It's been too long...

 It has been a long while since my last post, and yet it doesn't feel like that long ago...  Time does fly, even if we're not having fun, it has one speed, one motion: forward.

Health wise I'm doing good overall, nothing worst than the usual pains and aches which often come with aging...  The last few days I've been having one "symptom" that is bothering me...  After coming in for outside, it's been twice now that I'm really having some vision issues.  You know after you've been "flashed" and you see spots for a few minutes?  It started like that yesterday afternoon, after having spent some time outside with the pooch, when I came in I was seeing spots.  Given that it was sunny and bright out, I didn't think much of it until the spots started changing to stripes, like zebra lines going and going.  I could walk and such, but could not really read nor look into a mirror - it made me dizzy.  After an hour or so I didn't notice it anymore.

Today, I sat outside some, in the shade (I can't do sun much anymore... the joy of getting old...er, urgh) and when I came in I was seeing "stairs" like pattern, but mostly in my right eye... that lasted a good 45 minutes to an hour...   I just got back from being outside, and my eyes are ok, I'm wondering if it is related to my glasses as both previous times I was wearing my glasses, which are for reading and do transit darker whenever in the sun...  Anyway, I've made a note of these "events" and will tell my neuro when I see him next... could be nothing or something related to MS.  We'll see. Ah!

I don't have a migraine, I'm feeling good, no nausea... just seeing weird moving patterns in one eye... fun!

During my last outing with the pooch, I lay down under the gazebo and listened to the noise around us.  Since living here, we've noticed that during the day it is VERY quiet as well as after 9pm...  Summer noises are very different from Winter ones, and this goes for smells as well.  Hubby often calls me "bloodhound"... I smell things... must have been a dog in a previous life...  

Rather than hearing the humming of the A/C, I heard the 640 traffic a few streets over...

Rather than hearing ice cubes falling in the ice bucket, I heard a kid plunked in a pool...

Rather that hearing my husband blow his nose for the xth time, I heard birds chirping...

After hearing the loud noise of a mower, I could smell the fresh cut grass... nothing says summer more than that.  After hearing my neighbor coughing, I could smell the joint he just lit... oh wait that's not just a summer smell...  After hearing the nails of my pooch going up and down the stairs from the patio to the door, I could hear her bark at the neighbor's cat taunting her by the fence...

So, life is good.  Despite the heat wave and humidex through the roof, I will take that over winter any day  Love having my toes out, in flipflops, and this even if my feet are always cold.  I'm not crazy about doing sweet nothing and sweating, or sweating so much my glasses fog up or slide down my nose... I will admit not being a big fan of gardening, I hate bugs and this year my lilies have been eaten, almost cut all of them off... beurk...  My planters are doing well and love seeing those colorful flowers, so pretty. 

Keeping busy with the few clients I've kept and doing this and that... like painting rocks, organizing a virtual meetup to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Postcrossing... yep, I still do the postcards thing.  I will admit that I'm sending less these days since the prices of stamps went up... it's getting to be an expensive hobby, but I still enjoy it!  Still selling postcards as well.  I'm importing less from the States since things are nuts over that side of the border since their last election it did NOT get any better!  Haven't traveled and not planning anything either... Home is the place to be for both (or rather all three) of us!

And voilà, this was my little update in the world of Stinkypaw! 😏

Day Toomany - Popular Renovations Chronicle

 Twelve days since my last post... time just flies when having fun or not, it keeps on going.  Construction being what it is, whatever traces are left from the pandemic and add to that our impatience to get things done, we find ourselves frustrated, tired and VERY short fused... mostly with each other.  I had been told renovations can be hard on a couple, and I can now confirm that is true.  Granted I start with barely any fuse on a good day, so adding stress and all this shit and well, things do get heated at times.  Moving on.

People have been bugging me (yeah bugging!) about how long it is taking me to unpack, to get things organized and since I don't control much into this whole process except how often I write checks or transfer funds really, it has been taking its toll on me.  Anyone who (has the pleasure to) knows me, knows that I'm organized and like things in their place.  This experience has been anything but...  Yes we have to keep our eyes on the prize.  We will have a beautiful home once it all done, but in the meantime it's a big fuckin' mess, really.

That being said, I do see that things are nice, what is done is beautiful, but with big projects like this we are bound to have things go wrong, like missing pieces, wrong measurements, etc.  Besides the bookcase in the basement and my office, things are not completed.  Here are some pictures to give you an idea...

Our walkin closet in the entry way, is missing a top on some drawer, no biggy.  Still managed to fill it out and have all our shoes, boots, etc. in one spot and by the front door!

Then on to the kitchen... We had chosen a quartz top which we were told was backordered, soooo we selected another one and it's not coming in before December 16th... so our kitchen, water room and bathroom have no counters... which means no sink nor faucets... The plumber was kind enough to 'lend' us an old sink and faucet on a piece of plywood so that we don't have to use the garage's sink when brushing our teeth or washing our hands or even doing the dishes...

As you can see, I've been unpacking anyway, storing things away and trying to figure out where things will go...  But no counter top means no workspace to prepare food or to stack things on while emptying a box... Fun I tell you!

In our bedroom the walkin is done, but also missing a pole, so still have clothes in Hubby's office, until I can hang the longer garments.

To think that starting on Monday, the painter is coming back to finish painting the basement and all the closets, that I will have to empty, again, I feel like rolling myself into a ball in a corner, suck on my thumb and cry a little... La madame est fatiguée!

At least my office is done, well mostly, the electrician still has to install some lighting underneath the top cabinets, and now I have the pleasure to unpack it all.  Between work and craft, there is a LOT of shit... 

But it will be so pretty and so organized once all set up, can't wait to get back to my crafts!  Work well... it is that, work! ;-)

And lastly our most damaged room, after the kitchen, our bathroom; still bath less and toilet less - but thank Dog we can shower - is in serious need of a complete repaint job...

