“Bonjour, C’est Josee!”
The world is divided into observers and actioners. Perhaps some would say doers should be listed. There are doers in this world, it’s true. But observers can be doers just as actioners can.
I see myself as an observer. And I wish there were more of us and fewer actioners. I’m tired of people proclaiming themselves to the world for no other reason than to say “look at me!”
Unfortunately, the world is becoming built for actioners. An example could be as simple as your car. Some cars are built so that the only way they can be locked is with a button that also toots the horn.
So even an observer must proclaim themselves to all others from time to time. Getting home at 2:30 in the morning... toot your horn to let the neighbours know you got there alright! Or risk a doer lifting your GPS system or in car stereo.
Cell phones say a lot about people. Conversations on the phone in the middle of a concert is an obvious point towards an actioner. But there are other phone hints out there.
In public, I set my phone to vibrate. I figure it’s the thing to be done. Yet I sit in physio therapy, glued to a bench by electrodes clamped to my knee, and separated from strangers by only a curtain.
Yet those strangers, in the same predicament as me, act as though they’re sitting in their living room. Cell phones chirp and tweet and sing 1980s hair band rock... all with the goal of letting the person know there’s someone waiting to talk to them.
The answering does bring a subdued tone hurrying off the line. I figure “oh, what’s up? I can’t talk long I’m at physio” is appropriate. Yet they blather on for ten minutes about a meeting that will come in two hours. The pre-amble chatter to what will likely be a session of blow hard yakking.
So there I lie, trapped in one side of a stranger’s business conversation. And when it finally ends, this person decides it’s a good way of passing the time. They decide to make a few phone calls of their own.
At least I’m left without their annoying ring tone. But they’re so close, I can actually hear the ringing as they await the person to pick up on the other end. I hear a machine pick up one call. And I hear a gruff voice in a mumble (my distance from the phone makes clarity into a mumble).
But be it machine or person, the voice on my end is loud and clear... a saccharin sunshine that proclaims everything that can be disingenuous. “Bonjour, c’est Josee!”
This woman makes Oprah Winfrey appear reclusive and subdued.
It’s all pointless. Nothing that’s said can’t be said when she leaves the office. She’s not calling a loved one to tell them to get out of the house because terrorists have set a bomb to go off in fifteen seconds. But she has no thought of others in the room... all she’s missing is the cup of coffee, the feet up to let the toe nail polish dry, and a magazine to thumb through in order to elevate the boredom of the chatter she’s partaking in.
I remember movies depicting life in the twenties and thirties. Where people gathered in great numbers in train stations. Each with a news paper, passing the time quietly, in their own thoughts. These great halls of space have hundreds of people within them and the quiet envelops them. A rustling of paper is the only occasional sound.
Today, six people can’t sit in a medical office without someone proclaiming for all to hear “Bonjour, c’est Josee!”
In the modern age, there is only one place where you can be alone with thoughts, even in a public domain. It occurs aboard airplanes. Especially during night flights.
Perhaps it’s the fear of arrest. Planes have gotten about as casual as a police line-up where a witness is about to point out “it’s number four, yeah... that’s the guy.”
We all know that if you anger the flight attendant, they may tell the captain, and if he gets miffed, well this plane may put down on some airstrip where you’ll be escorted down a narrow path of shame while the people will stare at you with scorn in their eyes. And the elite class of people, up laying down with cookies and champagne, will be the last judging eyes you’ll see before finding the back of a police car.
But I hope there’s another reason for the quiet of flight. I find it within myself and I hope it’s the same in others. When I fly at night, I may have movies and music at my beck and call, but I leave them all alone. I sit at my window, and peer out into the darkness. Looking down from above at black nothingness can’t help but make you wonder what goes on in this part of the world beneath you. Are animals sleeping in depressions along side a small grove of pine?
Is the night silent from the ground? With only a rustling breeze whispering to the vastness as stars shimmer above... and only mine... this “star” I sit in... drifts across the sky, blinking lightly.
I’ve flown over many a town and city at night. The bustle of Montreal occurring quietly below me. A few homes along the “x” of two country roads... with sleepy farmers, drifting off in front of the glow of a hockey game... the only light that strobes and flashes against the opposite wall of the living room.
