To See Past What It Looks Like

 It's been a long while since I last wrote here... Life has been keeping me busy, between my FIL drama (house sale, court case and him in general), every day life that just can't be smooth sailing all the way, and this damn Covid pandemic and covidiots are not really getting (any) better... life is taking its tole on me, I guess...  I did manage to spend some quality time with my mother.  Drove 1,300 km with her, helped her reconcile with one of her brothers, even did so ourselves to a certain extend.  There is something to be said to being locked up in a card for six plus hours at the time... we had time to talk, let's say!  I feel (more) at peace with her, and that's a good thing.  

Also celebrated a wedding anniversary (our 21st!) by taking a little road trip to Québec City with Hubby and staying there three nights.  We stayed right in Old Québec, great location, parked the car once and walked around the rest of the time.  We happened to be there along with a friggin' heat wave and oh so humid!  Neither one of us could remember sweating this much without ANY training involved, it was hot! Because of the pandemic, every stores and restaurants were short staff, and it showed.  It was our first time out really in almost two years, especially to restaurants.  The hotel where we stayed, Le Priori, was nice, but I must say that for the price (over $300/night, with breakfast) I was somewhat disappointed. 

The room was nice, and we both enjoyed it, but given its shape, a long room, the wall mounted AC unit wasn't enough so there was another (floor) unit at the other end of the room, which turned out to be by the headboard of the bed.  That thing had a compressor, a loud compressor, that woke me almost every fucking time it turned on.  The first night was the worst, I would jump in bed.  The other nights, I guess that all my walking around in the heat made me more tired and I would still wake up but not jumped as much.  The real disappointing thing was the breakfast.  We got a cardboard box delivered to our room, containing a yogurt, a hard boiled egg, a piece of cheese, an apple, a little bread and three bite size pastries, with a tea or coffee.  For three days in a row.  Because of Covid? Really?  Almost all restaurants around there were opened, so why couldn't they serve breakfast, have it catered or something, rather than these airplane meals lookalike? Oh, and we had no maid services.  We would have to put our towels in a bag by the door and someone would pick it up and return it with fresh ones.  We made our own bed, and took out our dirty dishes.  I understand the Covid issues, but then if they can't offer the services they charge us for they should review their prices accordingly.  The location was great, but NOT worth the price we paid for what we got.  Still happy I went, it was a nice change of scenery and I must say, to my surprise, I enjoyed Québec City.

Health wise, it's been interesting.  Had a tooth ache a while back, saw my dentist (in April) and she referred me to an endodontist, which I managed to see in July!  Talk about emergency! Anyway...  After special xrays, I was told I had an infection at the root of a tooth which had a root canal years ago and a crown.  He said he would have to redo the root canal but didn't have to remove my crown, he could go through it.  My appointment was scheduled for end of August.  It wasn't a pleasant treatment, at one point he pushed hard and actually poke at my sinus.  Not pleasant at all.  But what was worst was after... man oh man, did it hurt.  I was on antibiotics and pain killers for over a week.  When that started to feel better, I started having issues with an UTI.  Another round of antibiotics, but that worked fast, thank God!  Over a week ago I went back to the endodontist for him to finish off the treatment, close up everything.  I was still feeling something so he decided to be cautious and re-cleaned it all and would see me in a few more weeks, just to be sure.  I was to be expecting some discomfort, but was I in for a treat!  Worst pain ever! More painkillers and as of three days ago back on another antibiotics, this one Cortisone based.  Happy to write that it seems to be doing the trick.  No more pain!  It is unbelievable how toothache hurts and affects everything from mood, patience, and everything else.  I'm a little concerned how it will actually be post the next (and final, hopefully!) treatment. I guess time will tell...

Yesterday I watch a movie/documentary called: In and Of Itself with/by Derek DelGaudio.

Wow!  I laughed, I cried and I will watch it again.  Do yourself a favor, take an hour and a half, and watch it. 

Maybe I'm going through an existentialist moment, but this illusionist touched me...  Or maybe it is because it touched something in me that rings so true, like that I'm not only what you see, but also many other things that you will never see...  Trust me, watch it, you won't regret it.

Yup it could happen, and snap!!

 Just finished watching ''Hunhinged" with Russell Crowe, the blurb of the movie is:   After a confrontation with an unstable man at an intersection, a woman becomes the target of his rage.

O.M.F.G. what a lunatic!  The story/acting isn't that great, but the violence and stunt work were quite creative and surprising!  Road rage at the max.  There was one scene, where a woman was driving while applying mascara in traffic, and I turned to Hubby and said:  She deserved to be hit (by a car), and man oh man, did he ram into her car.  It was satisfying to see, because I did (and most likely will again, I'm pretty sure) have thoughts and even visions of ramming our old Civic into a moron  who cut me off or pulled a bone headed move on the road. 

I've been feeling crap, yes the time of year plays into it, the lack of sun, the confinement, name it, and add it to the list.  We are all tired of it all.  I get that.  At times I feel like I could become unhinged too, maybe not to the level of Crowe in the movie, but then again, we he says she should have given him a little courtesy tap (on the horn) rather than hitting it aggressively the way she did, because he wasn't moving from the green light, I got that.  I understood what he meant.  I find that people are driving more and more aggressively, and so much faster than a few years ago.  People are often distracted because of their damn cell phones, or shaving while driving, or putting on make up, or turning to look at the back seat passengers... all those things which take away from they attention being on the road, where it really should be.  I've had a few accidents from people who hit me, while I was stop at a red light on more than one occasions.  Once it was an old man who never slowed down on a boulevard and ram into my car without hitting the breaks.  He didn't have a license anymore and yet, he drove and totaled my car, and as of result of that impact, my uterus flipped.  Another time, some guy hit me, while I was also stopped at a red light, and also totaled my car - he was distracted because he was planning his upcoming vacation on his phone.  Once a little Chinese man ran a red light and hit me as I crossed a street, because he was distracted looking for an address... 

Whatever the reasons, each time, my trust in other drivers diminished and now I wish I had a roobar on our car, so I would feel "protected" somewhat...  

We are more aggressive, less tolerant, and ridiculously feeling entitled, so that make us all a lethal combination when behind the wheel of a car.

I already have any fuse left in me; between my hormones being all over the board, the menopause not giving me any break, the lack of sleep and throw in, for shits and giggles, the family issues and you get me naturally pissed off. Put me behind the wheel of a card, and who knows I might happen to anyone...

It does scare me (Yeah, I scare myself!) at times, when I see how little I need to fuel my fire, to go from zero to 60 in no time flat, but also I see that (for now) I lose my shit verbally. I will raise my voice, talk loud, but (I don't think I do) I don't scream as such.  I talk loud, say things that don't come out nicely nor calmly, and yes I do fucking swear.  Once I've said what I had to get off my chest, I go back to "normal" (whatever that may be).  I've tried (and still do at times, to control that anger often simmering on the back burner.  I feel like I've have enough of people's bullshit and entitlement.  The pendulum is going back too far on the other side.  Telling someone that they are doing or did something wrong is almost impossible these days.  When you do you are called a bully or controlling.  We can't say anything without offending someone.  And don't get me started on the bleeding hearts.  I've have an exchanged (via messenger) last week, with someone who thought it wasn't nice of me to vent about the fact that I've received a piece of Chinese Calligraphy paper rather than a postcard through Postcrossing.  I thanked the sender, mentioned the nice stamp, and also reminded him politely about what was Postcrossing, as indicated on the site:

The goal of this project is to allow anyone to send and receive postcards from all over the world!

