You Know You're a Montrealer when...
You pronounce it "Muntreal", not "Mahntreal".
You have ever said anything like "I have to stop at the guichet before we get to the dep."
Your only concern about jaywalking is getting a ticket.
You understand and frequently use terms like 'unilingual,' 'anglophone,' 'francophone,' and 'allophone.'
You agree that Montreal drivers are crazy, but you're secretly proud of their nerves of steel.
The most exciting thing about the South Shore is that you can turn right on a red.
You know that the West Island is not a separate geographical formation.
You have to bring smoked meat from Schwartz's and bagels from St. Viateur if you're visiting anyone west of Cornwall.
You refer to Tremblant as "up North."
You know how to pronounce Pie IX.
You know what a four-and-a-half is.
You've been hearing Celine Dion jokes longer than anyone else.
You can watch soft-core porn on broadcast TV, and this has been true for at least 25 years.
You cringe when Bob Cole pronounces French hockey player names.
Shopper's Drug Mart is Pharmaprix and Staples is Bureau en Gros, and PFK is finger lickin' good.
You really believe Just For Laughs is an international festival.
For two weeks a year, you are a jazz aficionado.
You need to be reminded by prominent signage that you should wait for the green light.
Everyone on the street - drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists - think they're immortal, and that you'll move first.
You're proud that Montreal is the home of Pierre Trudeau, Mordechai Richler, William Shatner, Leonard Cohen and the Great Antonio...
You know that Rocket Richard had nothing to do with astrophysics.
You've seen Brother Andre's heart.
You know the difference between the SQ, the SAQ, and the SAAQ.
You measure temperature and distance in metric, but weight and height in Imperial measure.
You show up at a party at 11 p.m. and no one else is there yet.
You know that Montreal is responsible for introducing the following to North America: bagels, souvlaki, smoked meat and Supertramp. Also, Chris de Burgh.
You don't drink pop or soda, you drink soft drinks.
You have graduated from high school and have a degree, but you've never been in grade 12.
The margarine in your fridge is the same colour as lard.
There has to be at least 30 cm of snow on the ground in less than 24 hours for you to consider it too snowy to drive.
You remember where you were during the Ice Storm.
You used to be an Expos fan, but now all you really miss is Youppi.
You don't understand anyone from Lac-St-Jean, but you can fake the accent.
You discuss potholes like most people discuss weather.
You encounter bilingual homeless people.
You find it amusing when people from outside Quebec compliment you on how good your English is.
You have yet to understand a single announcement made on the Metro PA system, no matter what the language.
You think of Old Montreal as nothing but a bunch of over-priced restaurants, old buildings and badly paved streets.
You understand that La Fete Nationale is not a celebration of "Quebec's birthday".
You don't find it weird that there's a strip club on every corner downtown.
You like your pizza all-dressed.
How about Montrealers' resistance to winter boots? No matter how much snow there is, you'll still find people walking around in running shoes
You often switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.
You use a down comforter in the summer.
You know what "the main" is.
You know that the "CH" on a habs jersey stands for "Center H-ice"!
You can jay walk back and forth across Ste. Catherine street without getting hit by a single car.
You care more about which habs player isn't playing well than the current world events.
You expect there to be a Dollarama walking distance from anywhere... and if there isn't there should be.
You know you're from Montreal if you know what a poutine is.
You say Métro instead of subway.
You fear the overpasses (viaducs) like hell because they fall on you.
You know the first half of the national anthem in French and the second half in English.
"There is great need for a sarcasm font."
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
It's called War
We’ve watched “Flags of Our Fathers” this weekend that has been disturbing me since. I’ve been thinking about the reason why. Besides the obvious reason of not understanding so much hatred towards people (because of religious beliefs, colour etc.) I realised that what was bugging me was something else.
One of the things I hate about a lot of people nowadays is the fact that they don’t take responsibilities for their actions. A lot of us expect the government, our officials, or even society in general to “think” for us. We relinquish our powers, our ability to think and to do something. Granted, it is much easier to deal with, than having to think for ourselves. A while back I had seen this reportage about parents of military guys. They had interviewed this mother who was all pro-war, and about how wonderful the army had been for her son. The reporter went back a few months later, after her son had been killed in the Middle East. By then she had turned anti-Bush, anti-war, and the army was the worst thing ever. I don’t get that. I really don’t. The army didn’t change. Their weapons have, the way they fight as well, but the fact remains the same; in a war people die.
I don’t want to offend anybody, nor do I want to diminish in anyway what’s happening but I have to say it. Last week there were a lot of newscasts about this military guy, from the Valcartier base who died in Afghanistan. It was all over the news. His death brought the total number of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the mission began in 2002 to 77. We are in a war, and 77 soldiers are dead. Seventy-seven. Why are we making such a big deal about this? Those men were volunteers; they didn’t joined because they had to but because they chose to. When I think about all the men who died during WWII, not by choice, but because their country told them to… I can’t help to wonder if during those years if every single death created such turmoil… I have my doubts about that. Don’t get me wrong; I’m thankful there are men & women out there willing to do this for my, our protection. This weekend I couldn’t help to feel as if the lives of all those fallen before weren’t as “valuable” as those of today’s soldiers. That seriously bothers me. I’ve been to Pearl Harbour and was moved. There was something there that I had not felt before. I’m happy I went and paid my respect to those valiant, courageous people. They deserve as much respect and “publicity” as today’s soldiers.
When I think of Normandie or even Iwo Jima, I can't help to think of the carnage those guys ran into, and yet...I can't hep to think that it is amazing that since 2002 only 77 soldiers lost their lives in Afghanistan. Are we that naïve that we don’t expect our soldiers to get shot at nor to die? Why is it that we, as a nation, find ourselves at war, and expect no casualties? Why is that?
One of the things I hate about a lot of people nowadays is the fact that they don’t take responsibilities for their actions. A lot of us expect the government, our officials, or even society in general to “think” for us. We relinquish our powers, our ability to think and to do something. Granted, it is much easier to deal with, than having to think for ourselves. A while back I had seen this reportage about parents of military guys. They had interviewed this mother who was all pro-war, and about how wonderful the army had been for her son. The reporter went back a few months later, after her son had been killed in the Middle East. By then she had turned anti-Bush, anti-war, and the army was the worst thing ever. I don’t get that. I really don’t. The army didn’t change. Their weapons have, the way they fight as well, but the fact remains the same; in a war people die.
