was when he caught the mouse at A. and R.'s earlier this month...a real mouse, and I could understand it then. So why so feral? I have no idea.

So I went back to bed, deciding to leave him do his thing, but then he jumped on the bed and scratched me! So I decided then to bar him in the bathroom for a time out until he settled down, but how to catch this psycho? I finally cornered him and threw a towel over him, flung the growling mass into the bathroom and slammed the door. I left him in for 15 minutes and when I didn't hear the growling anymore, opened the door, cautiously and out he sauntered, purring like nothing happened. PSYCHO I tell ya. So I picked him up and he was his old self again. WTF? I took the mice then and packed them away for now...

now I must lick my wounds...

Prepare for Bitchfest

Ok, I know my readers on the northern adventures blog want to read my crankiness so lets harbour it here...

I am sick and tired of living in a hotel. One might think, wow, what a luxury. Um, not in the coffin they call my room. As well, it's often noisy at night, doors slamming, some drunk wandering the halls last night and how about how the light shines in around the edges of my door so I feel like I'm in a twisted version of The Ring. The wireless net hasn't worked in my room in days, so I am left to shuffle into the lobby to use it. And because I just don't care anymore, I shuffle down in pyjamas and slippers...let them dare to bring up THAT issue with me...bring it on.

My car is filthy on the inside, thank-you movers. It looks as though it was dragged through the Sahara desert. They are willing to have it cleaned for me but it might involve taking apart the door panels to get at the glass. Great. Feckers. The last time I saw my car it was wrapped lovingly in moving blankets.

And how about throwing in a payday mixup. For some reason, the company responsible for payroll at my old agency managed to royally screw up and pay out $9,000 instead of my expected pay and "eagle eyes" at the office caught it when sorting out the pay slips. DAMN. So now they have sent it back and requested the correct amount, but lo and behold, it can't be done on time so BOINGO!!!! that is the sound of cheques bouncing all over. Thanks a lot, feckers. I am to be paid from the new job today but no one is quite sure where I can pick up my cheque. Great. So I have $4.13. Why couldn't I have just gotten the $9,000...that would have been nice. I would have moved out of this shack and into something decent.

Oh, lets talk about the ice...face plant yesterday, that was nice. My second fall of the week. Loving that. I shall me marching into the Royal Bank today to share my frustration with the ice...they will shudder when I leave. (ooooooooh)

whine, whine, whine...

Check out the New Digs

Well, I have begun yet another blog, and will likely keep up this one to some extent, but if you're looking for how things are up north, check out my new blog at Great Northern Adventures (or not) . I'll see how much time I have to maintain two blogs before deciding whether or not to retire the Dreama Zone.

Last Night On The Island

This is it, my last night on the island. Wahhhh...I am torn, but excited. I know I've rambled enough about leaving and staying so won't repeat it all here. Its been a nice weekend with friends, and tomorrow I shall see my daughter for a couple of days before heading out.

I received a nice package from my future co-workers yesterday - they had a couple of Yukon books in it and a CD Rom with video clips of each of my future co-workers, which was really nice. I was able to have a glimpse into my future workspace, which was also very cool. They seem like a friendly bunch, so let's hope that pans out. Feel free to check out my new blog once I get moved to see what's happening in the Yukon.

I guess I should go have my last local beer...Keith's Light

The Farewell Speech

Just in case I lose it, I thought I might post it here, and share as well. This was delivered by the executive director of my current agency yesterday at lunch. The only edit was to my name, which I replaced with "dreama" as the rest of you know me by, and the name of my agency.

Well Dreama, it’s time to say a few words, and unfortunately for you all, it falls to me to say them.
So, on this important occasion, I’ll begin Dreama. It was just over three years and three months ago (July 29, 2002) that you walked into our agency and our lives, you walked in like you had always been there.

You found your way very quickly. I sort of suspected you would because I recall a video conference job interview where there appeared on the screen an imposing lady with some vivid color in her hair. I don’t really recall any longer what color, but it was something really vivid. Being the conservative sort that I am, I was swept away, and it was immediately obvious to me that anyone who could show up that way for a job interview could probably tackle anything, or be capable of anything. And, you’ve proven that point here time and again. No question.

So, you’re leaving Dreama, and we all want you to know that you will be missed.

How can we replace such COLOR, such VA VA Voom? There’s just no way. No way Dreama.
So, what will we be losing? Well:

Your strong work ethic and thorough approach to your work has always been valued, and even when you obsessed Dreama, we all knew (or at least hoped) it must have been for a good reason.

• You conscientious approach brought closure to many issues and many files, and

• opened up many matters that needed examination, and

• brought forward protection for many children, and more ordered lives for many families.

• Dreama, you got it done.

• Your empathy for, and work with adolescents, was noted to be a sure strength.

• You kept us on task, and made sure we attended to the things needing attention.

• You have a lot of style, and a unique style. You’re Flashy Dreama: The chrome of a 58 Buick

• A great a way of processing things through your life experience and your common sense.

• You never flinched when you had to stand against strong dysfunctional entrenchments.

• You made a “social” contribution here as well as a “work” one. You played well on the team, and you sang your truth for all to hear! .

Go well Dreama. Keep in touch, Good luck in the Great Cold North, and think (name of agency) first when you think of coming South again. Cheers to you Dreama.

Fresh Mouse Is On The Menu

Well, since my friends moved into their new to them home, they have known they had mice…heard them in the walls. They lost their mouser, Rupert to the coyotes earlier this fall. Since moving in here for a few weeks before I head north, I had heard them myself and at one point was awakened by a scuffle under my bed, but had yet to see one.

This morning one made its appearance. Via came charging into my room after one, and as soon as Stormy caught wind of it, he shoved her out of the way and took it for himself and ran into the basement with it, growling the entire time. Not wanting him to butcher it and leave a big mess, or worse, hide it somewhere to rot, I followed him down and had to chase him to get it away from him. It was still alive, barely, so I took it by the tail out of his mouth and threw it outside. I received quite a dirty look from his captor, let me tell you…

Poor Via was upstairs still, sitting in the corner where she had last seen the mouse before Stormy charged in and stole it from her, thinking it might come back…sad. Not that she hasn’t had here share of hunting victories, there have been a few, including some pet mice…but that’s a story for another day.

So hats off to the tag team kitties for catching a mouse. I think they’ve earned their keep here now.

