MONDAY...
— Hot. Sunny and 25 and it’s October 22nd? Who’d have thunk it. Go across for lunch with Melissa and Megan and hang out outside with Melissa and Laura at the second break.
— Training Jenn at AFIS. It’s kind of nice taking on a bit of an extra duty... even if just an hour or so each day for a week.
— Back is still touchy but I do an hour long walk tonight anyway.
TUESDAY...
— More training and some alone time in AFIS to end the shift. Most people head to the officers mess at 2:00 for a little gathering. Lisa and I stay back in AFIS instead. Just as good.
WEDNESDAY...
— Tired day. Still training Jenn, and Melissa and I order Greek for lunch today.
— Some baseball and hockey on TV as I’m too tired to do much else tonight.
THURSDAY...
— Tired at work even though I’m sleeping well this week. Just not getting enough sleep I guess.
— A walk in the evening and some TV to end out the night.
FRIDAY...
— Work is fine. Still training and still pretty tired until lunch. A fire drill has Melissa, Megan, Laura, Leslie and me hanging outside. And Melissa and I pick up poutine for lunch for Megan and us.
— A night at the movies gets called off... so it’s a quiet night around the house... which is fine. A small nap and some relaxing.
SATURDAY...
— Rainy day. Lazy around the house for much of it. Over to Sheila’s for the hockey game and pizza with her and Nicole. Then off to downtown with Sheila to meet Nick and his crew for his birthday. Melissa, and Megan and her husband make it a good time. I chauffeur Megan, Bruce and Sheila home and unwind a bit before bed.
October 27
Went out last night. It’s not often that I hit the bars of downtown Ottawa. I’ve never been much of a bar scene kind of guy. But I must say, the odd time I went to the bars in St. John’s... it felt like a natural part of the community. Doing it in Ottawa... it’s like being around geeks trying to be cool. Ottawa just isn’t a night life type of town.
But it’s Nick’s birthday and I agree to go out with a bunch of people. And we hit an okay bar that sits down in the bowels of a couple of other bars. And that... having a bar within a bar... is at least an attempt at cool.
This is a mess of Irish bars. But that doesn’t really qualify on a night like tonight. From our little hide away, we can hear the music from upstairs... and there’s nothing Irish about it. For me, this is a good thing. I’d rather listen to rock music than Irish music any day. Being from St. John’s, you either go nuts loving Irish music... or nuts pulling your hair out at the sound of Irish music. And if you’ve seen my head... you know which category I fall in to.
Something else occurs to me while we’re at the bar. I may very well be the oldest person in the place. There’s a bit of talk among our crowd about ages. And, among us, I do reign supreme. Scanning the rest of the bar, I may have them all beat.
It’s a weird feeling when you are the oldest person in the bar. It sort of makes you feel like you should make your way home... put on a cup of tea... and watch the late night news. Let the young ones party, got to get home to bed.
But I’m stuck. I’m actually being the responsible one... I’m the driver. So it’s more like I’m the chaperon. I have to make sure things don’t get out of hand and that the kiddies get home safe.
As drinking progresses, you hear little things. People who are five years younger than me talking to people who are ten years younger than me about how they’re so old. Then a glance may come my way with laughter... or I may make a joke of it myself. And I’m left wondering how I got here!
As the drinking keeps going, the designated driver becomes more uncool. Those very obviously unable to drive expect those who still can to understand the joke that consists of squinty eyes and poking someone in the shoulder. But for the sober, the hilarity is missed... and they shake their head at your stiffness... and go back to shoulder poking.
Even those not consuming the booze need to hit the bathroom. And so I venture in wondering if it’ll be full or empty, clean or a sewer room that’s ready for more waste to be dumped wherever you please.
Fortunately, it’s clean. Surprisingly, because before I go in I forget that it’s the weekend before Halloween, I walk in on two gorillas standing back to back at the urinals. That is to say, two guys dressed up in gorilla costumes are having a wee. It’s a bit surreal.
While I still wait, one gorilla goes to wash his hands... he checks himself out in the mirror and comments to his gorilla friend about his gorilla nipples.
A stall opens and a guy dressed as a nerd (costume nerd that is) comes out. Well I guess my Vancouver Canucks hat will have to do as far as my costume goes. I move along to do my business.
