Let the good time roll!

What a month November was.  Not only did it contain my 45th birthday, but it was also Movember - for those two things alone, it doesn't end a moment too soon.  I've been noticing men wearing mustaches a lot more, and let's just say it doesn't suit every males.  It's for a good cause, but man oh man, a lot of them looked like they were competing for a Ron Jeremy Look-A-Like or that creepy uncle look... eurk!

I will say this for November though, it's been nice weather wise.  We only had snow once, and within two days it was all melted due to clement temperature.

It is also the end of my daily posting - yay me, for doing it!  It was somewhat rough at times, but I did manage to get in something daily.  Won't be doing that again soon.  I'll keep on posting, but because I want not because I impose myself some obligation to do it.

Last night show was pretty good.  I enjoyed it.  He sounded just like he does on CD.  He seemed to enjoy Montreal as well, he also seemed like a nice guy who does enjoy his job.  It's nice to see a performer enjoying himself.  

James Blunt surfing the Montreal crowd to get to see his fans, Bell Centre, Nov 29, 2011

A nice way to close a month that is too often referred to as a deadly month.  Now, let's the festivities begin!  

Let's keep those fingers crossed

Tonight, I'm going to see James Blunt.  A gift from a client.  I didn't really know his music, a few (popular) songs here and there, but thanks to my Hubby, I've been exposed to more of it, and I'm liking what I've heard so far.  I find in some of his intonations he sounds a bit like the Bee Gees... maybe it's just his high pitch or the treble in his voice.  Anyway, it should be interesting... me hope.

That's not right and knowing it makes it worst.

I need to get something off my chest.  It's not easy, but maybe you can help me in dealing with this.

My mother and I get along.  We do.  We don't see eye to eye on many things, but when we're together just the two of us, we get along.  I don't think of her as a friend.  She's my mother, and want her to remain in that role, and this despite the fact she is getting older and I've had to parent her some.  She's the type of woman who must have a man in her life in order to feel complete.  She can't be alone.  I've come to term with this, that's her way and that's that.

For over six months now, she has a new man in her life.  They've been traveling together, have common activities and seem to get along well.  He seems like a good man and my mom seems happy.  One of their activity is to hunt together.  My mother has been moose hunting for many years.  She would go with my dad and kept on going after his death.  She's been lucky and killed most years.  I grew up on games meat.  My father was a fisherman and hunter.  Moose meat is something we ate regularly at my folks.  I went, as a teen, for my firearm permit.  We used to practice fairly regularly, target practice was fun.  I'm also an animal lover, and was never really interested in going hunting as such.  I like moose meat, but not enough to go kill one.

Yesterday, my mother and her new beau came by for a visit. (Brief parenthesis here: I'm also realizing my mom pops up when she needs something from me: yesterday's visit was for me to post 2 items the beau wants to sell on the web.  She didn't know how, so she asked me.)  While I was working on his posts and searching his camera chip for pictures of his items, he showed me pictures of their last hunt.  He had taken pictures of two beautiful young lynx and their mother.  I did ask a few questions because they (mom and beau) seemed pretty close to them, but I could see my mother was somewhat embarrassed.  Turns out, the beau killed them all, just like that.  When I asked why, I was told they ate the partridges.  Wow!  My mom shyly said she knew it was cruel, but they were many of them in the area they were.  A few minutes later Hubby showed up, and beau showed him the pictures.

After they left, I told Hubby how uncomfortable I was feeling with his need to kill for the sake of killing.  Hubby wasn't there when I asked the questions, and had not realized that the pictures were of dead animals. They were beautiful, and my stomach is turning as I'm typing this.

I understand hunting. I have no issue with killing a moose (or any other animal) to feed ourselves.  I get that.  I don't like it, but at the same time I won't pretend not to enjoy my meat.  I'm a carnivore and I assume it.  But killing animals just because they are there and doing what their instinct dictates them is wrong.  I want to address this with my mother, and I really don't know how to go about it.  I want her to know that her behavior and her beau's are disappointing and just plain cruel, as far as I'm concerned.  I don't think it's right to kill at random like this, and I know they both know what they're doing is wrong.  I have a feeling that when I'll talk to my mother about this, tempers will rise and it's not really what I want.  A part of me feels like I should report them to the Hunting Police or something.  Any suggestion?