I knew that by mentioning my disappointment about the piece of paper that some would comment. I was told I should show more appreciation to the fact that they made an effort to send me something, that maybe they couldn't afford a card, that maybe that was all they add.  My knee jerk reaction was to ask, then, why would someone, voluntarily signed up for Postcrossing to send postcards if they can't afford it?  Why would someone send a piece of paper rather than a postcard?  They couldn't afford one, then they shouldn't send anything.  I know I'm black or white, but if I sign up to play hockey and show up with a broom rather than a stick chances are the other players will not want me to play or to play with them.  Should we feel appreciative that the player tried and showed up with a broom, when they clearly know from the start that they signed up for hockey?  I want postcards, don't care the sizes, the shapes nor the material used for it, but not a piece of paper.  Call me intransigent, cold, name it, I don't care I signed up for Postcrossing wanting to send and receive postcards, and damnit when I don't get that, I will get upset!

Speaking of postcards, Saturday I hosted a virtual Postcrossing meetup and we were, at the peak, 45 participants from all over, including Canadians (23), Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, US, Ireland, UK, Sweden.  Some I've met in real life, pre-covid, and some online and some were totally new.  It lasted five hours, and actually ran quite smoothly overall.  I was concerned how it would be to manage such a large group, but it went well considering everything!  That was a really good way to spend a Saturday afternoon catching up with others sharing the same interests.  It was my first virtual meet international, and will not be the last one I think.

This week will be an "interesting" week to say the least, lots going on with the Father in Law... should be interesting and hoping for the best.

Until things settle down for him all around, we have to manage.  So stay safe and watch out for the covidiots, they're everywhere and they are many of them!!

Happy New Fucking Year!

 Yep! I wrote that!  Same shit different digit, that is it!  I'm not pretending to be positive and to believe that everyone is nice and kind, that is bullshit.  People are fucking stupid and we are proving this daily.  You don't believe me?  Just watch the news for 15 minutes, you'll see.  

Many people were all : it's a new year, things will get better!  Come on, all that changed was the 0 for a 1, that is all.  Our shitty behaviors and stupidity did not vanish because the zero became a one.  We don't want to put in the effort it takes to change, to address our issues, to face the truth, so we play the positive people, who believe in rainbows and unicorns and hope for the best.  The pandemic is here, it's a fact, and (I believe) it will be here as long as we keep acting like the selfish people we are.  After almost a year of this being "our normal" why is it that we still have to remind people to wash their hands, to wear a mask and keep a social distance?  Are we that dense?  Really?  Obviously.  It is sad really.  But then, why would someone try hard to respect all that when our, yes OUR government paid them $1,000 in compensation after they've travelled down South during a pandemic?  It was ridiculous and Trudeau did amend that stupid decision.   What I still can get over is why oh why are we still allowed to travel.  If it is that dangerous and that easy to spread, why are we not confining and restricting movements of the population?  We've had a curfew established last week, in Québec, woohoo, it was about fucking time!

Everyone bitches and complains about all this, and even if it could be/is a conspiracy, manmade or natural, who gives a fuck, it's real and people are sick.  That should be enough to convince us all to be careful.  We are so selfish that we just have to get together, to celebrate, because "it was Christmas".  I love Christmas, I love to get together with friends and all that, but I haven't really done so in a long while.  I've been using Messenger, Zoom, Google, etc. to catch up with some people.  I've managed to teach my mother to use Facebook and video chat, since she wanted to see me so bad.  She was sad that I didn't visit her during the Holidays - last time I saw her was in June - she was sad that her Christmas gift was mail delivered.  She was sad that she didn't get to feed me and give me the goodies she had prepared for us.  I rather stay home and away that teasing myself at a distance, with a mask on, not able to give a hug, etc.  Yes, I am that way: all or nothing.  These half-ass measures we've been playing with for the past ten months are just that, a little tease.  I rather be told no than maybe and not know if it will happen or not.  With a firm no (or yes), I know where I stand and can deal.  I can decide what to do knowing what I can and cannot do.

Ok I think I got my venting out of the way. For now. Hubby's dad is now settled in his new apartment.  It was a lot of work, but it is done.  The rest of his life is still a big mess, and we're addressing that as we go.  Not always easy, lots to deal with and at times quite frustrating, especially in a pandemic situation, it just adds to the fun of it all!  Not!

My mom is doing well, considering her beau is basically sitting at home and waiting for death to come.  Sad situation, he was diagnosed with cancer and was told they couldn't operate nor treat.  They could give him meds to alleviate the pain.  So, for the past few months, he's been stone and/or sleeping.  On New Year's day my mom asked me to talk to him while we were video chatting... what do you say to someone who's waiting to die?  Hang in there, it will be over soon?  I can only wish him that.  Let's just say it was a short little chat.  But mom is hanging in, after all this will be her third man she will burry!

 Hubby is super busy, too busy it seems at times.  But he said, last week he actually had fun (learning!) so that's good.  If ever I had any doubt (which I never did!) that my husband is a true geek, hearing him talk about what he does, proves it to me, almost daily. 

He is not only wired to be a geek, he's like the Sheldon of my life, really!  At times it can be interesting, for lack of a better word, but one thing for sure it not boring!

On that note, I will close this post, hoping I did not offend you more than usual with my foul language and direct approach on life.  Life is short, stop bitching about what you can't do and address the things you can.  

It might be time...

 It's been a while since my last post, and even if I've often felt the need to write, I decided against it for various reasons like I didn't want to aggravate a situation, didn't want to share what I was really feeling, didn't know how to word it all, but today feels like it is the day for me to empty my thought bucket... it might be due to the fact that last night Hubbly and I had a good conversation, or the fact that it is a dreary day, or simply because deep down I am fed up of putting up with people's bullshit on a personal and professional level.  

According to Hubbly I put myself in situations where I will get criticized, and will be an easy target - he's right. (Shit!  Did I just admit this on the web for the world to see?  Oh well, shit does happen, right?) I do tend to join things like the condo committee or even better, me creating this Bacefook group for this postcards hobby of mine.  In doing so, I have to deal with people, many people.  And, I don't feel like it is my strong suit to deal with people.  I'm not anti-social I just have a VERY low tolerance to stupidity.  And having to deal with people it triggers that side of me a lot.  There comes a time when one has to ask themselves, is it time to call it quits, to walk away from it all?  

