Okay, not really. There is no Fight Club.
But I was in a bad mood today... well, if you consider that 'today' started when I was rudely woken up Wednesday morning at 4am after going to bed at 3:30am and have been basically going ever since --yeah, I was in a mood today.
But I wasn't the one snapping. No, no. I left that to my wife. And my son.
See, my son's teething right now, so the cruel joke is that teeth hurt the most after 3 in the morning. He's usually good all day, but hates sleeping because that's when everything hurts.
And he wants his mommy.
It happened tonight at the dinnertable and I'll admit one of my biggest pet peeves is a loud 'suppertime.' It's one of those 'unwritten rules' that I've taken on from my own family. I have to ask my dad one day how he dealt with my sister and I as kids when we were at the dinner table.
My son didn't want to eat and kept motioning to be let down from his high chair. We did so and he immediately began screaming and crying for mommy.
VERY.
Annoying.
We've sunk into the habit of reading at the table and I was reading when the screaming began. I sighed and closed my book (who wants to lose their place?) and tried consoling my son while my wife finished her dinner. I wasn't even halfway through mine, but I'm the one who can't stand the noise.
No such luck. He insisted on mommy and nothing I did helped. I only seemed to make it worse.
Fine.
So, eventually he ended up where he seemed to want to be --in mommy's arms and she wasn't quite done with her dinner. Then he started crying even more and I opted to try my best to ignore the ear-shattering screams and go back to reading.
At which point my wife slammed down her fork and stormed off with my son. She yelled out to me, "Well, if you're going to get angry with everyone... I'll take him away!!"
I was reading.
I didn't grumble. I didn't sigh. I'd already proven that he didn't want me.
Where's the anger?
Oog. Our first fracas in months.
Thursday, December 30, 2004
My Hero
I've had comments about my writing skills on this blog --and thank you very much for the compliments.
I do like writing and I'll admit to working on a story that right now is closing in on 20 years of ideas and planning. Fortunately, it's not for a single book otherwise I could go down in history as one of the slowest writers.
Ever.
No, I'm actually working (gawd, this sounds worse!!) on a character and plotting out how he works. How he is or isn't a hero. Because that's important to me. That he's a hero.
The Canadian in me gets quite annoyed with the 'Americanism" of the word "hero." It seems just about everyone who's ever made the news in a good (or at least not 'bad') way is at some point termed a 'hero.' I think every astronaut in existence has been termed a 'hero' at one point or another. Some, I agree, a historical figures like Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong. But heroes?
Are they labelled heroes because they bravely made their way to space? Who wouldn't give their left nut (women can think of their own item... ;-) ) to go into space? Bravery is one thing, but is it the be-all and end-all of being a hero?
Bill Murray recently said that he doesn't think of his latest character in "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" as a hero. Murray sees a hero as someone who does something they don't want to do and his character is doing exactly what he wants to do. That contradicts with astronauts being termed heroes. They trained specifically for going into space. Again, something they wanted to do.
9-11 could be a huge source of controversy. the police, firemen and rescuers of all types are definitely heroes. Those that rushed the cockpit to save lives? Heroes.
I think George W. Bush actually referred to Tom Ridge as a hero. Why? How does coming up with a 5-color scale of terrorist threats make him a hero? It was, sadly, his job to come up with something (I guess) like that.
So what makes a hero to me?
A hero is someone who risks their own life to save another's, regardless of whether or not they've planned on saving a life. A hero is someone who takes the lead and show by example the importance of life and the sanctity in which it must be held. A hero will sacrifice. For anyone.
So my hero may be reluctant to put his life on the line but he learns the importance of doing so. But my hero also sacrifices. He is placed face-to-face with death in order to save others. And, when he is called upon, he leads others.
And he'll learn that even when he thinks he's sacrificed all he can he's nowhere near done.
I do like writing and I'll admit to working on a story that right now is closing in on 20 years of ideas and planning. Fortunately, it's not for a single book otherwise I could go down in history as one of the slowest writers.
Ever.
No, I'm actually working (gawd, this sounds worse!!) on a character and plotting out how he works. How he is or isn't a hero. Because that's important to me. That he's a hero.
The Canadian in me gets quite annoyed with the 'Americanism" of the word "hero." It seems just about everyone who's ever made the news in a good (or at least not 'bad') way is at some point termed a 'hero.' I think every astronaut in existence has been termed a 'hero' at one point or another. Some, I agree, a historical figures like Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong. But heroes?
Are they labelled heroes because they bravely made their way to space? Who wouldn't give their left nut (women can think of their own item... ;-) ) to go into space? Bravery is one thing, but is it the be-all and end-all of being a hero?
Bill Murray recently said that he doesn't think of his latest character in "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" as a hero. Murray sees a hero as someone who does something they don't want to do and his character is doing exactly what he wants to do. That contradicts with astronauts being termed heroes. They trained specifically for going into space. Again, something they wanted to do.
9-11 could be a huge source of controversy. the police, firemen and rescuers of all types are definitely heroes. Those that rushed the cockpit to save lives? Heroes.
I think George W. Bush actually referred to Tom Ridge as a hero. Why? How does coming up with a 5-color scale of terrorist threats make him a hero? It was, sadly, his job to come up with something (I guess) like that.
So what makes a hero to me?
A hero is someone who risks their own life to save another's, regardless of whether or not they've planned on saving a life. A hero is someone who takes the lead and show by example the importance of life and the sanctity in which it must be held. A hero will sacrifice. For anyone.