The night continues on. As the guys get more drunk, they get more bold trying to hit on Megan. Her husband stands there, secure... and Megan rolls eyes from time to time.
Once the sleeper holds come out among the boys... and the birthday boy nears unconsciousness, we decide to leave. So Sheila, Megan, Bruce and I head for the car... much to the disappointment of those drunks looking to get lucky with the married woman.
We ride through the night... through quite streets of windswept leaves that remind you of the spookiness of the season. A sea of leaves that almost make the road indistinguishable as they swirl about road, sidewalk and driveways with the wind. First, Megan and Bruce get dropped off. Then, it’s Sheila. And finally I’m driving home alone. Still the oldest but now also able to call myself the youngest in the car. And it’s soon to bed with images of peeing gorillas dancing in my head.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Making It Up As I Go Along #290
MONDAY...
— Not feeling all that well today. I drop mom and dad at the airport but have a headache and some congestion in the nose. I guess I can’t blame this on the office.
— I decide to take the day off. Just feeling run down and shivery and achy this afternoon so why push it?
— Sleep off and on through the day and watch some playoff baseball.
TUESDAY...
— Still feeling sick. Drag myself into the office and keep fighting to stay. First I say I’ll leave at supper... than at 8:00 break. In the end, I stay for the night.
WEDNESDAY...
— Through the day thinking of going to work or not. Then one move with my arm and my back spasms from between my shoulder blades up to the neck. Mind made up there. It sounds like others are dealing with similar stuff too. Our office is becoming the nemesis of good health.
— Drugs and lots of heat finish out my day. Haven’t done any walks in a while... between bad weather, travel and health, it’s just not happening.
THURSDAY...
— As the day goes my back and neck improve. By the time I get home from work it’s a mild tightness... as compared to the tender roll out of bed that occurred when I awoke this morning.
— Hour and ten minute walk tonight. First long walk in a couple of weeks. It’s pretty good.
FRIDAY...
— Back is worse today than it was yesterday. Maybe I shouldn’t have done the walk last night. Work is okay... groceries are bought on the way home... and I plan for a quiet day tomorrow to hopefully cure the woes.
SATURDAY...
— Quiet house day to try to get the back... well... back. Watch a few movies and flip back and forth between hockey and baseball games in the evening. Do some laundry as I go.
The Problem With Backs
Wimpy in the back. That’s what I am when I’m sick. Wimpy in the back.
I actually blame it on big, manly shoulders. All tight with muscles that ripple when I move. Sometimes, when you have so many muscles all jammed together back there, tucked in with shoulder blades, ribs and a spine, something’s going to slip.
The truth of the matter is, about twice a year, I run into muscle problems in my upper back and neck region. If I get sick and muscle aches and pains are part of the symptoms, I really need to watch what I do, because those upper back muscles are often the first ones to give up the ghost.
This week, I got sick. Last Sunday, I started feeling quite run down. I assumed it to be from driving to Montreal and back with the parents. And that I hadn’t had much down time in the previous week. But I woke on Monday feeling even more run down.
I mention it to the parents as we get ready to bring them to the airport. And, on the drive there, I’m just feeling it more and more.
Coming home alone, it’s like I allow myself to relax... and with that relaxation, comes the sickness. A bit of a cough, headache, tired muscles... even a touch light headed. I drive home along the farm roads, away from the bustle of the city, and by the time I make it back, I’ve decided... I’m sick.
Staying home on the Monday is the plan and I wake on the Tuesday not feeling much different. Still, I go in and fight through the day. By the end of the shift, my back is tight and I crash at home.
Wednesday, the symptoms are fading. I’m thinking of work again, and I go to toss the comforter back on my bed. With the flick of my left hand, the spasm hits. From the base of my left shoulder blade up to the base of my neck, it all wrenches. With that, I go for another sick day.
A microwave, magic bag accompanies me for much of the rest of the day. My aunt actually made this bag for me and I think she put beans or peas or something in there... cause after one bout of the microwave, it smelt like I was cooking something.