And once, on the way in to Halifax, as we neared the end of our decent, looking down into the twilight darkness of forest, marsh, rivers and lakes. The lone light being the orange glow of a camp fire. A father and son? A couple looking for an evening out from the city and under the stars? Some buddies on the first night of a fishing trip? The possibilities of that orange glow are endless.
It’s all interesting. All mesmerizing. To look down on the world. The ultimate observing.
MONDAY...
— One of the most annoying days in a while... starting when I wake. I bend my bad knee a little more than I should while stretching in bed and get a shot of pain for the cause.
— Physio is also annoying. Curtains just aren’t enough people buffer. The person closest to me for 45 minutes takes two phone calls and makes four others. She doesn’t have her phone set to vibrate... and she speaks in loud, saccharin sunny French... “Bonjour, c’est Josee!” I almost pulled the curtain open and told her to shut it. The other thing you see at this physio office is a lot of people who want to complain to the therapists. Not about them... but to them... about their day. Stupid this, and unbelievable that... again... shut it! And for some reason, the therapists forget about me by the end of the time. I swear I’m there fifteen minutes longer than I should have been and, in the end, I take it upon myself to end it.
— Feeling crummy, so I skip work. Of course, the two hockey games tonight were awful. Montreal gets killed and leave me suspicious of the officials and the league. Gary Bettman would sure hate to see Ovechkin knocked out in round one... and some of the calls/non-calls leave you to wonder of league instructions to referees. And the late game is no less annoying. Goals called back due to kicks... even though there was no kicking motion. And other such things.
TUESDAY...
— Sleep in and a little TV before work. Work is pretty quiet. Just three of us... me, Cosimo, and Nichole... I like the small work crew. A little hockey when I get home. Oh, and speaking of hockey, funny how, at work, a few Ottawa fans were commenting to me about the Sen game.. And we saw issues almost completely opposite. They saw Pittsburgh players mocking Chris Neil as arrogant... I saw it as fun. They saw Andy Sutton’s “Are you an expert” silliness as smart comebacks to a dumb question... I thought he was the dumb one. Funny stuff how different people are.
WEDNESDAY...
— Physio looking like it’s going in the right direction. Friday I’ll do the stationary bike... with mine possibly soon to follow.
— Montreal loses again after a good two periods. Such an incredibly frustrating series.
— Vancouver pulls one out in the third. A bit of hope.
— Referees in the first round of the hockey playoffs are likely more inconsistent and flat out wrong in their calls/lack of calls than I’ve ever seen before.
THURSDAY...
— Fairly ordinary work day... getting lots of use of the iPod Touch at work with podcasts and music.
FRIDAY...
— Physio is going insane. 2.5 hours there today... so long that I’m an hour late by the time I get to work and get changed. It goes well though... I’m on a stationary bike with no problems... but the physio culture is getting on my nerves. Giggley kids... snoring women... blah.
— Can’t bring myself to do anything more than occasionally refresh TSN’s website in order to follow the Montreal game while at work. Late, with the game 2-1 for the Habs, I consider taking a break and looking for a TV to see the end. But I fear I’d jinx the team, so I stay put. 2-1 the final... game 6 on Monday night.
— PVR the Vancouver game and watch it when I get home from work and groceries. They blow out LA... most relaxing and satisfying. Fights at the end... O’Brien does well but show boats to the crowd afterwards... not impressive. Rypien then fights moments later and does it right.
SATURDAY...
— Some baseball on the playstation. Practice (yes there’s a batting practice) and home run derby... I’m a ways away from game action... but cool cool game.
— Movies tonight. Sarah and I take in Date Night. Love Tina Fey and Steve Carell... don’t love their movie. Too bad.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Making It Up As I Go Along #412
Could our summer be wiped out by a volcano?
The volcano in Iceland continues to spew ash into the atmosphere. Planes are unable to cross the Atlantic, and Europe is suddenly thrown back half a century when it comes to travel.
Today I heard airlines are losing $200 million every day since the eruption began. Could a carrier be lost by this? Could business end for an airline due to volcanic activity?
Some make out quite well with this. A cab driver, to be specific. Monty Python’s John Cleese, having been stranded in Oslo, paid $5500 for a 15 hour cab ride to Brussels.