So my hero may be reluctant to put his life on the line but he learns the importance of doing so. But my hero also sacrifices. He is placed face-to-face with death in order to save others. And, when he is called upon, he leads others.
And he'll learn that even when he thinks he's sacrificed all he can he's nowhere near done.
My Party
We decided a few weeks back to invite friends over after Christmas just for an opportunity to visit and a chance for me to speak to the friends I'd left behind when I escaped from work.
We had a few people show, but there was also quite a number who had other plans and sadly couldn't be there.
But those who were there got to hear directly from me just what the Hell happened back in October. How we'd come to the conclusion that it was time for me to leave as I'd had enough and felt it necessary to abandon the Co-workers From Hell to their own fiendish absurdities.
And that it took me all of 2 hours to come to terms with "semi-retirement" and know that I'd made the right step. And how relieved I was when I faced a future that didn't include walking into that building ever again.
I also apologized for not speaking to them sooner as I know they've all been quite upset with my departure. Some of them talked about "the usual Hell" occurring in the office and at the same time admitted that I'm not the only person who used the term "relief" to describe my departure from work.
Which I honestly think pissed off my friends that are getting close (but not quite close enough) to retirement.
I'm 31 years old with an entire lifetime ahead of me. If I retire in my 60s that's still 30 years away. So I'm getting a later start on my career. It's not the end of the world. It's just the beginning.
We had a few people show, but there was also quite a number who had other plans and sadly couldn't be there.
But those who were there got to hear directly from me just what the Hell happened back in October. How we'd come to the conclusion that it was time for me to leave as I'd had enough and felt it necessary to abandon the Co-workers From Hell to their own fiendish absurdities.
And that it took me all of 2 hours to come to terms with "semi-retirement" and know that I'd made the right step. And how relieved I was when I faced a future that didn't include walking into that building ever again.
I also apologized for not speaking to them sooner as I know they've all been quite upset with my departure. Some of them talked about "the usual Hell" occurring in the office and at the same time admitted that I'm not the only person who used the term "relief" to describe my departure from work.
Which I honestly think pissed off my friends that are getting close (but not quite close enough) to retirement.
I'm 31 years old with an entire lifetime ahead of me. If I retire in my 60s that's still 30 years away. So I'm getting a later start on my career. It's not the end of the world. It's just the beginning.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
My Legacy
I'd emailed a bunch friends at my old office before the holidays just to send well-wishes and all that. To date, I've heard back from 4 of them.
That's out of a few dozen people.
Initially was thinking that maybe everyone else had decided to stop tlaking to me --for whatever reasons. I know some are upset that I'm gone and haven't been able to cope with my flippant attitude about it. I know others may be listening to rumours as to why I am gone. I'd hoped they'd be able to look the other way when hearing the stories. I've heard them. They're not true.
But then I heard about one friend who became quite vocal after I'd left. She was one who both recognized and valued the effort I put in at work. And she was one who was most upset and couldn't understand why I wsn't coming in anymore. Why put in the effort? Why put in extra hours? Why be dedicated to the job when all the "higher-ups" do is whatever suits them?
People's attitudes have changed since I left. It used to be that you could email virtually anyone and get a response during any waking hour. They'd check their email constantly during working hours (I had mine running all day) and even once or twice every evening. I knew a few (and I did it myself) who would check their emails before heading in to work every morning just to get a head's up about tasks for the day.
And now those same people haven't responded to a message sent over a week ago.
I heard from one friend today and he backed that up. He's one of these "uber-worker"-types and he's backed out of an "extra effort" work and is strictly sticking to his job description. He's even started looking for work elsewhere and if they pay him enough he's gone. I could see him gone (he's that good) within days. Another one did leave for another job already and a few more are hinting at following suit.
There's no more effort.
There's no more loyalty.
I once said that when I left I wouldn't be going alone. I wonder if they thought it would be immediate, eventual, or not at all. My legacy seems to be changing the environment for everyone.
That's out of a few dozen people.
Initially was thinking that maybe everyone else had decided to stop tlaking to me --for whatever reasons. I know some are upset that I'm gone and haven't been able to cope with my flippant attitude about it. I know others may be listening to rumours as to why I am gone. I'd hoped they'd be able to look the other way when hearing the stories. I've heard them. They're not true.
But then I heard about one friend who became quite vocal after I'd left. She was one who both recognized and valued the effort I put in at work. And she was one who was most upset and couldn't understand why I wsn't coming in anymore. Why put in the effort? Why put in extra hours? Why be dedicated to the job when all the "higher-ups" do is whatever suits them?
People's attitudes have changed since I left. It used to be that you could email virtually anyone and get a response during any waking hour. They'd check their email constantly during working hours (I had mine running all day) and even once or twice every evening. I knew a few (and I did it myself) who would check their emails before heading in to work every morning just to get a head's up about tasks for the day.
And now those same people haven't responded to a message sent over a week ago.
I heard from one friend today and he backed that up. He's one of these "uber-worker"-types and he's backed out of an "extra effort" work and is strictly sticking to his job description. He's even started looking for work elsewhere and if they pay him enough he's gone. I could see him gone (he's that good) within days. Another one did leave for another job already and a few more are hinting at following suit.
There's no more effort.
There's no more loyalty.
I once said that when I left I wouldn't be going alone. I wonder if they thought it would be immediate, eventual, or not at all. My legacy seems to be changing the environment for everyone.
Monday, December 27, 2004
My Best Friend
So I'm walking into the bread store today when suddenly from the back of the bread delivery truck I hear...