So after the quartz has been installed (mid-December if everything goes well!), the contractor will come back to install the backsplash in the kitchen, finish up little things here and there, have the plumber come back to install all the sinks, faucets, tub and toilet and the electrician to install lights in the bathroom, kitchen, office and finish up the connection of every electrical outlets now being wires in a hole on different walls... and that does not even include the carpenter's visit to finish what was left unfinished because of missing pieces... or the gal to install the wall paper...  Yep things are progressing nicely!  ...just saying!

Pleasant Surprise

Update: Have not yet cut/clipped my hair.  It will happen, that much I know.  Hubby suggested for me to wait a little longer so that my roots show more... better guideline or something.

As you (most likely already) know, not only do I send and received lots of postcards, but I sell some as well. I've had an online shop for a few years now and each year it is doing better.  Will it be my retirement income? I doubt that very much, but it is fun for me to sell my creations and other cards.  I even recently partnered up with someone also making her own cards, so that is good.  The last two years I've noticed that some of my clients were from abroad, not only people I knew were buying some cards, but I'm getting foreign orders more often.  The prices of our postal services are quite expensive, and yet, some people do order.

Yesterday morning I received this one line email on my email account with the title: Order received.
My first thought was: "Crap, something went wrong..."  I read the email and started grinning.  The client (a new one from QC city) wrote:

Hi, I just wanted to let you know I have received my order and I am really happy, thank you! Really nice quality postcards, will definitely purchase again :)

Can you say that made my day, or so I thought, until I went to pick up the mail.  Even if it was dark, because I went around 8:30 pm since our mail person does his/her round very late these days, I noticed an envelope coming from the States (from the return address). Actually what I noticed was the fact that it was addressed to my shop and the address was a cut out of my shop's address label that I use when I ship out orders.  I was wondering what the heck this could be.

When I got home, after washing my hands (what did you think?), I opened the env. which contained a letter, an Easter card and a First Day of Issue Env.  I started reading the letter, and immediately noticed *Fan Mail*

WTF?

The letter came from a client, from Arizona, who received her second order!  She loved my postcards and mentioned how important it was for her to support small businesses.  She loved my cards! Wow!  She wrote about herself a bit and offered some cards suggestion.

The Easter card she also included dates back to 1911.  It has a one cent stamp (yeah, one cent!!) and a cancellation from St-Louis, MO.  It is addressed to an address in San Diego, California.

The First Day of Issue Cover dates back to June 6, 1974 in Washington, DC.  Funny how before doing Postcrossing I knew nothing about First Day Covers, etc.  Now I'm getting more and more familiar with them, and so much more in the philatelic world.  I've developed an interest in stamps.  Some countries really do have some pretty gorgeous stamps, we used to in Canada, nowadays not so much. 

Every postcard I create has this little tag line at the bottom saying: Sending a little love today.
Feels like not only am I sending some, I'm getting some back! Yay!

Let's make this leap... again.

Ce soir j'écris en français ou plutôt bilingue... my brain feels like it.  Pouvez-vous croire que nous sommes déjà rendus à la fin d'une décennie, non seulement dans quelques jours nous allons changer le 9 pour un 0 mais aussi le 1 pour un 2, c'est fou!  Je me souviens encore de l'effervescence, du Bug de l'An 2000, pas juste parce qu'avec un geek, ou parce que j'avais décidé de le demander en mariage, mais bien parce qu'on craignait ce que l'an 2000 allait nous réserver.  Vingt ans plus tard, je dirais vraiment pas grand chose, mais bon... On est loin des autos volantes, mais pas tellement des villes sous les dômes.  Le monde a changé, et malheureusement pas (vraiment) pour le mieux.

Granted, côté technologie il y a eu de l'avancement.  Si on regarde nos simples cells, petits et plus puissants que les gros ordinateurs qui remplissaient une pièce complète à un certain moment donné.  Ne serait-ce que la caméra de notre cellullaire qui est souvent plus performante que bien des grosses caméras qui en plus pesaient une tonne avec tout plein d'équipement. Les temps changent.  Greta peut bien retourner chez elle, ce n'est pas le fait de marcher qui changera l'attitude des gens.

En ce temps-ci de l'année j'en profite toujours pour faire une introspection, je regarde l'année qui s'achève et repense aux moments passés: lost a dear friend last January, suddenly, which always makes it harder.  Ai repris un ancient client pour ses livres en mars. Looking back at my calendar there wasn't much going on, attended a few meetups, still doing Postcrossing, catching up with some friends and relatives, la petite routine quoi.  Le petit train-train quotidien, qui devient vite le train-train hebdomadaire, etc.  Petit train va loin comme on dit souvent, ou dumoins on l'espère.

I've also re-read last year's post (you can read it here, if you'd like), and despite some efforts on my parts, to remain low key (as in below the radar), to try to play nice and all that, I'm still hurt (yeah, hurt I guess is the right word for how it feels) when I hear about someone not being comfortable talking to me (for no apparent reason, since we've never really spoken) because "you know..."... I don't know, please do tell.  I haven't reach that venerable age (yet!) where I really don't give a fuck about what people think about me, I'm trying to let go and not care, and yet, there is that part of me which needs to know what the fuck did I do to this person for them to not like me...  I know (I fully understand it) I should not care, and yet, there is that part of me that is being tickled by it all.

Mon objectif pour la prochaine année: ne plus m'en faire avec l'opinion (positive ou négative) des gens.  J'essaie d'être une bonne personne, j'aide lorsque que je peux, je contribue à la société (en plus de payer mes taxes et impôts, oui! oui!).  I'm rough around the edges (actually I'm quite round, so there shouldn't be any hard edges, just sayin' ), I call a spade a spade, I'm honest, I try not to lie, and I'm very loyal.  Granted I have no patience for stupidity, so if people fear me because of that, then maybe, just maybe the problem is not me.  I don't want that type of people in my environment.

I MUST remember this:

Sur ce, je vous laisse et vous souhaite une nouvelle année remplie de santé, bonheur et amour!

Wishing you a healthy, happy and lots of love for this New Year ahead.

All the best!
xox

Eight Posts This Year! Woohoo!