I think I'm reaching that point.  I've tried to be detached, to not take things personally, but after six years of managing a growing group (over 400 members), it is taxing on my mental, add to that this freaking pandemic and life throwing us some curve balls, and I see that little open door to leave as an invite, almost... 

The control freak in me doesn't want to let go, doesn't want to relinquish control, I see that clearly.  It was/is my baby, and I've put many, many hours into it for it to be an organized group.  I was told it was too structured, and yet I know that many like that aspect.  I know I can't please everyone, and somewhere I'm not trying to too much.  I try to make it easy for all and for me as well, and organization just comes naturally.  The idea of closing shop has been simmering for a while now, because having to deal with the drama and childish ways of many and their sense of entitlement and even many Dunning-Kruger Effect makes it all a heavy load to support. 

Plus to add to it all, we have to deal with Hubby's father situation.  The old man, he's 84, found himself in a real big mess from which we are working hard to get him out of.  All of his life he's had someone taking care of him (from his siblings, to his wife, to his girlfriend and now us) because on his own he is completely useless.  It is sad, really.  Yes he is old, but being old doesn't excuse being stupid and making bad decisions. Repeatedly. No, being old excuses him only so far.  I've had to use a lot of patience in my dealings with him, patience which is already running on low supplies.  Yesterday I had to spent part of the day dealing with the Airbnb host from whom we've rented an apartment for the past nine weeks, who wanted to basically kick my father-in-law out because he had not received the payment for the two weeks extension we had asked for in November. We had originally booked the apartment until November 30th, but because FIL's new place was to be ready in December, we asked the host to extend for the first two weeks of December, which he accepted.  I sent him a partial payment on November 19th to confirm the extension and didn't hear anything back until yesterday.  He sent me an email simply saying "I've received a reservation from Dec. 2nd to January 11th, and can't extent your stay.  Your reservation ends Nov. 30th."  I was surprised and wrote him back, asking for an explanation, etc.  It went on for over four hours, with me sending him proof after proof of the payments (made through PayPal/Visa), etc. for him to say that he never got any email from PayPal and that he couldn't access his account at the moment.  Let's just say, it is fixed for now, but man oh man, Airbnb might not be for me!

So, maybe it is the time of year, the cumulative of this past shitty year or whatever, but I really feel like I need a vacation, far away, where it will be sunny and warm and where nobody expect anything from me.  Having to deal with morons asking where they should put their garbage while standing in a garbage room is just too much for me.  I don't want to be patient anymore, or even try to be nice, I just feel like looking at them and say: 

“I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much.”
—Mother Teresa

You don't have to be nice to be good!

There are times in life where I'm looking for that sign that says: "Bang Head Here", because when the shit starts to rise, the smell gets to be too fucking much.  Things are coasting, generally speaking, and then one day we get a call informing us of a "family situation". Oh, it's nothing dramatic, just a fucking ridiculous matter that is taking over the little free time we had in our lives.  FYI, this is going to be a very selfish post.  We are selfish, both of us, of our time.  We chose not to have kids because we wanted time for ourselves, we didn't want to explain things over and over until it would be understood.  We are both independent, we like being together but we also enjoy our time alone. 
Does that mean we are antisocial? It does not.  Does this mean we are bad people?  I don't think so.  Does it mean we are not nice?  It does at times!

As we all know, I have no fuse.  I have a really hard time supporting stupidity, especially from grown ass adults.  I've been trying to shut the hell up, to be politically correct because we can't say shit anymore without offending someone, it's ridiculous.

For example, why is it wrong for me to say that I'm pissed off when I am?  Why is it frown upon when I mention I don't like something?  Why do I have to act as if everyone is good, competent and meaning well when the reality is not that?  Why can't we tell someone they are not doing a job correctly?  Is it because we wouldn't want to offend or demotivate that person?  What about the effect that has on me having to deal with a fucking moron who doesn't give a rat's ass about their job, or me having to pick up after them, or me having to do it again (whatever it may be) because it wasn't done correctly in the first place? 

I don't consider myself a hypocrite, I tend to say (too often!) what I mean.  I have the finesse of a 2 x 4, I know that, so when my mother's beau was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago, I didn't feel much. Sure, I feel bad for my mother.  The type of cancer he has is not operable nor curable.  He's getting treatments (radiation and chemo) to prolong him, that is all.  So they have to deal with that.  I say they, because I would be lying to say I'm affected by this. 

Covid's second wave seems to be hitting Montréal.  People are really not acting like they care.  We can see teens playing basketball together, fuck social distancing, same thing in stores, etc.  I haven't been out much.  I've been avoiding people.  Might be paranoia, might (most likely) only be me not wanting to deal with people, but I'm tired of it all. 

I'm tired of reading people complaining about wearing or not a fucking mask.  I've stop following friends on Bacefook. I'm tired of people feeling "they deserve" whatever it may be.  I'm tired of having to think for others, because they are too fucking stupid to do so themselves.  

I wish I could just reboot, unplug and recharge... this is promising for the winter months ahead of us, huh?

Another Month Zoomed By...

I thought it wasn't that long ago that I last wrote on here, and yet, it has been well over a month.  Geez time flies even in confinement!

As I'm writing this I feel like crap, not because I am sick, but because I feel bad, for more than one reasons actually...  You see, I've been working on that husband on mine for a while now, chirping in his ears that we should think about changing our car.  We were the (proud) owner of a Honda Civic that we bought in 2010 a recup from an end of lease that was already five years old.  When we got it, purchased following a car accident I had (while stopped at a red light some truck rammed into me, while he was on his phone planning his vacation).  We were going away on vacation, and decided to get a car, not a new one, temporarily, until we decided what we wanted.  That "for now" car became our car for the past ten years.  It served us very well.  Honda were/are good reliable cars, but like any car of ten+ years, rust was starting to show, it had a hole (made from a hitch of a pickup who backed into it one winter) right in the center of the front bumper, the doors would not stay open, the rear passenger left side window did not go down anymore, the speedometer wasn't indicating our speed at times (and according to the husband, more and more often), the AC wasn't as cold as it used to be, plus last January, while driving on Ste-Catherine downtown, some guy slowly "scraped" our car while he was changing lane.  Since it was night, and darn cold, it looked like he had peeled off some dirt.  When we looked at the car in daylight there was a little more damage, but since it was an old car, we didn't care too much.  Following that though, it had loosen the left part of the front bumper and one day while Hubby was going in to work, a piece of plastic flew off the car, exposing the window washing container completely.  Something had to be done, so I did a tape job on it!

It didn't look that bad, right?  Granted we did not fit in our neighborhood where most people are driving Audi, Mercedes, BMW, etc, so our tape job was clashing to say the least, but it still got us from point A to point B.  Hubby had been researching some models, asking friends, etc. and we agreed that the Kia Forte pleased us both.  It was in our price range (cheap! not really) and offered good warranty.  We made our way to our dealer, in Laval, and after four (long) hours, we had signed for a brand new car.  They (offensively, almost!) offered us $350 for our old Civic. Yes we could have tried to sell it ourselves for more, but didn't want the hassle.