You sonnuvabitch!!
Shocked, I turn to see what's going on and there's my best friend from years past --also known as "the butt of My Practical Joke."
Yep, he clued in after the 7th or so postcard arrived, but --as planned-- he couldn't figure out how I was sending him all these cards.
And that was bugging the Hell out of him.
He proceeded to drag me into the bread store and introduce me to the staff there because they'd all heard about his postcard problem. What made it even better, though, was that one of the cashiers used to work where I was a few months ago. Small world, eh?
So he knows who had the postcards sent, but still doesn't understand how I'm able to do it.
And there's more on the way too. Should be one from Abaco arriving any day now...
You sonnuvabitch!!
Shocked, I turn to see what's going on and there's my best friend from years past --also known as "the butt of My Practical Joke."
Yep, he clued in after the 7th or so postcard arrived, but --as planned-- he couldn't figure out how I was sending him all these cards.
And that was bugging the Hell out of him.
He proceeded to drag me into the bread store and introduce me to the staff there because they'd all heard about his postcard problem. What made it even better, though, was that one of the cashiers used to work where I was a few months ago. Small world, eh?
So he knows who had the postcards sent, but still doesn't understand how I'm able to do it.
And there's more on the way too. Should be one from Abaco arriving any day now...
Saturday, December 25, 2004
My Days of Christmas
So, here we go. A Stay-At-Home Father's 12 Days of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, my family gave to me... cats meowing on a CD.
On the second day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
On the third day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats mewowing on a CD.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 4 Phillips heads, 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 5 triple-As!!! 4 Phillips heads, 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 6 toys need assembly. 5 triple-As!!! 4 Phillips heads, 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 7 boxes of turkey stuffing, 6 toys need assembly, 5 triple-As!!! 4 Phillips heads, 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 8 shopping lines, 7 boxes of turkey stuffing, 6 toys need assembly, 5 triple-As!!! 4 Phillips heads, 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 9 Mr. Scrooges, 8 shopping lines, 7 boxes of turkey stuffing, 6 toys need assembly, 5 triple-As!!! 4 Phillips heads, 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 10 burnt out lights, 9 Mr. Scrooges, 8 shopping lines, 7 boxes of turkey stuffing, 6 toys need assembly, 5 triple-As!!! 4 Phillips heads, 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 11 hours of cartoons, 10 burnt out lights, 9 Mr. Scrooges, 8 shopping lines, 7 boxes of turkey stuffing, 6 toys need assembly, 5 triple-As!!! 4 Phillips heads, 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 12 hockey games, 11 hours of cartoons, 10 burnt out lights, 9 Mr. Scrooges, 8 shopping lines, 7 boxes of turkey stuffing, 6 toys need assembly, 5 triple-As!!! 4 Phillips heads, 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
Good night and merry Christmas!!
On the first day of Christmas, my family gave to me... cats meowing on a CD.
On the second day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
On the third day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats mewowing on a CD.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 4 Phillips heads, 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 5 triple-As!!! 4 Phillips heads, 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 6 toys need assembly. 5 triple-As!!! 4 Phillips heads, 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
On the seventh day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 7 boxes of turkey stuffing, 6 toys need assembly, 5 triple-As!!! 4 Phillips heads, 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 8 shopping lines, 7 boxes of turkey stuffing, 6 toys need assembly, 5 triple-As!!! 4 Phillips heads, 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 9 Mr. Scrooges, 8 shopping lines, 7 boxes of turkey stuffing, 6 toys need assembly, 5 triple-As!!! 4 Phillips heads, 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 10 burnt out lights, 9 Mr. Scrooges, 8 shopping lines, 7 boxes of turkey stuffing, 6 toys need assembly, 5 triple-As!!! 4 Phillips heads, 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 11 hours of cartoons, 10 burnt out lights, 9 Mr. Scrooges, 8 shopping lines, 7 boxes of turkey stuffing, 6 toys need assembly, 5 triple-As!!! 4 Phillips heads, 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my family gave to me... 12 hockey games, 11 hours of cartoons, 10 burnt out lights, 9 Mr. Scrooges, 8 shopping lines, 7 boxes of turkey stuffing, 6 toys need assembly, 5 triple-As!!! 4 Phillips heads, 3 cut fingers, 2 vomit stains, and cats meowing on a CD.
Good night and merry Christmas!!
Friday, December 24, 2004
My Green Christmas
I think the last thing anyone who may read this from the East Coast wants to hear is a big *sigh* and whine from me because of our weather expectations for Christmas 2004.
It's gonna be a green Christmas. Again.
It's kind of funny that I recall so many snowy Christmas Days from my childhood because the weatherman says that one out of every 11 years we see a white Christmas. Being --31-- that should mean I've seen 2, maybe 3 if I'm lucky.
But I remember more than that. It's usually then I have to remind myself that I moved a lot when I was a kid and although a majority of my life was in this area, I spent my childhood in 2 other climates that had much harsher winters.
So, really, I think I've had 6 white Christmases out of this region and maybe maybe 2 here.
Still, that's only 8 times in my life that there's been snow on Christmas Day.
I had to write it as I just read someone's whine about 25 inches of snow today....
It's gonna be a green Christmas. Again.
It's kind of funny that I recall so many snowy Christmas Days from my childhood because the weatherman says that one out of every 11 years we see a white Christmas. Being --31-- that should mean I've seen 2, maybe 3 if I'm lucky.