I don’t want to offend anybody, nor do I want to diminish in anyway what’s happening but I have to say it. Last week there were a lot of newscasts about this military guy, from the Valcartier base who died in Afghanistan. It was all over the news. His death brought the total number of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the mission began in 2002 to 77. We are in a war, and 77 soldiers are dead. Seventy-seven. Why are we making such a big deal about this? Those men were volunteers; they didn’t joined because they had to but because they chose to. When I think about all the men who died during WWII, not by choice, but because their country told them to… I can’t help to wonder if during those years if every single death created such turmoil… I have my doubts about that. Don’t get me wrong; I’m thankful there are men & women out there willing to do this for my, our protection. This weekend I couldn’t help to feel as if the lives of all those fallen before weren’t as “valuable” as those of today’s soldiers. That seriously bothers me. I’ve been to Pearl Harbour and was moved. There was something there that I had not felt before. I’m happy I went and paid my respect to those valiant, courageous people. They deserve as much respect and “publicity” as today’s soldiers.
When I think of Normandie or even Iwo Jima, I can't help to think of the carnage those guys ran into, and yet...I can't hep to think that it is amazing that since 2002 only 77 soldiers lost their lives in Afghanistan. Are we that naïve that we don’t expect our soldiers to get shot at nor to die? Why is it that we, as a nation, find ourselves at war, and expect no casualties? Why is that?
Friday, January 25, 2008
Your Friday Smile!
Sorry for the late post of “Friday Smile”, but I have a valid excuse. Yesterday afternoon I had a lumbar puncture (a.k.a. “spinal tap”, the procedure, not the band or movie) done, and had really bad headache after that. Today is better, lighter headache.
Without further delay, here’s your Friday Smile! Enjoy!
***
The phone rings and the lady of the house answers, "Hello".
"Mrs. Ward, please."
"Speaking."
"Mrs. Ward, this is Doctor Jones at the Medical Testing Laboratory. When your doctor sent your husband's specimen to the lab for testing yesterday, a specimen from another Mr. Ward arrived as well, and we are now uncertain which one is your husband's. Frankly the results are either bad or terrible."
"What do you mean?" Mrs. Ward asks nervously.
"Well one of the specimens tested positive for Alzheimer's and the other one tested positive for AIDS. We can't tell which is your husband's."
"That's dreadful! Can't you do the test again?" questioned Mrs. Ward.
"Normally we can, but Medicare will only pay for these expensive tests once."
"Well, what am I supposed to do now?"
"The people at Medicare recommend that you drop your husband off somewhere in the middle of town. If he finds his way home, don't sleep with him."
***
Without further delay, here’s your Friday Smile! Enjoy!
***
The phone rings and the lady of the house answers, "Hello".
"Mrs. Ward, please."
"Speaking."
"Mrs. Ward, this is Doctor Jones at the Medical Testing Laboratory. When your doctor sent your husband's specimen to the lab for testing yesterday, a specimen from another Mr. Ward arrived as well, and we are now uncertain which one is your husband's. Frankly the results are either bad or terrible."
"What do you mean?" Mrs. Ward asks nervously.
"Well one of the specimens tested positive for Alzheimer's and the other one tested positive for AIDS. We can't tell which is your husband's."
"That's dreadful! Can't you do the test again?" questioned Mrs. Ward.
"Normally we can, but Medicare will only pay for these expensive tests once."
"Well, what am I supposed to do now?"
"The people at Medicare recommend that you drop your husband off somewhere in the middle of town. If he finds his way home, don't sleep with him."
***
Have a great weekend everyone!
Don't forget the birth day thing...
Speaking of which, it's Galoot's birthday today, go over to wish him well!
Don't forget the birth day thing...
Speaking of which, it's Galoot's birthday today, go over to wish him well!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Fourteen years ago...
... you became my current boyfriend...
Where did the time go?
It started with breakfast and look where we are now.
I love you, gros, gros...
=^..^=
Where did the time go?
It started with breakfast and look where we are now.
I love you, gros, gros...
=^..^=
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Baggage
Dating nowadays has changed. Trying to find a good person (man or woman) seems to be harder than it was when I was “looking”. Maybe it’s my perception, but people do seem to come with more baggage’s than they did. To add to it all a lot of people come with kids.
I always knew I didn’t want children. Some people do from a very young age. I was the opposite. When I started dating, in college, I remember thinking that I didn’t want an “instant family”. If I was to raise a child I would have liked that child to be mine. These days, kids are having kids, so finding a significant other in your age group without kids, can be a challenge. I can only imagine how that would be for me. I don't know if I would be capable of doing it now. It might be all wrong of me, I might be too selfish for it, but after last weekend I know it would be very difficult to be a "step-mom" or the "weekend mom"...
Two friends of mine recently started seeing men with children. One girlfriend never had kids and ended up marrying the father of two young teens. He has custody of one full time and the other on weekends. My other girlfriend, who's also a mother of three (two adults and one grown teen, almost 17), only sees her beau’s kids once every other week. Those kids are younger than hers. We met them this past weekend. The little girl was pleasant, but the boy. I’ve never seen a kid with so little social skills. When talked to he grunts. I couldn’t believe it. I thought my friend was/is amazing to tolerate this. She laughed when I would ask the girl: “what do we say?” after handing her a glass of milk. Those kids were spoiled rotten. They smelled they were so rotten! I even told them, in front of their father. (It was our first time meeting him as well.) I really don’t know how she does it. I don’t think I would be capable to detach myself like she does.
Both these women have told me they tried to “educate” these kids when with them, but then they go back to their respective mother and it’s to redo the following week. The things I’ve seen on Saturday disturbed me. That boy was so shut off from the rest of us, and it seemed normal. To add to his charm, he was mean to his pets. They have two cats and a dog, and those pets are not well treated by this boy. He almost strangled a cat while we were there, and when I saw it, I reacted and called him up on it. He ignored me but untied the poor kitty. My friend had a little chat with him, but to be answered by a few grunts. I know it's not easy, for any of the parties involved, but where do you say "this is enough"?
I’ve dated a guy who had a son. His son was three years old at the time. When I first started dating this guy I didn’t know he had a son. He told me on our second or third date. I was surprised because I didn’t really care (not about the son, but about the fact that he did have a child. It didn't bother me.) But, I also realised that I didn’t like the fact that he never saw his kid. That sat wrong with me. If you do have a child, take care of him or at least care about him. He wouldn’t see his son because he didn’t want to deal with his ex. I explained to him that what he was doing was wrong, he was punishing his son because he wasn’t getting along with his son’s mother. I even managed to convince him to go get his son for a visit. He did. His parents were so happy to see their grand son, and so was the kid to see his dad. When came time to bring him back to his mother it was a whole different story. It broke my heart to see this young child, almost hysterical, holding on to his father in tears and begging him not to go. I couldn’t believe how sad it was. While we dated he did visit with his son more often, but each time it was emotionally hard on the child when came time to go back to his mother’s.