I can't hold on much longer...

... I haven't posted today.  I have nothing (positive and uplifting) to write about... not that life isn't good, it is, but I just don't know what to write about at this time.  I'll keep it for tomorrow.  If I think of it.

Deal with it, it's coming!

The countdown has started, and I don't care what you say! Christmas is in a month less one day, deal with it. As soon as my birthday is done, I know Christmas is around the corner. I will say it is weird to hear Christmas music in malls when it's warm outside, and with barely any snow left from earlier this week. I've done Christmas in Florida once, and I can't say I truly enjoyed it. It didn't feel like what I've known all my life as Christmas. I've lived the white Christmases and all that, so being on a beach didn't feel like Christmas at all.

Christmas, for me, has always been about family time. Unlike my American friends, Christmas is way more important (here, for us French Canadian, at least) than Thanksgiving. I don't remember really celebrating Thanksgiving growing up, but Christmas that was always a big deal. Lots of family time, get together and food up the wazoo.

As a kid, we always spent Christmas at my grand parents on my mother's side, up North (six hours from Montreal). On Christmas Eve, they would send us to bed early and would wake us once they were back from midnight mass. Every year Santa came by. Some years he was a little tipsy, but he always came. One year, he looked really strange. He had blue eye shadows! When I mentioned it to my mother, she told me to be quiet or I wouldn't get any gift. Being the eldest, I kept quiet, but I remember thinking it was really strange. Turned out the uncle who was supposed to be Santa was too drunk, so his wife did it instead.

The parents always made a big production of it all. One year an uncle climbed on the roof and made noise, as if Santa was on the roof. One year they made noises in the basement, Santa was coming in that way.

One time, they had deer prints in the snow around the house... all type of exciting things to make us kids really happy and quite hyper about it. Needless to say, the grown ups were just as excited as we were, but it was all for us... of course!

I miss those days.  It was fun to wonder if we would get what we'd asked for (we often didn't, but were happy nonetheless), to see cousins we'd only see then, to stay up late playing with our new toys and eating a full meal after it all and just before going to bed.   On Christmas day it was either really quiet, kids playing together and adults playing cards, or it was a party.  I remember how neighbors would come by during the day for a short visit, just long enough to enjoy a shot of gin, how there was always someone coming in wishing everyone "Merry Christmas" and how there was always food to be had and jokes to be told.  It was fun.  That's how I remember it at least...

How about you? How were your Christmases growing up?

Talk about a Turkey Day!

To all my American friends, Happy Thanksgiving!  Enjoy your time with your loved ones.  If you don't do it now, when will you do?

Today is also my birthday (thanks Mousse for the lovely kitty), yep, I'm turning 45 today.

I can't believe how fast it went. Time does fly when you're having fun!

Winter has arrived!

Everything is wearing a white coat this morning, it looks like a Christmas morning moment outside, it's pretty and yet I feel this urge to roll up in a ball, under my desk, suck my thumb and cry some...

I could be doing much worst.

Yesterday's post was about social medias keeping bloggers busy from blogging, after all there are so many hours in a day and between Bacefook and Twitt and whatever else people play with these days, there's not much time left to actually do some work, take care of ourselves and our family, and let's not forget to watch some TV and have a social life. I'm out of breath just writing this, and I'm starting to feel a little stress creeping up my neck muscles.

I will say that because of Bacefook, I've been able to find long lost friends.  Well, let's be honest, if there were really friends, they wouldn't have been lost in the first place, right?  Huh.  Anyway, I've found people I knew from way back when, people I went to primary school with and some from high-school.  For that I'm enjoying Bacefook, for that and for the fact I'm now able to poke someone just to say hi, or to see what's happening with them.  Like blogging, people do have to post in order for the rest of us to know what's happening with them, dah.  Let me tell you, if you're not on Bacefook, some people do.  They post about what they had to eat, what they wear that day, oh yeah, the real important stuff, just like what I've been posting here. Teehee.

This morning I've received a one-liner email, from a friend (let's say he is) I haven't seen in many years and with whom I rarely have any contact.  He sent me a birthday wish (a few days early).  I'm pretty sure it is not because he remembers my birth date, but because I must show up in the "Upcoming Events" box in Bacefook.  It's a nice thought.  He didn't have to do it, I recognize that. 