But I remember more than that. It's usually then I have to remind myself that I moved a lot when I was a kid and although a majority of my life was in this area, I spent my childhood in 2 other climates that had much harsher winters.
So, really, I think I've had 6 white Christmases out of this region and maybe maybe 2 here.
Still, that's only 8 times in my life that there's been snow on Christmas Day.
I had to write it as I just read someone's whine about 25 inches of snow today....
Thursday, December 23, 2004
My Game
Sportsnet is showing 'classic' hockey games now since it's so starved for anything to schedule. It's a great game with Detroit in Vancouver from last February. A guy not normally known for his scoring prowess manages 4 goals to beat the Red Wings 4-2.
I've watched most of the game.
I really miss hockey.
I've watched most of the game.
I really miss hockey.
My Loss
Well, got an email today saying that I didn't get the job. All they'd asked for was a personal and 2 professional references and one of the pro referees is a dear friend of mine as well.
So.... unless I have a problem with my personal reference, then the 'favor' from the HR head isn't much of a 'favor' anymore.
And here I thought everything was running smoothly.
Time to refocus and kick things into gear again. Christmastime or not!!
So.... unless I have a problem with my personal reference, then the 'favor' from the HR head isn't much of a 'favor' anymore.
And here I thought everything was running smoothly.
Time to refocus and kick things into gear again. Christmastime or not!!
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
My Postal Rant
CanadaPost has got to be the worst postal system the world has ever known.
I mean, seriously. Is it really going to take 19 days to get a package to Quebec? If so, then why did package I sent to France and the Netherlands on Friday arrive already? And yet a package sent to England 5 weeks ago arrived today?
I'm happy to hear the postman survived the walk, mind you, I'm not completely annoyed at this.
But then again, my parents --for convenience's sake, paid 10x the regular rate to ensure that the gift cards for my kids would arrive before Christmas. They're less than 300 miles away and it's taken 4 days so far and nothing.
The tracking number says they're in town as of this morning, but our mailman Cliff (seriously!) ran right by our house today...
It's not that CanadaPost is inefficient, I wouldn't say that. Painfully inefficient is a much better
I mean, seriously. Is it really going to take 19 days to get a package to Quebec? If so, then why did package I sent to France and the Netherlands on Friday arrive already? And yet a package sent to England 5 weeks ago arrived today?
I'm happy to hear the postman survived the walk, mind you, I'm not completely annoyed at this.
But then again, my parents --for convenience's sake, paid 10x the regular rate to ensure that the gift cards for my kids would arrive before Christmas. They're less than 300 miles away and it's taken 4 days so far and nothing.
The tracking number says they're in town as of this morning, but our mailman Cliff (seriously!) ran right by our house today...
It's not that CanadaPost is inefficient, I wouldn't say that. Painfully inefficient is a much better
My Friend's Good Advice
My wife was complaining just over a week ago at her family get-together that I'm horribly unpredictable when it comes to coffee.
I'm not. I want my coffee, dammit!
What started it was that I was recruited to make coffee for the 60+ people attending and I started philosophizing with some people about the importance of making good coffee:
"You can make strong coffee weak, but weak coffee will always be weak."
Anyway, my wife's complaint was that some days she'll make a pot of coffee first thing in the morning and there won't be a drop in the pot when she comes home from work. Other days, there's 3 or 4 cups left in the pot.
My explanation: Some days I can't get through my first cup of the day without numerous interruptions. Therefore, my coffee's always cold and although I am able to drink cold coffee I'd rather just switch to the caffeine in Coke if I want something served cold. Today could've been one of those cold coffee days, but someone else had a good idea at the family thing.
Just use the good ol' travel mug.
So, although it's likewarm right now, the remnants of today's pot of coffee sit beside me on the desk.
I loves me coffee!!
I'm not. I want my coffee, dammit!
What started it was that I was recruited to make coffee for the 60+ people attending and I started philosophizing with some people about the importance of making good coffee:
"You can make strong coffee weak, but weak coffee will always be weak."
Anyway, my wife's complaint was that some days she'll make a pot of coffee first thing in the morning and there won't be a drop in the pot when she comes home from work. Other days, there's 3 or 4 cups left in the pot.
My explanation: Some days I can't get through my first cup of the day without numerous interruptions. Therefore, my coffee's always cold and although I am able to drink cold coffee I'd rather just switch to the caffeine in Coke if I want something served cold. Today could've been one of those cold coffee days, but someone else had a good idea at the family thing.
Just use the good ol' travel mug.
So, although it's likewarm right now, the remnants of today's pot of coffee sit beside me on the desk.
I loves me coffee!!
My Interruptions
Apparently, since I got 2 comments between posts, I don't type fast enough (or plain "enough") sometimes.
Well, there's a reason. My kids lllloooooooovvvvvveeeeeee to interrupt me at any and all times. My son, who my wife insists only needs an afternoon nap from 1-3:30 now, sleeps very well from 1:30 - 2:00.
In fact, I've gotten up from the chair 4 times since I started this post and stopped typing another 2 times becaue of my son. Fortunately, for the moment, my daughter's preoccupied with "George Shrinks" and is oblivious to the world around her.
She spent my son's entire naptime freaking out because she found a seed in her Mandarin orange. Once she finds something 'foreign' in her food, she loses all normal body functions like spitting and placing finger in mouth to remove the foreign object, relying instead on 'Daddy' to do it. It's a freaking orange seed.