Along with the bag, propped between my shoulders and giving me the imagined image of a clock tower recluse in France, I take to popping some of that Robax Platinum. You know the drug I’m talking about. All those computer generated marionettes are dancing through life on the TV commercials. It started out as a neat idea. Having a marionette with needles in it’s back... all hunched over... you could feel it’s pain. But now it’s gotten ridiculous. I’m waiting for the Robax Marionette sitcom. We’re getting to a point where we know these things intimately. They walk the dog... the dance... they play with their kids... all the while with the needle of Damocles hanging over them.
Well let me say something else about the Robax people and their silly adds. Robax does nothing! I popped that stuff every four or five hours, two at a time, and no needles ever came out of my back. Perhaps you need to be made of wood... or maybe just computer generated wood... for the drugs to have any effect.
Anyway, we all have our weaknesses. Those muscles and joints that are hit hardest during times when we’re worn down. But at least I’m improving. Yesterday I made my bed again... this time taking sheets straight out of the laundry and putting them all on the bed, and there was no further spasms to knock me over. And I haven’t used the magic bag in a couple of days.
I wonder does Arnold Schwarzenegger deal with back issues like this? Seeing that we have the same build and all.
— Not feeling all that well today. I drop mom and dad at the airport but have a headache and some congestion in the nose. I guess I can’t blame this on the office.
— I decide to take the day off. Just feeling run down and shivery and achy this afternoon so why push it?
— Sleep off and on through the day and watch some playoff baseball.
TUESDAY...
— Still feeling sick. Drag myself into the office and keep fighting to stay. First I say I’ll leave at supper... than at 8:00 break. In the end, I stay for the night.
WEDNESDAY...
— Through the day thinking of going to work or not. Then one move with my arm and my back spasms from between my shoulder blades up to the neck. Mind made up there. It sounds like others are dealing with similar stuff too. Our office is becoming the nemesis of good health.
— Drugs and lots of heat finish out my day. Haven’t done any walks in a while... between bad weather, travel and health, it’s just not happening.
THURSDAY...
— As the day goes my back and neck improve. By the time I get home from work it’s a mild tightness... as compared to the tender roll out of bed that occurred when I awoke this morning.
— Hour and ten minute walk tonight. First long walk in a couple of weeks. It’s pretty good.
FRIDAY...
— Back is worse today than it was yesterday. Maybe I shouldn’t have done the walk last night. Work is okay... groceries are bought on the way home... and I plan for a quiet day tomorrow to hopefully cure the woes.
SATURDAY...
— Quiet house day to try to get the back... well... back. Watch a few movies and flip back and forth between hockey and baseball games in the evening. Do some laundry as I go.
The Problem With Backs
Wimpy in the back. That’s what I am when I’m sick. Wimpy in the back.
I actually blame it on big, manly shoulders. All tight with muscles that ripple when I move. Sometimes, when you have so many muscles all jammed together back there, tucked in with shoulder blades, ribs and a spine, something’s going to slip.
The truth of the matter is, about twice a year, I run into muscle problems in my upper back and neck region. If I get sick and muscle aches and pains are part of the symptoms, I really need to watch what I do, because those upper back muscles are often the first ones to give up the ghost.
This week, I got sick. Last Sunday, I started feeling quite run down. I assumed it to be from driving to Montreal and back with the parents. And that I hadn’t had much down time in the previous week. But I woke on Monday feeling even more run down.
I mention it to the parents as we get ready to bring them to the airport. And, on the drive there, I’m just feeling it more and more.
Coming home alone, it’s like I allow myself to relax... and with that relaxation, comes the sickness. A bit of a cough, headache, tired muscles... even a touch light headed. I drive home along the farm roads, away from the bustle of the city, and by the time I make it back, I’ve decided... I’m sick.
Staying home on the Monday is the plan and I wake on the Tuesday not feeling much different. Still, I go in and fight through the day. By the end of the shift, my back is tight and I crash at home.
Wednesday, the symptoms are fading. I’m thinking of work again, and I go to toss the comforter back on my bed. With the flick of my left hand, the spasm hits. From the base of my left shoulder blade up to the base of my neck, it all wrenches. With that, I go for another sick day.
A microwave, magic bag accompanies me for much of the rest of the day. My aunt actually made this bag for me and I think she put beans or peas or something in there... cause after one bout of the microwave, it smelt like I was cooking something.