It seems unlikely that this eruption will bring us to a year with no summer. Most eruptions that spew enough sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere to cause temperature change do it closer to the equator. But just the fact that such things are being discussed makes you realize how little control people have in the grand scheme of things.
One isolated volcano in the high north erupts and millions of travel schedules are disrupted... summer may vanish... and John Cleese made a cabbie’s year.
Could my death end up comical?
I was at the Keg with Geoff this week and began to choke on a piece of steak. I remember chewing on a big piece of meat and it made it’s way to the back of my throat. I decided, if it’s there, I may as well swallow. It got halfway down.
So I figured a little extra swallowing would finish it off. Geoff continues to talk as I work on it... but then he sees my face putting in the effort... and breathing stops.
And at that moment I wondered “am I going to die on the floor of the Keg?”
I wonder this without panic but more of a “huh, how about that?” feel.
Geoff asks if I’m alright just as I cough the meat back into my mouth. Nobody else noticed anything and I finish the chewing job as we chuckle about my near miss.
Could technology be less bi-polar?
This week my laptop drove me crazy. All smooth for a while... then the laptop wouldn’t recognize my iPod Touch. After hours of reading and fiddling, I got that straight. Victory.
The next day, while adding CD’s to my iPod, the CD/DVD drive dies... seemingly for good. Victory is fleeting I guess.
Times like this, I long for the 1970s from a technology standpoint. When television watching was an exercise... change the channel?... get up and walk over there. It was a family bonding experience. You turn the channel... no, I did it last time, it’s your turn... well, this show isn’t so bad I guess.
When telephone calls meant you going from where you are in the house to the one telephone on the kitchen wall. And if you aren’t home, all the caller gets is a constant ring.
When questions about world topics meant a trip to the bookshelf encyclopedia set rather than google.
Of course, as I wrote this section, I got an e-mail from my father in Newfoundland... and I instantly got the highlights of his week. And I’m listening to Bob Dylan on a record player while my HD TV is showing the Jays game in the background.
So perhaps it’s not so much technology being bi-polar... but I am.
MONDAY...
— Physio and work have returned to life. Physio was easier to get back in to. Work was somewhat slow going.
TUESDAY...
— Computer/iPod issues. I can’t sync my Touch to the laptop today. Tried all sorts of things both before and after work. I hate computers sometimes.
— Meet Geoff at the Keg for supper. It means working until 1:00 tonight and I almost choke on a piece of steak... but it’s still a good time with Riggs.
— Just before giving up for bed... well past 3:00 AM... I got it! Apple’s website gave me instructions to follow for such a problem... and success. Thank goodness. So tiring.
WEDNESDAY...
— Physio is a bit rough. Ratcheting up the work.
— Work is... is... in need of another vacation. Three days back and stupidity is the only word... the only one.
THURSDAY...
— Hate the laptop again... looks like the DVD/CD drive is dead. I can still use the computer fine enough but it looks like no more CD’s getting loaded onto my iPod Touch until something is done. Of course, with 3000 songs on now, I’m not hurting too badly... just nothing new for a while.
— Work goes from stupidity to foolishness. A step up but hardly paradise.
— Canucks and Habs both do good in the playoffs tonight... I watch the Montreal OT from work and the Canuck game on PVR when I get home. Goosebumps with the atmosphere in Vancouver.
FRIDAY...
— Work is calmer today... but ready for the weekend. Physio before work is alright too.
— No more Greek on Wheels. It was downright bad tonight and three of us had stomach issues after eating it.
SATURDAY...
— Some TV during the day and then out to supper with Karl. He buys me a birthday meal at Patty’s Pub. Or Paddy’s... I always mix it up.
— Habs game is annoying. Big lead and then they play with an afraid to lose attitude in the third... and... lose. Still, if told they’d win one of two in Washington, I’d take it. But I think they’ll regret this missed opportunity.
The volcano in Iceland continues to spew ash into the atmosphere. Planes are unable to cross the Atlantic, and Europe is suddenly thrown back half a century when it comes to travel.
Today I heard airlines are losing $200 million every day since the eruption began. Could a carrier be lost by this? Could business end for an airline due to volcanic activity?
Some make out quite well with this. A cab driver, to be specific. Monty Python’s John Cleese, having been stranded in Oslo, paid $5500 for a 15 hour cab ride to Brussels.