I even get interrupted when I'm on the toilet. My son screams at the door and I have a low threshold for his screaming and will open the door. Today, he just wanted to play in the sink, but kept insisting I help him down off the stepstool at whim. He's 17 months old, remember.
And there goes another 5 minutes.
My son's also started begging for snacks and has a few favorites he points to on the pantry shelf. But somedays he can't make up his mind and in order to save time, I've started lining up the crackers, raisins, etc. so he can just bring me the package to dole out the servings.
Then my daughter wants me to find "something" for her to do. Playing with her brother is an option I like as it keeps him distracted for a little while too, but she thinks he plays rough. Tell that to the guy who had to rub all the green marker ink off his face this morning...
Such is the life of....
Sorry, got interrupted again... of a househusband.
Well, there's a reason. My kids lllloooooooovvvvvveeeeeee to interrupt me at any and all times. My son, who my wife insists only needs an afternoon nap from 1-3:30 now, sleeps very well from 1:30 - 2:00.
In fact, I've gotten up from the chair 4 times since I started this post and stopped typing another 2 times becaue of my son. Fortunately, for the moment, my daughter's preoccupied with "George Shrinks" and is oblivious to the world around her.
She spent my son's entire naptime freaking out because she found a seed in her Mandarin orange. Once she finds something 'foreign' in her food, she loses all normal body functions like spitting and placing finger in mouth to remove the foreign object, relying instead on 'Daddy' to do it. It's a freaking orange seed.
I even get interrupted when I'm on the toilet. My son screams at the door and I have a low threshold for his screaming and will open the door. Today, he just wanted to play in the sink, but kept insisting I help him down off the stepstool at whim. He's 17 months old, remember.
And there goes another 5 minutes.
My son's also started begging for snacks and has a few favorites he points to on the pantry shelf. But somedays he can't make up his mind and in order to save time, I've started lining up the crackers, raisins, etc. so he can just bring me the package to dole out the servings.
Then my daughter wants me to find "something" for her to do. Playing with her brother is an option I like as it keeps him distracted for a little while too, but she thinks he plays rough. Tell that to the guy who had to rub all the green marker ink off his face this morning...
Such is the life of....
Sorry, got interrupted again... of a househusband.
My Favorites - Continued
I realized the other day that when I listed my favorite TV shows, I'd forgotten to mention the all-important Reality Shows!!
Crap!
Well, there's only 2 that I really watch as I don't consider 'Last Comic Standing' to be a reality show. 'Last Comic' is too 'entertaining' to be of the reality genre, but as a variety show it works. Unless they decide on another "Best of the Best" series. Actually, I don't think that'll happen since they didn't bother showing the final episode. Too bad too because the first 2 series were fairly good. The Best of the Best should've placed everyone back in houses again, maybe mixing the groups up a bit or something, but not a stanu standoff every week. That was just plain stupid.
But I'm talking about my favorite reality show here. Or, maybe I'll start with what should be the obvious choice (but isn't)...
I never miss Survivor, or at least I try not to miss an episode. Granted, during the All-Star series I felt okay missing an episode or two along the way. I mean, it's not like all the winners of the series were even there, so how they consider it "All-Star" is beyond me. "Media Whores Who Know How to Say 'Yes'" is more to the fact. And it's not like everyone on there was a "favorite." Who'd ask to see Boston Rob in a second Survivor??
Another thing, all but one Survivor series has taken place on a beach. I've heard people argue that, technically, 2 have not --Australia and Africa-- but Australia had beaches, crocs and the whole bit so there were definitely beaches. Just like Amazon. It's a river --but there's the beach too.
So, with Survivor come this:
The only reason this last Survivor got interesting was that a guy doomed from the merger somehow continued to strive every episode afterward. Once he was voted out, I was planning on stopping watching. No reason as none of the female players really grabbed my attention.
So, what's the best? Amazing Race.
Amazing Race gives you deeper 'character' dynamics in the participants and allows for varied challenges that actually change from series-to-series. Survivor re-hashes old challenges and even revamps them again in the same series. In Amazing Race, you may see someone bungee jump in every series, but one time it'll be off a bridge in Sydney Australia and the next time it's shooting skyward in Berlin. There'll be climbing sheer cliffs but once it'll be in Dover and the next time you tune in they'll be doing it on a glacier in Iceland.
And you never know when there'll be a car accident or someone hauled into a police station. And who didn't laugh when the taxi driver refused to take Jon and his wife any further in Hungary because Jon kept shouting "hurry hurry hurry!!"?
Amazing Race offers something different in each episode and you can always find someone to cheer for, with or against. There's always conflict, always suspense, and always an asshole. And very rarely does the asshole win in the end. (I'll leave it up to you as to who that winner was...).
Crap!
Well, there's only 2 that I really watch as I don't consider 'Last Comic Standing' to be a reality show. 'Last Comic' is too 'entertaining' to be of the reality genre, but as a variety show it works. Unless they decide on another "Best of the Best" series. Actually, I don't think that'll happen since they didn't bother showing the final episode. Too bad too because the first 2 series were fairly good. The Best of the Best should've placed everyone back in houses again, maybe mixing the groups up a bit or something, but not a stanu standoff every week. That was just plain stupid.
But I'm talking about my favorite reality show here. Or, maybe I'll start with what should be the obvious choice (but isn't)...
I never miss Survivor, or at least I try not to miss an episode. Granted, during the All-Star series I felt okay missing an episode or two along the way. I mean, it's not like all the winners of the series were even there, so how they consider it "All-Star" is beyond me. "Media Whores Who Know How to Say 'Yes'" is more to the fact. And it's not like everyone on there was a "favorite." Who'd ask to see Boston Rob in a second Survivor??