Along with the bag, propped between my shoulders and giving me the imagined image of a clock tower recluse in France, I take to popping some of that Robax Platinum. You know the drug I’m talking about. All those computer generated marionettes are dancing through life on the TV commercials. It started out as a neat idea. Having a marionette with needles in it’s back... all hunched over... you could feel it’s pain. But now it’s gotten ridiculous. I’m waiting for the Robax Marionette sitcom. We’re getting to a point where we know these things intimately. They walk the dog... the dance... they play with their kids... all the while with the needle of Damocles hanging over them.
Well let me say something else about the Robax people and their silly adds. Robax does nothing! I popped that stuff every four or five hours, two at a time, and no needles ever came out of my back. Perhaps you need to be made of wood... or maybe just computer generated wood... for the drugs to have any effect.
Anyway, we all have our weaknesses. Those muscles and joints that are hit hardest during times when we’re worn down. But at least I’m improving. Yesterday I made my bed again... this time taking sheets straight out of the laundry and putting them all on the bed, and there was no further spasms to knock me over. And I haven’t used the magic bag in a couple of days.
I wonder does Arnold Schwarzenegger deal with back issues like this? Seeing that we have the same build and all.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Making It Up As I Go Along #289
MONDAY...
— Wake in Smiths Falls with the folks. We travel around some... Perth, Merrickville, Kemptville... and the Hershey Factory in Smiths Falls. End the travel with Kars and Manotick and then it’s the evening at home with mom and dad. Good time, the last few days made for a good trip.
TUESDAY...
— Shopping and some time around the house. I take the day off work and then learn that the interview I have scheduled for Thursday is postponed. The promotion game will begin later in the month.
WEDNESDAY...
— Walk to get some groceries with Dad. Work is fine... no evening walk again today. Rain makes it risky.
THURSDAY...
— Wet day so it’s mostly around the house with mom and dad... then to work... and then home for some TV. Not much out of the ordinary.
FRIDAY...
— Walk Mer Bleue in the morning... work is quiet with Jon, Trevor and me... and no Jon after 8:00. Supper out with Sheila joining us.
SATURDAY...
— Drive to Montreal for Geoff’s wedding. We do part of the drive along the Ottawa River rather than the highway. It’s nice. The hotel is great and the wedding is about as good as weddings are able to be. Good to see all the Riggs gang.
SUNDAY...
— After morning brunch, we leave Montreal... getting pretty tired on the drive back to Ottawa and we lounge about, watch a movie, have a visit with Melissa, and eat Chinese food.
Garlic and Holy Water at the Wedding
Wedding beefs. I do have a few. The biggest... professional videographers and photographers. Geoff’s wedding was good. But boy did I hate the video guy! Let it be known that I type this update with blue specks of light flashing from each blink. And I have the video guy to blame!
First strike against the guy... he looks just like Steve Simmons (a sports writer and one of the regular guests on TSN’s the Reporters). Steve Simmons is a twit who decided to make a commentary about sports because he had no ability to play them. He’s a nerd in a jock world and he doesn’t understand the basic principals of sports. Yet somehow, that turkey got a job in the sports field.
So video guy has that strike going against him. I’ve got Steve Simmons with a camera. And the problem with video guys at weddings... is they’re paid to be where the action is. So you see them all the time.
And the worst part of these guys... the prison style search light that’s plastered to the top of their video camera. This thing is everywhere. You really do feel like a prisoner trying to make a break for it... you reach the wall... you’re about to climb over... and BLAM! You’re got like a deer in the headlights! Blinded... you can’t help but stare into the light. He twirls it away and you’re left seeing everything in a blue spot prism.
I have had a few nemeses in my life. As a child, Keith Parsons was the kid who lived down the street and who I kept banging heads with. This summer, some guy who works in my building kept walking past the AFIS window... at least five times a day. He’s in his forties or fifties, has a Miami Vice style haircut (even though he’s balding) and he wears sunglasses that don’t fit his face. Whenever I’d look out a window, there he’d be.
And now... this weekend in Montreal... the videographer becomes my latest nemesis. I know it right away. We’re in the church and he’s walking down the isle with this camera on a stick, cycloptic headlight canvassing the house of God. Children squeal as they squint their delicate eyes and some of the elderly lose whatever sight the had remaining, all for the good of posterity.