Both his parents were full of guilt, so this boy was King. He could get away with murder, but not with me. I wasn’t feeling guilty about anything, so whenever he was in my company he had rules. He knew. He would tell me: “My dad will say yes” to which I would answer: “Yeah, but I’m not your dad”. His father knew as well, and relied on me for discipline. I didn’t really enjoy that role, but I didn’t like seeing him walking on my leather sofa with his shoes, either, so I had to say something. In the end, it didn’t work out with that man for other reasons. Sometimes I wonder how good or bad that kid turned out…
___
Image: Divorce Child
I always knew I didn’t want children. Some people do from a very young age. I was the opposite. When I started dating, in college, I remember thinking that I didn’t want an “instant family”. If I was to raise a child I would have liked that child to be mine. These days, kids are having kids, so finding a significant other in your age group without kids, can be a challenge. I can only imagine how that would be for me. I don't know if I would be capable of doing it now. It might be all wrong of me, I might be too selfish for it, but after last weekend I know it would be very difficult to be a "step-mom" or the "weekend mom"...
Two friends of mine recently started seeing men with children. One girlfriend never had kids and ended up marrying the father of two young teens. He has custody of one full time and the other on weekends. My other girlfriend, who's also a mother of three (two adults and one grown teen, almost 17), only sees her beau’s kids once every other week. Those kids are younger than hers. We met them this past weekend. The little girl was pleasant, but the boy. I’ve never seen a kid with so little social skills. When talked to he grunts. I couldn’t believe it. I thought my friend was/is amazing to tolerate this. She laughed when I would ask the girl: “what do we say?” after handing her a glass of milk. Those kids were spoiled rotten. They smelled they were so rotten! I even told them, in front of their father. (It was our first time meeting him as well.) I really don’t know how she does it. I don’t think I would be capable to detach myself like she does.
Both these women have told me they tried to “educate” these kids when with them, but then they go back to their respective mother and it’s to redo the following week. The things I’ve seen on Saturday disturbed me. That boy was so shut off from the rest of us, and it seemed normal. To add to his charm, he was mean to his pets. They have two cats and a dog, and those pets are not well treated by this boy. He almost strangled a cat while we were there, and when I saw it, I reacted and called him up on it. He ignored me but untied the poor kitty. My friend had a little chat with him, but to be answered by a few grunts. I know it's not easy, for any of the parties involved, but where do you say "this is enough"?
I’ve dated a guy who had a son. His son was three years old at the time. When I first started dating this guy I didn’t know he had a son. He told me on our second or third date. I was surprised because I didn’t really care (not about the son, but about the fact that he did have a child. It didn't bother me.) But, I also realised that I didn’t like the fact that he never saw his kid. That sat wrong with me. If you do have a child, take care of him or at least care about him. He wouldn’t see his son because he didn’t want to deal with his ex. I explained to him that what he was doing was wrong, he was punishing his son because he wasn’t getting along with his son’s mother. I even managed to convince him to go get his son for a visit. He did. His parents were so happy to see their grand son, and so was the kid to see his dad. When came time to bring him back to his mother it was a whole different story. It broke my heart to see this young child, almost hysterical, holding on to his father in tears and begging him not to go. I couldn’t believe how sad it was. While we dated he did visit with his son more often, but each time it was emotionally hard on the child when came time to go back to his mother’s.
Both his parents were full of guilt, so this boy was King. He could get away with murder, but not with me. I wasn’t feeling guilty about anything, so whenever he was in my company he had rules. He knew. He would tell me: “My dad will say yes” to which I would answer: “Yeah, but I’m not your dad”. His father knew as well, and relied on me for discipline. I didn’t really enjoy that role, but I didn’t like seeing him walking on my leather sofa with his shoes, either, so I had to say something. In the end, it didn’t work out with that man for other reasons. Sometimes I wonder how good or bad that kid turned out…
___
Image: Divorce Child
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Cyber Brain Storm
Doesn’t that sound painful, a “brain storm”? How does one prepare or cover up against that type of storm? Hummm. While you think about this, I must tell you, in case you hadn’t noticed, I like change. I particularly enjoy those I can make easily. I’ve been toying with this idea of changing my blog title. “Stories 2 Tell” doesn’t do it for me anymore. While “chatting” with Pigeon, as far back as last September, we both agreed that the “paw” angle had to be worked in. So, this is where you come in…
From what you know (or what you think you know) of this blog, and me what do you think a good title would be?
Throw ideas my way, I’ll consider everything, and let’s see what might come out of this “cyber brain storm”...
Meanwhile, I’ve seen this on a few blogs and wondered if I could also use the idea to find a new blog look/name… but it’s fun for an “album cover”.
Here is what you do to make your very own album cover:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first article title on the page is the name of your band.
2. http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.
3. http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.
4. Use your graphics program of choice to throw them together.
Here's mine:
Let your imagination run wild!
From what you know (or what you think you know) of this blog, and me what do you think a good title would be?
Throw ideas my way, I’ll consider everything, and let’s see what might come out of this “cyber brain storm”...
Meanwhile, I’ve seen this on a few blogs and wondered if I could also use the idea to find a new blog look/name… but it’s fun for an “album cover”.
Here is what you do to make your very own album cover:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first article title on the page is the name of your band.
2. http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.
3. http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.
4. Use your graphics program of choice to throw them together.
Here's mine:
Let your imagination run wild!
Friday, January 18, 2008
Your Friday Smile!
Today, it's all about being Canadian!
Because Everyone In Canada Lives In An Igloo... (I've actually been asked if that was true by a woman coming from France to visit her relatives here. Honest!)
Now that Vancouver has won the chance to host the 2010 Winter Olympics, these are some questions people from all over the world are asking.
Believe it or not these questions about Canada were posted on an International Tourism Website.
Obviously the answers are a joke; but the questions were really asked!
Q: I have never seen it warm on Canadian TV, so how do the plants grow? (England)
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around and watch them die.
Q: Will I be able to see Polar Bears in the street? (USA)
A: Depends on how much you've been drinking.
Q: I want to walk from Vancouver to Toronto - can I follow the Railroad tracks? (Sweden)
A: Sure, it's only Four thousand miles, take lots of water.
Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in Canada ? (Sweden)
A: So it's true what they say about Swedes.
Q: Are there any ATM's (cash machines) in Canada ? Can you send me a list of them in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton and Halifax ? (England)
A: What, did your last slave die?
Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Canada ? (USA)
A: A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe Ca-na-da is that big country to your North...oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Calgary . Come naked.