That's one thing, on birth days, one will get their wall filled with wishes.  It's a nice feeling, even if we know they were reminded, because even if with the reminder some people will not.  Among my 352 "friends" on there not all of them will take the time to write my a line when the time comes. I don't expect people to do it either.  It'd be phony.  But then again, I can't help to think why is it I can not de-friend someone?  I don't accept all requests.  I have a few pending from people I've never even met.  They sent me a request because I did the same style of martial arts they do.  Nah, don't know you, sorry.  I see people in the "People You May Know" box I went to school with.  I'm guessing they would see me as well.  I didn't really know them in school so why now?  Yes we went to the same school, but that didn't make us friends.  I'm not in a quest to have the biggest amount of friends.

I was looking for an image representing Bacefook Friends, when I saw this... If this app really exists, I'm sure some people got it, because we all want to know who left us... Strange!  Check it out, if you're interested.  Bacefook is a time waster, I'll admit that, and yet I enjoy it.  What do you like about it?

Too many social media or too little time?

I almost missed my daily post... geez wouldn't want that to happen!

It's weird how things work out sometimes isn't it?  Yesterday, I lurked around and while cleaning some of my blogs listing, I've realized I didn't use some of the traffic tools the web offers like I did when I first started blogging.  Granted, I'm not blogging with the same passion I once did.  Bacefook ruined it all for most bloggers, I'd say.  We've put faces to avatars, and now we keep in touch through Bacefook.  Weird huh?  

I've been debating if I should come out on Bacefook about this blog.  Most of my friends (and relatives) know I blog, but very few do read me.  For some it is because of the language (I write in English and they only read French), for others it is for lack of interest, or they just don't know about it.  Somehow I like this place being mine, and somewhat incognito, but at the same time I want more readers / comments, so what is a girl to do?

A few minutes ago I received an email from BlogFlux.  I used to use them when I started this gig, back in April 2006.  I had a look at what they now offer, since it had been severely mismanagement which led to the site decaying and becoming a shell of its former glory (as they put it in their email), and when it came to me categorizing my blog I felt stumped.  I don't know what to write, or even how to write, since I post about anything, I vent, bitch, joke around, name it I've done it and will most likely do it again!

What can I do to increase my traffic to this blog?  Post more?  Well, I've been posting daily for the last 21 days, can't really post more than that and, by the way, I can't wait for this month to be over!  I'll keep on posting when I want to rather than because I've committed to doing it daily - that wasn't my brightest idea!

What can I do to make this blog better (besides removing myself!)?  Any suggestion? 

Rude much?

Because I work from home (most days), I'm always easily accessible and I have my computer on all the time.  I do have a cell phone, but the old fashion type, i.e. the flippy kind.  No, I don't own any Blackberry or iPhone or any gizmo like that (I'd love to, but my IT department (read Hubby) isn't too keen on them).  I have a phone that I only use as a phone, yes that also means I don't text.  Crazy, huh?  Somehow, I'm still easy to reach no matter what.

Last week I had lunch with a client and a new hire of his.  While we were sitting at the restaurant table, within minutes of getting our menus, client took out his phone and started to check his messages.  I couldn't help myself and asked him to be in the moment and to try to enjoy his lunch since he wasn't obviously enjoying the company.  He apologized and put his phone away.  The new hire was surprised.  He was looking at me as if I had said something really outrageous, so I asked him why he was looking at me this way.  His answer: "You know you're aging yourself by saying something like that, right?"  Really?  Wow!  My answer: "Don't care, if it means that I have manners and know how to behave in public, then and I'm old and proud of it!"

It started an interesting conversation.  I believe in living in the moment, and by this I mean to enjoy the life I have, the little things that (sometimes) do make life special, and worth living.  I do believe if someone asked me to join them for lunch, it was because they wanted to have company, my company.  They didn't mean to sit at a table alone, reading the paper or their phone, therefore, they should show me the courtesy of 'being' with me and not surfing their phone.  Yes, it is old school but I find it so strange to see (many, many) people sitting at a table, in a restaurant, and both on their cells.  Why bother coming together?  There was a couple sitting at a table next to us, who were on their cells the whole meal, both of them, they barely spoke to each other, they ate and played with their phones.  My client actually said that watching them made him think how little they communicated and how sad it was.  New Hire actually said he had just realized he was actually addicted to his phone.  He even confessed the last thing he does before falling asleep is to check his phone... how sad is that?