Saying Goodbye Is Never Easy

Today I was treated to a lunch at the Maritime Inn by my co-workers with a healthy turnout as a goodbye thing. Since I wasn’t aware of it until about an hour or so before, it was quite a surprise…I might not have known then if my supervisor hadn’t told me after hearing I was possibly planning to go out on the road for the day. She was worried they would all be at my luncheon with no guest of honour, heh heh. The ED got up and then sat down and then got up again to say a few words…it was very nice to hear how he felt about me and my work. Its one of those things you can pull out now and again after a rough day and read over, feeling good about yourself all over again. Thanks M.

so there was also a gift involved and since I had seen many colleagues come and go in my over 3 years here and my involvement in our “social committee” I knew there would be a gift, so I shamelessly let it be known I didn’t have a case for my laptop and if they were struggling with what to get, that would be it. Groovy. They picked out a wonderful leather case for my laptop and when I got back to my current living arrangement, I checked out all the compartments and resized the padding to fit my computer. It fit very nicely, and then I thought I might grab it by the handle and see how it felt to carry it, would it be heavy, and so on. Only to promptly drop the fucking thing on the floor. I had forgotten to zipper it up and my beautiful laptop, tumbled out of the case it was supposed to be protected by onto the hardwood floor. Didn’t I feel stupid…

Then I became paranoid that I had broken it, and once I finally turned it on, if anything seemed different, I blamed myself…turned out though that it was absolutely fine…PHEW!

We’re heading out to a local bar and grill after work for a few more casual drinks and laughs so I’m hoping that I don’t begin to cry there…I sure did when I tried to speak at the lunch…gawd, it was embarrassing.

SNOW!

First snowfall, November 9th. It's coming down pretty thick out there, no wind and looking so pretty. It will be a mess to drive in, that's for sure. The ground is covered and the trees are picture perfect with the white stuff.

Now let's see how many idiot drivers it takes to create chaos in town. They seem to forget everything they know about winter driving from the previous year, like a brain dump.

Ok, Time for a Time Waster

I could see myself playing this for hours...if I wasn't at work...but a case could be made that it is relevant training to my job as an investigator...(says my co-worker G.).

Try it out...
http://www.20q.net/index.html

have fun!

Enough with the Rain already!!!

It has been raining for months now it seems. Sunny days are purely a memory to me now. What is up with all this rain??? Grey days, soggy ground, and mucky driveways...I have had enough.

It could be worse, I know...that precipitation could be SNOW. Egads.

Was talking to the folks from the Yukon and they already have snow and cold temperatures. During the discussion, we talked about accumulation for the year...the gal I spoke with said they have been getting more snow in the last couple of years than they were used to...how much was that? 2 FEET says she...

Ok, I had to hold back the snickering...and then I told her we get that much in a DAY, let alone the whole winter. Phew! I can handle 2 feet, no problem.

Living Lavida Limbo

Well, its official, I have moved out of my house. The felines and I are bunking in with my friends. Stormy has come down a few pegs...heh heh...the puppy is delighted that he has come to visit. Via sits on the back of the sofa, taking it all in, glad that Stormy has given her a rest for a change. I hope it teaches him a few lessons...

It was hard work, but I got moved out and cleaned up and boy was I exhausted when I got to my friend's house last night. Much better shape today, but still somewhat tired.

got some news about my bloodwork...no surgery required...YAYYYYYYY!

I have only 8 days of work left. THANK FUCK.

My coatrack is missing from my office...I wonder where it went...

Halloween Party on the East Coast

Now just who is trippin'...the photographer, the subject or the viewer....or all three?

Its All Over But the Hurtin...

Well, my costume last night was a smash....I became known as the sex book...which was fine with me. I went as Yosh Taguchi's Private Parts: a Doctor's guide to the male anatomy.

There were a lot of cool costumes there such as my friend R.'s costume - he was a skier in regular ski garb, but he had "impaled" himself with a ski pole through one shoulder and out the other side of his body. Another cool one was the gal from the cream cheese commercial, you know, in the fluffy clouds...she even brought her own philly...Another cool one who stayed in character most of the night was a gal wearing overalls from Nova Scotia Power who had done her makeup to look like she had obviously electrocuted herself...that was groovy.

Of course, there was the standard collection of witches, devils, and vampires. There were a couple of costumes that people weren't able to guess who the person was inside.

And then there was the music. There were a couple of gals there who had great vocals and both played amazing accoustic guitar, regardless of how drunk they got, ha ha. There was also a guy with a cool voice who belted out a number of Tragically Hip songs. The girls did some Fleetwood Mac, some Sarah McLaughlin, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, and other songbirds. I loved it!

And then there was the time the Amazonian sized blond (guy in disguise) was wrestling on the floor with the little guy dressed up as some local person, Handy...the blond outweighed him by a good 60 pounds or more, ha ha.

so hats off to my friends S. and S. who threw a fabulous party, and I hope to party with you folks all again sometime soon. Enjoy the book, S...I thought you might need it.

moving limbo

That's where I'm at. The movers are here today to pack and will return on Monday to load. I have moved into the back bedroom, but with everything packed, will I even want to stay here? That shall remain to be seen. I don't want to have to crash in on my friends until the very last moment, so will likely stay here, surrounded by packed boxes. The movers are out having a smoke right now, but they seem to know what they're doing and as hard as it is for someone with OCD tendencies, I am keeping my mouth mostly shut...

The cats seem to be enjoying it, particularly Stormy...all that crinkling paper, ever changing landscape of the rooms, and boxes to jump into and on...as long as he doesn't get packed...it will be a long dry run to the north for him...heh heh.

Well, I should probably go and get busy...or at least look busy...

Full Deck, so to speak

I like the way this person thinks, HAR, HAR! Got me ROARING again :-) Not that I condone violence, of course, ahem...

Wednesday ramblings

Home this afternoon from work, not feeling too great, just an ordinary FM flare-up is all though. I never know when the flares will come or when they will leave. The weirdest body parts have more pain than others...my thumbs, my elbows and my hips. Weird shit.

anyhow, being home, I am making lists of things I have left to do before I move. The list is still quite long, even though I have been busy for weeks. I think once the movers arrive and get my things off, I will feel a little less overwhelmed.

There's the Halloween party to look forward to though, this Saturday night. I have my costume made and it looks pretty good...pics will follow after the weekend as it is top secret until then, HAR, HAR.

Ok, time to go lay down...am on call at 4:30pm...

Loyalty in Marriage?

A woman's husband had been slipping in and out of a coma for several months, yet she had stayed by his bedside every single day.

One day, he motioned for her to come nearer. As she sat by him, he whispered, eyes full of tears,

"You know what? You have been with me all through the bad times.
When I got fired, you were there to support me.
When my business failed, you were there.
When I got shot, you were by my side.
When we lost the house, you stayed right here.
When my health started failing, you were still by my side... ......You know what?"

"What dear?" she gently asked, smiling as her heart began to fill with warmth.

"I think you're bad luck, get the fuck away from me."

Time Is Ticking!

Ok, its pissing rain, but at least I got lots of stuff done today. Laudry, organizing crap, throwing crap out, changing out beds, etc. Before I know it, Saturday will be here and the movers arrive to pack it all up. I have moved myself into the spare room so I can put all of my things that DO NOT get packed into there. Lets see how many times I have to tell them not to go in there.

The count is on for work too...just 15 days left of work, yahoo! I have been wrapping up my caseload but it hasn't been easy, particularly with 2 open positions not filled yet.

This time next month I will be already started at my new job...how weird is that. The job I have now is the longest I've spent doing any job. I just hope I enjoy my new job as much as I've enjoyed this one. WHO SAID THAT? Well, maybe enjoy is too strong a word...how about appreciated the challenge...