Q: Which direction is North in Canada ? (USA)
A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.
Q: Can I bring cutlery into Canada ? (England)
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do .
Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)
A : Aus-t ri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is...oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Vancouver and in Calgary , straight after the hippo races. Come naked.
Q: Do you have perfume in Canada ? (Germany)
A: No, WE don't stink.
Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Where can Isell it in Canada ? (USA)
A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.
Q: Can you tell me the regions in British Columbia where the female population is smaller than the male population? (Italy)
A: Yes, gay nightclubs .
Q: Do you celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada ? (USA)
A: Only at Thanksgiving.
Q: Are there supermarkets in Toronto and is milk available all year round?(Germany)
A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of Vegan hunter/gathers. Milk is illegal.
Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Canada , but I forget its name. It's a kind of big horse with horns. (USA)
A: It's called a Moose. They are tall and very violent, eating the brains of anyone walking close to them. You can scare them of f by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.
Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? (USA)
A: Yes, but you will have to learn it first.
***
This is the way, we, Canadian, snorkle...
Because Everyone In Canada Lives In An Igloo... (I've actually been asked if that was true by a woman coming from France to visit her relatives here. Honest!)
Now that Vancouver has won the chance to host the 2010 Winter Olympics, these are some questions people from all over the world are asking.
Believe it or not these questions about Canada were posted on an International Tourism Website.
Obviously the answers are a joke; but the questions were really asked!
Q: I have never seen it warm on Canadian TV, so how do the plants grow? (England)
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around and watch them die.
Q: Will I be able to see Polar Bears in the street? (USA)
A: Depends on how much you've been drinking.
Q: I want to walk from Vancouver to Toronto - can I follow the Railroad tracks? (Sweden)
A: Sure, it's only Four thousand miles, take lots of water.
Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in Canada ? (Sweden)
A: So it's true what they say about Swedes.
Q: Are there any ATM's (cash machines) in Canada ? Can you send me a list of them in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton and Halifax ? (England)
A: What, did your last slave die?
Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Canada ? (USA)
A: A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe Ca-na-da is that big country to your North...oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Calgary . Come naked.
Q: Which direction is North in Canada ? (USA)
A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.
Q: Can I bring cutlery into Canada ? (England)
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do .
Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)
A : Aus-t ri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is...oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Vancouver and in Calgary , straight after the hippo races. Come naked.
Q: Do you have perfume in Canada ? (Germany)
A: No, WE don't stink.
Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Where can Isell it in Canada ? (USA)
A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.
Q: Can you tell me the regions in British Columbia where the female population is smaller than the male population? (Italy)
A: Yes, gay nightclubs .
Q: Do you celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada ? (USA)
A: Only at Thanksgiving.
Q: Are there supermarkets in Toronto and is milk available all year round?(Germany)
A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of Vegan hunter/gathers. Milk is illegal.
Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Canada , but I forget its name. It's a kind of big horse with horns. (USA)
A: It's called a Moose. They are tall and very violent, eating the brains of anyone walking close to them. You can scare them of f by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.
Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? (USA)
A: Yes, but you will have to learn it first.
***
This is the way, we, Canadian, snorkle...
Have a great weekend!
Don't forget to tell me your birth day, if you haven't yet!
Don't forget to tell me your birth day, if you haven't yet!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Perception Check
When I was an employee of “Mortel”, I often took classes that were offered in-house. Everything was good to help better my yearly review. One of the courses I took was “Giving and Receiving Feedback”. At the time I was working as the first contact for the Help Desk and I was teaching karate four days/week. I had to give AND receive feedback regularly. I had enjoyed that class because it gave me certain tools that I was missing, like “perception check”. Being the way I am, i.e. direct and to the point, I’m one who will ask directly if something is wrong. With that class I’ve learned to ask in a way that I’m not “attacking” the other person and don’t rub people the wrong way. But, there’s always a “but”, I still do come across as “rough”, abrasive, or “blunt”. I’ve always been this way and to be honest it’s not something I’m really trying to change; the “delivery” or the “packaging” yes, but the “essence” not really...
I may be wrong in thinking this, and I’m more than willing to better myself (I do work at being a better person), but I also realised sometime ago that we can not please everyone. I’m ok with that. I know myself, my strength and my weaknesses and I also know that I am true, or real. Hubby often says “with you (us) you’ll get a straight answer, it may not be what you want to hear, but you’ll know where we stand”. He’s completely right about that.
I haven’t been blogging for years. I’m happy to see how my circle of “blends” evolved and how well, overall, my blog is doing. I know that there are periods where things seem to be slower; during the summer vacations, most blog less. The same thing happens during the Holidays. Life does get in the way.
In the past, I’ve realised that I had lost some readers because of either something I posted that offended them or because my “content” wasn’t “proper enough” to be viewed at the office, etc. I sort of accepted that. I write “sort of” because a part of me felt like I was being judged. Nobody likes to be judge, really. We all want to be liked in some shape or form. It’s our human nature. Even if I don’t really enjoy being critiqued, I still welcome (that might be a bit strong, but hey…) feedback… Here’s where my old class kicks in:
I feel that I’m losing some of my regular commenters and that bothers me. I enjoy and read every comment I get. When I see a “missing regular” leaving comments elsewhere that raises a flag in my insecurities, and can’t help to wonder if I’ve lost that reader. I know, and understand that blogging is a shifting entity; people move around and read different blogs (I do it as well), our taste evolve and change. I do get that. But still, I can’t help and wonder… So, if you haven’t commented in a while, would you please be kind enough to do so and if you feel courageous give me some feedback about my blogging abilities, please?
Yes, I am looking for that tap on the back, that is how I feel today. Humour me, ok? If there is anything I can better, if you’re not coming by anymore because of something specific, I would like to know. I am not blogging for myself, I have a journal for that, I’m blogging for the interaction, because I want to be read, so if you stop reading then it defeats the purpose of me blogging, doesn’t it?
I may be wrong in thinking this, and I’m more than willing to better myself (I do work at being a better person), but I also realised sometime ago that we can not please everyone. I’m ok with that. I know myself, my strength and my weaknesses and I also know that I am true, or real. Hubby often says “with you (us) you’ll get a straight answer, it may not be what you want to hear, but you’ll know where we stand”. He’s completely right about that.
I haven’t been blogging for years. I’m happy to see how my circle of “blends” evolved and how well, overall, my blog is doing. I know that there are periods where things seem to be slower; during the summer vacations, most blog less. The same thing happens during the Holidays. Life does get in the way.