Would you look at this, it looks like I went all out this past year with eight posts.  Man, we are a long way from me writing a post almost daily to now writing a post every now and then.  Thinking back to my blogging days I will say this, I sure had fun and met some pretty cool people through those years.  I was even lucky enough to actually meet with one IRL.

Things did get messed up by the arrival of Bacefook and company.  A bunch of bloggers went on to Bacefook and that was the beginning of the end.  I will admit to getting hooked on Bacefook.  I started slow but when I created that Postcrossing group and became more active with Postcrossing that was my turning point.  Like I did in blogging, I did meet some interesting folks and many more than through blogging, but because of the group I've also seen the ugliness of little cliques. 

People in groups can be mean, to say the least.  There were cliques too in blogging, but I never felt that it was personal really. It was more like you'd prefer the writing style of this person, the humor of that one, but it didn't feel personal.  On Bacefook, it often feels personal.  It actually reminds me of high school.  I would lie to say I had it easy in high school; some parts were pretty rough, but I always managed to make a few friends and plow through.  I find that on Bacefook,  if someone doesn't like you or if they assume you're this way or that way, and they want to foul things up for you, they can.  It is (almost) scary at times.  I've told a few people they could leave the group (I manage) if they didn't like me; some did and others I took out myself.  Managing it all can be stressful at times, but I do enjoy it.   I think I have a good bunch.  Some, like on here, are only lurkers.  That's fine I respect that.  Not everyone cares to be out in the open, to express themselves or to share.  For some it is simply due to the fact that they are technically challenge; for others they might be too shy.  Whatever, it's all good!  It's been going good for the last few months, and I'm happy about it.

Can you believe 2018 is coming to an end? I can't! It feels like not that long ago I was celebrating its arrival in beautiful Hawai'i and now we're about to close it but this time from our home... 2018 has been a somewhat challenging year.  Health wise, both Hubby and I were good.  We had colds, pains, Hubby even had a little bout of Shingles, but overall we were good.  Work wise,  Hubby had to make some decisions and only time will tell how those turn out.  I, in this new year, will have to make some as well.  Time for me to review and decide what I want to do and how to pursue it. Friendship wise I've faced some disappointments.  I've been hurt but someone I thought of as a friend.  I've worked on forgetting about it all, and concentrate on others who are there and have been there for many years.  Not always easy to deal with unknowns, and for me this is I think the hardest:  the "not knowing" part, the reason why.  I'm learning to let go.  I'm growing up (or old!) I guess.  Family wise well... that is something on itself.  As time goes by, I'm more and more convince that blood is not thicker than water.  Family is what we decide it to be. 

For this new year coming I don't have many expectations.  I don't watch the news, so I have no clue what Trump and cie are messing up, how bad the climate is (other than when I can see around it, and let's be honest, it IS fucked up!), or how things are going in general.  I keep to myself as much as possible, trying to fly under the radar - yes, that is very selfish of me, and I assume it completely! - I do my things, try to avoid conflicts, and find refuge in our comfortable home.  I haven't done New Year's Resolutions in years, and I'm not about to start again.  I'm resolute in trying to do my best daily, how's that?

In closing, here's my wish for you:

May this new year ahead be filled with 

less stress,
genuine friendships,
more laughter,

no drama,
lots of health, 

peacefulness
and
time to enjoy it all!

All the best xox
 

Post Christmas Blues

Ok, so, Christmas is over.  Already.  All this preparation for one day.  Each year, despite me loving this holiday, I can't help but think it is crazy to put out all these decorations, spend all this money not only on gifts, but on food, clothing, etc. for one day!  It's crazy when you really think about it.

We celebrated Christmas' Eve with Hubby's side of the family, at a cousin's.  It was a pleasant evening; good food, good talks, good company, the kids seemed happy with the gifts, so overall a pleasant evening. Today we (Hubby and I) did sweet nothing but watched TV (finished watching "Bad Blood" - watch it if you can, a series about local (as in Montréal) Mafia), also watched a few movies; we took it easy and enjoyed our time alone.  Spoke with my mom, she called from Florida.  Christmas isn't what it used to be... I have very fond memories of past Christmas, as a kid, and even older.  It used to be a fun (but stressful) time.  We got to see relatives that often we only saw at that time of year.  Now that my mom does the Snow Bird thing, we don't really do anything with on her side of the family.  It's a shame really but since they all live far away (as in six+ hours from here) we don't visit often and we all have our families, so it is what it is.

This year again, I kept true to myself and sent many Christmas cards, and got many back as well.  Between the cards I got through Postcrossing and those from friends and relatives I almost filled up both my doors, check it out!

I will be sad to take down the lights... I love how everything looks with Christmas lights, not only indoor but outside too.  It makes everything prettier...

We've had a few parties leading to Christmas, starting with my birthday one month before.  Had invited a bunch of friends over, played games and spent a few hours together which was nice.   One of the parties we had was for my meditation group.  That is always a fun night.  We do a big pot luck and a gifts exchange.  It is not really a dance party or anything of the sort, but more a fun night among people sharing an activity together and getting together for Christmas.  This year, I had made thirty of these Santa sleighs, as a gift for each member.  They came out really nice and were well received.
 

I think the worst party this year, was Hubby's company.  After being there a few hours I left him there and went back to our room.  He had reserved a room at a hotel nearby (thankfully!)  and that was great; I could escape and he didn't have to drive back so he could party on...  Corporate parties are often a bore for the spouses, and that one sure was!  For me at least!

I've been thinking about this past year overall, and I won't be too sad to see it end... it's been an interesting year to say the least.  A few things have changed, hopefully for the better (time will tell!), some friendships were lost, new ones were created, and who knows what the future holds... One thing for sure, time is flying by and before I know it I will be taking down my Christmas decorations and feel a little sad... I'm most likely to have the Post-Christmas Blues... not because of what I've spent, but because the most wonderful time of the year is now over...

 

Countdown to Half a Century...

It has begun!  I've been counting the days before I hit that milestone, the BIG 5-0, and I'm not even thinking of Hawai'i, my big 5-0!