We picked it up Wednesday evening.  Hubby drove it home.  Thursday he drove me to the eye doctor, because I have another lids (eye lashes) infection, and Saturday we decided to go for a little drive, and visit some friends in the Waste Island.  (On a side note, I will say that it was really the first people we've visited since this Covid nightmare started and it felt somewhat strange at first, but also nice to catch up with friends, and talk with someone other than my husband.  I also realized that I'm far from ready to go back to malls or even restaurants, call my pussy, I don't care.  I haven't been "secluding" for months to go into a group or a crowd, just to be social.  Nope.  Not yet. Side note closed.)
We visited our friends, and actually stayed over for dinner.  A pleasant afternoon was had by all.  Since Hubby had been drinking I was to drive home, my first time driving our new car.  I put it in drive, and I started pulling out of the driveway when I heard my girlfriend yelling "Stop, Stop!"  I had clipped a little cement triangle that was along the road... Long story short, and to spare you the drama, I scratched the car.  Let's just say that there haven't been much conversation in this house today.  We've been on different floors most of the day, and earlier we went out together to look at the damages... I scrapped the bottom of the door from the driver to back door it seems.  I feel like shit about it, it was my bad.  I didn't know (and still don't)  the feel, size of this car, and I put on its first scratch.

I really feel terrible about it all, and to see Hubby this upset about it doesn't help at all how I'm feeling...  I didn't do it on purpose, and like Hubby said, I have really bad juju with new cars, or so it seems.  I have to let this go and get over it.  But it was brand spanking new!!  Within minutes of me driving it!!!

Quarantine Time

Almost two weeks since my last post, two weeks of all we hear about is this pandemic of COVID 19, two weeks (if not more) of:  wash your hands often, sneeze or cough in a tissue or the bend of your arm, avoid touching your face, do the social distancing, isolate, and yet...

Today was a pleasant day, cool but sunny, great time to open the windows and air out the house some.  Many of us have been in isolation, or self quarantine, staying home as it was "requested" by our government.  Having our windows open meant that we could hear the birds chirping, the geese coming back and announcing their return and of course, kids screeching in the back yard.  At first, I thought "signs that Spring is on its way" (even if it snowed all day a few days ago), but then,  I went all...

Why the fuck are there more than one kids playing together outside?  What is it about limiting contacts with other these parents did not understand?  They closed schools, and a shitload of others places to avoid crowded places and/or non-essential gatherings, and yet some thought it was ok for their kids to play together? Really?  Like I often say, the scary part is that those people, those thinking people do reproduce!  Come on!  Do they think this virus only attacks old folks, that anyone below seventy is safe from it or something? 

I know older people might not get the seriousness of it all, I get that.  Maybe it is because they know their ticket is closer to expiration than younger folks, but still, it is no reason to be carefree about this.  Talking with my mother, I realized that she doesn't grasp the extent of it all.  Sure she says its horrible and how scary it is, but at the same time, after being away to the States for six months, she came back - because she rather be sick at home than in the States and since they were not allowed to gather together for their daily activities (cards, bingo, shuffleboard, etc.) what was the point to remain there - the same day she got back she went back out to do her groceries.  She had nothing home, she had been gone for six months.  When I reminded her that she should self-isolate her answer was: I'm not sick, and needed food!

Yeah ok, like I wrote before, she's one who reproduced, too!

I will NOT write about Trump, it's useless and too ridiculous to be believable.  I've seen people  (on the web and TV) who with gloves and a mask on, will remove their mask to lick a finger... just as bad as this official

I will admit, the one thing I'm having a hard time with not touching my face.  I'm realizing that's a habit I have, like biting my nails, also not so great these days...or any other days really! I'm trying to keep my hands busy and away from my face, but I often catch myself with a finger in my mouth...

Other than that all is good.  I will most likely look like a sasquatch by the time the hair salons reopen - I needed a haircut a few weeks ago already, so it will not be a luxury but a necessity by the time I go!

Hope everyone is safe and healthy, and please try to stay the fuck home.

Thank you! Fuck You! Bye!

Whenever I think I've seen it all, as far as stupidity goes, or worst when I think that people can NOT be THAT stupid, one more person comes along to prove me wrong...  It never fails!

Let me do my best Sophia (for the Golden Girls) impression:  Let me tell you a story, picture it! Montréal, 2018.  An attractive condo owner, who was also involved in administrating her condo association, made sure to share a bunch of information with her co-owners because, deep down, she knew most of them didn't really care about the rules and regulations as long as it was taken care of.  By someone else, of course.  In order to prevent many questions, she even put together a one page document (did her best to keep it as simple as possible), explaining certain responsibilities these folks had to assume. 

Imagine her surprise when one of the co-owners sent questions her way about something clearly written about on the document she sent a little more than a week before. She did remain calm, and did manage to remind the person of their responsibilities and role within the association and was pretty clear at letting them know they should clearly RTFM.

I don't know if my message went through, but man oh man, did I talk to myself.  Unreal.  People who have spent almost half a million dollars on a house to be so clueless is beyond me.  It is not rocket science.  They are rules, there are roles to be played by different people and yet, that seems to be too much.

Then, to add to my stupid of the day, in a group I manage, I'm told one person wants out.  So I ask why. (OK, that was my bad!  I'm not exempt from being stupid either, obviously!).  You see, in this group we send and receive things (read postcards, mostly).  I created that group based on a bigger group, an official group, let's say.  In that official group, whenever you receive something you have to register it.  The way the site is set up, you can (strongly suggested) write a note to the sender thanking them or whatever.  For each item received you need to register it.  Some people don't, because people are assholes like that, but generally speaking more items sent do get acknowledged when received. 

So, in this little group I manage items are being sent and received as well. As for the the official group, some members are assholes too.  When that one person she wanted out because she felt it was overwhelming to have to acknowledge reception and was taking the fun out of the activity, I could not really bite my tongue.  I did tell her that it was no different than the official group... she gets that we have different views on this... Really?  There are different ways of looking at things... No shit!  Talk about being one of those ass wipes who loves to receive but never says thank you.  One of those people who takes but rarely gives.  One of those who complain but never get fucking involved.  One of those who as long as they are happy everything is fine. 

Yep, really, it's been that kind of day, covered in a nice thin layer of ice to top it all off!  Just a fucking perfect stupid day!

Venting Session

I feel the need to write, the need to express my frustrations, but at the same time, can't help and wonder why I should bother, since no matter what, I'm the meanie, the one who's so rough, abrupt, and/or lacking gentleness?  I have no fucking fuse left, sorry people, you burned it all out.  Yep, I can no longer be patient with dumb asses.
 
