I'm taking myself, james and my new red dress out on a date. We leave in an hour, and I doubt James will read this post before then, so I can tell you what we're doing - we're going to see Josh Ritter !!!
I'm so excited...
Thursday, February 22
Just like a rolling stone
On the move again.
Finished most of my packing yesterday evening and have only a scattering mix of dust and random bits left to deal with. It's been a difficult pack (oh, woe is me) since I've had to think about a) what I might need for the summer, b) what I might want to keep for my next place, and c) what I can fit into Big Jim's small apartment (we're not really 'moving-in' per say but I will be storing some stuff at his place...like my dresser...and my knitting needles...and some books...and I'll most likely be sleeping there when I'm in town...but we're not moving in...)
Leaving the West End and my funky, though small, apartment is a small drag - beach access, great food venues in close proximity, friends who live a stone's throw away, late night stumbles home from the bar, that squirrel who begs for food outside my window, the family of raccoons and magic mushrooms who also reside there, ferns and Buddha welcoming me home, my three large windows, my shower, open-late liquor store, yoga studio, library, and bus stops - all of these things I will miss.
Then there are things I won't miss - like an outrageous rent payment for only 500 sq m, an extra-large-bar-fridge half full with condiments, a fire alarm that went off every time I baked (yes, I baked from time to time...though not too frequently, because of the damn fire alarm), my windows allowing for easy viewing of my rump when I decided I couldn't be bothered to run to the bathroom to change...
Where my next 'home' will be is any one's guess (though this trip to the Kootenay's might help that decision). On the other hand, I'm itching for some warm weather bathing/surfing and I don't think my summer cruising the west coast on a sailboat will be satisfying any urges (oh but the whales I will see). Also thinking about going back to school and studying basket weaving...
Any wagers or bets?
Finished most of my packing yesterday evening and have only a scattering mix of dust and random bits left to deal with. It's been a difficult pack (oh, woe is me) since I've had to think about a) what I might need for the summer, b) what I might want to keep for my next place, and c) what I can fit into Big Jim's small apartment (we're not really 'moving-in' per say but I will be storing some stuff at his place...like my dresser...and my knitting needles...and some books...and I'll most likely be sleeping there when I'm in town...but we're not moving in...)
Leaving the West End and my funky, though small, apartment is a small drag - beach access, great food venues in close proximity, friends who live a stone's throw away, late night stumbles home from the bar, that squirrel who begs for food outside my window, the family of raccoons and magic mushrooms who also reside there, ferns and Buddha welcoming me home, my three large windows, my shower, open-late liquor store, yoga studio, library, and bus stops - all of these things I will miss.
Then there are things I won't miss - like an outrageous rent payment for only 500 sq m, an extra-large-bar-fridge half full with condiments, a fire alarm that went off every time I baked (yes, I baked from time to time...though not too frequently, because of the damn fire alarm), my windows allowing for easy viewing of my rump when I decided I couldn't be bothered to run to the bathroom to change...
Where my next 'home' will be is any one's guess (though this trip to the Kootenay's might help that decision). On the other hand, I'm itching for some warm weather bathing/surfing and I don't think my summer cruising the west coast on a sailboat will be satisfying any urges (oh but the whales I will see). Also thinking about going back to school and studying basket weaving...
Any wagers or bets?
Friday, February 16
Sadie
I met Andee Pelan when we both worked as camping guides for Midnight Sun. I would look forward to when our vans would cross paths in Jasper and we'd convince our clients to go out on the town so that we could drink together. A couple years later I got to know her better when I lived in Port McNeil for a summer and she ran a hostel just a ferry ride away in one of my favourite towns, Alert Bay. I spent many great hours with her and Moo (her fantastic, though smelly, Saint-Bernard-partner-in-life), on the beach, offroading in the van, and being tipsy while dancing along to the local harmonica legend at the Alert Bay music festival.
Now, you may not realize this, but I suck at communication and keeping in contact with friends that move outside my field of vision. Lucky for me, Andee understands this and has still kept me on her list for group email updates. Also lucky for me, and the many cc'd others, she's a fantastic writer who sees humor in most situations, so said group emails are a welcome sight in my inbox.
Recently her life took a different turn and several months ago she gave premature birth to Sadie Sioux (she was just under 4 lbs) .