Another thing, all but one Survivor series has taken place on a beach. I've heard people argue that, technically, 2 have not --Australia and Africa-- but Australia had beaches, crocs and the whole bit so there were definitely beaches. Just like Amazon. It's a river --but there's the beach too.
So, with Survivor come this:
- There's going to be fishing and someone'll lose lures or the complete fishing rod.
- If there's a boat available to a camp. Someone will learn the hard way what tides do to things left on the beach.
- If you don't know how to swim, you're not going to do well in the Challenges. Period.
- It's going to rain.
- And while it's raining, every dumbass is going to sit there getting wet and bitch about not having enough water to drink (seriously, where do they find these people?).
- Someone with a boob-job is going to fall out of their bikini.
The only reason this last Survivor got interesting was that a guy doomed from the merger somehow continued to strive every episode afterward. Once he was voted out, I was planning on stopping watching. No reason as none of the female players really grabbed my attention.
So, what's the best? Amazing Race.
Amazing Race gives you deeper 'character' dynamics in the participants and allows for varied challenges that actually change from series-to-series. Survivor re-hashes old challenges and even revamps them again in the same series. In Amazing Race, you may see someone bungee jump in every series, but one time it'll be off a bridge in Sydney Australia and the next time it's shooting skyward in Berlin. There'll be climbing sheer cliffs but once it'll be in Dover and the next time you tune in they'll be doing it on a glacier in Iceland.
And you never know when there'll be a car accident or someone hauled into a police station. And who didn't laugh when the taxi driver refused to take Jon and his wife any further in Hungary because Jon kept shouting "hurry hurry hurry!!"?
Amazing Race offers something different in each episode and you can always find someone to cheer for, with or against. There's always conflict, always suspense, and always an asshole. And very rarely does the asshole win in the end. (I'll leave it up to you as to who that winner was...).
My Cat's Seven Years of Bad Luck
My wife decided in November that the downstairs hallway needed a new paint job. I agree. It was a drab blue and is now a neutral biege/brown. She also brought out of storage a mirror my uncle had put together for us as a wedding gift. It's an old farmhouse or barn window frame with mirrors put in each slot. They're quite beautifully done and he made a great hobby out making them before his illness took its toll. Regardless, she brought it out early before we knew where exactly to hang it and I told her it was a bad idea to leave it out.
One of our cats, they're both 10 years old now, has always been a destructive cat. At one point early on in his life, we actually referred to him as the "Destructo-Kitty" for his seemingly mechanical destruction of items in our house. You could put a box of anything in a room and within minutes something inside had been broken.
So, the mirror is leaning against the wall in the hallway when one afternoon I heard a strange "Clunk!" from the basement. My immediate thought was something had fallen over and then I realized the mirror was still in the hall. Sure enough, the mirror had been pushed straight up against the wall and fell forward to hit the opposit wall. Now being in a wood frame saved some of the pieces. The bottom piece, however, shattered. The only way it could shatter is from impact. And that impact was this cat's head.
Idiot.
My cat's in for 7 years of bad luck now. That'll take him to age 17 --if he lives that long. And at the rate he's going, he won't make it to 17.
One of our cats, they're both 10 years old now, has always been a destructive cat. At one point early on in his life, we actually referred to him as the "Destructo-Kitty" for his seemingly mechanical destruction of items in our house. You could put a box of anything in a room and within minutes something inside had been broken.
So, the mirror is leaning against the wall in the hallway when one afternoon I heard a strange "Clunk!" from the basement. My immediate thought was something had fallen over and then I realized the mirror was still in the hall. Sure enough, the mirror had been pushed straight up against the wall and fell forward to hit the opposit wall. Now being in a wood frame saved some of the pieces. The bottom piece, however, shattered. The only way it could shatter is from impact. And that impact was this cat's head.
Idiot.
My cat's in for 7 years of bad luck now. That'll take him to age 17 --if he lives that long. And at the rate he's going, he won't make it to 17.
My Second Interview
A few weeks back, I'd had a job interview with the nearby major university. Basically, the initial interview was to see whether I was the "right type" of person they wanted to work there and looked on my previous accomplishments at work, at home, and at school. After 7+ years of various interviews at my old job, I'd grown accustomed to the standard questions asked in interviews. There, at the old place, were 5 basic scenarios you had to respond to as well as numerous other questions asked by the hiring committee (usually 3-5 people, sometimes up to a dozen). I'd gotten so good at those questions that I had an immediate answer and hit on every point requested and was the best possible outcome to the scenario. One time, the chair of the hiring committee asked me if I was so quick in giving answers because I could "talk-the-talk" but not "walk-the-walk" Just as quickly, I responded the key to any job skill is to walk and talk at the same time. I held back on the "especially if it means working with an asshole like you" bit...
That's me. Professional interviewer.
Anyhoo, this new interview was the toughest interview I'd ever had. Some of the questions were extremely deep that I was convinced I'd blown it and would never hear back from them.
And then they called me in for interview #2 last week.
The first interview was conducted by the head of human resources, the second was with my immediate supervisors. There was supposed to be a third with their supervisor, but he'd decided to conduct #2 in his office and therefore save some time.
And interview #2 had to be one of the easiest interviews I've had. The questions, essentially, were: "What do you bring to the table compared to what we expect?" "What is your greatest strength?" "In which situations do youfind your work thrives?" "To you, what makes a good leader/boss?"