Last week I had to deal with the builder's rep for a smell issue we've been having coming from our shower drain.  We googled the issue, saw what the interweb was saying about such problem, and contacted our builder to have it looked at, because unlike what they are trying to tell us, it is not normal.  When the rep kept on trying to tell me that it was because the drain needed to be cleaned of hair and other residue, which is bogus since if it was full of hair and others, it wouldn't drain, and it does, I raised the tone.  Her explanations were ridiculous, and told her so.  That is a BIG faux-pas, you can not EVER raise your voice, oh no, that is too threatening and oh so disrespectful. I'm sorry but when I'm being talked to as if I'm a child not understanding something because it is way too complicated for my little brain, I will react.  I wear my emotions on my sleeves,  good and bad, so no surprise there if  my tone reflects that.

We are now in a society where we can no longer express ourselves.  You can not say anything negative, or you will be perceived as a meanie. We have to give everyone a chance, and be nice about it.  I have a REAL hard time with that.  I call a spade a spade.  This political correctness is total bullshit. I'm one who believes that if your job is to deliver my mail, you should be doing it without me having to remind you that my mail should not be folded or rained on or even written on.  That is YOUR job to make sure I get my mail in one piece.  So, the day that you fold my mail or write on it, don't be surprise if I report your sorry ass to your boss - granted I know they won't do much about it - you have ONE job, and I should "remind" you to take care of my mail, and not to write on it?  Really?  Sorry, I don't think so.



I'm trying to be more tolerant. I am. I keep quiet and choose to remain silent rather than say something.  It is hard. I'm fighting with my nature big time.  I try to remain calm, and at times I do succeed.  Maybe I should not live in society, maybe I should live in a very remote area with nobody around, and keep to myself... Even then, I've been trying to keep to myself more, and yet, like Hubby often says, they are everywhere and they find me!

Little recap

It's been a few weeks since I last was here, so let me bring you up to speed in the Challenging Life of Stinkypaw!

1. Re. Condo:  Nothing yet has been done, BUT we now have a start date!  Woohoo!
   
2. The expert in HVAC came and within the first five minutes he looked at the unit, he found the issue.  It was missing a little cap. $30K worth of damage for a little cap that cost $1.15, imagine that!
   
3. Because of all the delays and little fights we've had to deal with, Hubby decided that he doesn't want to do any upgrade anymore.  Boohoo!
   
4. I got my new wedding ring last week.  It's huuuuuge.  It turned out great.
   
   

   

   from idea to wax to a beautiful new shinny ring!

    
5. In a month of business I did manage to sell two hundreds cards!  Crazy, and since I haven't sold any...I have a feeling I won't become a millionaire with that...
   
6. The Québec Meet Up was a success.  It was a bad drive.  It snowed all the way there, so it took me longer than anticipated to get to Québec. Good thing Hubby had changed the tires on our car the night before.
   
   
    
   
   
   Other than that I feel like we're both about to crack... we manage to do our things, Hubby goes to work, but he's running on a very thin sheet of ice.  He could slip at any time... His fuse is getting shorter by the day, which is not a real good thing.    We have to be moved out by Saturday next week.  If everything goes well (yeah, right) the work on this place should be done within three weeks.   Time will tell...

Hit me, baby, one more time...

Ever noticed how long it takes you, after being away for a while, to get back to the way you were before you left?  How long does it take for life to wipe that smile off your face once you're back?  How fast do you feel stress getting to you or how quickly the benefits of being away from it all disappear upon your return home?  That perma-smile doesn't last that long once back in daily life.  I can now confirm it.  It doesn't take that much, or rather that long to feel a known rush of stress.

Last week, Hubby and I drove to New Hampshire for the week.  A little get away, just the two of us.  Turns out, that the chosen location was actually very remote and there wasn't really much to do around there.  Given that my foot (still) hurts, hiking was out, and since we don't really golf that was out as well.  The nearest town was about 30 minutes away, and there wasn't much there either.  Thankfully, we were lucky with the weather and had a gorgeous week, an actual heat wave, and even luckier there was a pool at the resort.  So, for the week, we slept in, and lounge at the pool.  We rested.

We drove home Saturday.  It was a nice drive,

the one the Saturday before; it rained all the way.  While Hubby was unpacking the car, I made my way in the house, to realize that something wasn't quite right.  I looked around and noticed a spot on our kitchen tiles.  Oh no, crap, something leaked.  I couldn't quite tell where it came from, until I saw the ceiling above the cabinets. Crap!  I'm thinking "this is not good... this is not good!" as I make my way to our office.  As I walked in I see another spot on the floor, the hard wood floor.  I look at the ceiling to see it a joint all puffed up... as I'm looking at this, I also notice the wall and closet doors are all streaked... "oh no, what now?" That is when I opened the doors to find the self ripped off the wall, water dripping.  That closet is where I've kept all my books.  I'm actually remaining calm, until I start to make my way downstairs to meet up the unsuspecting husband to let him know that while we were away, relaxing in the sun of NH, our condo was being flooded again, for the third time.  Let's just say that the shit hit the fan, fast.

We didn't even unpack our luggage, started to look at what happened, contacted our neighbors who did confirm that yes they had a water leak, some problem with the thermo-pump that their owner/landlord had not fix... I took pictures of everything and then, with Hubby help started emptying that closet. That is one big closet and it contained a LOT of shit, let me tell you.

I've contacted the Syndic, to have the insurance appraisal for the repairs, which will not be minimum.  Our kitchen is seriously damaged; our cabinets are warped, and the tracks of the shelves are not working correctly, the hard wood floor is warped as well, the laundry closet, behind the appliances has a bubbling wall and the office's ceiling and floor is warped... so...

Let's just say we are not happy campers.  Not at all.  Our house is a big fucking mess at the moment, while we wait for people to come and see and evaluate and tell us what will happen and when... so frustrating..  We are both fed up.  Ready to snap we are wind so tight... not good, not good at all!

I had a dream...

Postcrossing has been very present in my life in the last year.  I got more involved, I've been sending more and receiving more as well.  I've attended and organized meetups, those meetings where we meet others nuts just like us about postcards.  We all have different reasons to start (and continue) this snail mail journey.  For some it is to meet new people, one postcard at the time, others it is because of a collection, for some it is their way to travel to see the world, but whatever the reason we love postcards.

Because I am the way I am, upon a suggestion, I created a group, for Canadian Postcrossing members on Bacefook.  There are a few groups for French speaking people and there is also one for Québécois,  so I thought having a place for us Canadians would be nice.  We could talk about our cards and our issues, etc. with other Canadians.  It is after all a bigger market than Québec alone.  It wasn't about swaps, or trading, but more a place to go and meet other crazies about cards that might end up being close to us.  It started out well.  I went on a crazy invite fest, basically emailing all Canadian persons I would come across on Postcrossing. I wanted it to work, to be alive!  I will say this, it is going.  We are close to 200 members and it's not been a year yet since I started it.  I've thought  of games to do, to get people involved, of a monthly draw, across Canada using our motto "A mari usque ad mare" as the name of it, I made it ours and shared with all.  I've had some rough times, and still do, when I have to refuse some because they were not Canadians.  I felt discriminatory, but at the same time my initial thought was "for and about Canadians".  I don't want to be closed minded;  I want to remain true to my vision. 