Dammit I am sick of this rainy weather...but of course, it could be worse...it could be snow.

What Are Social Workers?

A gal I went to university with sent this along to us today...

A mugger with a gun confronts a social worker. The mugger yells, "Your money or your life!" "I’m sorry" the social worker yells, "I’m a social worker, so I have no money…and no life."

Social workers, like most teachers, don’t make much. Or do they?
Social workers make an infertile couple celebrate a lifetime of Mother’s Days and Father’s Days by helping them adopt a baby addicted to cocaine that no one else wanted.
They make a child fall asleep every night without fear of his father’s fists.
They make a homeless veteran feel at home in the world.
They make a boy with Down syndrome feel like the smartest kid on the bus.
They make a beaten woman find the courage to leave her abuser for good.
What do they make?
They make a 10-year-old believe that he is loved and wanted, regardless of how long he lasts in the next foster home.
They make a teen father count to 10 and leave the room so he won’t shake his newborn son.
They make a man with schizophrenia see past his demons.
They make a rape victim talk about it for the first time in years.
They make an ex-convict put down the bottle and hold down a job.
What do they make?
They make a couple communicate so well they decide not to get divorced.
They make a dying cancer patient make peace with her past, with her brief future, with her God.
They make the old man whose wife has Alzheimer’s cherish the good times, when she still remembered him.
They make forgotten people feel cherished ugly people feel beautiful, confused people feel understood, broken people feel whole.

What do they make?
They make more than most people will ever make,
They make a difference.
Exceptional PEOPLE, Exceptional CARE

Back To Work Blues

Well, if anything, going back to work again today has led me to believe I made the right decision in leaving to go to the Yukon. Sad isn't it. No one reason, just a lot of shit going down in the workplace that I'm sure glad I don't have to deal with it much longer. Not that there won't be the same kind of shit to deal with at a new place, but it will be DIFFERENT SHIT.

I was called off today by a supervisor/director/whatever in the hell he calls himself for using a word improperly, a simple stupid thing, it was entirely childish. He is with another agency, thankfully, but so ridiculous. And then he ended the email with a spelling error. Gawd. And it was a truly easy word..."remember" was spelled "remembar". For pity's sake. And he had the nerve to say that my grammar was an indication of my social work skills...sheesh.

They had a fire drill today, but yet the fire department did not show up and they are located a block away. WTF? Shouldn't they attend? After all, it is a FIRE drill. I am surprised that the maintenance joke who pretends to look after our building didn't pick a nice rainy day to do it on, so kudos to him for a change. I wanted to stay at my desk as I figured it was just a drill but the fire marshall??? on our floor (seriously, that's what she called herself) drove me out.

In any event, I am glad to be wrapping up my last weeks here and move on to new business. I will miss some of my co-workers, though, and hope they try to keep in touch.

ahhh...tomorrow is another day, and a Friday at that...how bad can it be?

Still Alive

Yup, still here, just in case my readers (both of you) are interested. I had an ultrasound and a chat with my surgeon (since when did I have a surgeon?) and he thinks I passed a small calf gall stone on Monday night...ah, that would explain the pain, yes, that would, indeed. I have heard from others just how awful passing any kind of stone is through a body part not designed to carry it. And no others showed up on my scan, so he figures that was it for stones, however would like yet another blood test (I'm beginning to feel like a pin cushion - 5 sticks and tomorrow makes six in just a few weeks if you count injections).

so I guess I am going back to work tomorrow after all, yay! Not that I missed it that much, but it sure is lonely out here, heh heh. As well, I do have a lot of loose ends to tie up before moving, including packing up my office before next weekend as the movers are coming then.

Here's to good health in my near future! And here I thought I would never have the opportunity to get up close with "the stones"...

Recouperation Sucks

So I can't go back to work tomorrow...a few minor complicatons possibly from surgery, so I have to have another test tomorrow. ARRRGGGHHH. Not that I'm running back to the office, but I am getting tired of being at home and definitely ready to be feeling better.

The cats seem to be enjoying my leisure time at home though as they drape themselves around me all day.

I still have plenty of movies to watch, that is if I could focus without becoming nauseaus. Isn't recouperation grand?

on the bright side, I spoke to HR at my new place of employment about my expected take home pay. Let's just say I was happy. Now all I need is to be well enough to move!!!

Sigh...be afraid, be very afraid

now, I'm one who avoids politics when I can...particulary those involving George Dubbya...but this was hilarious, IMHO

Donald Rumsfeld is giving George W. Bush his daily briefing and tells him that 3 Brazilian soldiers have been killed in Iraq. George says "that's absolutely terrible" and is at a loss for words. He holds his head in his hands for several minutes, obviously terribly upset.

His staff are amazed at his reaction and the whole room is silent. Finally George lifts his head and says "Exactly how many is a Brazillian?"

Men Are Just Happier Creatures

sent to me this morning by my father...

What do you expect from such simple creatures? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can be President. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time.

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life. Your belly usually hides your big hips. One wallet and one pair of shoes one color for all seasons.

You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache..You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minu tes.

No wonder men are happier

Stormy, The Evil One

Yes, he can be very evil...pounces on Via constantly, and chases her away from the food. Just can't seem to leave her alone, a real shit disturber...but boy he is cute and such a cuddler. He has a teddy bear, a little Breast Cancer Support beanie bear with a pink ribbon on its neck. He drags that little bear around the house, usually keeping it nearby and beating the shit out of it when he can.

He reminds me of a miniature panther, with his sleek coal black coat.

right some handsome he is...

Holy Shit It's Friday

and?

• my neice called me last night. She's six and in grade one. It was a cute conversation, and believe it or not we chatted for about 20 minutes, non-stop. What a cutie
• the non-resident teen aka mbd (my beautiful daughter) is changing her living accomodations and situation. She will be moving out by month's end to a place of her own, well, a room in a rooming house across from Dalhousie University. It's a change, and I hope for what will be positive as new worlds open up to her
• I am still on sick leave. And I am sick of it. Well, not actually, I am enjoying NOT being at work, but not the whole SICK part. I am getting better but I feel like its slower than what other people who have had a similar procedure tell me. So, not sure why that is. In any case, I am due back to work on Wednesday. I think I'll be ready for that, but not much sooner.
• I bought a new coat yesterday in Antigonish at, you guessed it, Cotton Ginny. Sorry, I am addicted. That's why it costs me so much to go to the doctor...they are in Antigonish. Its corduroy, which I love. I'll be able to wear it as soon as I get to the Yukon.
• the sun was out today, but it was CHILLY and for the first time this fall, I was cold. I even closed the windows.
• the movers are coming on the 29th to pack up my stuff. That is just two weeks away. Holy shit.
• I made fudge tonight. It's for my friend's housewarming party tomorrow night. I may have to make ANOTHER batch fudge for tasting...
• Stormy is getting huge. See a new pic in the next post...

Spelling is not as important as we think...