In nineteen days I will turn fifty.  I thought that writing it down might make a difference, nope, still cringes... I know it is just a number.  I also know that I don't look it, or feel it - but, depending at what time you ask me that question, you will get a different answer, that's for sure.

In thirteen dodos we are leaving for the sunny beach of Punta Cana, in Dominican Republic, at least I'm hoping it will be sunny, because I sure need to crash on the beach and do nothing but decide with bathing suit to put on and what drink to order!  I always thought I would celebrate my passage to being half a century...  I've celebrated my 30th and my 40th, in style, you know, renting a room, DJ, catering, the whole shebang... My fiftieth (yuck, ugly looking word!) I thought I would celebrate in Disney, but turned out to be too expensive and I/we had different priorities, like getting this place organized...  I would have loved to be surrounded with friends and enjoy it all but instead Hubby and I will crash for a week in an all inclusive, which we haven't done in a few years, by ourselves.  It will be nice to recup together, he needs it more than me since he's been working hard lately. He's being pulled in different directions by many people, and he's not really wired to manage it all that well.  He likes his peace and quiet, and lately he hasn't been getting much of that.  He feels like a pooper scooper at even if that can make one feel good at times, it can be very tiresome as well.

Talking with Hubby earlier, we realized that we haven't been to a beach (read sea or ocean) for a good two years.  We were by the water in Bodø (Norway), but it was so friggin' cold it's not like we swim or anything of the sort.  I did go to Rimouski in June, but that as well wasn't really the best condition for a fun time at the beach... 

This summer I swam once, in a pool in July and it was friggin' cold that one time.  Did it anyway, because I like water that much, but time was not wasted between the pool and going in that night, that's for sure!  We are well past our expiration date in regards to some fun in the sand.  Time for me to build something, like a turtle or a Hawaiian Sandwoman... I just love the feel of soft sand in my hands or between my toes...  As Young Dory says: "I like sand. Sand is squishy."  Then again, I've recently watched a short movie made by the daughter of a friend (you can check it out here, very well made and quite interesting) where she talked about Tardigrades, those little water bears that live in the sand, reads all cute but I think I won't be able to help myself and think about them all as I crash upon them...

All in all, my brain has been on overdrive for some time now, and getting away, if only for one week, will do me good. Being away from a computer will also be a good thing for me.  As we are about to enter week 46 of this year 2016 - and a big week this will be as well, with the American Election Day on Tuesday - I can only sit here and wonder not only where did those past fifty years go to, but this past year seems to have gone by as one big blur as well...  Many things came and went at us in 2016 and the year is not over yet:  just this coming week, I have to visit my osteo, then my neurologist, then my dentist to have two crowns put in (can you hear the cash register?!), then next week it will be the hairdresser, annual check up with our family doctor and the esthetician. 

I did laugh when I saw this picture, even if I don't shave (I wax), this image feels true.  Since I'm thinking of joining the Y this winter, that might not work for me, darn!, but still love that image.  Another pleasure of aging is those hairs growing on my chin... never had that before, now every now and then I have to pluck one dark one away... strange and oh so ugly!

Before I get in the TMI space, I shall close.  I do find that people are over sensitive about every little damn thing.  It's unreal how you can not say anything without someone being offended or frustrated.  It's ridiculous.

I miss the days when as kids we were afraid of strangers and/or neighbors, not because they would abduct or hurt us, but because they represented authority and that was respected.  They could and would tell us to get lost or to go plain somewhere else, and we did without crying to our parents about it.  We feared authority and showed respect towards it.  Nowadays nobody says anything.  The kids, read brats, run the world and it's normal. Argh!  Nobody respects anyone no more.  We're all afraid to say something when we see something that is wrong, like a kid who won't give up his seat on the bus for an elderly, nobody says anything. A few years ago, we would have gotten a smack behind the head for remaining seated.  Times have changed.  I have grown old...er... and one thing for sure, I'm damn happy not to have had any kid.  I wouldn't want to be raising kids today.  I'm not saying that we should hit kids (well... no, I'm not!) but we should teach them to respect others and their elders.  I hate it now, when I speak (French) with a young person and they use "tu" (informal way to address someone) rather than "vous" (formal way to address).  It's a little thing but it does make such a difference, it creates a little gap, a little difference, it shows some form of respect. 

O.M.G. I read like such an old broad!  OK time to close up, and go drink my cup of hot tea...  Geez...

Toulouse in a week

Today was our last day in Toulouse. We've been here for a week now. We arrived last Sunday, for Hubby's work. I tagged along because I could and especially because I had never been here before. There wasn't much planning, since Hubby found out a few days prior to our departure that he was being sent to France for his client's client. Through Postcrossing I had contacted a member who lived in Toulouse to see if we could meet during our time here. We actually met up with her on Sunday evening, a brief encounter where she shown us the main things to see while here. She was super friendly and we hit it off.

The next morning Hubby went to work, and I walked around the city by myself. I will say this, I'm not crazy about doing the tourist thing all by myself. It is much more pleasant to visit with someone else, to have someone to share with, than being by yourself. Toulouse is a nice city, people are friendly and you can see a lot on foot. Our hotel was well located, right smack in town, so I could tour, on foot, easily.  I took a map and hit the streets.  I got lost (like every day I've been here!) and ended up by La Garonne (river).  Along the way I walked on "La rue du Taur" (top right). 

Bottom left, the flat bell tower of  "Église du Taur" and the St-Sernin Basilica.  It was interesting and very old buildings, all made out of bricks, orange bricks, even if they call Toulouse The Pink City, it is more orange than pink, for sure!

It was nice to see all those gorgeous buildings, and walking along these narrow little streets and back alleys, seeing all those shops selling local delicacies, postcards (which I bought!) and multiple little cafés.  Once Hubby came back from work, we walked around some, and made our way for a good dinner at Grand Café de l'Opéra on the Capitol Place.  It is what they call a Brasserie, which is very different from what we (in Québec) call a brasserie.  Their brasseries have a lot more class than ours.  Our dinner there was delicious, expensive by really good.