It was a short interview too and I felt really good afterward.
On the way home, I received a phone call saying that they were having problems checking one of my references (couldn't reach him), so I gave them an alternate phone number.
That was a week ago and I haven't heard anything since....
Oog.
That's me. Professional interviewer.
Anyhoo, this new interview was the toughest interview I'd ever had. Some of the questions were extremely deep that I was convinced I'd blown it and would never hear back from them.
And then they called me in for interview #2 last week.
The first interview was conducted by the head of human resources, the second was with my immediate supervisors. There was supposed to be a third with their supervisor, but he'd decided to conduct #2 in his office and therefore save some time.
And interview #2 had to be one of the easiest interviews I've had. The questions, essentially, were: "What do you bring to the table compared to what we expect?" "What is your greatest strength?" "In which situations do youfind your work thrives?" "To you, what makes a good leader/boss?"
It was a short interview too and I felt really good afterward.
On the way home, I received a phone call saying that they were having problems checking one of my references (couldn't reach him), so I gave them an alternate phone number.
That was a week ago and I haven't heard anything since....
Oog.
My Lucky Streak
It's weird but ever since I left work in October good things have been happening to me. No long lines at the post office. Newly found money enters the bank account. Friends call up wanting to do things.
I win prizes.
I got a call last week while tending to my sick son saying that I'd won a hockey jersey from the local junior team. Just days earlier, I'd been admiring their jerseys and suddenly I'm a proud owner. Sweet!
I'd been at a charity hockey game that virtually every Canadian had heard about as numerous NHL players were taking part and in a (professional) hockey-starved country, any hockey is good hockey. And that's just it. It was good hockey! Even better were our seats, 5th row in the corner where all the banging and crashing happens. I got a couple of good pictures on the digital camera of Olaf Kolzig, Todd Bertuzzi, Ed Jovanovski and Markus Naslund. One thing that did make me laugh was the spelling mistakes on jersey namebars and on the big screen. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear Drama Queen had found a new job...
Also of interest was that it was the first time in nearly 10 year I'd sat in Pacific Coliseum, the traditional home of the NHL Vancouver Canucks. As with many hockey traditionalists, the opportunity to sit in the old Coliseum was something to look forward to....
Until we all jammed in our seats and realized how damned uncomfortable it was. I like GM Place's seats much better. :-)
I win prizes.
I got a call last week while tending to my sick son saying that I'd won a hockey jersey from the local junior team. Just days earlier, I'd been admiring their jerseys and suddenly I'm a proud owner. Sweet!
I'd been at a charity hockey game that virtually every Canadian had heard about as numerous NHL players were taking part and in a (professional) hockey-starved country, any hockey is good hockey. And that's just it. It was good hockey! Even better were our seats, 5th row in the corner where all the banging and crashing happens. I got a couple of good pictures on the digital camera of Olaf Kolzig, Todd Bertuzzi, Ed Jovanovski and Markus Naslund. One thing that did make me laugh was the spelling mistakes on jersey namebars and on the big screen. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear Drama Queen had found a new job...
Also of interest was that it was the first time in nearly 10 year I'd sat in Pacific Coliseum, the traditional home of the NHL Vancouver Canucks. As with many hockey traditionalists, the opportunity to sit in the old Coliseum was something to look forward to....
Until we all jammed in our seats and realized how damned uncomfortable it was. I like GM Place's seats much better. :-)
My Mini-Mentions
I've just realized there's a ton of things that have happened in the past few weeks that I haven't written about yet. I'll try and deal with a few of those now...
Monday, December 20, 2004
My Reading Race
Usually when you request a book through the library it doesn't take long for an answer. In our library system, which is centralized in a nearby town and serves close to 750,000 people, it takes about 3-5 days to get your requested book in or at least a confirmation that the book is available. I got a book last week that I'd requested in May.
So, out of all the libraries in the region, there's only one copy of this book?
It seems hard to believe, but since it took over 6 months to come in I'd believe. I believe!
Also, man!, it's got requests on it so I can't sit back and relax to read it. No-no! I have to have this book read by this Wednesday, December 22, when it's gotta go back for the next person.
If not, then I may have to wait until June or so to get a hold of it again. I almost had a heart attack when I looked on Amazon and they had "used" copies for $26. What?!!?!? Then I realized it only gave me hardcover copies. Don't want that!
So, out of all the libraries in the region, there's only one copy of this book?
It seems hard to believe, but since it took over 6 months to come in I'd believe. I believe!
Also, man!, it's got requests on it so I can't sit back and relax to read it. No-no! I have to have this book read by this Wednesday, December 22, when it's gotta go back for the next person.
If not, then I may have to wait until June or so to get a hold of it again. I almost had a heart attack when I looked on Amazon and they had "used" copies for $26. What?!!?!? Then I realized it only gave me hardcover copies. Don't want that!
My Geek Test Results
Okay, I don't tihnk I've ever been called 'nifty' before, but chalk it up to a GEEK test to use that word. Nifty.
This thing needed some comic questions, then I'd be racking up the points. There were a few music questions, but I have extremely eclectic tastes and I'm pretty sure that didn't help.
Meanwhile embrace my geek-muscles, baby!
This thing needed some comic questions, then I'd be racking up the points. There were a few music questions, but I have extremely eclectic tastes and I'm pretty sure that didn't help.