In the past, I’ve realised that I had lost some readers because of either something I posted that offended them or because my “content” wasn’t “proper enough” to be viewed at the office, etc. I sort of accepted that. I write “sort of” because a part of me felt like I was being judged. Nobody likes to be judge, really. We all want to be liked in some shape or form. It’s our human nature. Even if I don’t really enjoy being critiqued, I still welcome (that might be a bit strong, but hey…) feedback… Here’s where my old class kicks in:I feel that I’m losing some of my regular commenters and that bothers me. I enjoy and read every comment I get. When I see a “missing regular” leaving comments elsewhere that raises a flag in my insecurities, and can’t help to wonder if I’ve lost that reader. I know, and understand that blogging is a shifting entity; people move around and read different blogs (I do it as well), our taste evolve and change. I do get that. But still, I can’t help and wonder… So, if you haven’t commented in a while, would you please be kind enough to do so and if you feel courageous give me some feedback about my blogging abilities, please?
Yes, I am looking for that tap on the back, that is how I feel today. Humour me, ok? If there is anything I can better, if you’re not coming by anymore because of something specific, I would like to know. I am not blogging for myself, I have a journal for that, I’m blogging for the interaction, because I want to be read, so if you stop reading then it defeats the purpose of me blogging, doesn’t it?
Monday, January 14, 2008
Mish-Mash
So much to tell, so little time. Life has been keeping me busy lately and I’m not complaining. It also means that it’s been keeping me out of trouble. You know what they say about an idle mind… Let’s see what has been happening with me. Not that much actually, but work has been busy – it’s that time of year, preparation of T4s & Relevé 1, making sure that things are in order, etc.; hours of fun!
I’ve also restarted cooking for others. I used to do that for a few regular customers, you know, like catering… I’ve been doing that, as a sideline, for a few years now. I enjoy cooking and people enjoy my food. Last week was busy in the kitchen. Between preparing (and freezing) meat sauce, I did some Mexican pies and some regular meat pies. I just love our new oven. I can bake six pies at once! I love it! Did I tell you, how much I luuuuv our new oven? Oh, I do love thee!
My neck and shoulders were bothering me, so I went for a deep-tissue massage. Maybe it is because of my years in training in full-contact karate, but I love this. Yes it is painful, even at times, freakin’ painful, but the way I feel after is worth the moments of discomfort. While I was on his table, he noticed that I had a new ring, to which I said: “Yeah, it’s a blog buddy from England, who studied to become a jeweller, who made it as a session project and sent it to me as a Christmas gift! Isn’t it cute?” He stopped hurting me for a few seconds, looked at the ring and said: “I didn’t realise blogging came with gifts!” We talked about what blogging actually came with, the “benefits” of meeting people on line, through a blog, and getting to know some more than others, and caring for them etc. He was truly surprised to hear that I did send stuff to complete strangers, or people I’ve never actually met, and how in some strange ways friendships were forming… It is fascinating when you think about it.
Since I do have short hair, I have to maintain the cut on a regular base, to keep it structured, so monthly I get my hair cut. I get it coloured every other month or so, depending on the colour. I do change colour fairly regularly. I like changes. On the day I go to the Salon, when Hubby comes home he always ask: “What colour is it today?”. Friday when he got home my answer was “raisin”! I like it. I’m not crazy about the streaks left on my towel but that’s only the first few days. I thought of taking a picture, and on it you can also see the ring Purple Pigeon gave me.
Saturday we had dinner with friends. I’m always taken aback (in a way) when people comment on how much they enjoy seeing us as a couple in love. It’s not like we’re all lovey-dovey and can’t keep our hands off each other, our smooching all the time, ‘cause we’re not. When the daughter of our friends, in her early twenties, said she wanted to have a relationship, a couple like what we have, I felt touched and yet wondered why she would say something like that. Hubby thanked her and said he was taking it as a compliment. When I asked him later on what it was about us that made people say that (because it wasn’t the first time!), he doesn’t know either, nor does he care (typical!). We’re happy together and that’s all that matters. He’s right, but still, I’ll have to investigate on that one.
Yesterday I had a “play date” with a girlfriend of mine, for an afternoon of scrapbooking! I did two pages, then came home and did two more. I hadn’t done any in almost a year, so to get back into it was fun. We will try to do this at least once a month until summer. We don’t scrapbook in summer, too many things to do outside!
I didn’t even tell you about the weather we’ve been having either. Remember about two weeks ago we had a big snowstorm, the second or third this winter. Well, in the same week we went from –19° C (-2.2° F) before the wind factor, to 11° C (51.8° F) a few days later. It rained for a few days in a row, to the point where our front lawn was back on grass! Today, it’s snowing, –5° C (23° F) and everything is white again! Go figure! Crazy place we live in and Mother Nature is surely going menopausal and is having some serious hot flashes…
I’ve been meaning to blog more, and yet, work and life in general seems to be getting in the way. I’m just happy I didn’t sign up for the “365 blogging thing”… What have you been up to?
I’ve also restarted cooking for others. I used to do that for a few regular customers, you know, like catering… I’ve been doing that, as a sideline, for a few years now. I enjoy cooking and people enjoy my food. Last week was busy in the kitchen. Between preparing (and freezing) meat sauce, I did some Mexican pies and some regular meat pies. I just love our new oven. I can bake six pies at once! I love it! Did I tell you, how much I luuuuv our new oven? Oh, I do love thee!
My neck and shoulders were bothering me, so I went for a deep-tissue massage. Maybe it is because of my years in training in full-contact karate, but I love this. Yes it is painful, even at times, freakin’ painful, but the way I feel after is worth the moments of discomfort. While I was on his table, he noticed that I had a new ring, to which I said: “Yeah, it’s a blog buddy from England, who studied to become a jeweller, who made it as a session project and sent it to me as a Christmas gift! Isn’t it cute?” He stopped hurting me for a few seconds, looked at the ring and said: “I didn’t realise blogging came with gifts!” We talked about what blogging actually came with, the “benefits” of meeting people on line, through a blog, and getting to know some more than others, and caring for them etc. He was truly surprised to hear that I did send stuff to complete strangers, or people I’ve never actually met, and how in some strange ways friendships were forming… It is fascinating when you think about it.
Since I do have short hair, I have to maintain the cut on a regular base, to keep it structured, so monthly I get my hair cut. I get it coloured every other month or so, depending on the colour. I do change colour fairly regularly. I like changes. On the day I go to the Salon, when Hubby comes home he always ask: “What colour is it today?”. Friday when he got home my answer was “raisin”! I like it. I’m not crazy about the streaks left on my towel but that’s only the first few days. I thought of taking a picture, and on it you can also see the ring Purple Pigeon gave me.