Tuesday, I got up later than the first day and made my way down to the Tourist Office, since a friend from Montréal, whose sister lives here, suggested to do a guided tour of the city while here.  Since the weather was nice, I was alone and didn't really know what to do, I decided to go for a tour of  ''Toulouse's Monuments''.  It was a walking tour of two hours.  We went to the Capitol, visited the Chambre des Illustres, where they now celebrate civil weddings and such, then made our way to Basilique St-Sernin, which I had seen (the outside of) the day before, but then got to go inside and learn about its history, construction.  Then we made our way to le Couvent des Jacobins, which is also gorgeous and so impressive.  Our guide knew her history and was (obviously) passionate about her city.  She gave us so much information, I was starting to zone out at the end; between being loaded with info, and having to walk and stand for over two hours (our tour started at 14:30 and ended by 17:15), I was cooked by the end.  She left us at l'Hôtel de Bernuy.  I got lost again on my way back, but did manage to make it back to our hotel.

The tomb (bottom left) is of St-Thomas d'Aquin, the center picture is of "le palmier" of the Jacobins and their refectory.  That building was among my favorites.  So much history in there, how Napoléon's men used that Church as a barn is almost unreal, and yet... the History of this place is unbelievable.

On our third day I spent it with C., the local Postcrossing gal.  We went to the market, get some local cheeses, bread, meats, and chocolates.  What a treat that was.  It is fun to hear them talk, with their Southern accents, and expressions, I love it!  We even managed to do a mini meet, the two of us, and send out about twenty cards.  After work, Hubby met up with us at their place, and we enjoyed a delicious meal of local food together.  It was a very sweet evening.  All four of us got along, talked a lot, laughed and ate well together.  We really hit it off with them both.

Thursday was a bit more slow for me, walked around a little, and crashed for a nap in the afternoon.  When Hubby got back from work, we stayed around and went to a place near by for dinner which wasn't that great, but they did have delicious fries.

Today, Friday, Hubby managed to leave the client at around noon, so that he could visit the city some.  We walked around some, and made our way to the Garonne River.  He wanted to see the bridges.  Along the way we stopped for lunch where we both had delicious meals; pizza for him and pasta for me.  We did some shopping, bought some souvenirs like a beautiful painting, a thin box representing the city and more postcards.  Today the weather wasn't all that great, but at least we did manage to finish this trip together.  Since I had been on a tour, I could share of the information I knew (and remembered) with Hubby.

We both agreed, Toulouse is a beautiful city and we would love to come back.  It was a fun, loaded week for both of us, in very different ways.  Worth the trip, for sure!

Goodbye 2015

This time of year I usually do a little recap of the year, not only to reminisce but to give me some perspective on how my year went.  2015 was quite the year, and I would lie to say I'm sad to see it coming to its end.  It wasn't all bad, nor was it all good.  We had our fair share of crap and good times too.  I guess the bad has to come with the good, right?

This year, unlike the previous last two, I've experienced less stress... because I had to let go of all my clients when we took off for our Norway escapade.  Looking back, that was the best time of the year for me.  When I try to see why, the same reason always comes back: I didn't know anyone and didn't have to walk around on eggshells all the time. Weird how I'm realizing this now.  I loved our time away, because I was with my husband away from everything and discovering new things/places/people together.  There were no expectation, no relationship, no family, just the two of us and we loved it that way.

This year, once again, Postcrossing took a lot of room in my life.  It helped me (I'm sure, not to feel lonely and lost in the Arctic).  I've met new people, online and through different meet ups.  I was about to write it was all fun, but deleted that phrase because it wasn't.  This year, I've once again realized how people get easily upset.  They get offended by the stupidest thing, and worst thing is when it is in writing.  People will read "tones" and intents and rather than ask a question, or to do a perception check, they will get upset. Just like that.

Managing my Bacefook group has had its challenges.  Yes, I am blunt, direct, abrupt, call it what you want, but one thing for sure, I will answer you if/when you ask me a question.   I've lost members.  Some I was happy to see leave, others I didn't really care, and some I still wonder why, since they wouldn't tell me (I did ask).  When I ask for explanation I'm told I'm confrontational, so no matter what I'm fucked.

This year (again) we had a water damage, a big fucking mess.  We had to move out while the repairs were being done, etc.  I don't remember having to pack and unpack and cleaning up the places where we (had to) live so many times in one year.  So much so, that when came time to get the boxes for our Christmas tree I was done with boxes and didn't want to see any more boxes. Most likely the fact that we had no snow whatsoever until today might have contributed to my not feeling very Christmas incline.

Can you believe that I've received 337 official postcards and sent 336, of course that doesn't include all the ones I've sent at meets, while in Norway, through games, lotteries and such.  I'm thinking that for the new year, I will limit myself to officials only and slowly (but very surely) let go of my group, passing it on to others, so that I can sit back and enjoy the anonymity.  Yeah, I think that is what I will do.  Do my things and that will be it.  Now, here's a good resolution!

Since there is fresh white snow outside, it is now time for my dear husband and myself to go for a walk around our neighborhood and enjoy each others company.

Wishing you, dear blends, a very happy New Year, may it bring you health, peace, love, money and time to enjoy it all.  All the best to you and yours!

Not all bad...

Well, in ten days things have been moving, or I have... whichever way you want to look at it.  On the condo front though, nothing moved.  No repair insight just yet, we are awaiting the moron's confirmation that it has been fixed correctly and it seems like he's ignoring the requests from the condo association...

My new wedding band is in creation and we actually got a nice credit for our old gold jewels. A nice chuck of that came from Hubby's mother, may she rest in peace.  I had kept her charms bracelet, you know the old style with huge charms, and that puppy weight 111 gm in gold! Between that and my wedding ring, with its diamond, it added up, which is nice since the new ring will be a little more pricey... Yeah this girl likes purdy and shiny things!

Speaking of shiny things, while at the jeweler, I had noticed a pendant he had made, and last time I was there I could no longer resist it.  It is so me, Stinkypaw!