I think it lacks respect to people you're with when you're semi-listening or looking at because of that thing in your hands.  You're physically with them, but mentally you're obviously somewhere else.   And then we complain about how impersonal we've become... ah.

What ever happened?

I just hate this time of year... It's too dark too early, it's getting colder and it does nothing for my morale.  I need light, warmth, sun for me to at least feel happy.  Being happy is a whole different thing.  I feel like I should be sleeping or something.   Having to add more clothes or to put on longer pieces of clothing is a nag.  I'm not even going into having to switch from shoes to boots...

What happened to the girl who enjoyed her birthday month (mostly because it was her birthday month), and didn't care if it got colder, wetter and darker?  Where did this carefree gal went to?  When did the thoughts of snowflakes turned her into wanting to become a snowbird?

Is that what aging is all about?  I wonder...

Already?

Last year when the time came for me to put up our Christmas tree I didn't feel like it.  It turned out to be a good thing since I hurt my back during the holidays and didn't do anything.  It didn't feel quite the same, but in the end I was happy I didn't have to take anything down.

Since we live here, all of my Christmas goods are in storage, a few streets over.  I have a lot of stuff.  I use them all.  Hubby has to do a minimum of two trips to get everything here, and another two to bring everything back.  Then, in the new year he has to make another four trips.  The things this poor man does for love - teehee.

Two years ago, because he really hates all of this and only does it for me (yes, I have a good husband), he informed me that he would not be making these trips after he hits 50.  At the times I didn't too much of it, but in February he will be hitting 49, so my time is up, almost.  He did give me a one year credit since he didn't haul anything last year, but still, it's coming fast.

This year I'm not sure if I want to put up our tree.  More and more, I find it all to be a lot of work for a few weeks.   I love it when it's all done, but doing it, isn't all that fun (anymore).  This year (again), we agreed to a no gift Christmas.  I don't mind too much, since I do exchange gifts with friends.  For the past eight years, my Christmas really happens early December, at my meditation group.  We pick a name and do a gift exchange, but most of us also give a little something to others.  Even if it's little somethings, it does add up fast.  This year, I've decided to bake goods for the little somethings.  So far, I've baked over three hundred cookies.  I'm running out of space in our freezer to store them.  I'm enjoying it though.  It's fun.

I just realized I have to prep our Christmas cards as well. Geez.  It never stops, does it? 

He's done Windows. Really!

Over the weekend, my IT department (read Hubby) decided it was finally time to update my computer.

I've been running Windows 2000 until a few months ago when he upgraded me to 2003.  I had memory issues (not me, but my PC), so he decided to bite the bullet and get me a new machine with all the bells and whistles.

He/We knew it would be a nightmare for him.  Hubby is a geek, but a Unix/Linux geek, not a Microsoft.  He doesn't do Windows ( really he doesn't!). He kinda has to when I'm involved, since I don't do Linux.

Last night I had to scan some documents and figuring it out with my new tool - Office 2010/Windows 7 (thanks flurrious for pointing how little I do know about this!) is somewhat different than what I'm used to - has been challenging. When things don't work the way they used to I will ask Hubby (that is after I've tried many different options, of course!) and depending on his mood and answer I will do my best to just shut up and try to remain calm.  It doesn't always work.

Unlike many people, I don't mind change.  Change is good.  Really.  It's all part of the process, I get it.  Now if you'll excuse me, I have some file sorting to do...

Maybe you can help?

I'm facing somewhat of a dilemma.  I've been working for a client trying to get him a better service for his clients, through a connection I've made recently.  For the last month, it's been a constant back and forth in regards to this matter: first with my client since he wanted different scenarios, at different costs; then with the misc. suppliers about their respective costs, services, etc.  Finally, the client agreed to go with my suggestion.  I was happy and thought it would be relatively smooth sailing from there.  Error!

What started out as a pleasant exchange with an old gentleman is slowly starting to make me feel as if someone is running their nails down a blackboard.  You know that feeling?  Yeah, that's it!

I've explained my client's needs.  They were said to be understood.  I was asked another question.  It made me realize it may not be a smooth a sail as I thought.  Another form to sign was sent my way.  I had to fetch more signatures and provide more explanations to my client.  Then a few days later, oops, something wasn't quite right, so if I could provide something else.  And I did.  All along I've remained calm and pleasant, and this despite my building aggravation.  I wanted it to work so I shut up.