Much is the urge to salute the man with a middle finger or evil glares when he ventures my way. But I remember my longtime friendship with the groom and decide to hold back... for him.
I imagine I wouldn’t make for a very good celebrity. Well, from the point of view of the paparazzi, I’m sure I would. I’d be on the rack of every grocery store rag. “Brown flips!”, “Brown attacks cameraman.” “Brown throws Britney’s baby and hits cameraman between the eyes with it... Britney cheers him on.”
It’s just the intrusions from sniveling little twerps... it drives me crazy. These people don’t ask if it’s alright. Actually, people like the Steve Simmons look-a-like don’t even acknowledge you. In a room filled with people, this guy doesn’t speak to a soul... not a smile... no manner of breaking the ice is ever attempted. All he does is flick on the high beam and take in the action as he watches us all do our best vampire in the sunlight impression.
Sure, weddings are all about the bride and groom... but does their happiness have to be paid for with my eyesight?
— Wake in Smiths Falls with the folks. We travel around some... Perth, Merrickville, Kemptville... and the Hershey Factory in Smiths Falls. End the travel with Kars and Manotick and then it’s the evening at home with mom and dad. Good time, the last few days made for a good trip.
TUESDAY...
— Shopping and some time around the house. I take the day off work and then learn that the interview I have scheduled for Thursday is postponed. The promotion game will begin later in the month.
WEDNESDAY...
— Walk to get some groceries with Dad. Work is fine... no evening walk again today. Rain makes it risky.
THURSDAY...
— Wet day so it’s mostly around the house with mom and dad... then to work... and then home for some TV. Not much out of the ordinary.
FRIDAY...
— Walk Mer Bleue in the morning... work is quiet with Jon, Trevor and me... and no Jon after 8:00. Supper out with Sheila joining us.
SATURDAY...
— Drive to Montreal for Geoff’s wedding. We do part of the drive along the Ottawa River rather than the highway. It’s nice. The hotel is great and the wedding is about as good as weddings are able to be. Good to see all the Riggs gang.
SUNDAY...
— After morning brunch, we leave Montreal... getting pretty tired on the drive back to Ottawa and we lounge about, watch a movie, have a visit with Melissa, and eat Chinese food.
Garlic and Holy Water at the Wedding
Wedding beefs. I do have a few. The biggest... professional videographers and photographers. Geoff’s wedding was good. But boy did I hate the video guy! Let it be known that I type this update with blue specks of light flashing from each blink. And I have the video guy to blame!
First strike against the guy... he looks just like Steve Simmons (a sports writer and one of the regular guests on TSN’s the Reporters). Steve Simmons is a twit who decided to make a commentary about sports because he had no ability to play them. He’s a nerd in a jock world and he doesn’t understand the basic principals of sports. Yet somehow, that turkey got a job in the sports field.
So video guy has that strike going against him. I’ve got Steve Simmons with a camera. And the problem with video guys at weddings... is they’re paid to be where the action is. So you see them all the time.
And the worst part of these guys... the prison style search light that’s plastered to the top of their video camera. This thing is everywhere. You really do feel like a prisoner trying to make a break for it... you reach the wall... you’re about to climb over... and BLAM! You’re got like a deer in the headlights! Blinded... you can’t help but stare into the light. He twirls it away and you’re left seeing everything in a blue spot prism.
I have had a few nemeses in my life. As a child, Keith Parsons was the kid who lived down the street and who I kept banging heads with. This summer, some guy who works in my building kept walking past the AFIS window... at least five times a day. He’s in his forties or fifties, has a Miami Vice style haircut (even though he’s balding) and he wears sunglasses that don’t fit his face. Whenever I’d look out a window, there he’d be.
And now... this weekend in Montreal... the videographer becomes my latest nemesis. I know it right away. We’re in the church and he’s walking down the isle with this camera on a stick, cycloptic headlight canvassing the house of God. Children squeal as they squint their delicate eyes and some of the elderly lose whatever sight the had remaining, all for the good of posterity.
Much is the urge to salute the man with a middle finger or evil glares when he ventures my way. But I remember my longtime friendship with the groom and decide to hold back... for him.
I imagine I wouldn’t make for a very good celebrity. Well, from the point of view of the paparazzi, I’m sure I would. I’d be on the rack of every grocery store rag. “Brown flips!”, “Brown attacks cameraman.” “Brown throws Britney’s baby and hits cameraman between the eyes with it... Britney cheers him on.”