Saturday we had dinner with friends. I’m always taken aback (in a way) when people comment on how much they enjoy seeing us as a couple in love. It’s not like we’re all lovey-dovey and can’t keep our hands off each other, our smooching all the time, ‘cause we’re not. When the daughter of our friends, in her early twenties, said she wanted to have a relationship, a couple like what we have, I felt touched and yet wondered why she would say something like that. Hubby thanked her and said he was taking it as a compliment. When I asked him later on what it was about us that made people say that (because it wasn’t the first time!), he doesn’t know either, nor does he care (typical!). We’re happy together and that’s all that matters. He’s right, but still, I’ll have to investigate on that one.
Yesterday I had a “play date” with a girlfriend of mine, for an afternoon of scrapbooking! I did two pages, then came home and did two more. I hadn’t done any in almost a year, so to get back into it was fun. We will try to do this at least once a month until summer. We don’t scrapbook in summer, too many things to do outside!
I didn’t even tell you about the weather we’ve been having either. Remember about two weeks ago we had a big snowstorm, the second or third this winter. Well, in the same week we went from –19° C (-2.2° F) before the wind factor, to 11° C (51.8° F) a few days later. It rained for a few days in a row, to the point where our front lawn was back on grass! Today, it’s snowing, –5° C (23° F) and everything is white again! Go figure! Crazy place we live in and Mother Nature is surely going menopausal and is having some serious hot flashes…
I’ve been meaning to blog more, and yet, work and life in general seems to be getting in the way. I’m just happy I didn’t sign up for the “365 blogging thing”… What have you been up to?
Friday, January 11, 2008
Your Friday Smile!
A father asked his 10-year old son if he knew about the birds and the bees.
"I don't want to know," the child said, bursting into tears. "Promise me you won't tell me."
Confused, the father asked what was wrong.
The boy sobbed, "When I was six, I got the 'There's no Easter Bunny' speech.
At seven, I got the 'There's no Tooth Fairy' speech.
When I was eight, you hit me with the 'There's no Santa' speech.
If you're going to tell me that grown-ups don't really get laid, I'll have nothing left to live for."
"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant.
We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift."
A. Einstein
This has to be the best illusion ever created.
If you look at the above images from your seat in front of the computer, Mr. Angry is on the left, and Ms. Calm is on the right.
Get up from your seat, and move back 12 feet, and PRESTO!! They switch places!!
It is said this illusion was created by Phillippe G.Schyns and Aude Oliva of the University of Glasgow
Does this prove that we sometimes may not be seeing what's actually there?
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
I just don't
It has hit me. I am old…er. Last night some friends dropped by for a short visit. We talked about Chef Ramsay. Gordon Ramsay. I like his “in your face” style, maybe because I tend to be just like that, and yes I do curse as well. But I do try not to call too many people idiots, the way he does. I wish I did at times, but I don’t. I guess I'm good that way.
Somehow I said “He’s young, he’s barely 40”, and that’s when it hit me! Smack! It felt like a good slap across the face. At that exact moment I realised what I had just said: Forty wasn’t old. I started thinking of how "old" people would always defend their age group for some reason.
One has to be forty or over to understand this. Remember when in primary school they would ask us where we would see our self in the year 2000? I remember coming home and telling my mother:
My girlfriend laughed last night when I voiced that observation or rather “realisation”. Her comment was “I don’t think fifty is that old either, and yet my body is telling me otherwise”. Whatever my body is telling me is one thing, but to go to the butcher and be called “ma’am” by a man older than me, that’s another slap, and yet:
Really, I don’t! It's all part of growing up… uh… I meant old…older… argh, whatever!
Somehow I said “He’s young, he’s barely 40”, and that’s when it hit me! Smack! It felt like a good slap across the face. At that exact moment I realised what I had just said: Forty wasn’t old. I started thinking of how "old" people would always defend their age group for some reason.
One has to be forty or over to understand this. Remember when in primary school they would ask us where we would see our self in the year 2000? I remember coming home and telling my mother:
“Today at school we had to say where and what we would be doing in the future, like in the year 2000. I told sister Yvette that I would be old by then. In the year 2000 I will be 34 years old!”I still see my mom, peeling potatoes, slowly turning around with this puzzled look on her face, and all she said was “I’m 36, do you think I’m old?” At the time I did. I didn’t tell her that, at least not that time. Now, I’m over 40 and I don’t think it’s “that” old. Yes I do see the changes, and mostly feel them, but still. In my head I don’t feel like a forty years old woman…
My girlfriend laughed last night when I voiced that observation or rather “realisation”. Her comment was “I don’t think fifty is that old either, and yet my body is telling me otherwise”. Whatever my body is telling me is one thing, but to go to the butcher and be called “ma’am” by a man older than me, that’s another slap, and yet:
Really, I don’t! It's all part of growing up… uh… I meant old…older… argh, whatever!
Monday, January 07, 2008
Archive Meme
What better way to start the week and this new year, but to do a Meme!
I’ve been tagged by Drowsey Monkey with an “Archive Meme”. What is that you may ask? It’s a great way to resurface some of the great older posts everyone has written, return to a few great places in our memories and also learn a little something about ourselves and each other that we may not know.
Here are the instructions:
1) Go back through your archives and post the links to your five favourite blog posts that you've written. But there is a catch:
a) Link 1 must be about family.
b) Link 2 must be about friends.
c) Link 3 must be about yourself, who you are... what you're all about.
d) Link 4 must be about something you love.
e) Link 5 can be about anything you choose.
2) Post your five links and then tag five other people. At least TWO of the people you tag must be newer acquaintances so that you get to know each other better.
Reads interesting, doesn’t it? I thought so too. I went back in my archives and tried to look in my “older” stuff, not recent postings, so here goes:
My favourite post about family: "Do We Have To?"
My favourite post about friends: "Cyber Friendship - Reality or Fiction?"
My favourite post about what me: This one was a bit tough... If you really want to know what I'm all about you should read my Hundred Things About Me list, but I chose "Parenthood - our choice"
My favourite post about something I love: Again, tough one, but I had to go with "A Rough Morning"
Finally, a favourite post of my choice: "It's everywhere...among us... Depression"
Now for the inevitable, tag 5 people. Here are my 5 (if you've done this one already or you're just not into meme, no worries, it's optional):
1. Brave Astronaut
2. Trueself
3. Tammie
4. Kara
5. Seeker
Don’t forget to read the archive posts and leave comments!
I’ve been tagged by Drowsey Monkey with an “Archive Meme”. What is that you may ask? It’s a great way to resurface some of the great older posts everyone has written, return to a few great places in our memories and also learn a little something about ourselves and each other that we may not know.