Olny srmat poelpe can. i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I wasrdanieg.

The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig toa rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in wahtoredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is tahtthe frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae.

The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit aporbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter byistlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

Wednesday Funny

"If only my wife was this dirty"

Now, ladies...find yourself a van and seek retribution...write something just as nasty about a man...

The Many Ways Aliant Can Screw Up

Well, I have certainly rattled on about Aliant, the phone company, before...they always seem to find new and exciting ways to screw things up. As my regular reader(s) know, I am moving in a few weeks, and so as I have done many times before, I organize things ahead of time...today was when I decided to call Aliant and tell them when to stop my service, at the end of the month. Seems easy right? Simple even...I called them, spoke to "Wendy" and made things crystal clear for miss Wendy. We even chatted casually about the move, and she mentioned having been there a few years ago, and that she has friends still living there who own property rentals...hmmmm...can you hook me up...so she knew full well I wanted the phone disconnected at the end of the month. Well, about 20 minutes later I went to use the phone again, this time to call the power company and advise them of my move...no dial tone. WTF???

I just knew it was yet another Aliant fuck up so I went to my neighbors and called them. They dialed my number and it played a recording that my number had been disconnected. WTF??? So she checked her program, it clearly stated I scheduled disconnect for the end of the month. so what happened??? She called the programmers and someone who took the order beyond her deleted my service. Ok, stop fucking around and put it back on. Moments later it was on. Phew. They even offered me $25 credit for my troubles. Great! Incidentally, they also asked me why I was paying for Internet Call Manager without an internet service...HUH? I informed dear Wendy that I indeed had internet service and had been using it daily. Well, its not showing up here, so how about we do nothing and you get it for free. Fine with me...

About an hour after that, my mother went to use the phone...no dial tone once again. I was livid. So I went to my neighbors once again and called Aliant. Sorry about that ma'am, I will talk to the programmers and see whats going on. She did, they screwed up yet again, but no offer of another credit. Gee Wendy, your credit is getting used up if I have to keep doing this...

So here I am, just an hour or so later with the phone still working...I am scared to call the power company...

This is Who I Will Miss The Most

My delightful daughter...in just one month I will be moving to the other side of the country from her for who knows how long. I took this pic the last time I took her out for lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, Swiss Chalet.

sigh...I'm bored

It's day 6 of my 14 day sick leave and I'm already bored. I think part of it is that I don't feel well so am limited to what I can actually DO. I have been spending the time mostly watching television or dvds. I should be reading but reading in bed often puts me to sleep, and I'm not comfortable sitting up in a chair for long...belly hurts. So I lounge in my bed, next to this trusty laptop, feeling lazy and unproductive. And who decided to put caffeine in Tylenol 3...and for what reason? I take it to feel better, but it keeps me up all night, so I end up being tired the following day instead of well rested....ARRRGGGHHH.

I know, perspective, perspective...people are dying or dead following the tragedies of the week...mudslides, hurricanes and earthquakes. Its devastating and I simply cannot watch any more of it, its so depressing. This year has been riddled with natural disasters...the only thing I haven't heard about is a cyclone...

The weather doesn't help...I had planned on doing some painting in watercolor while off but its been pissing down rain since Friday, continuously. They say its rain from all those hurricanes. Whatever, I am sick of it.

My daughter was down for the weekend and it was a good visit, even with the scrap in the kitchen over cooking and territory...ha ha ha...but now I miss her...

Sheesh I'm feeling cranky. Show me the cheese and I'll continue to whine...

Tales From the Sick Bed

I'm still alive. I've had a few visitors, my friends A and M, and my daughter who is now visiting for the holiday weekend. The resident felines have been constant, sometimes annoyingly so when they begin to fight with each other, using my body as the battle ground...they usually feel the hard floor shortly into those battles...

I'm sore. Of course the incisions are tender to touch, but after that surgeon was rooting around in there for my gall bladder, my insides feel very raw too. Like I had been kicked in the stomach from the inside.

I've done a bit of reading, a bit of surfing the net and a whole lotta dvd watching. I love this laptop.

It's been terribly hot and humid here though...29C with the humidex yesterday. YUCK. Where in the hell is fall? The leaves are turning, but we seem to be stuck with the heat this month. Dammit.

I'm not up and about much, as when I do get up, I feel worse, so slink back to my sick bed...sigh...

Thank God The Knife Didn't Slip

well, it's all over but the healing. Surgery went well enough today, although the surgeon informed me that it was a close call for the old type incision, the one that would have put me off work for 6 weeks. Doc told me my gall bladder was hiding a little in the folds of the liver...whatever. All I know is that its over and done with, just have to heal.

I was extremely uncomfortable when I first woke up, but after some thrashing and complaining, they gave me enough drugs to make me comfortable again. Got some to take home, but not near as strong.

so now I am on 2 glorious weeks of sick leave...I am so glad about that. I needed a break from work, and my parents are visiting, so I can spend lots of time with them.

ok, starting to fade...time to get to sleep before my mother catches me on the computer...I'm only 38, lol!

Tuesday Tidbits/Timbits/Titbits/WHATEVER

• I am now officially on sick leave. I hope the surgery goes ok...it would suck if I have to stay in the hospital...I am not a pleasant patient...
• my parents moved my dish drainer to the other side of the sink and it has thrown my sense of familiarity off. I go out into the kitchen and it feels like someone else's kitchen. All because of a dish drainer. Isn't that truly sad?
• my daughter is coming to visit for Thanksgiving this weekend and she is going to cook Thanksgiving dinner, with help...her first time!
• the cats have gone insane tonight, particulary the kitten...racing through the house like a psycho
• I don't have to even think about work until October 19th
• what in the hell am I gonna do if I die tomorrow...heh heh...not much, just be dead...sheesh, that's a little morbid. I think I'll go watch something funny on tv to balance out...

Doctor's Orders...I WISH!

Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!!. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will situps help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing situps if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO . Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feelgood food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting inshape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets. And remember: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways Chardonnay in one hand chocolate in the other body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, Its Been a Hell of a Ride!"

I've Been Invaded

by a bunch of seniors...my parents and my sister's in-laws are here for the week, coming and going. They are touring the area and visiting relatives. For the most part they look after themselves, but boy does it make a difference having 4 extra people in the house after I have lived on my own for a while. They are out for the afternoon, so I took the opportunity to clean up the shack a little. They are here until Tuesday, when the in-laws retreat, then my parents will be picking me up at the hospital on Wednesday and staying with me for a week perhaps.

they spend their evenings playing cards, cribbage, etc and talking. I escaped last night to my friends A & R's house. When I returned, it was only my ma up. This morning I got up and made them bacon and homemade waffles, which were a big hit.

Time is getting short...this is my last month in this house...hope to move out by the end of the month if I can...gotta get those movers sorted out first...

Where The Hell is The Maid?

I have today off from work, which is totally groovy, but where in the hell is the maid? Heh heh...lots of housework to do again today...sigh. All I want to do is sit and watch my DVD collection I got in the mail yesterday, Four Flicks (Rolling Stones) and moon over Mick in his younger years. Blast this housework!