Like everything else in life, things change.  I'm good with that, and I welcome change, I think it keeps us on our toes.  Does that mean I want the purpose of the group to change?  Not really.  I still aim for a place where people will be comfortable enough to ask those "stupid" questions (I write "stupid" because often when we don't know something we think it's stupid), you know like how do I look for a specific user on Postcrossing or where can I get good cards in such a city, a place to share their stats with others about how many cards they have received in the month, or bitch about the price of stamps, etc.  I felt taken aback when some members would only post pictures of cards they wanted to trade, not ever writing a comment or anything just offering trades.  It started slow, once in a while, and then it got to more.  I had to intervene, since I didn't want that to be the only thing on the wall of the group.  Some people did complain about it, I'd say as many from those who wanted to trade as from those who didn't want to be bombarded with offers to trade.  I did try to go about it smoothly, offered other venues, like the Postcrossing Forum is a great place for such, suggested to do it by messages, etc.  It rocked the boat.  To be honest, my true nature (and if you know me IRL, you do know this) came rushing back and simply wanted to remove some from the group, but I also believe that this is now our group, so I tried different options - I wasn't about to become a dictator because of a few people, even if the urge was tickling me big time!


That died down some, but I have to keep reminding people every so often that trades should be made elsewhere. I don't like doing it, but like even less seeing those posts. But like many things in life, when it's not one thing it's another, right?  The past few weeks, actually even before Christmas, I saw some posts that made me wonder.  I know that some people have a visceral need to bitch and moan about nothing and everything.  They are simply miserable when things are smooth, they need commotion in order to feel alive or something.  I've reach a point in my life, where I try to avoid drama. Oh, don't get me wrong, I will not walk away from a good fight, if there is a need for me to fight.  Kumite is in me.  No doubts whatsoever about that! I'm confrontational and I totally assume it, but I will not provoke an argument for the sake of provoking.  I will ask questions, I will do perception check and ask why someone is being rude, or what the problem is, and if I'm attacked I will defend myself without hesitation.  Often my husband will tell me to drop it, whatever it may be, and I rarely do.  I will address the issue then move on. That is my way.  In every aspects of my life.

Because the group is getting bigger, the variety of it kicks in every so often.  Not everyone share the same opinions, and that's the part I enjoy, the differences, but I'm realizing that for some the difference of opinions means something more.  I agree that people can disagree, that one can't please everyone, that we're all entitled to our opinions, blah, blah, blah,  but it comes a time in ones life when one realizes that life is short and that we should enjoy it.  When I see people getting upset about futile things like a blank profile or a receiving a card that doesn't match their profile, I can't help and wonder the importance of Postcrossing in their lives.  When I get a blank profile I see it as an occasion to send any card I like or not.  When I get a card that I really don't understand why it was sent to me, since I don't care about dinosaurs (as an example), I'm thinking maybe the sender did really like dinosaurs and wanted to share his liking.  I will thank him the same way I would any other members.  Since I've started Postcrossing, I only got one "empty" message from someone on 365 cards registered, so overall I'd say members are quite polite ans respectful.  I've had more issues with some members of the group than on Postcrossing directly, granted with Postcrossing it is often limited to a one shot deal. I understand that we all have frustrations, and we all express them in different ways.  Some will take the direct approach and will voice their opinions, others will walk away without saying anything, and some will observe.

I believe that in everything we do we have a choice.  Unless you have a gun pressed against your head, you ALWAYS have a choice.  You may not have the guts to make that choice, you may not have the strength or the will to take that first step towards that choice, but we always have a choice.  When I felt that my parents rules were too much for me, I moved out.  When I felt that I wasn't having the same interest or passion about something, I've looked for something else.  When I thought that things weren't going the way I felt they should I did something about it.  I don't understand how someone can be unhappy, miserable or upset and choose to stay.  I've asked people to come aboard and never thought I've had to ask people to leave.  If you're not happy with what is being done in/for/with this group, then go.  Start your own group and stop bringing everyone down.  I've once told my mother who complained about my father's past behavior that the moment she decided to stay with him she relinquished her right to bitch about him.  She had made a choice, and now had to assume the consequences of her decision.  It's the same for this group.  You decided to become a member.  You don't like the way it's run, or the games we play, then leave.  I'm not holding anyone down.  I will not like to lose members, but if it is an unhappy member maybe it will be for the better of the group.

This group was created with good intentions, lots of ideas and expectations.  I'm proud of it and I truly enjoy it.  I don't want this to become a bore or even a chore.  There are some really cool people among the group and I truly wish that we find a middle path where we can shoot the shit about our empty mail boxes and not getting any rare countries in so long, and those damn expired cards, and not waste so much valuable time about piddly little things.  We should embrace our differences, and rejoice in the fact that we can send postcards to complete strangers who get a kick out of our card, or not, but no matter what it was fun...  'cause after all Postcrossing is:

The goal of this project is to allow people to receive postcards from all over the world, for free. Well, almost free! The main idea is that: if you send a postcard, you will receive one back from a random Postcrosser from somewhere in the world.
Why? Because, like the founder, there are lots of people who like to receive real mail.
The element of surprise of receiving postcards from different places in the world (many of which you probably have never heard of) can turn your mailbox into a box of surprises - and who wouldn't like that?

Something to remember on my way to get the mail, surprises are way better than bills any day of the week, right? Right! 

What he said!

Tonight we watch "John Wick" with Keanu Reeves; and one thing that struck me during the movie "it wasn't just a fucking dog" - the whole movie about seeking vengeance from the killer of his dog, it all made sense to me!

Recently there has been tensions between my mother and one of her brothers, her favorite one with whom she has been moose hunting for years,  and all related to her beau.  This year, while hunting my uncle got drunk and actually told my mother's beau that he didn't like him, point blank.   Let's just say that didn't go over that well.   Mom no longer wants to see nor talk to her brother.   At Christmas, the issue became a topic of conversation and I felt I just had to say something about it all. I did tell my mother and the beau my uncle had a right not to like him.  We didn't have to like him even if she did.  We weren't dating him, she was.   She was a little surprised by that, and eventually agreed.

The one thing I did not say was that I, too, don't really like the man.  I am thankful for him being in my mom's life because he's keeping her busy and it means I don't have to, but other than that I couldn't care less about him. Why you ask?  Well,  let me tell you!

They had come over one afternoon, and while here Tobi (our old kitty) got up from his bed and made his way to his food, slowly and cracking every steps he took. The beau then said: "if you want, I can take it outside and ring its neck... it would only take a minute"  I was flabbergasted.   I did manage to ask him how he could ask me such a thing.  His answer was: "Well, it's old!"  When I asked him if he would do the same to my mother when she would be too old and cracked when walking?  He laughed it off.

How dare him asking me such a heartless question,  when Tobi had been in our lives for 18 years?  He wasn't just a fucking cat, he was our cat!

Don't need a test, I know I'm allergic

Hello blog friends, and talk about a way to start a post, but hey, since this blog is all about me, why not!