It seems unlikely that this eruption will bring us to a year with no summer. Most eruptions that spew enough sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere to cause temperature change do it closer to the equator. But just the fact that such things are being discussed makes you realize how little control people have in the grand scheme of things.
One isolated volcano in the high north erupts and millions of travel schedules are disrupted... summer may vanish... and John Cleese made a cabbie’s year.
Could my death end up comical?
I was at the Keg with Geoff this week and began to choke on a piece of steak. I remember chewing on a big piece of meat and it made it’s way to the back of my throat. I decided, if it’s there, I may as well swallow. It got halfway down.
So I figured a little extra swallowing would finish it off. Geoff continues to talk as I work on it... but then he sees my face putting in the effort... and breathing stops.
And at that moment I wondered “am I going to die on the floor of the Keg?”
I wonder this without panic but more of a “huh, how about that?” feel.
Geoff asks if I’m alright just as I cough the meat back into my mouth. Nobody else noticed anything and I finish the chewing job as we chuckle about my near miss.
Could technology be less bi-polar?
This week my laptop drove me crazy. All smooth for a while... then the laptop wouldn’t recognize my iPod Touch. After hours of reading and fiddling, I got that straight. Victory.
The next day, while adding CD’s to my iPod, the CD/DVD drive dies... seemingly for good. Victory is fleeting I guess.
Times like this, I long for the 1970s from a technology standpoint. When television watching was an exercise... change the channel?... get up and walk over there. It was a family bonding experience. You turn the channel... no, I did it last time, it’s your turn... well, this show isn’t so bad I guess.
When telephone calls meant you going from where you are in the house to the one telephone on the kitchen wall. And if you aren’t home, all the caller gets is a constant ring.
When questions about world topics meant a trip to the bookshelf encyclopedia set rather than google.
Of course, as I wrote this section, I got an e-mail from my father in Newfoundland... and I instantly got the highlights of his week. And I’m listening to Bob Dylan on a record player while my HD TV is showing the Jays game in the background.
So perhaps it’s not so much technology being bi-polar... but I am.
MONDAY...
— Physio and work have returned to life. Physio was easier to get back in to. Work was somewhat slow going.
TUESDAY...
— Computer/iPod issues. I can’t sync my Touch to the laptop today. Tried all sorts of things both before and after work. I hate computers sometimes.
— Meet Geoff at the Keg for supper. It means working until 1:00 tonight and I almost choke on a piece of steak... but it’s still a good time with Riggs.
— Just before giving up for bed... well past 3:00 AM... I got it! Apple’s website gave me instructions to follow for such a problem... and success. Thank goodness. So tiring.
WEDNESDAY...
— Physio is a bit rough. Ratcheting up the work.
— Work is... is... in need of another vacation. Three days back and stupidity is the only word... the only one.
THURSDAY...
— Hate the laptop again... looks like the DVD/CD drive is dead. I can still use the computer fine enough but it looks like no more CD’s getting loaded onto my iPod Touch until something is done. Of course, with 3000 songs on now, I’m not hurting too badly... just nothing new for a while.
— Work goes from stupidity to foolishness. A step up but hardly paradise.
— Canucks and Habs both do good in the playoffs tonight... I watch the Montreal OT from work and the Canuck game on PVR when I get home. Goosebumps with the atmosphere in Vancouver.
FRIDAY...
— Work is calmer today... but ready for the weekend. Physio before work is alright too.
— No more Greek on Wheels. It was downright bad tonight and three of us had stomach issues after eating it.
SATURDAY...
— Some TV during the day and then out to supper with Karl. He buys me a birthday meal at Patty’s Pub. Or Paddy’s... I always mix it up.
— Habs game is annoying. Big lead and then they play with an afraid to lose attitude in the third... and... lose. Still, if told they’d win one of two in Washington, I’d take it. But I think they’ll regret this missed opportunity.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Making It Up As I Go Along #411 (story)
Pluses and Minuses of NHL playoffs...
Plus... the hibernation of the shoot-out. Gone again until September... just a little too late in the leaving for the New York Rangers... eliminated via shoot-out. Should never be.