Damn My Honesty

As I mentioned last week, I bought a new laptop from Dell. And I got a bunch of mail from them, first my contract, then my invoices for both my computer and my printer. Then I got another invoice today for a different computer, addressed to someone totally different, but at my mailing address. Its paid for, and the way it has worked in the past when I bought a new Dell, twice before, I got the invoice a day before delivery. So I was left to wonder if the computer on the invoice would also show up here. Wouldn't that be nice? And it was a more expensive computer than mine, higher end. So I called Dell. They have this guy, James down as living at my address and with my phone numbers. They asked me why would James do this, give out my address and phone numbers as his own. Um. I don't think so. I think the mistake is yours, poncho. I think when I ordered my computer, my information was not cleared in some way from the system and then they took the next order, which was for our friend James. I mean seriously, how would someone get both my unlisted home number AND my blocked government desk number AND my house number all together. And then why would they proceed to order a computer and have it sent here. I think he thought I was hiding James here somewhere. Anyhow. Now I realize I probably could have just let things happen, take the new computer and sell it immediately. I'm moving in two months, they might never find out what happened to it...heh heh...

but dammit, I'm too honest.

Sure, he looks innocent enough...

but he can be very evil...last night I thought he broke my laptop...jumped up on my lap where it was, scratching and clawing his way and plastic flew off on the floor...thankfully it was just a key that popped of and I simply snapped it back on, but for a few minutes I was freaking out...and he got a stern talking to, ha hah.

Those Were The Days

Well, not too long ago the thought of company coming for a few days would have sent me into a cleaning frenzy and baking spree. The fridge would be stocked, and everthing would be 'just so'. Tomorrow my parents and my sister's in-laws arrive for a few days and I have done none of those things. What has become of me? Heh heh. I don't feel like impressing anyone any more I guess. My house is a little untidy, so what. I live alone and am the only one I have to answer to. (When did that happen???) I like baking but eat too much of it as it is, so haven't baked in eons. stocked fridge...um, I hardly ever cook anymore, let alone shop for groceries. Oh how the times have changed. Do I like the new, more relaxed person I am becoming? (hold the chuckles, I am not the same at home that I am at work, M. and you know it.) You should have seen me before, when I lived in Newfoundland. A little high strung, you might say. I have mellowed a fair bit over the past years, particularly since I began living on my own.

So, there will be no 3 course meal tomorrow night, nor sparkling commode, but they will have a clean bed to sleep in. What else could they need?

I am looking forward to some company for a few days though...with M. gone for the week, the nights will be dull! Hope you're having fun in the city, M.

Oh GOD, It's Monday Tomorrow...

Its been a slow weekend. Hung out at my friends new house on Friday night, but didn't stay late. Last night I was hanging out at M.'s house, just watching movies...notably a very different kind of movie, Coffee and Cigarettes. The days have been spent just puttering around the house, cleaning up, organizing, going through junk I don't want to move with. I know what's missing...I haven't talked to my daughter this weekend. One way to solve that...

My parents arrive on Tuesday night, just after supper. The coming weeks will be busy ones with family coming and going, my surgery and wrapping up my cases before I go, not to mention getting organized to move. Sigh...I just wish I was already there, so I could say it was over. But I don't want to wish the time away...

The neighbors cut the grass today...it had been getting long. It might be the last cut of the year...I love the smell of fresh cut grass, allallergies aside. It's gonna be a loooong winter.

And it's finally cool enough to sleep at night. So what am I complaining about, its actually been a good weekend. I think I need to go to bed soon so Monday will come faster...har har.

Its So Purty

I got it, my new laptop. Its really nice, and very compact and thin. I've spent the night downloading stuff, with lots more to go yet. I set some up before going out tonight to download, so it was done when I got back. I think I have a buyer for my desktop too, which is great. AND I have a place to unload my desk too, my friends who just bought a new house are in need, so perfect! I think I might look for a small table to put my computer stuff on, like my printer and scanner...down the road though.

I have to figure out a way to close the lid without disconnecting from the internet. I want to leave it on to download for long periods of time, but don't want the cats jumping on the keyboard, so would prefer to close the lid, but both times I did that, it put the computer in standby and disconnected from the internet. hmmmm...

So the weekend will be partly spent cleaning off my desktop computer and desk, and transferring most of my files to cd rom. This new puter has a dvd burner, so now I need to figure out how to work it.

so much to do...so little time...

Its HUMP day

yeah, its a Wednesday. Only two days left in this work week. Surely it can only get better. My cats are getting along much better these days. Not near as much snarling as before.

I saw my kid yesterday and it was GREAT! We hung out, went out for lunch, and she got a wicked special with shrimp and fries for just $4. We picked up a carpet cleaner and did her apartment. It looks sharp now :-)

I contacted the Yukon agency today to give them dates for when I want to leave, and when the movers should come for an estimate. I also sent back my signed offer of term employment. Now I have to go.

I saw my friends' new house today - it is so cool, and I am so happy for them. My favorite part is the wood stove/hearth. I hope I can find a little house with a wood stove in it.

my parents are coming on Tuesday. I guess I have to clean the house...luckily its not too bad right now.

Crappy Days Suck

Had me one of those yesterday. I've been getting increasingly frustrated at work, for a lot of reasons. Staff changes - people leaving the agency, not all positions are filled(this means I can't transfer any files until they do, but it doesn't stop new ones from coming in); challenging clients who just don't want to listen to what you say, or better yet, clients who avoid or hide from you; not enough money...same old issue, hence the move north for bigger $$$; and frustration with paperwork and our archaic computer program. Then to top off an already frustrating day, a disheartening call from my professional association. So I got up and left, stomping out the door, muttering something I recall, probably that this job sucks and I quit.

Of course, I can't quit, but I came awful close yesterday to quitting social work altogether. Who needs this shit? The clients mostly hate you, the judges are out to get you, the pay sucks, there are never enough hours in the day to do the work, there is little recognition in society for the difficult work we do, other than the token "glad I don't have your job" or my personal favorite "I could never do your job". And then you have clients who screw up time after time, and regardless of how one tries to distance themselves, you still end up feeling guilty for their mistakes.

I know part of it is that I am just under a lot of stress lately. I didn't think I was, but that's how it goes, it just sneaks up on you and you have a melt down. Only mine have been more frequent, and I have no patience at work, either with clients or co-workers, which is not something I am very proud of, although I don't think I have done my clients any disservice, they just aren't getting the warm fuzzies from me these days. Information only. You want hand holding, look elsewhere because it ain't my job.

You would think that getting a new job would be exciting, and I am but I am too stressed to enjoy that part of it. I am also having surgery in a few weeks, plus a possible root canal, I am flat broke, I have all this crap to sort through at home before I want movers to pack me up, I'm leaving behind some very good friends, and a lovely house, not to mention my daughter, who I will miss the most. I need to get all my shit sorted out at work before I go, and I just don't know when its all going to get done.