Sorry for being MIA these past months, life and Postcrossing are taking up much of my time.  In general all is good on this side of the screen.  Can't complain too much, except for the stupidity that affects so many of us.  We have friends (yes, we do, really!) from Zurich, who will be staying with us for a week.  It's a good thing they come over once in a while, it forces us to do a major house cleaning.  It's ridiculously crazy how much stuff we can accumulate, even if we live in a fairly small place.  Granted, I will admit being responsible for a part of it with my scrapbooking and now my Postcrossing, but it's not all my shit.  We have a Murphy bed downstairs (which we bought not long after we moved here, because of those friends coming over) and there was so much stuff in the room that we couldn't pull the bed down.  Hubby and I have been sorting through boxes, and reorganized the area.  It's always a good thing to clean house, I say.  We got rid of things we haven't used in a while, like old computing equipment Hubby was keeping for whatever reason, some old books, and since we were in a cleaning mode, we also went through our clothes and filled up a few bags that we brought to a fripperie (goodwill store) not far from here, with other goods that we either didn't want anymore or haven't used in over a year.  Let's just say, that as of now that room has never been this empty.  I love it!

I'm realizing that I have an addictive personality. Don't get me wrong, I'm not addictive, but tend to get addicted to things.  First example, when I bought my first charm on my Chamilia bracelet (similar to Pandora's) I had thought it would be all.  Four full bracelets later, I still look at charms and find some to like!  Second example, when I started scrapbooking I thought I would do one album with all my cards from birth until my 40th birthday.  I don't know how many albums I have now, and I'm not done scraping either.  I love it and keep finding things to scrap about, a trip there, a show there, I scrap about anything and everything.  Third proof, when I joined Postcrossing I had a little box with about 30 cards in it, and some stickers and tapes I use to decorate my cards. 

At this moment, I have 5 mini mailboxes (stamp dispenser) on my desk (you must admit they are cute!), my little box of cards when to a big size box with hundreds of cards, a cigar box full of stickers and so many tapes & pens...  yep, I'm an addict!  And I love it!

Just this past week, I've reached a new level of "satisfaction" - I'm actually combining two of my addictions into one.  That's real I'm a real junky!  I've started making art mail or scrappostcards, and I'm enjoying it.  I was particularly proud on Friday when I went to the post office to mail a bunch of cards when the postal employee commented on my hand made card, that I was sending to a guy in France.  He was really impressed and even showed it to the other two employees working the counter with him.  He then proceeded to ask me to show him whatever else I would make because he thought it was really interesting.  It felt good, especially since I wasn't sure about the end result.  I liked it, but not as much as he seemed to.

Today I've met a fellow Postcrosser in town for the weekend, and while having breakfast with her, talked about postcards (of course) so I showed her the three I had made the night before. Among the lot, there was one I wasn't sure of.  I had started with an idea and then went a different way and finally ended up with something that was quite loaded.  That was the card she preferred, so I gave it to her.  My only regrets is not having scan it before doing so.

Card the postal worker liked; showing map of our neighborhood, and local stamps.

Just enjoy Happy Bunny, so came up with this one.

I guess I felt somewhat twisted on this one.

These a my latest creations, what do you think?

That explains a lot...

Cultural differences or just plain disrespectful?

I'm not patient.  I've been feeling stressed lately (lots of work, and with Christmas around the corner it all adds up to more stress), thus a little less patient (if that's even possible).  I'll be the first to admit that I have very low tolerance for slowness in general.

When I talk to someone, even to a pet, I do expect an answer or at least a reaction, I'm funny that way.  So, when I'm facing someone who looks at me like a deer in headlights, I can't help but feel somewhat annoyed.  My impatience kicks in.  I'm this way in everything, unlike Hubby who tends to be more so when driving, but somewhat "nicer" when dealing with people.  I just think he fakes it better, that's all.

Since I've been self-employed I haven't have to attend too many (useless) meetings.  I do have to meet clients, but since they pay me per hour, they tend to be a little more efficient.  What irritates me no end is people not respecting me.  Some people are always late.  That's just the way they are, the way they function.  I hate that.  They always have an excuse also, which makes it all even worst.  Maybe it is due to my many years in martial arts, where respect was number one, but to me always being late shows disrespect, not only to me and those around but to yourself as well.

Two weeks ago I had a meeting at a client with two other consultants and three staff members.  While I was sitting with the employee who had called that meeting for the others to show (and I wasn't there in advance, but at the time called for), I did mention how I hated waiting for disrespectful people.  It as almost funny how he agreed with me, but then said "well... it's part of some people's culture".
One of the employee showed up 5 min. late while one of the consultant showed up more than 15 min. late.  When he came in, I couldn't help but to thank him to finally make it.  He laughed a little, but I knew he had gotten my message. 

Last week, the employee called another meeting.  I accepted and replied to all on the distribution "It would be nice if everyone could respect the schedule time and be there on time."  Everyone did.  Saturday, that client had his annual end of year celebration.  Things were running relatively on time, considering the size of the event.  At our table, five seats were left empty.  For having organized many events, there's nothing worst than expecting people (especially RSVP) who end up not showing up.  Those things do happen.  What I find weird is how it often always happen to the same unlucky bastards to be late, but hey...  They started doing the awards presentation, etc. and at some point, a lady sitting across from me, said "I think I know who's missing from our table, he's always late, it's cultural, you know."  I didn't say anything, but thought how easily she was forgiving this flagrant lack of respect.  The celebration started at 6pm.  The missing person showed up well after 7:30pm.

Because it was a special celebration this year, someone in the group of non-employees suggested to get a nice gift (all together) for the CEO.  He asked for a specific amount and said he would shop and give us a card we could all signed before the gift was to be remitted to the CEO during the celebration.  Five or six of us agreed and contributed.   Well, the party went on, and on, and no gift was presented to the CEO other than one from his employees.  At some point I went to see the "organizer" of our little gift plan and asked if it had been bought.  His answer was "Yes, it's in my car.  Since we were a little late, I didn't know if we'd have time to present it to him".  I felt like punching him in the mouth!  What an ass!  When I asked when was he planning to give it to him, he looked confused, to finally answer Monday.  I'm not at that client on Mondays, and since he didn't have the card (either) I couldn't sign it.  When I told him he looked at me like a deer in headlights, argh!  Another punch coming!

I'm supposed to accept this and excuse his total disrespect of all involved and the CEO as well, as cultural differences, because he's African?  Really?  I don't think so.  He's just an ass, who sure acted like a big dumbass!

Cultural differences are (according to CICB):

• Laughing is connoted in most countries with happiness - in Japan it is often a sign of confusion, insecureness and embarrassment.
  
• In the UK Ireland and Commonwealth countries, the word „compromise” has a positive meaning (as a consent, an agreement where both parties win something); in the USA it may rather have negative connotations (as both parties lose something).
  
• In Mediterranean European countries, Latin America and Sub Saharan Africa, it is normal, or at least widely tolerated, to arrive half an hour late for a dinner invitation, whereas in Germany and Switzerland this would be extremely rude.