Minus... the personalization of the Stanley Cup. It’s been growing for years now. Too many people, both fan and analyst, refer to the Stanley Cup as “Stanley”... or “Lord Stanley”. Fans chant “We want Stanley”. Analysts say “they’re after Lord Stanley”. You can call it the Cup... but not the other. Stanley was the guy who donated the cup. He’s dead. No fan wants Stanley... although if Gary Bettman could present the old bones with Vincent Price laughter booming over the PA system... I’d be all for it.
Plus... Vancouver Canuck home games. Something about it gives me chills when the Canucks play home playoff games. The energy as the players hit the ice... the terrible towels... the sound of their siren... the music... the fans bellowing the anthem. And I’m digging the green dudes sitting next to the visitor penalty box.
Minus... Senator fan over reactions. Not being a Sen fan while living in Ottawa can get tough. They won the first game against Pittsburgh and I’ve already heard mentions of the Stanley Cup coming to Ottawa. Sen fans take pride in not being Leaf fans... but they’re so much like them that they can’t even see it.
Plus... Ryan Smyth back in the playoffs. Old style shoulder pads... wooden stick... and the certainty that, if there are any real teeth left in that guy’s head, he’ll lose at least one more before he’s done playing hockey this spring. Smyth is what Canadian hockey is all about.
Minus... The Phoenix Coyotes. The feel good story Coyotes can’t get eliminated fast enough for my liking. The White Out of fans may be fun and all but I can’t help but ask where all those fans were over the past five years? And I want nothing for Gary Bettman to hang his hat on in this matter. If he gets on TV and wobbles his head around as he proclaims Glendale really is a hockey hotbed, I’ll throw up. The Coyotes are a league embarrassment that deserves to be shoved deep into the closet next to shoot-outs. And what if the Coyotes won the cup? With the league owning the team. Would Bettman get his own name on the Cup?
Plus... Montreal Canadien home games. It happens next week and they may have their hands full in their series, but there is no energy like a Montreal Canadien home game during the Stanley Cup playoffs. The singing... the cheering... the history... it’s magical. And that’s just my view from watching on TV. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be there.
Minus... Gary Bettman. Two months away from watching the little shrew hand over a magnificent trophy to a hockey team. Every time he does it, it just feels wrong. And I’ve gained respect for those captains who have snatched it from him without a picture pose.
Plus... Quadruple Overtime. The most memorable hockey marathon I’ve sat through was between the Islanders and Capitals in 1987. Kelly Hrudey made more than 75 saves and Pat LaFontaine scored the winner when it appeared everyone was on the verge of zombie states on consciousness. And, in Newfoundland, it was almost 4:00 AM when the game came to an end. Edge of your seat marathon excitement... every game that’s gone to overtime since, I’ve wondered “can this one match that one?”
Plus... the hibernation of the shoot-out. Gone again until September... just a little too late in the leaving for the New York Rangers... eliminated via shoot-out. Should never be.
Minus... the personalization of the Stanley Cup. It’s been growing for years now. Too many people, both fan and analyst, refer to the Stanley Cup as “Stanley”... or “Lord Stanley”. Fans chant “We want Stanley”. Analysts say “they’re after Lord Stanley”. You can call it the Cup... but not the other. Stanley was the guy who donated the cup. He’s dead. No fan wants Stanley... although if Gary Bettman could present the old bones with Vincent Price laughter booming over the PA system... I’d be all for it.
Plus... Vancouver Canuck home games. Something about it gives me chills when the Canucks play home playoff games. The energy as the players hit the ice... the terrible towels... the sound of their siren... the music... the fans bellowing the anthem. And I’m digging the green dudes sitting next to the visitor penalty box.
Minus... Senator fan over reactions. Not being a Sen fan while living in Ottawa can get tough. They won the first game against Pittsburgh and I’ve already heard mentions of the Stanley Cup coming to Ottawa. Sen fans take pride in not being Leaf fans... but they’re so much like them that they can’t even see it.
Plus... Ryan Smyth back in the playoffs. Old style shoulder pads... wooden stick... and the certainty that, if there are any real teeth left in that guy’s head, he’ll lose at least one more before he’s done playing hockey this spring. Smyth is what Canadian hockey is all about.