I had said I would keep doing this job until I got up one day and didn't want to go to work. That was my yesterday. However, I am choosing to ignore my own advise and will go to the Yukon and make big money and get myself out of debt at least. That would remove that stress at least (those damn student loans).

I think part of the entire problem is that I live alone, so at the end of the day, there is no one there to listen, support and comfort me. I hate it, but don't know what else to do to change it. I find myself ALMOST wishing I had never divorced, but then I would be in a different sort of hell, so thank god that thought never gets far...

Ok, enough ranting...I am in the city for work today and will be taking my daughter to lunch, even if I can't afford it. I just want to soak up every minute with her. Can you blame me?

Never Cross a Woman, Particularly the Mother of The Bride

Jennifer's mother had found the PERFECT dress to wear and would be the best-dressed mother-of-the-bride ever.
A week later, Jennifer was horrified to learn that her father's new young wife had bought the exact same dress. Jennifer asked her to exchange it, but she refused.
"Absolutely not. I look like a million bucks in this dress, and I'm wearing it," she replied.
Jennifer told her mother who graciously said, "Never mind sweetheart. I'll get another dress. After all, it's your special day."
A few days later, they went shopping and did find another gorgeous dress. When they stopped for lunch, Jennifer asked her mother, "Aren't you going to return the other dress? You really don't have another occasion where you could wear it."
Her mother just smiled and replied, "Of course I do, dear. I'm wearing it to the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding!

Bring it on Bitch

"LATEST INDICATIONS ARE THAT OPHELIA WILL MOVE OVER CANADIAN WATERS SOUTHWEST OF NOVA SCOTIA THIS AFTERNOON. THEREAFTER IT WILL CROSS NOVA SCOTIA TONIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING WHILE UNDERGOING POST-TROPICAL TRANSITION. POST-TROPICAL OPHELIA IS THEN EXPECTED TO TRACK ACROSS CENTRAL NEWFOUNDLAND SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT. "

this is our local warning from the Weather Network. I know, nowhere's near the worry as a hurricane, particularly one like Katrina. However, we don't get a lot of severe weather here this time of year, its usually later on, and more likely to be a blizzard (which IMHO rarely REALLY happens. We get lots of snowfall, thats what I think) warning. This is not to say we haven't been hit by a hurricane...Hurricane Juan in 2003 sure left its mark on parts of Nova Scotia.

In any case, better to be safe than stupid sorry, so I have filled the bathtub with water, gathered my candles, lighters, matches, taken the patio furniture in, secured my kayak, and closed most of the windows (a few cracks open to help with air/wind pressure); I have drinking water, blankets, am wearing socks now (very unusual for me), lotsa junk food, beer, bread, fruit, etc. (maybe not lots of the healthy stuff, but some) and I have my portable radio above me as I type, for those weather news updates. Gawd. I feel neurotic, but what the hell...I am moving away from hurricane waters, so have to soak up the storms when they come.

Fate...lemme at it...

So what do you think of fate? Do you think some things were meant to happen? Do you think that you have all of the control in your life? Do you think there is a mapped plan out there with just a few choices and others will be blocked by events in your life? Interested in hearing what others have to say.

Hotel Room Shopping

Hotel Room Shopping SUCKS ASS

What I thought would be an easy task for me today turned into a goddamn hassle. It began with a RCMP officer calling my house, had gotten my number from work and needed to talk to me about a joint interview we are doing next week out of town (work related) so I realized I had not yet booked a room. Fine. I’ll stay where I usually stay, at the Cambridge Suites. First I have to get the phone number off the net, as I am at home and have no phone numbers on me or the proper phone book. Dial-up, search web, get number and call. They give me a ridiculous government rate of $155 in SEPTEMBER. WTF? So I told them no way I can make that fly with my agency, I’ll try somewhere else.

Back on the internet, dial-up, search, get number, and call the Future Inns, where I was positive some of my co-workers had stayed before so direct billing would have been set up. Apparently not, and it required too much thinking for me today to sort out. Fuck it.

Back on the internet, dial-up, search, get number and call the Lakeview Inn and Suites where I had stayed before in Halifax. No rooms available. Ok, give me the friggin Dartmouth number. She gives me a toll free number that turns out to be a booking centre, not the actual hotel. Fine. They have a room, I go to book it and they can see that I have stayed there before and that we are set up for direct billing, but won’t allow me to direct bill because they are not actually the hotel, but a booking centre. FUCK. Can you please give me the goddamn number for the fucking hotel in Dartmouth?

They provide the number, and FINALLY I have secured a SUITE at $87/night. FINALLY, an hour later. WTF!!!

Ok, I am frustrated. I am definitely putting in for a callback on this deal…RCMP and how many hotels, and never mind the runaround I got calling the office in Dartmouth to book an interview room…4 people it took to get someone who could help me. I am going to have a drink. I don’t care what time it is.

Semi-Lucid Thoughts on a Friday

Semi-Lucid Thoughts on a Friday

Well, its my day off, gotta be glad about that. I went into town today to pick up a few things, including my freshly neutered kitty, poor thing. He tried to jump up on the end table and fell back down…apparently has some soreness “there”. Awww…so I moved his basket off my desk to the floor for now and he is curled up there now, at my feet. The look of utter bewilderment and then disgust on his face as he failed to make the jump was hilarious so pathetic…I am curious to see if it alters his personality any over the coming weeks.

I had to have blinders on going into town because I didn’t want to see any clients that might cause me concern…the problem solving department is closed for the weekend, so I am OUT until Monday. My mother was seeking help today with her camera, but I had to tell her the same thing. I can’t deal with anyone else’s problems right now piss off please don’t ask, I won't be of any help anyhow…sigh.

in other news, I did buy a new corduroy purse that I am crazy about. How’s that for excitement. We also have a hurricane headed our way, so will be hiding out here in the boonies, drunk watching television and reorganizing my crap for the move.

and how cool was the CSI episode last night, season finale directed by Quentin Tarantino...he really likes to push viewers to the edge, to see what they can take. It was very well directed...way to go Q.

Random Notes from a Random Mind

• my life has gotten quite busy for some reason...is it because I got a new job and will be moving about 8000 kms away?
• I bought a new laptop from Dell today, should have it in a couple of weeks...and I am EXCITED! It is a treat to myself for getting the JOB. I buy nice treats...
• I was going to have a yard sale this weekend, but the damn Hurricane Ophelia is on her way with RAIN. Dammit.
• My dentist informed me today that I have to have root canal...ok, WTF?
• Went to the hospital for "pre-op" stuff about my surgery next month and where I wasn't worried before, I am now.
• bought an amazing corduroy purse today at Cotton Ginny...along with a pair of cords and a beautiful sweater
• My fish tank is cloudy because of those damn vacation food chunks I dropped in there and it won't clear. I don't even know if the fish are still alive because I can hardly see them.
• I am supposed to be off on Friday but have too much shit to do at work...RATS!
• Stormy, the aggressive one, is getting NEUTERED tomorrow...poor fella...but at least my female Via (8 yrs old) will finally get some relief...I hope! He keeps trying to "do" her
• I have to hide the food at midnight from him - doctor's orders, so he can have surgery tomorrow morning
• I am tired. I am going to bed. I am out of random thoughts at the moment.