Chuk's Creation

As you may have noticed, on the sidebar, there's a new gadget pointing to my new online store!  I've decided to take the plunge and open an online shop where I would sell postcards.  For now, as I'm building my portfolio, the selection isn't grand, but I'm working on it.  I have some strictly related to Postcrossing and since the selection of Montréal postcards in local stores is not only lame, dated and always the same, I've contacted different people I know and asked if I could use their photos.  The answers have been coming in slowly.  Things are moving and I'm excited about it.  If you have a chance go visit my little shop and let me know what you think.  There's also a blog on my store.

Today, I actually was pleasantly surprise by Canada Post.  I've been collecting pictorial cancels.  What is that you ask?  It is a cancellation stamp that some post office have to commemorate something of the area, like there's one not far from here of the Notre-Dame Basilica.  Here's what it looks like.

Some are really pretty, some are funny and it's an inexpensive souvenir.  I've started that because of Postcrossing, same as with the stamps.  Some countries have gorgeous stamps, like Russia, Finland for example. I've been contacting different post offices asking them to cancel my stamp (on a postcard, of course) with their postmark.  I will say this, Canada Post's website isn't up to date for this at all.  I had contacted this post office in Ontario, which had a postmark showing Canada's First Polish Settlement.  Today I get an envelop from Canada Post addressed with the label that I had put on when I had sent my request.  When I opened it, it contained my postcard, stamped as requested but with another cancellation, and on the note I had attached (my original request) there was a hand written note from the Postmaster in which she informed me that the Wilno post office had closed down, and their stamp was taken out of circulation.  She, instead, cancelled my card with her post office's special stamp.  How sweet was that?  I was really surprised, especially since I've started this, many were simply returned with no explanation.  It is nice to see that some people still care about their clients.

Patience, Pain, Hobby, Business etc.

On the condo front, the guy for our cabinet finally came to estimate the damages.  The insurance appraiser will be coming by on Tuesday.  They are so disorganize it's a little scary actually.  Was contacted on Friday by a man who also claimed to be an appraiser from the insurance company.  Turns out the insurance company seems to send out many request to different appraisers at one time.  First one who answers gets the job, it seems.  Scary.  Good thing I'm on top of things.

On the foot front, it does feel better even without a cast or anything.  My quack did send me a copy of the radiologist confirming the 5th metatarsal broken and not displaced, with a referral to an orthopedist.  I've been trying to avoid walking too much, thanks to Hubby's great help and many extra steps.

On the Postcrossing front, I'm still sending and receiving daily.  Yep, I'm addicted.  Saturday, I drove to Gatineau for a small meet up.  We were five, and four of us were from Montréal.  It was a crappy drive since it rained all the way there and back, but the meet was fun!  I gave a ride to another girl, and we talked all the way.  It was a chatty ride to say the least!

I personally sent twenty two cards.  And actually did manage to use my new personalized signature stamp.  The signature is pretty small actually which will be perfect for big meets.  Yesterday was a mini meet, and my sig looked small, but it was better than the first one I had which turned out bigger than anything I could sign myself.

Anyway, we did manage to prepare (i.e. addressed, stamped and signed) eighty-two cards among the five of us.  Not too bad.  It was a fun afternoon, spent with funny ladies in a cute little café.

Here's the stack of cards ready to be dropped at the post office.  It was my first time in the cozy little town.  We made it to a postal counter not far from where was the meet, and took the traditional pictures of dropping the cards in the mail box.  They had a rack of pre-stamped postcards with the zodiac signs and other cards we hadn't seen before, so like vultures, or rather a seagull on a fry as my drive partner said, we attacked that rack especially when the clerk informed me the cards were 75% off, so instead of $2.50 they were selling those cards at $0.62 each.  We cleared their rack!

Speaking of rack, it reminds me that I've been toying with this idea of opening a little shop and things are starting to shape up... I'm trying not to get too excited, and won't go into details just yet, but I'm working on its realization and things are heading in a good direction.  Slowly, but surely...

Closing a chapter

In order to close the Bodø Chapter of our Norwegian Adventure, things are happening and one can't help and wonder if this is the Universe showing us, it is time for us to go back home...

•  Monday morning I was awaken by the fire alarm.  Not the best way to wake up and start the day, but then I made my way to the Bakeri and had enjoyed a good cappuccino.  Turns out our idiots neighbor above us, the noisy ones, burned bacon and smoked up their place.  It took a while for the firemen to come and turn off the alarm.
   
• Monday night, despite the friggin' cold wind, was a clear night so I made my way to the lookout point to see the Midnight Sun.  The sky was so clear, it was gorgeous!  On the opposite side, the moon was overlooking the snow covered mountains and city...

• Tuesday morning, I was abruptly woken, again, by a man coming in our flat, as I was sleeping, naked, on our bed.  He just unlocked the door and walked in, his arms full.  When I said "Hey!", he turned around mumbled something in Norwegian and walked out! WTF!


• Wednesday, I brought back a book at the library, for the last time in Bodø.  I'm happy I've renewed my interest to that place.  Maybe now that contact has been re-established I will go to the one near home, in Montréal. I haven't even step a foot in since they opened it, and I'm told it's a nice one...
  
• Last night, since I couldn't sleep (the rain was quite loud), I got back up and went through all my Bacefook "friends" and clean up house.  That felt strangely good.


• What better way to close this chapter of our lives, than do it in the rain!  It's been raining for the past two days, in Bodø.  Why change now, when it's been shitty weather most of our time here?  From hard rain to tiny drizzle, but no matter what it's wet.  And this after I've packed my rain boots, grrr.
  
• Went to the post office, one last time, and on my way back stopped for my Take-Away moca. I did manage, through their loyalty take-away card, get a free pastry and today a free coffee, yay me, never even done that back home!
  
• Did all our laundry, every is on the rack drying, and that closes another load for Bodø.
  
• Tonight, a first, having dinner with locals - air traffic controllers - what an evening out.

(Final countdown). Ohhh oh oh ohhhh

Despite feeling like my poor little hamster (read brain) is going crazy fast in its little wheel, I think it is also time for me to come out, since...

...has begun.