Minus... The Phoenix Coyotes. The feel good story Coyotes can’t get eliminated fast enough for my liking. The White Out of fans may be fun and all but I can’t help but ask where all those fans were over the past five years? And I want nothing for Gary Bettman to hang his hat on in this matter. If he gets on TV and wobbles his head around as he proclaims Glendale really is a hockey hotbed, I’ll throw up. The Coyotes are a league embarrassment that deserves to be shoved deep into the closet next to shoot-outs. And what if the Coyotes won the cup? With the league owning the team. Would Bettman get his own name on the Cup?
Plus... Montreal Canadien home games. It happens next week and they may have their hands full in their series, but there is no energy like a Montreal Canadien home game during the Stanley Cup playoffs. The singing... the cheering... the history... it’s magical. And that’s just my view from watching on TV. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be there.
Minus... Gary Bettman. Two months away from watching the little shrew hand over a magnificent trophy to a hockey team. Every time he does it, it just feels wrong. And I’ve gained respect for those captains who have snatched it from him without a picture pose.
Plus... Quadruple Overtime. The most memorable hockey marathon I’ve sat through was between the Islanders and Capitals in 1987. Kelly Hrudey made more than 75 saves and Pat LaFontaine scored the winner when it appeared everyone was on the verge of zombie states on consciousness. And, in Newfoundland, it was almost 4:00 AM when the game came to an end. Edge of your seat marathon excitement... every game that’s gone to overtime since, I’ve wondered “can this one match that one?”
Monday, April 12, 2010
Making It Up As I Go Along #411 (week)
Story in delay... will post something by Thursday at the latest. Busy time home and busy upon the return to Ottawa... sit down and writing time must be put on hold a few days. It may come sooner than Thursday, if there’s a pocket of create time... otherwise... Thursday it’ll be. After that, it’s back to things as regular next Sunday.
MONDAY...
--- Out around with mom and dad. Chapters to check out some books and a drive around.
TUESDAY...
--- Home alone in the morning as mom and dad both have their lives to do. Lunch at Tim's with dad after he's back. Hot turkey sandwiches with mom for supper. Mostly around the house day.
WEDNESDAY...
--- Downtown with dad for part of the day. Lunch at Classic Cafe and Signal Hill/Geo Centre run after that. The wind... It's still here.
--- Run to Middle Cove for a look around then down to Wayne and Sylvia's for supper. Got some Austrailia gifts from them.
--- Republic of Doyle season finale ends the night.
THURSDAY...
--- Lunch with Wince and Brenda, mom and dad.
--- Download some movies to my Touch. Best in Show and Rare Birds being my first two.
--- Knee is probably the best today that it's been since hurting it. Which is funny considering the last two or three days felt worse than the previous couple of weeks.
FRIDAY...
--- Out around the bay with dad. To Harbour Grace, Carbonnear and drive through Freshwater. Meet up with Del and Colin for lunch and then hang out some with Del while his son plays hockey at Harbour Grace. Haven't seen Del in more than a year I think. So it's good.
--- Venice Pizza with the folks. In Ottawa it's Louis'... In St. John's it's Venice.
SATURDAY...
--- Lunch with Craig followed by a trip to Fred's Records. Then supper out with mom and dad. Atlantica may have given me the best meal I've eaten in a restaurant. Great food with a view out over the sea towards Bell Island.
--- Look through the record collection while watching hockey. A lot of records I'd like to get back to Ottawa. We'll see what the packing will say.
MONDAY...
--- Out around with mom and dad. Chapters to check out some books and a drive around.
TUESDAY...
--- Home alone in the morning as mom and dad both have their lives to do. Lunch at Tim's with dad after he's back. Hot turkey sandwiches with mom for supper. Mostly around the house day.
WEDNESDAY...
--- Downtown with dad for part of the day. Lunch at Classic Cafe and Signal Hill/Geo Centre run after that. The wind... It's still here.
--- Run to Middle Cove for a look around then down to Wayne and Sylvia's for supper. Got some Austrailia gifts from them.
--- Republic of Doyle season finale ends the night.
THURSDAY...
--- Lunch with Wince and Brenda, mom and dad.
--- Download some movies to my Touch. Best in Show and Rare Birds being my first two.
--- Knee is probably the best today that it's been since hurting it. Which is funny considering the last two or three days felt worse than the previous couple of weeks.
FRIDAY...
--- Out around the bay with dad. To Harbour Grace, Carbonnear and drive through Freshwater. Meet up with Del and Colin for lunch and then hang out some with Del while his son plays hockey at Harbour Grace. Haven't seen Del in more than a year I think. So it's good.