I guess I'm not cultured, or lacking cultural knowledge or something, but to me what he did is so wrong, no matter where he's from...  I feel like putting a stop payment on the check I wrote him last week!

They're all around us.

If you've been coming around here from time to time, you do know about my moronic neighbor with whom we have this ongoing battle of closing the friggin' garage door.  We don't bother telling him anymore because, obviously, it doesn't change anything.  He's too stupid to operate a remote, so what's the point?

They're everywhere!!

That being said, Hubby often says that we're surrounded by morons, or that we're moron magnet.  I don't want to think that way.  I will say that at times I'm afraid he's right, but still I don't want to surrender to them.  Almost like that kid in "The Sixth Sense", I see them all around me...

This morning when I left for a client, I've noticed our neighbors' garage door wide open.  It's not the first time.  The previous time I rang their doorbell and informed them.  This morning I rang all three doors, but nobody was answering.  I've tried to outrun the automatic door closer.  Not an easy task.  I pressed the button, and ran towards the driveway.  I had to lean down, to avoid the door coming down, and hop over the motion sensor; not so easy.  I did manage to do it though. Yay me! 

I've decided to inform said neighbors and request their vigilance, since it is getting colder and really don't want to suffer another pipe freeze and water damage.  We've had enough.  I think if this was to happen again, some heads would roll.  Time will tell if these neighbors are a little brighter than ours.  Meh, one can hope right?

Blood... Thicker... Water... argh, all liquids!

Friday morning I've received a call which really surprised me, not only because of who was at the other end of the line, but also because of the reason for that call.

If you've been reading me for a while you do know that I have a few cousins (read 65 on my father's side alone), so for one of them to call me out of the blue was no big deal, but when it was one that I was never really close to or haven't talked to for at least twenty years, was somewhat surprising.  D called not because she wanted to let me know how life was treating her or to catch up, but because she needed something - big surprise - from her cousin who lives in town (yep, that would be me).  

Her daughter, who's twenty years old, wants to become a chef. She wanted to come to town to study at l'institut d'hotellerie du QC (which is walking distance from our place), but because she's from a small village (I don't even know where) and because of what she's heard of the big bad city, she's afraid to come to Montreal.  Her mother, in her motherly love thinking way, decided to call me to see if I would be willing to help her daughter, by offering her room and board, since I lived so close.  Huh... don't think so!

At first I thought we could, to help her out, but when she mentioned that it was for a period of six to twelve months; alarms started ringing.  When she mentioned how scared her daughter was, I suggested residences for students.  That wouldn't work, because daughter didn't want to live with strangers (but she was willing to live with us, and we've never met her, even if we're related); can you hear those alarms?

Daughter is really sad and oh so scared, because she really wants to do this, especially that after her course there is an internship in Italy. Ding! Ding! Ding!  Ain't that something?  She's too scared to come to Montreal, because she never left her village before, but when it comes to going to Italy it's all good; of that she's not afraid. Weird, huh?

To top it all off, since I wasn't letting her stay with us, if I could help and find out some information about someone with an extra room among my friends or something like since her registration is Tuesday. O.M.F.G. you've got to be kidding me.

Granted we're related, but did D really think I was that stupid?  Really?

Olympic Twit

I've always enjoyed watching the Olympics.  I even get emotional watching gymnastics.  I know weird, huh?  There is something about watching these guys and gals tumbling and making their bodies do things that are not all that natural to start with, that gets me teary eyes.  I'm in awe of swimmers, at how easy they make it look. Yet, this year something that bothered me previously is really getting jammed along my tunnel of admiration for these athletes.  It bothers me to see professionals participating.  Serena Williams is a great athlete but she chose to play professionally and earn shit loads of money for being a professional tennis player, so she shouldn't be allowed to play against "regular" people.  I've taken Miss Williams but it could be anyone else who's a professional, like basket ball players, or any other sports.  I don't think it is right.

And what to say about these expulsions of different players for their Tweet, really?  I don't get this.  I did compete, at a local level mostly, and despite the "good spirits" there was always some dislike of my opponents.  I had to not like them if I wanted to play hard against them and beat them.  I do understand the racial aspect of things, especially at the Olympics, but at the same time, it is to be expected that players of different teams will comment and criticize their opponents, especially if they are on the losing side of the game.

I think the social media are being too intrusive and in some ways are restricting our freedom.  I mean, we've always expressed dislike of our opponents.  It used to be verbally.  Nowadays it is on Facebook and/or Twitter (to name only those).  Before only those close to us would hear our anger or racism.  Nowadays, it is for the world to see.  Since we are not bright enough to censor ourselves, because let's be honest, it looks like we can't do that in this era of sharing way too much information, society has to monitor what's being posted.

I do understand the terms of the International Olympic Committee's code of conduct, which requires athletes to show mutual respect, but come on, isn't that on for the field or stadium? At the same time, I can't help and wonder how did the Olympic Committee know about every tweet  issued by any athletes?  Someone must have complained. Should the Committee be involved in such issues?  Where does it stop?  It was after a game, on a personal account.  Does that mean that because you're going to the Olympics you can't express your opinions or anger? 

I'm just thinking about those professional basket ball players who constantly nag and pull each others' leg during a game (I did play basket ball and it can get pretty nasty at times), do the Olympic Committee think that because they are at the Olympics they will refrain from such tactics of intimidation?  Some players make their careers on being bad boys (or bad mouths), so because they're representing a country they will play nice, yeah right!

It seems to me like too much hypocrisy is going on.  Countries want to win and will use whatever mean necessary.  If it means dopes, or professional why not.  I don't think it's fair and I don't think it is realistic to think that because it's the Olympics that everything is swell.  Some nations have been hating each others for centuries and it's not a two weeks break that will change that.  Some people have no class, and being at the Olympics won't change that either.  Some people are racist, bigot or whatever else and that isn't about to change because we promote peace, love, friendship.  People have to want to change first and foremost.

I'm closing with this:

A female CNN journalist heard about a very old Jewish man who had been going to the Western Wall to pray, twice a day, every day, for a long, long time. So she went to check it out. She went to the Western Wall and there he was, walking slowly up to the holy site. She watched him pray and after about 45 minutes, when he turned to leave, using a cane and moving very slowly, she approached him for an interview.

"Pardon me, sir, I'm Rebecca Smith from CNN. What's your name?
"Morris Feinberg," he replied.
"Sir, how long have you been coming to the Western Wall and praying?"
"For about 60 years."
"60 years! That's amazing! What do you pray for?"
"I pray for peace between the Christians, Jews and the Muslims. I pray for all the wars and all the hatred to stop. I pray for all our children to grow up safely as responsible adults and to love their fellow man. I pray that politicians tell us the truth and put the interests of the people ahead of their own interests."
"How do you feel after doing this for 60 years?"
"Like I'm talking to a fucking wall."

Yep, that pretty much sums it up doesn't it? I think I'd get along with the old man...