I've tried to prepare as much as I could, and try not to stress too much about it, but it is what it is, and I'm going crazy!  Two weeks left before the adventure starts.  As of tonight, I've started my "social rounds", I had dinner with a girlfriend of mine that I see once every season about.  We made a point to get together once per season, since otherwise we would realized that we hadn't seen each other in months, so this way we're keeping in touch "regularly".  Tomorrow we will be visiting some governmental office to make sure everything is in order, run some errands and really kick start not only mine but our social rounds.  Between going to visit my mother, seeing a bunch of friends on different days of the week, and both of us trying really hard to cram all we can into working hours with our respective clients, I feel like I've drank one too many coffee.  It feels like there is so much to do, so many details, and yet...

I've postponed a bunch of appointments to later in the year.  Went to the pharmacy to renew our prescriptions drugs so that we have everything we need.  I'm excited. I'm trying not to forget anything too many things. Despite all the excitement, I still find time to sit here and address a few postcards, and even write this.  It's almost as if my brain knows that it's going to be slowing down for a while soon, and doesn't want to rush anymore (oh! how I know that feeling!).  I should could be working right now, but I've decided not to.  Hubby is watching "House of Cards", and I'm blogging, and this even if our flights have not been booked yet.  We did manage to find a place to stay for the duration of our stay, that's a step in the right direction.  We've only thought about packing. Granted we both took out some of the things we really don't want to forget or go without...

Earlier today I was at a client, who amused himself with Google Street view.  I hadn't even done that... I've looked at the temperature.  It's cold, but currently warmer than here - go figure.  I'm really not sure what to bring as far as clothes and shoes go.  It looks very casual.  I'm somewhat overwhelmed I guess, excited though.  No matter what I will be with my husband, most of the time, just like I am here, and it will be all new.  Thank God for the internet that is for darn sure!

Because of everything, I sure will be blogging a lot more (I hope), reporting our adventure.  Stay tune!

isn't it?! ;-)

That shitty time of year again...

Since I have a tendonitis in my right shoulder, and pain is actually a daily occurrence,  I've been feeling crappy and crabby to say the least.  I've seen my osteo, which helps for a few days after treatment but the pain never truly goes away.  Last visit I had with her, she suggested to see an acupuncturist for pain management, so I contacted the little man I know.  I've seen him twice in the last two weeks, the first treatment really helped my arm's mobility, and yesterday's treatment was so painful it messed me up bad.  Today it does feel better, but I just can't wait for pain to be gone!!

To add to my shitty feelings, the weather has been crap - so fucking cold, my face looks like a shedding lizard, and this time of year is ALWAYS crap for me,  S.A.D. kicks in full blown.  Despite my "happy light" and "happy pills", there's always rougher days than others. So, when adding physical pain to it all, it's bad...

Good thing is I'm busy, between work and my postcards, I don't have time to get bored.  Between the official cards and some random act of smileness I basically get  cards on a daily base.  I love it.  Today I actually received an envelop from Gyor in Hungary from a man who lives there.  Turns out he had sent a request to join a (closed) group I manage on Bacefook for Canadian Postcrossing users, and when I saw that he was from Gyor, HU - which is the village my mother in law was from, I sent him a message asking him if he wanted to swap with me (since I wouldn't let him in the group).  We exchanged a few messages, I've sent him a card from here - which he liked and today I've received these cuties:

Baroque city of Gyor, HU

Budapest, HU

Seeing this reminds me that we WILL have to see Hungary before we're too old to travel!  Last time Hubby was there was in 1991, and I've never been, so we'll have to get our ducks in a row and go!

Today, I was informed that a member of our group (in Postcrossing Canada) is quitting.  I respect her decision, but I'm sad to see her go as she was one of the good and fun ones.   Do you ever have this feeling that things are crumbling around you, slowly?  Ever feel like the you're losing some good friends because they're moving or even worst they died? Or simply losing touch with someone you thought was closer than they actually were, since the tie broke (easily) since they had kids, or met someone new?  I hate seeing this and even more feeling it.  I know it's life, I've been around and seen it many times, doesn't mean I have to like it now, does it?

Auf Wiedersehen 2014

I can't believe, as I sit here, that we're on the Eve of 2015... what a year this has been.

I just had a look at how many times I've posted in 2014 and it was about once or twice a month... pretty sad considering I used to write daily. I guess Bacefook really took over my time. That and Postcrossing. I've been postcard crazy this past year.

Looking at my stats on their site, I've sent to 32 countries in 2014, 164 cards were registered (oh man, I just did a quick calculation of how much that represents in stamps alone, and... ouch!!), but I've actually sent 174 of them.  I've also received from 32 countries, 155 cards.  That is not even considering all the others cards I've been sending through Round Robins, swap, and games, etc. because I've sent well over another 350 cards (especially since we took some vacation with our trips in Hawaii, and then Vegas) - crazy!!


I have no idea really how many I've received total, but I can tell you it's a lot.

At the beginning of 2014 I had prepared a jar in which I would drop a note about anything good which happened during the year so that when I was going through a rough patch I could open it and read a note to cheer me up.  I did open the jar a few times during the year.  It did bring a smile to my face to re-read some of my special days.  I think I will continue to add to this jar.  It's an easy thing and I think it is worth the little efforts it entails.

I wish I could say that I've pulled up my big girl panties and have been working less, but I haven't.  For whatever reason, that situation is still the same.  I get high moments of frustration, but also do get some satisfaction out of it, so I try to remind myself not to care and to do what I'm paid for.  The caring I do too much of, is on me as a client often reminds me. 


It feels, as I sit here and look at my calendar that unlike before (I don't know when exactly, maybe when I was in school or something) time never stops, there is no time off anymore, I'm always on, and I think that is what is getting to me.  I never completely disconnect.  Whenever I leave for X time, there is double the work when I come back, so the little benefit of going anywhere are washed away right away upon my return. 

I can only hope that this new year ahead will bring some way for me to unplug, to be happy with what I have and enjoy every day the sun rises.  I take this opportunity to wish you, dear blends, a great year ahead and may it be filled with health, love, peace and money to enjoy it all.

It might be time to walk away...