--- Venice Pizza with the folks. In Ottawa it's Louis'... In St. John's it's Venice.
SATURDAY...
--- Lunch with Craig followed by a trip to Fred's Records. Then supper out with mom and dad. Atlantica may have given me the best meal I've eaten in a restaurant. Great food with a view out over the sea towards Bell Island.
--- Look through the record collection while watching hockey. A lot of records I'd like to get back to Ottawa. We'll see what the packing will say.
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Making It Up As I Go Along #410
Home Again, Home Again
Family can make you do silly things. With the temperatures climbing in Ottawa, I ran out of town. Off to St. John's! And quickly, I'm flying over top of still frozen ponds and lakes... flying over hilltops, where the lee side continues to hold snow. All to get home to family.
Truth be told, the last minutes of my flight were enough to ensure my wanting to go back. Flying along the coastline... along the Cape Spear trail... directly over jagged outcrops of rock, sticking straight from the sea with foaming waters swirlling along the base. I'm sitting in a chair, looking out a window, several thousand feet over this... better than an HD programming.
And truth continue to be told, yesterday in St. John's was by no means bad weather. Sun and around 15... there's nothing wrong with that.
But still, it was 28 in Ottawa the day before. And supposed to be 29 the day I left. And there really still is ice and snow on the ponds and hills.
The main reason for the trip was indeed family. Mom's idea to surprise dad took form just this past week. And I left the heat and braved the airports in order for this to occur. And it was fun to do. Walking in on him as he and mom discussed lunch... making my suggestion of Bidgoods. It was worth the early wake up and trip to a place half as warm as where I left. There'll be plenty of time for sleeping in and lazing about in thirty degee weather.
Yet there's another sacrifice I have made in coming here. Now, with a battered knee leaving me unable to run or jump or twist and turn... where weight is something to be watched closer now than ever before... I've come to the place where it's most easy to put on said weight. Most St. John's trips include a weight gain of a pound a day. Too much food being laid out for the special occasion of my return. An eight day trip could mean eight extra pounds... and with my current knee situation, eight pounds could be as eighty.
So instead of being in Ottawa, eating a tin of beans or a medlay of yougurt, cheese, and crackers to go with a banana. I've come to St. John's... where mom has already purchased the Easter turkey... borrowing from A Christmas Carol... "The one as big as me!" And Sylvia has already promised home made apple pie that'll go nicely with our Boston Cream Pie.
I starve myself in preparation.
So it'll take effort. Smaller portions and thurough chewing. Perhaps I'll be able to return to Ottawa without a larger pant size.
Either way, the risk is worth it... thanks to the reward... of flying over top of monolithic sea stacks... and suggesting a lunch destination to my father.
MONDAY...
— Busy day. Work... lunch across with Melissa.
— After work, off to Future Shop and spending my birthday/Christmas presents from Edena and family. Gift cards with some of my own money get me an iPod Touch and a Playstation 3. Spend the rest of the evening getting the Touch set up.
TUESDAY...
— Work until 1:30... then off to physio. Get the feeling of the first tone of doubt by the physiotherapist today. He asks me, mistakenly, when I’ll get my MRI. And then when we talk about the fact that my healing plateaued a for about a week but then started improving again, he grimaced as if the idea of that plateau is a bad sign. So now it’s time to take the brace off for a bit (it’s off when I’m home anyway) and test the pain factor without it.
WEDNESDAY...
— Wearing down. Day shift tires me out. Funny cause I’m sleeping alright at night. But not so productive during the day. It takes more effort for sure.
— Drinks and food with Laura and Janice and Cara Lea after work. Nice seeing Laura again and nice of them to get me a birthday supper.
— Note... four way stops in excess are dangerous. I drove home where there are several four way stops in a row. But the last one, I only assumed to be a four way... lulled into a false sense... and made an oncoming driving less than happy with my venturing out in front of him. Whew.
THURSDAY...
— Slept in. 45 minutes after the alarm went off, I got up. A rush to work... still get in on time.
— Physio in the afternoon and then the Playstation 3 gets hooked up tonight. Watch some TV.
FRIDAY...
— Warm day. Up to about 28. But I stay in and do laundry and take it easy around the house.