What would be your response? ......

The husband had just finished reading the book, "Man of the House". He stormed into the kitchen and walked directly up to his wife. Pointing a finger in her face, he said, "From now on, I want you to know I am the man of this house, and my word is law! I want you to prepare me a gourmet meal tonight, and when I'm finished eating my meal, I expect a sumptuous dessert afterward. Then, after dinner, you are going to draw me my bath so I can relax. And when I'm finished with my bath, guess who's going to dress me and comb my hair?"

His wife replied, "The fucking funeral director would be my guess."

sent to me by my soon to be sister in law, heh heh, gotta love how she plans to look after my brother :-) he is so far from this. I can however, recall similar sentiments from my ex-husband...he never got what he wanted though, heh heh.

Direction in My Life, FINALLY!

Ok, I have blathered on here before about what to do with my left next, because there has to be something next, right? I did an interview last year for Inuvik, and ended up not going (turned them down when they offered). So now I had another interview for up north (the Yukon) and was offered the job yesterday and I ACCEPTED. Wow. Now I am really moving.

I begin the new job on November 21st, so have a couple of months here yet. The groovy thing is that because I will be working for the government now, they pay to move me AND they pack up all my shit themselves. I LOATHE packing, so that is a true bonus. I still have some organizing to do, and of course, have to find a place to live up there, but this is the beginning of the end for the east coast experiment. I've been here over three years and will be leaving many good friends behind. sniff...

I wish I could wiggle my nose and just be there with all my stuff set up. Wouldn't that be nice. I wonder how the kitties are going to like the long plane ride...tranquilizers, lots of tranquilizers...

Words Women Use - Men, Pay Attention

Fine
This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

Five Minutes
If she is getting dressed, this is half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given 5 more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

Nothing
This is the calm before the storm. This means "something" and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with "nothing" usually end in "fine".

Go Ahead
This is a dare, not permission. DON'T DO IT!

Loud Sigh
Although not actually a word, the loud sigh is often misunderstood by men. A "Loud Sigh" means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you over "Nothing".

That's Okay
This is one of the most dangerous statements that woman can make to a man. "That's Okay" means that she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

Thanks
This is the least used of all words in the female vocabulary. If a woman is thanking you, Do Not question it, just say you're welcome and back out of the room slowly.

Under the Knife

Well, I have a date. October 5th I go under the knife. Gall bladder surgery. It just sounds like something my grandmother has done. Sheesh. I have to be off for 2 weeks after surgery too, in order to heal properly. I've never had any real surgery, so this shall be interesting. Give me drugs, please.

Incidentally, my parents will be visiting the province about this time, so I hope they come and nurse me, heh heh.

So this might set back my departure from Nova Scotia (if I get the job) for Whitehorse by two weeks, which they are fully aware of. Fine with me, then I can begin work there in mid November, and move into my own place for the 1st of December.

They tell me it is routine surgery, so should I be concerned? What shall I wear? heh heh...I remember when Jamie from Mad About You went for surgery, she wanted to wear a black negligee, lol. Um, I don't think so.

Rolling at the Stones Concert

Last post about the concert, I swear. Got a pic from my friend K. of the concert, and a couple here of a cool bus I saw leaving the concert. The big object in the back is the stage, with the huge screen. I stood where the pic is taken from for most of the concert until I shook the deadweight my friends hit the road and then I moved down much lower to be beyond both TV screens, and could really see the band.

oh, and by the way, I am now in love with Mick Jagger.

Rockin’ and Rollin’ at the Stones, Part 2

The pilgrimage into the concert grounds was basically just a group of swiftly moving people going in the same direction, except for the gal who was sitting/slouching on the side of the road with her old man, who was trying to bring her around…they definitely had the look of people who make a career out of partying…

Got our bags checked at the huge row of makeshift corrals (for all the illegal food we were trying to smuggle in – WHATEVER!) and then the next line took our tickets and we were GOOD TO GO!

We had known we didn’t want to sit/stand right up front, too many people, too little services, so tucked ourselves away on the slight incline, just on the other side of the fence from the beer garden. They had makeshift alleys made for paramedics to get through easy enough and they wove their way through the concert field, which was a pretty good idea, and I saw it in motion as the gal right across from me dropped the ground, passed out, then threw up and never really came to much after that. They came and got her. Poor fucker never saw the Tragically Hip, let alone Stones. I think it was a combination of heat exhaustion, dehydration and drunkeness…she was a little effed up.

Anyhow, the music was playing shortly after we got in – Our Lady Peace, then Maroon 5, and the Tragically Hip. The crowd really got going with the last one. And then it was time for the main event. Meanwhile, P. and I did a little jaunt through the bigger crowd, the beer garden, food vendors, etc. She got some cigarettes, I got some food, and we were good to go, without waiting in line for either. Got back to our corner and hung out for the evening, switching from standing to sitting on and off to save our SOLES.

Then The ROLLING STONES came one and I was mesmerized for sure. The stage is just awesome. There is a 7 storey construction surrounding the stage in a kind of slight bow shape, with the stage being hundreds of feet wide. Mick had his exercise cut out for him, that’s for sure. Directly behind the band was a huge 5-storey screen with close-ups of the band as they played. There were also big screens (smaller) on either side of the stage, and two huge ones placed midway and ¾ way up the hill for the rest of the crowd to see. The big screen only came on for the Stones, while all the others were on for the other bands. They began with a flash and the song “Start Me Up” of course, good tune to get the crowd going. The 7 storey construction I just mentioned has screens on it and the entire area lit up like the biggest screen you could imagine. I will have pics later as my friend K. gets her developed. Mick was wearing his signature red clothing, and boy did it ever stand out on the stage and on the screens!

I have to say, for a man his age, Mick can shake ass! He is trim and fit and he MOVES when he sings. He went from end to end of the stage, for a fabulous workout and everyone had to feel his energy while he sang his heart out for us. The rest of the gang looked good too, but Mick seems to be the show stopper with his voice, ease of movement, and stage presence. I was hooked and entranced. Thanks Mick and the boys.