I've been toying with the idea of retiring or should I say doing what was the initial plan when Hubby and I created our company: to do our books and that's that.  A part of me feels guilty and don't like the idea of being a woman at home (with no kid) and feeling like I'm not pulling my weight.  Hubby has been telling me to ditch clients for months.  I did drop a few here and there, but have kept others.

We took one week off, and since I feel really overwhelmed and despite some serious efforts still not seeing the load getting lighter.  Plus to add to this yucky feeling, I'm not even doing the things I really do enjoy.  I don't have time.  I try to catch a bit here and there, spend some time with Hubby watching the shows we both like, and even that while sitting there I feel fidgety when I think that I should be invoicing or doing some bank reconciliation for a client or another.  It sucks!

I know it's all me.  I chose to get clients, and to keep them. It's me.  I just can't let go.  Is it only my need to feel needed, my ego for not wanting to be one of those housewives, the fact that I (guess) do care about what others think?  I don't know.  I just know that I need to get off, I'm starting to feel nauseous as I'm typing this.  I'm afraid to be lazy, even if I do know that I am, but to stop "working" would be like giving full freedom to my laziness.  I would rather be sick.  Weird to realize that I'm doing this to myself. 

I've never felt overwhelmed like I do the past few weeks.  I look at my desk, and it's a mess.  There are papers everywhere. I think I'm going to crash again, and this time I have no excuse; I see myself going, I see how I'm driving this boat and I know I'm going to crash it.  I have to do something.  I thought a week away, in the sun, would help, but I'm thinking it might have been the kick in the ass I needed to drop out.  To let go.  I've been told not to care, that as long as I'm being paid who cares what clients do.  I wish I could not care.  I do.  I've tried to turn off my emotions, like they say in vampires show, and yet, it doesn't seem to be working.  I'm no vampire, that's for dammed sure, even if I've been living at nights lately. 

I have to let go.  Something has to give and I KNOW it is me.  For my sanity, among other things.  I don't like feeling this way, so I will do something... Why do I feel like I'm about to throw up just thinking of which client I could let go of... why do I feel this lump in my throat as if it's something really scary?  I really don't like this.  It's all me.  I get that.  Now how do I pull the plug?!...

About Time

Just watched this movie... I loved it.  As we're about to enter April, not that it looks like it outside,  far from that.  We had yet another snow storm.  Winter just doesn't want to go away.  I know that Spring is on its way though, since on Saturday while running errands I've noticed that it smelled like Spring, you know, that smell of melting poop?  Yep, that is one sure sign of Spring, way more reliable than that ground hog, if you ask me.

Wouldn't it be great if we could travel back in time?  Having the possibility to just go back in our lives and do-over some of those bad days we've had?  I would love to.  I'm not one filled with regrets but there are a few moments that I'd like a do-over of sort.  I don't think I'd like to come back to my twenty years old self and change my experiences, those made me the person I am today.  I've worked (on myself) to get to this point.  I would love to go back and share some special moments again... like in the movie, go back to a day I could share again with my father, or with my favorite aunt, or friend.  A simple moment in time I could relive, just because for the pleasure of it, not necessarily to change it, but more to feel it again, to cherish it fully.


Already three months of 2014 have slipped by, at vertiginous speed or at least it felt like it at times.  I've been trying to take it a little more easy since we came back from our last trip.  It's not always easy or even possible, but I'm trying.  I've scheduled myself and try hard to follow it.  I've been good at avoiding work on weekends, and that's a very good thing.  I don't even answer emails anymore.  I take time for myself.  I've been scrapbooking some, working on our wedding album, at night. It forces me to be elsewhere than the office plus I'm away from the computer; bonus.

I've also been quite active with Postcrossing, especially since the prices of stamps are increasing as of today: $0,22 more for local stamps, $0,10 more for the States and $0,65 for international.  That one hurts, since most of the cards I'm sending are outre-mer.  Last week, I went shopping with a friend, at Ikea, and came back with sixty cards.  I'm a postal addict!  The next day I was receiving a little parcel from Poland with sixteen cards in it.  I'm fully loaded, I'd say, and yet, I'll always land on a profile that requests something I don't have; like a postcard of a dog.  Strange but true, I have no cards of dogs. Oh well.  Curious about some of the cards I've received and sent?  Check out my Flickr album, here.  They're not all there.  These are the ones that weren't scanned by the sender that I scanned myself, and they're only the ones through Postcrossing, nothing from the personal ones I've been getting (since 1978), too many to scan.  I still love sending postcards, and receiving them, it's fun to exchange with people from all over the world.  I've been doing it since high-school, with letters, then with blogging and now with Postcrossing and Bacefook.  Hours of fun, I tell you!

It might be time...

... for me to update my side bar, where it says "Blog I Read", since I don't really read many nor do they post often, so I guess it evens out, somehow, right?

Weird to think I use to blog daily and nowadays I'm on Bacefook daily and on Postcrossing.  I even started playing with Flickr and uploaded all cards I've mailed since I joined in December 2010, all 199 of them!  In doing that exercise, I've realized that I'm sending a few less each year: first year I've sent out 70, second year 64 and last year 58...

Besides freezing my ass off (among other parts), I've been working a lot.  Funny fact: today while working at a client, our accountant currently doing our company year-end called me to answer some questions he had.  Turns out we had a good year, our revenue increased.  The way he was saying it was as if he was wondering why, so in my all natural way of being I told him:

"No shit Sherlock, we've made more money, we've been working our asses off lately!"

I've mentioned before wanting to ditch some clients, well, it looks like 2014 will be the year for that.  I'm heading (if not already there, depending who you're asking) for Burnoutville, and for having visited that town once before, and since it wasn't that purdy, I'll try to change lane and head in another direction.  I'm hoping one thing will help me change where I'm heading when in eight days we'll be leaving on a jet plane for our favorite location: beautiful Hawaii.  I will take that time to re-evaluate and soak up the sun for damn sure!  We'll see what the future holds when we come back, but I've already told my main client that I wanted to leave... We'll see how good these two weeks will be.  Time will really tell.

OK, now it's time to say good night! Ciao!

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!