This morning he replied he was only doing his job.   This is where you come in.  I just received yet another email from him, asking me to sign yet another form and provide more documents when two weeks ago he said he didn't need that type of documents for what my client wanted.  I've composed an email in which I remind him of previous exchanges we've had and how I feel that maybe I'm not getting the services I thought I would.  My question is, should I copy his manager who initially was my contact for this service who did "pass me along" to one of his staff (old gentleman)?  What would you do?

Too many things

There are too many things to post about.  Imagine that!  Nah, not really, I'm just busy, teehee.

Yesterday, my swim partner wasn't coming due to another commitment, so I didn't really feel like going by myself either, but I put on the swim suit and drove to the Big O. (that's how we call our Olympic Stadium, vestige of 1976).  As soon as I turned on the street of the stadium I could see lots of cars, and people.  To add to my pleasure, there was a freakin' football game!  Finding parking was impossible, so I turned around and headed home - so much for my effort!

I told my mother we wouldn't be here for Christmas... I was a little worried about her reaction, but she just said "Oh, ok" -  Funny what a man in her life can do!

Curiosity did not kill this cat.

We watched "Milk" (I know, our movies viewing isn't up to date) and I really enjoyed it.  I still can't get over the fact that to this day we're still fighting about gay rights.  Watching the movie, and seeing old footage of arguments about some bills and how (like always) God is brought into the mix (it's nuts the things we do in His name), and how stupid it all is... one would think we would be more advanced or something, but no.  We still argue about the same things, we're still stupid.  It's ridiculous.

Why should I care what others do, how they live their lives or with whom they have sex?  It is their business.  As long as they don't hurt anyone, who cares, really?  Thinking about it all, I'm realising I've never really felt fear or anger towards someone because they were/are different.  On the contrary, I often felt/feel curiosity.  I want to know about what makes them that way.  I've asked gay friends how or when they realised they were gay.  Like I've asked questions to a Buddhist friend.  I want to better understand them, so I ask question. 

At a client of mine, there are a few Muslims.  One day I walked in a room, and one of them was doing his prayers.  After he was done, I asked him if we could talked about what I'd walked in in.  He agreed and we talked about his religious practise and beliefs.  It was very interesting to have this chat with him.  He seemed surprised at first about my curiosity, but since then told me I was the only one in the office who actually asked him anything.

Sometimes when I think of how Black people were treated only fifty years ago it seems so foreign to me.  I've always been curious of others, different cultures, traditions, colors, religions... name it I have a question about it.  I want to know.

Hubby's grand mother used to tell him "you are as many people as you speak" (or something like that), I totally agree with that and I also believe the more you expose yourself to others the more you have to gain from it.  It must not be easy for anyone having to battle stereotypes, having to fight to be who you are... I feel for them.  I guess because of the type of society we live in, I've had it easy.  I just had to fight some (in martial arts, mostly a man's sport) and that fight got to me.  I can't even imagine having to do this on a daily basis...

I wonder if we were all minding our own business, if things would be easier?!  What do you think?

Numbers only or not?

I know, I know, I didn't honor veterans yesterday.  I did in my own way, just not publicly.  Yesterday was also all about the fact that it was 11-11-11... What's the big deal about that?  This phenomenon has been happening for the last eleven years (at least) and it did before and it will again.  Woohoo, all the digits in the date are the same, and we should all do something also when the time is all on ones.  Come on people, don't you have anything better to do? 

If one makes a big deal about this 11-11-11 and chose that date to get married so that their spouse would easily remember their wedding date, fine, I get that.  Hey, we got married in 2000, so that Hubby could have easy maths to do when asked how long we've been married.  But other than that I just don't get it.

I'm somewhat superstitious, but when it comes to numbers, not so much. I know for some it is cultural.  Chinese people care a lot about numbers.The number three is important somehow.  I found that out at dimsum.  Do you care about it all or it's just a fun fact?

Next year the big date will be 12-12-12, wow, can't wait!  Oh no, but then we'll be in 2012... oh crap, we're in for some serious shit, no?