Andee's explanation of the name selection:
Anyways, the long short rollercosater of a story is that Sadie's now had 5 surgeries already, including the most recent one to stabilize her while she waits for a heart donor. But with me being in BC and them in Ontario, I can do little more than think good thoughts and wish I could do more. Frozen casseroles don't travel by mail very well.
So,
Sadie Sioux, my thoughts are with you.
(see Andee, you did name her well for rhyming!)
Now, you may not realize this, but I suck at communication and keeping in contact with friends that move outside my field of vision. Lucky for me, Andee understands this and has still kept me on her list for group email updates. Also lucky for me, and the many cc'd others, she's a fantastic writer who sees humor in most situations, so said group emails are a welcome sight in my inbox.
Recently her life took a different turn and several months ago she gave premature birth to Sadie Sioux (she was just under 4 lbs) .
Andee's explanation of the name selection:
"As mentioned before, Sadie is my great grandmother's name on my mum's side. Sioux was chosen for a few reasons: 1. both of Geri's great grandmother's were native Canadians... and while we're pretty sure that they were more likely Iroquois and not Sioux indian, Sadie Iroquois just doesn't have the same ring to it. 2. I was born in northern Ontario in Sioux Lookout. 3. After my honorary sister (dubbed bestest friend in Grade 6) Sue Bennett, who often goes by the nickname Siouxsie (after the very-cool-especially-for-the-80's band Siouxsie and the Banshees). 4. It makes for good song rhyming... a lot of words rhyme with Sioux (pronounced Soo, for my ESL friends)... what rhymes with Iroquois?... enema?, blah blah blah? mother-in-law?"
Anyways, the long short rollercosater of a story is that Sadie's now had 5 surgeries already, including the most recent one to stabilize her while she waits for a heart donor. But with me being in BC and them in Ontario, I can do little more than think good thoughts and wish I could do more. Frozen casseroles don't travel by mail very well.
So,
Sadie Sioux, my thoughts are with you.
(see Andee, you did name her well for rhyming!)
Wednesday, February 14
Happy V-day
Valentine's Day is a strange 'holiday'.
You don't get the time off, there's no stat pay, guys usually forget about it until they hear it on the radio that morning, and no one really knows the history of it.
Was it because St. Valentine defied a ban on marriages, performing the ceremony illegally? Did he actually sign love letters from jail signed "from your valentine"? Did those crazy romans and their gods, such as Juno, goddess of women and marriage, have anything to do with it occuring on Feb 14th? (For those of you interested in celebrating roman traditions, tomorrow you get to get to celebrate the hunter of wolves). And how we went from pagan gods and dead martyrs, to chocolate and lace underwear is a bit of a blur.
But even though this historically tragic holiday hasn't yet involved any foresaken love (albeit forsaken sleep - I had to be at the tram by 5:45 this morning for training), it's been a surprisingly nice day: Got to borrow the van so I could come back and take a nap before I work tonight, ate a valentine cookie at 7:30, was given an amusing card and chocolates when I got back (I was a bit shocked I have to say), and am now enjoying a fantastic cup of coffee. My cycisim may be broken yet.
And for the ladies who were pleasantly surprised with a display of lurve, like myself, there is a way you can make it up - SteakandBJ day. At least we know the history of this holiday...
You don't get the time off, there's no stat pay, guys usually forget about it until they hear it on the radio that morning, and no one really knows the history of it.
Was it because St. Valentine defied a ban on marriages, performing the ceremony illegally? Did he actually sign love letters from jail signed "from your valentine"? Did those crazy romans and their gods, such as Juno, goddess of women and marriage, have anything to do with it occuring on Feb 14th? (For those of you interested in celebrating roman traditions, tomorrow you get to get to celebrate the hunter of wolves). And how we went from pagan gods and dead martyrs, to chocolate and lace underwear is a bit of a blur.
But even though this historically tragic holiday hasn't yet involved any foresaken love (albeit forsaken sleep - I had to be at the tram by 5:45 this morning for training), it's been a surprisingly nice day: Got to borrow the van so I could come back and take a nap before I work tonight, ate a valentine cookie at 7:30, was given an amusing card and chocolates when I got back (I was a bit shocked I have to say), and am now enjoying a fantastic cup of coffee. My cycisim may be broken yet.
And for the ladies who were pleasantly surprised with a display of lurve, like myself, there is a way you can make it up - SteakandBJ day. At least we know the history of this holiday...
Tuesday, February 6
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