It’s just the intrusions from sniveling little twerps... it drives me crazy. These people don’t ask if it’s alright. Actually, people like the Steve Simmons look-a-like don’t even acknowledge you. In a room filled with people, this guy doesn’t speak to a soul... not a smile... no manner of breaking the ice is ever attempted. All he does is flick on the high beam and take in the action as he watches us all do our best vampire in the sunlight impression.
Sure, weddings are all about the bride and groom... but does their happiness have to be paid for with my eyesight?
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Making It Up As I Go Along #288
MONDAY...
— October 1 and it’s 24 degrees today. Nice stuff.
— Work is alright for dayshift. I’m actually alert in the morning but get sort of tired after lunch.
TUESDAY...
— Tired after a bad night’s sleep but I file at work and it’s okay.
— Hour plus walk in the evening.
WEDNESDAY...
— Work is okay... slow going in the AM but I pick up as the day goes. Hockey at Nick’s in the evening. Ottawa beats Toronto in overtime. Alright game though.
THURSDAY...
— Dead tired in the afternoon. Almost feels like I’m getting sick... but I think it’s from being tired and having eaten lunch out in the sun. It’s a warm sunny day today, so maybe, put it all together and I got run down.
— Pick up Ian from the airport and do a little visit with him. Been years since I saw him last and it’s quite good to catch up during his quick trip to Ottawa.
FRIDAY...
— Kind of tired today, even though I slept well last night. Thanks to the map Laura drew up, mom, dad and I should have a fine trip down in her neck of the woods. Apple Orchards and Upper Canada Village on the schedule.
— Out with Karl for supper and a movie. Live Free or Die Hard was pretty good.
SATURDAY...
— Get the parents at the airport in the morning. Get some groceries... and check out things downtown in the Market. Just stay home in the evening and watch the hockey game.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving parents in town again.
Thanksgiving geese squawking above corn fields.
Thanksgiving pumpkins with painted faces
sold in the market to smile in your home.
Thanksgiving syrup from the maple tree.
Thanksgiving leaves of red, orange and yellow.
Thanksgiving turkey discussed and planned
the smell and taste arrive days before the bird.
Thanksgiving sugar pie tasting French goodness.
Thanksgiving baseball, the playoffs on TV.
Thanksgiving fields left stubbly with stalks
preparing to protect the soil from winters snow.
— October 1 and it’s 24 degrees today. Nice stuff.
— Work is alright for dayshift. I’m actually alert in the morning but get sort of tired after lunch.
TUESDAY...
— Tired after a bad night’s sleep but I file at work and it’s okay.
— Hour plus walk in the evening.
WEDNESDAY...
— Work is okay... slow going in the AM but I pick up as the day goes. Hockey at Nick’s in the evening. Ottawa beats Toronto in overtime. Alright game though.
THURSDAY...
— Dead tired in the afternoon. Almost feels like I’m getting sick... but I think it’s from being tired and having eaten lunch out in the sun. It’s a warm sunny day today, so maybe, put it all together and I got run down.
— Pick up Ian from the airport and do a little visit with him. Been years since I saw him last and it’s quite good to catch up during his quick trip to Ottawa.
FRIDAY...
— Kind of tired today, even though I slept well last night. Thanks to the map Laura drew up, mom, dad and I should have a fine trip down in her neck of the woods. Apple Orchards and Upper Canada Village on the schedule.
— Out with Karl for supper and a movie. Live Free or Die Hard was pretty good.
SATURDAY...
— Get the parents at the airport in the morning. Get some groceries... and check out things downtown in the Market. Just stay home in the evening and watch the hockey game.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving parents in town again.
Thanksgiving geese squawking above corn fields.
Thanksgiving pumpkins with painted faces
sold in the market to smile in your home.
Thanksgiving syrup from the maple tree.
Thanksgiving leaves of red, orange and yellow.
Thanksgiving turkey discussed and planned
the smell and taste arrive days before the bird.
Thanksgiving sugar pie tasting French goodness.
Thanksgiving baseball, the playoffs on TV.
Thanksgiving fields left stubbly with stalks
preparing to protect the soil from winters snow.
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