Here are the instructions:
1) Go back through your archives and post the links to your five favourite blog posts that you've written. But there is a catch:
a) Link 1 must be about family.
b) Link 2 must be about friends.
c) Link 3 must be about yourself, who you are... what you're all about.
d) Link 4 must be about something you love.
e) Link 5 can be about anything you choose.
2) Post your five links and then tag five other people. At least TWO of the people you tag must be newer acquaintances so that you get to know each other better.
Reads interesting, doesn’t it? I thought so too. I went back in my archives and tried to look in my “older” stuff, not recent postings, so here goes:
My favourite post about family: "Do We Have To?"
My favourite post about friends: "Cyber Friendship - Reality or Fiction?"
My favourite post about what me: This one was a bit tough... If you really want to know what I'm all about you should read my Hundred Things About Me list, but I chose "Parenthood - our choice"
My favourite post about something I love: Again, tough one, but I had to go with "A Rough Morning"
Finally, a favourite post of my choice: "It's everywhere...among us... Depression"
Now for the inevitable, tag 5 people. Here are my 5 (if you've done this one already or you're just not into meme, no worries, it's optional):
1. Brave Astronaut
2. Trueself
3. Tammie
4. Kara
5. Seeker
Don’t forget to read the archive posts and leave comments!
P.S. It is Don't Call Me Ma'am's birthday today, drop by with your wishes...
Sunday, January 06, 2008
A little indeed
I managed to get five hours of sleep... after playing Tettris for a while, I went to bed, toss & turn for another half-hour and somehow managed to fall asleep... I wish I could say I slept like a baby, but I didn't. Actually, wait, I did! I slept like a baby who isn't making its nights yet! Yeah, that's it! And I feel like the baby and its parents!!!
Need I say more?
Just a little...
It’s 4:05 am and can’t seem to find sleep… My internal clock is completely out of wack. It’s getting worst. I went to bed a few hours ago, tried to read but I could feel that I was getting into my book and wouldn’t fall asleep, so after reading for two hours decided to try to meditate some. To no avail, sleep was eluding me. I then decided to get up and take down our Christmas lights. It’s official; the Holidays are over. I removed all traces of Christmas from our house. I hate this part. But it is part of the package, isn’t it?
( Poor Tobi, he’s all confused… He just came by and meowed like he does in the morning when I don’t feed him fast enough after being up…Oh well… He’s even pawing me on the forearm, poor thing… My insomnia is causing him to have false expectation.)
Hubby is sound asleep. As I sit here, I try not to type in a noisy way, but then again with the cat “chatting” as he keeps coming back… maybe I should feed him now…
The last few weeks my sleep patterns have been weird. I’ve always been a night person. I’m not a morning person. I’ve never been either. As a teen I would have slept the whole day through if only allowed. It was tolerated until noon. After that, one was cruising for a rude awakening. I’ve often been called “lazy” because I liked being in bed. Nowadays I sleep as much, or as little, as my body needs, whenever I can. That is one instance when I do listen to my body. That is also my main benefit for working from home.
Maybe I’m still awake because of that pot of green tea I had at dinner? Is green tea full of caffeine? I should Google it. Or maybe it’s due to the fact that I did some work before going to bed? My brain is racing… it’s been like that all day, since I woke up from this strange dream I was having. Ever had one of those dream where even if you don’t really remember it specifically, there was something in it that truly bugged you? That’s the kind I had last night. All day it trotted in my head, and I had this feeling that I did something wrong and was about to be found out or something… Very strange feeling, especially since the people in my dream I haven’t seen in a long time… and I’ve been wrecking my brain trying to figure things out… It doesn’t make sense… conscious sense anyway. This message is way too obscure for me in the state I am in. I just realised that I overused the “…”
Earlier when I tried to meditate, I couldn’t keep my mantra, I felt like a super ball that has been thrown against a very hard surface and was bouncing all over the place. Argh. Even now, I fell like I’m the ball, in a pinball machine, stuck on top, and bouncing off those little bumpers non-stop. Can somebody please give this machine of mine a good shove, a good pelvic thrust, but not too hard! I just want to get out of that area; I don’t want my machine to get tilted! I just want to sleep...
___
Image: Tilt
( Poor Tobi, he’s all confused… He just came by and meowed like he does in the morning when I don’t feed him fast enough after being up…Oh well… He’s even pawing me on the forearm, poor thing… My insomnia is causing him to have false expectation.)
Hubby is sound asleep. As I sit here, I try not to type in a noisy way, but then again with the cat “chatting” as he keeps coming back… maybe I should feed him now…
The last few weeks my sleep patterns have been weird. I’ve always been a night person. I’m not a morning person. I’ve never been either. As a teen I would have slept the whole day through if only allowed. It was tolerated until noon. After that, one was cruising for a rude awakening. I’ve often been called “lazy” because I liked being in bed. Nowadays I sleep as much, or as little, as my body needs, whenever I can. That is one instance when I do listen to my body. That is also my main benefit for working from home.
Maybe I’m still awake because of that pot of green tea I had at dinner? Is green tea full of caffeine? I should Google it. Or maybe it’s due to the fact that I did some work before going to bed? My brain is racing… it’s been like that all day, since I woke up from this strange dream I was having. Ever had one of those dream where even if you don’t really remember it specifically, there was something in it that truly bugged you? That’s the kind I had last night. All day it trotted in my head, and I had this feeling that I did something wrong and was about to be found out or something… Very strange feeling, especially since the people in my dream I haven’t seen in a long time… and I’ve been wrecking my brain trying to figure things out… It doesn’t make sense… conscious sense anyway. This message is way too obscure for me in the state I am in. I just realised that I overused the “…”
Earlier when I tried to meditate, I couldn’t keep my mantra, I felt like a super ball that has been thrown against a very hard surface and was bouncing all over the place. Argh. Even now, I fell like I’m the ball, in a pinball machine, stuck on top, and bouncing off those little bumpers non-stop. Can somebody please give this machine of mine a good shove, a good pelvic thrust, but not too hard! I just want to get out of that area; I don’t want my machine to get tilted! I just want to sleep...___
Image: Tilt
Friday, January 04, 2008
Your First Friday Smile of 2008!
***A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe-box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about.
For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover. In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe-box and took it to his wife's bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box.
When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000. He asked her about the contents.
'When we were to be married,' she said, 'my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll.'
The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness.
Darling,' he said, 'that explains the doll, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?'
'Oh,' she said, 'That's the money I made from selling the dolls.'