From HUGE flames shooting rocketlike from the top of the stage, to the fireworks shot into the air, to the light show of the stage, to the fabulous sound of the equipment, it was a brilliant concert and worth every effort to get there, even if I did forget my ticket…

Other noteworthy highlights of the weekend/show:

- the mass exodus from the concert field to the busses, parking lots, etc was the largest moving crowd of people I had ever been in thus far
- they told us that because there was an estimated 85,000 people there, we made up the largest congregation of people on the east coast, including any single city (not the greater municipal area, such as the HRM, the cities themselves)
- the smell of weed hung over the crowd like incense
- the pizza I got at the food stand was piping HOT and so good, even if it cost $7 a small slice
- my friends K., T., P., and her nephew N., left 30 minutes into the 2 hour Stones show, just because they didn’t want to be caught in the crowd later…WTF???
- I didn’t fall, not even once. I know, I can hardly believe it myself
- I ACTUALLY slept, in my car.
- I was standing next to the CTV reporter and I may even be in some of the shots, even if they do end up on the cutting room floor…
- I never waited more than 5 minutes to use the porta potty and it was CLEAN with TOILET PAPER and outside the potties, they had washing up stations with running water, SOAP and paper towel. I felt quite spoiled and grateful all at the same time
- While P. and I got our food easily with no wait, T. and K. waited for 2 hours to get theirs…
- The Rolling Stones sounded just as good as I had hoped they would, and seeing them was the ultimate for me
- T. let me use her phone to call my daughter from the concert and say hi…
- Some kid was taken to hospital for appendix and they announced it for the benefit of his parents who were in the audience somewhere…
- The medical tent was giving out free cold water all day and night
- some frustrated souls lit a fire in a garbage can to keep warm and the crew SWOOPED in and put it out in minutes with their trusty fire extinguishers

- It took me an hour to get out to the parking lot where I got off the bus and another 2.5 hours to get back to the campground…we waited forever because the roads were so PACKED with people and traffic

So there you are, my long-winded account of The Rolling Stones (and others) concert, more for my benefit and journalling than your entertainment. I can live on this weekend for years of reflection…

Rockin’ and Rollin’ at the Stones, Part 1

Without a doubt, the best concert I have been to in my life…haven’t been to many, but I know this one will remain up there for decades for me. It was a late decision to even go. I hadn’t gone to many concerts over the years, and no REAL ones, on concert grounds with a HUGE band. So when I heard that The Rolling Stones were going to be playing in Moncton, it was well after the tickets were sold. Hmmm…what to do…I checked e-bay and low and behold, a ticket was located…anyhow, fast forward to leaving work on Friday at noon to drive to Moncton with my friend K. to meet other friends, T. P, and her nephew, N. Finding the campground was easy enough and we didn’t have to wait in line to sign in as T. had picked up campground bracelets for us already and just got out of line when we pulled up – WHOO HOO!

Set up was easy…no trees to hammock from, so slept in the car. The others set themselves up and then the drinking began for the evening portion at the campground. Spirits were charged as everyone at the campground was hyped up over the concert tomorrow. Beausejour Campground was reportedly the Official Campground of The Rolling Stones concert in Moncton. Lots of characters there, but overall a pretty tame crowd. There was the guy in the next site who was cranked on something, dancing by himself around the fire (and over the fire, in the fire, threw his shirt in the fire, leaned over and scorched the hairs off his chest) and when he came down off of that, he was really drunk and fell down numerous times, and limped through the following morning.

I stayed up until about 2am, and then crawled into bed, running things through my mind as people do as they drift off…when a simple thought trickled through my sleepy head “Where’s my ticket?” “Where did I put it” and then when realization set in that I had left it on the top of my desk at home in Cape Breton, a resounding FUUUUUUUCCCCCKKK was heard throughout the campsite…

So I was off to wake the girls and freak out with them, we brainstormed the whole thing and came up with a whole lotta nothing and I was resigned to driving home in the morning and missing the concert. I didn’t have a lot of money to go buy a new one, and it was just a bad scene all around….could’t believe my STUPIDITY. Anyhow, we woke up in the AM with P. who discovered that her brother and his wife were driving though my hometown area as we spoke, and we arranged for them to get the ticket and try to meet up later at the concert grounds, outside the gate. WHEW…little nervewracked thinking about getting the ticket, but felt a little less hopeless about the situation. I had even made a sign to carry around – NEED TICKET!

We finally got ourselves together to get the shuttle ($20 return) to the concert grounds at Magnetic Hill, just outside of Moncton. Met a couple of characters on the bus, and got there in 20 minutes, where we hung out under a lovely tree for 3 hours, hoping to meet up with P.’s brother. After 3 hours, they were still only trying to get to a parking lot, never mind the long hike up to the grounds, and what gate were we even at??? When an angel crossed my path…yet another friend of P.’s (she seems to know EVERYONE) was strolling by with a handful of tickets to sell, cheap, so I picked one up for $20. So now I am in $105 for my ticket, still less than the others I went with, and I phoned the gal who had mine, and told her to go ahead and sell it if she can.

WHEW. LETS GO PEOPLE!!! I HAVE MY TICKET!

Gas Prices are OUT OF THIS WORLD

As gas in eastern Canada tops out at $1.35+ per litre, an increase from about $.85 we were paying at the beginning of the summer, filling up your lawnmower, car, etc is like a mortgage payment...I'm off to the Rolling Stones concert in Moncton today, and am concerned that I will pay more for my gas than I did for my ticket!!!

the latest tattoo

I am Canadian. No hiding it now!

auracom sucks ass

My internet life began in Newfoundland, back in the mid nineties, about 1994 when I got my very first computer. A 486 Packard Bell, fresh out of the box from Sears. I think Atcon was my ISP then, and then they were bought out by Auracom and I was switched to them. I didn't know a hell of a lot about the internet back then, or computers for that matter. When I opened the box of mine, it was the first time I had ever really used one, I just knew I wanted one. This was back when the internet was not mousable (lol, I KNOW it's not a word). One used the arrow keys to JUMP from page to page and PINE was one of the few e-mail clients.

From there I moved to Ontario where I signed up with Sympatico for the very first time. I grew as they did and went from my old 486 to a Pentium 3 when they first came out in 1998, and the following year signed up for high-speed internet, which I kept until I left Waterloo in 2002. Once in Nova Scotia, I signed up again with Sympatico high-speed, and the following year bought my first Dell.

Then I moved to the boonies and had to downgrade to dial-up, which sucks anyway, but I'll take it over NO internet connection. I have a web accelerator, so its not too bad for surfing the net, but terrible for music downloads.

Then I decided to check out another company where I thought I would get internet cheaper and in came Auracom. Well, once I had signed up, out came all the other charges...spam blocker (not built in) and web acceleration, and they just didn't seem very professional on the phone, like they really knew what they were doing. But I went with them anyhow.

Well holy shit, the SPAM RAINED DOWN! I received about 75-100 a day, with ads for everything from fake rolex watches to penis enlargement and let's not forget the viagra. DAMMIT. So I went looking through their site and found their spam blocker, signed up for that after just a day with that ISP. It didn't help at all. So I called them and they told me that even though I signed up for it, it looks like someone forgot to activate it there at their end. Fine. So activate it already. SPAM continued to rain down. FUCK. I called them again today, and puberty boy told me he had no idea why it didn't work properly. Lets go check the website and you can view the spam it has stopped so far today, becuause maybe you are really getting a lot of spam with your new address. Sure, whatever. The website reports that Mail Rover (spam blocker) has caught exactly ZERO spam since I signed up over 3 weeks ago. So after much complaining and whining (both his and mine) I told him to forget it, I am changing back to Sympatico.

Auracom sucks ass.