SATURDAY...
— Up early and off to the airport for a 7:00 flight home. Porter Airlines is really good. Nice flights.
— Surprise dad at home, then to Bidgoods for lunch, a drive to and walk around Cape Spear (the knee makes it) and then home for Ches's fish and chips and hanging out in the evening.
Family can make you do silly things. With the temperatures climbing in Ottawa, I ran out of town. Off to St. John's! And quickly, I'm flying over top of still frozen ponds and lakes... flying over hilltops, where the lee side continues to hold snow. All to get home to family.
Truth be told, the last minutes of my flight were enough to ensure my wanting to go back. Flying along the coastline... along the Cape Spear trail... directly over jagged outcrops of rock, sticking straight from the sea with foaming waters swirlling along the base. I'm sitting in a chair, looking out a window, several thousand feet over this... better than an HD programming.
And truth continue to be told, yesterday in St. John's was by no means bad weather. Sun and around 15... there's nothing wrong with that.
But still, it was 28 in Ottawa the day before. And supposed to be 29 the day I left. And there really still is ice and snow on the ponds and hills.
The main reason for the trip was indeed family. Mom's idea to surprise dad took form just this past week. And I left the heat and braved the airports in order for this to occur. And it was fun to do. Walking in on him as he and mom discussed lunch... making my suggestion of Bidgoods. It was worth the early wake up and trip to a place half as warm as where I left. There'll be plenty of time for sleeping in and lazing about in thirty degee weather.
Yet there's another sacrifice I have made in coming here. Now, with a battered knee leaving me unable to run or jump or twist and turn... where weight is something to be watched closer now than ever before... I've come to the place where it's most easy to put on said weight. Most St. John's trips include a weight gain of a pound a day. Too much food being laid out for the special occasion of my return. An eight day trip could mean eight extra pounds... and with my current knee situation, eight pounds could be as eighty.
So instead of being in Ottawa, eating a tin of beans or a medlay of yougurt, cheese, and crackers to go with a banana. I've come to St. John's... where mom has already purchased the Easter turkey... borrowing from A Christmas Carol... "The one as big as me!" And Sylvia has already promised home made apple pie that'll go nicely with our Boston Cream Pie.
I starve myself in preparation.
So it'll take effort. Smaller portions and thurough chewing. Perhaps I'll be able to return to Ottawa without a larger pant size.
Either way, the risk is worth it... thanks to the reward... of flying over top of monolithic sea stacks... and suggesting a lunch destination to my father.
MONDAY...
— Busy day. Work... lunch across with Melissa.
— After work, off to Future Shop and spending my birthday/Christmas presents from Edena and family. Gift cards with some of my own money get me an iPod Touch and a Playstation 3. Spend the rest of the evening getting the Touch set up.
TUESDAY...
— Work until 1:30... then off to physio. Get the feeling of the first tone of doubt by the physiotherapist today. He asks me, mistakenly, when I’ll get my MRI. And then when we talk about the fact that my healing plateaued a for about a week but then started improving again, he grimaced as if the idea of that plateau is a bad sign. So now it’s time to take the brace off for a bit (it’s off when I’m home anyway) and test the pain factor without it.
WEDNESDAY...
— Wearing down. Day shift tires me out. Funny cause I’m sleeping alright at night. But not so productive during the day. It takes more effort for sure.
— Drinks and food with Laura and Janice and Cara Lea after work. Nice seeing Laura again and nice of them to get me a birthday supper.
— Note... four way stops in excess are dangerous. I drove home where there are several four way stops in a row. But the last one, I only assumed to be a four way... lulled into a false sense... and made an oncoming driving less than happy with my venturing out in front of him. Whew.
THURSDAY...
— Slept in. 45 minutes after the alarm went off, I got up. A rush to work... still get in on time.
— Physio in the afternoon and then the Playstation 3 gets hooked up tonight. Watch some TV.
FRIDAY...
— Warm day. Up to about 28. But I stay in and do laundry and take it easy around the house.
SATURDAY...
— Up early and off to the airport for a 7:00 flight home. Porter Airlines is really good. Nice flights.
— Surprise dad at home, then to Bidgoods for lunch, a drive to and walk around Cape Spear (the knee makes it) and then home for Ches's fish and chips and hanging out in the evening.
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