Meanwhile embrace my geek-muscles, baby!
|
You are 24% geek | |
| OK, so maybe you ain't a geek. You do, at least, show a bit of interest in the world around you. Either that, or you have enough of a sense of humor to pick some of the sillier answers on the test. Regardless, you're probably a pretty nifty, well-rounded person who gets along fine with people and can chat with just about anyone without fear of looking stupid or foolish or overly concerned with minutiae. God, I hate you. | |
Saturday, December 18, 2004
My Blech
[sorry --this one's graphic!]
About 10 years ago, just before my wife & I were engaged, I spent a rather nasty weekend in her basement suite. It all started on the Friday night when her roommate came home from work with his girlfriend. She kind of waved hello and made her way immediately into the bathroom where she proceeded to get sick.
Very sick.
The roomie followed suit the next morning and was nice enough to enliven us with tales of indecision as to whether or not to sit on the toilet or stick his head in it. All day Saturday, he sat on the couch or slept in his room, with periodic "runs" to the bathroom.
My soon-to-be bride followed on Sunday and by Sunday night we could hear the landlady upstairs yakking into her toilet. It was airborne and somehow I'd escaped it all! I stayed the extra night, after taking care of the roomies and making sure they always had cold water, crushed ice, and soda crackers to munch on after "exits" to make sure that my woman was properly taken care of as well.
And lo and behold, Monday morning, it was my turn.
And then they kicked me out of the suite and sent me home.
Honestly, I barely made it home. I was sick twice in the 30 minute drive home and only once did I pull over in time. I was covered in vomit by the time I got home and had to get help cleaning the car. The once time I did pull over, I honestly though about just collapsing in the ditch and staying there. I still couldn't believe after all I'd done I'd be treated like that.
Although I never figured out the reasons the roomies acted the way they did (except of course, no one wanted to get sick again), my soon-to-be wife was another matter. It was probably only a few months ago that I truly understood her actions. And it was a cousin of hers who described it to me. It seems her mother's family always viewed illness as something that was "shut away." If you were sick, then you went to your room and stayed there 'til you were better. It didn't matter where you were. You get into your own bed. He explained this to me because his wife felt hurt the first time she was sick after they were married and he just left her alone to stay in bed. That was the way it was in his family, just like my wife's.
In my family, however, it wasn't quite like that. The sick person usually ended up on the couch in front of the TV, so that the family could drop by and visit and check up on you. While not exactly catered-to, you were at least given something to drink and peace and quiet to sleep if needed. And for some strange reason, it was always my parents' favorite time to order in Chinese...
Well, the virus struck again this past week with my son getting it first. His favorite nap spot became my chest and sure enough I was violently ill by Wednesday night. He was completely better, so I retreated to the TV room and vegged all night and well into the morning. I was awoken by the sound of retching --my wife-- and later by the sound of crying --my daughter who had vomited in her sleep. By Friday, my son was running laps around all of us as we turned our house into a minor infirmary.
I had some toast today. My first "meal" since Wednesday afternoon.
And no bad feelings about no one there to take care of me.
About 10 years ago, just before my wife & I were engaged, I spent a rather nasty weekend in her basement suite. It all started on the Friday night when her roommate came home from work with his girlfriend. She kind of waved hello and made her way immediately into the bathroom where she proceeded to get sick.
Very sick.
The roomie followed suit the next morning and was nice enough to enliven us with tales of indecision as to whether or not to sit on the toilet or stick his head in it. All day Saturday, he sat on the couch or slept in his room, with periodic "runs" to the bathroom.
My soon-to-be bride followed on Sunday and by Sunday night we could hear the landlady upstairs yakking into her toilet. It was airborne and somehow I'd escaped it all! I stayed the extra night, after taking care of the roomies and making sure they always had cold water, crushed ice, and soda crackers to munch on after "exits" to make sure that my woman was properly taken care of as well.
And lo and behold, Monday morning, it was my turn.
And then they kicked me out of the suite and sent me home.
Honestly, I barely made it home. I was sick twice in the 30 minute drive home and only once did I pull over in time. I was covered in vomit by the time I got home and had to get help cleaning the car. The once time I did pull over, I honestly though about just collapsing in the ditch and staying there. I still couldn't believe after all I'd done I'd be treated like that.
Although I never figured out the reasons the roomies acted the way they did (except of course, no one wanted to get sick again), my soon-to-be wife was another matter. It was probably only a few months ago that I truly understood her actions. And it was a cousin of hers who described it to me. It seems her mother's family always viewed illness as something that was "shut away." If you were sick, then you went to your room and stayed there 'til you were better. It didn't matter where you were. You get into your own bed. He explained this to me because his wife felt hurt the first time she was sick after they were married and he just left her alone to stay in bed. That was the way it was in his family, just like my wife's.
In my family, however, it wasn't quite like that. The sick person usually ended up on the couch in front of the TV, so that the family could drop by and visit and check up on you. While not exactly catered-to, you were at least given something to drink and peace and quiet to sleep if needed. And for some strange reason, it was always my parents' favorite time to order in Chinese...
Well, the virus struck again this past week with my son getting it first. His favorite nap spot became my chest and sure enough I was violently ill by Wednesday night. He was completely better, so I retreated to the TV room and vegged all night and well into the morning. I was awoken by the sound of retching --my wife-- and later by the sound of crying --my daughter who had vomited in her sleep. By Friday, my son was running laps around all of us as we turned our house into a minor infirmary.
I had some toast today. My first "meal" since Wednesday afternoon.
And no bad feelings about no one there to take care of me.
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