A Prayer
Dear Lord,
I pray for Wisdom to understand my man;
Love to forgive him;
And Patience for his moods;
Because Lord, if I pray for strength,
I'll beat him to death.
And I don't know how to crochet.
AMEN!
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Review in one sentence
I was making my rounds on my “not so regular reads”, when I came upon an amusing post at Condi’s Hair. I thought it was interesting and was curious to see what it would give me, so… I told her that I would steal it and started going through my 2007 posts.
Below are the first sentences from the first posts of each month of this past year.
Here goes:
January: I wish you a day of ordinary miracles, a fresh pot of coffee you didn't have to make yourself, an unexpected phone call from an old friend, green stoplights on your way to work or shop.
February: A few weeks ago I wrote this, and last Friday our friends’ father lost his long and brutal fight against cancer.
March: Last time I went to a swimsuit shop the only thing I really felt comfortable in was the dressing room.
April: Even if it’s only been a few days, it feels like I’ve been away from Blogsville for ages.
May: I don’t know if you’ve noticed or it is only in my head, but there seems to be a certain lack of interest going about Blogsville.
June: A man walks into the street and just as it starts to sprinkle, he manages to get a taxi just as it's passing by.
July: Quick note: We are moved - it's still a construction zone and we are not connected to the internet, thus my going MIA!
August: I have a curious nature.
September: Because of my years of training in karate, I had to do some visualization prior to tournaments, to prepare for the big fights, or for belt tests.
October: Feeling like crap but happy to be back nonetheless.
November: First, I’m doing this “NaBloPoMo” thing.
December: It's strange how not posting for a few days and already I feel like it's been ages... it must be because it is right after the NaBloPoMo thing, or something...
Don’t you think it’s entertaining? Granted it’s not nearly as captivating as I thought it would be, but nonetheless it does give me a curious outlook about what went on with me last year.
A friend’s father passed away, I don’t feel comfy in a swimsuit, was away from Blogsville on a few occasions, which, I think, confirms my addiction! We moved which explained my going “cold turkey” from blogging. I admitted that I was curious and that I used to do visualisation. I also felt like crap enough to blog about it and did NaBloPoMo, as if I could forget that...
Give it a go, you’ll see; it’s surprising what comes up…
Below are the first sentences from the first posts of each month of this past year.
Here goes:
January: I wish you a day of ordinary miracles, a fresh pot of coffee you didn't have to make yourself, an unexpected phone call from an old friend, green stoplights on your way to work or shop.
February: A few weeks ago I wrote this, and last Friday our friends’ father lost his long and brutal fight against cancer.
March: Last time I went to a swimsuit shop the only thing I really felt comfortable in was the dressing room.
April: Even if it’s only been a few days, it feels like I’ve been away from Blogsville for ages.
May: I don’t know if you’ve noticed or it is only in my head, but there seems to be a certain lack of interest going about Blogsville.
June: A man walks into the street and just as it starts to sprinkle, he manages to get a taxi just as it's passing by.
July: Quick note: We are moved - it's still a construction zone and we are not connected to the internet, thus my going MIA!
August: I have a curious nature.
September: Because of my years of training in karate, I had to do some visualization prior to tournaments, to prepare for the big fights, or for belt tests.
October: Feeling like crap but happy to be back nonetheless.
November: First, I’m doing this “NaBloPoMo” thing.
December: It's strange how not posting for a few days and already I feel like it's been ages... it must be because it is right after the NaBloPoMo thing, or something...
Don’t you think it’s entertaining? Granted it’s not nearly as captivating as I thought it would be, but nonetheless it does give me a curious outlook about what went on with me last year.
A friend’s father passed away, I don’t feel comfy in a swimsuit, was away from Blogsville on a few occasions, which, I think, confirms my addiction! We moved which explained my going “cold turkey” from blogging. I admitted that I was curious and that I used to do visualisation. I also felt like crap enough to blog about it and did NaBloPoMo, as if I could forget that...
Give it a go, you’ll see; it’s surprising what comes up…
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Looking back...
Now that 2007 is really over, let’s look back on it. I’m not going to talk politics, I just don’t. I’m not going to talk about the price conspiracy of the petrol companies either, nor of how stupid the leader of our neighbours down South is…Talking with Hubby I asked him if he did “look back” and his answer was “Fuck no! It’s done, it’s in the past, let’s move on!” I don’t really agree with him, but hey, it won’t be the first time. I think that when I take a few moments to do look back and revisit the year that just ended, it often reminds me of things I’ve done, and at times, helps me realise that maybe the things I’m trying to change are slowly changing…
Overall, 2007 wasn’t a bad year; it was just a very stressful and busy year. 2007 was our year of changes or transition. We had fun on our show shoeing weekend with friends in Charlevoix. This year promises lots more of those, and closer! We were overdue for a house change, either do some renovations or sell. That was the first piece of the domino that created this big ripple of changes for us. We opted to sell and thankfully we did very fast. Within nine days it was sold. We decided to move downtown, another big change from the suburbs. We participated in a charity event to raise money for cancer research, we spent a night up walking at the “Relay For Life”, a moving experience. Then, speaking of moving, we did just that! We moved in our condo, our unfinished condo, that is… We lived on a construction site for a few months and really were engaged in lots of mental efforts to be patient and tolerant and not to kill the next twat who came along and messed something up, again. We did manage that feat.
Hubby’s mother passed away in the middle of it all. Looking back, I can only be thankful for the fact that we made peace before she passed. In September we went for a week away in Vegas, with our good Hawaiian friend. We had a great week and enjoyed some magnificent shows while we were there. Le Cirque du Soleil rocks in Vegas with their shows like “O” and “Love”. That was money well spent. We’ve had a good year as far as entertainment went. We went to see: François Morency’s show, then during the “Just for Laugh Festival” we saw John Pinette’s Gala as well as the Hommage to Yvon Deschamps. I had a pleasant evening at the “Coupe Rogers” and saw some pretty good men tennis. Of course, the two shows from “Cirque du Soleil” in Vegas were amazing. We were also pleasantly surprised by Boucar Diouf and even had the chance to meet him after the show. And let’s not forget the fireworks. Even last night we saw some! I think I’ve seen more fireworks in the last six months of living here, and in all my life before. Granted there were fireworks competition in there, but still.
For the most part, health was good. I can only hope that 2008 will bring us some answers…
Looking back made me realise that even if I often felt like we were stuck in a never ending loop, especially in regards to the construction, it wasn’t that bad… Stressful, yes. Very. But not bad. I feel we were blessed and protected, and most importantly loved and that, in my eyes, is priceless.
I can only hope 2008 will be just as good, if not better!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)