My shadow

Since our time away in Sept. Tobi has been doing "new" things like, sitting on Hubby's lap.  He never used to do that before.  He would sit next to Hubby or lay really, really closed to him, but never sat on his lap.  That was something he did with me, and only on the recliner and if I had my throw covering me.  He's been following me around like a dog, worst than before, every time I get up from the office to go somewhere in the house, he's following my every steps.  He's never been so much in the way. 

As I sit here, Tobi is watching me, sitting on top of my computer.  That's also a very new thing of his. He's so cute, with his big yellow eyes.  All I see are his Batman ears and eyes - too cute!  I love him so much!  He's becoming so frail and such a little whining bastard, and yet, when he does his little "vrrruing" when I talk to him, it warms my heart.  I just love my kitty cat.

What am I saying?

This morning I caught myself thinking like a real Montrealer and that was somewhat surprising to me.  I was born in a little town (some would say village, but it's a town, officially) eight hours north of Montreal.  I grew up in Montreal, but every chance we got we went back to "Meeting Place" (translation of its' Native name), we had relatives and friends there. In doing so regularly, distances were never a real big issue for me.  I drove to Florida a few times, and didn't mind the hours in the car.  Drove to PEI as well (about thirteen hours), enjoyed it.  I will admit that I can easily sleep in a car. Distance is not an issue.  Especially when I need to sleep.

When we lived in the suburbs, it was about thirty minutes to come to town, on a good day and traffic is good.  This morning I had to go to our old neck of the woods.  Strange things is, since we're downtown, we regularly go to the suburbs to shop. While I was getting ready to leave I thought "argh, drive to the West Island".  That's the first sign that I'm turning into a city mouse.  I'm getting used to having everything near, and yet, even if we don't do much shopping in town. Weird. 

I've been evaluating our living arrangements, we need more space since we have too much shit. Everything in town is exorbitant so maybe the suburbs are the way to go (back)... argh.

Three Strikes, You're Out!

Anybody who knows me can vouch for the fact that patience isn't my middle name.  I accept that fact about my character.  At times I see it as a flaw and at other times I don't.  I do try to stretch it and I have to say it works. Sometimes.  I know I can be patient, like when I do scrapbooking, it takes a lot of it or even in my work. I guess once I'm done with those there is little left to deal with the rest of life's dailies.

As I'm writing this, I'm wondering if there's a difference, really, between patience and tolerance? I know it's all about what we decide, the choice we make, the interest we have vested, what we do get out of it.  Sometimes things happen and this without really trying, or at least consciously trying we make a decision which will change many things to come.  At some point I decided to live by this baseball rule "Three Strikes, you're out!" and I have to say it has helped me.  I don't have to make the decision as such, if there's a third strike, that's it, it's done.  I've been applying this basically to everything.

I've been friend with M. for over twenty years.  We've had our ups and downs, but despite it all we both knew the other was there for us.  She was single for a long time. Then she met her husband.  We would often do lunch just the two of us, and regularly do dinner the four of us.  The boys got along so it was always a pleasant time.  Then they decided to get kids.  Our visits were a little more occasional, but we kept in touch.  They were overwhelmed and the girls had serious issues so their lives took precedent over socialising.  I get that.  We still managed to keep in touch.

About five years ago, it started getting harder to see my friend.  Between her work, the girls, the house and life in general she didn't have much spare time left.  It got to a point where we would send each other birthday and Christmas cards.  We live about 30 min. from each other.  I would send her emails from time to time, trying to keep the connection going.  About a year ago, she sent me a "thinking of you" card and had written a long message in which she said that while in town with the girls, they walked by our place (since we live in a touristic area of town) and realised our different our lives were.  That was the last I've heard from her.

I get the family life versus ours.  Does the fact that one has a family excludes those who don't from their lives?  I don't think so.  I have other friends with kids, and we still manage to work around that.  We may not see each other the way we used to, but we still do, sometimes with the kids and sometimes without.  After receiving her card, I had called her a few times, leaving messages, sent her a few emails and even sent her a post card or two.  Didn't hear back from her at all.   I've bought her a birthday card and was going to mail it to her this week. I was reaching my limit, this was most likely going to be my last try.

We all know the saying "Great minds think alike", right? I think things do happen for a reason.  I do believe in magic if you will. I don't think everything that happens is random.  She actually sent me an email Sunday night, explaining what has been happening with them lately and how we should get together. Weird huh?