Making It Up As I Go Along #419

Burning Ottawa
Distant fires feel so close.
Smokey haze hangs throughout.
Rising sun, a climbing spot of blood

The smell hangs with the haze.
Flashing memories of fire.
In house, on beach, at camp.

Home fires crackling a blanket of warmth.
Sitting cross-legged and staring.
A dog curled alongside, content.

Gathered with family by the sea.
Watching flames climb higher than me.
Watching the light dance upon an uncle’s face.

Around the camp fire.
Passing on stories of fun and horror.
Slurping roast mussels that had been sea harvested hours ago.


MONDAY...
— Fires in Quebec make it smokey in Ottawa. Haze makes for a nice sunrise and it smells like campfire for much of the day.
— Physio is a pain. I’m forgotten or over looked three times and this extends my stay to make it a 2 hour 45 minute time. Forget my water bottle when I leave so I go back, get some groceries while I’m in the area, and also a shwarma from Yala Yala. Makes the return worth it.

TUESDAY...
— Proof it’s easy to make a story in hockey. Chris Pronger took the winning pucks away from the Black Hawks in the first two games of the finals. And it’s talked about more than any other issue from the two games. It’s nothing.
— Knee is a bit tired today. No pain but just feels a little stiffer than the past few days. Give and take.

WEDNESDAY...
— Annoying day at work. I just generally work better in the evening. Plus I’d kill for a cubical rather than working in this bloody open concept.
— Physio is good and a little thunder storm in the evening catches the attention.
— Poor Armando Galarraga in Detroit. Got robbed of a perfect game by a horrible call with two out in the ninth. But good for Jim Joyce (the ump) who really stood up and took responsibility. Both men acting with class, understanding and respect. Feel bad for both of them. Much more inspiring story than “who took the game puck at the end of the hockey game” silliness. Good example of why baseball is edging hockey in my books.

THURSDAY...
— Before work, I watch the Bettman vs McLean interview online. Gary Bettman is another reason why baseball is edging hockey. Slime. And I’ve never seen a sports league so willing to take it’s biggest fans for granted. The NHL bows to American network TV and cling to the hope of American dollars, all the while thinking “Whatever we decide, Canada will be there”. This attitude will come back to haunt the NHL someday. Probably will take another couple of work stoppages though.

FRIDAY...
— Empty office, more or less. Five people in all of QC with another two or three in certification. Weird... but makes my day better.
— Physio is pretty good. Knee feels good but I have to fight and concentrate to make it through this new treadmill program. Didn’t want to fly off the back of it.
— Some baseball... less hockey... and some of the Olympic blue rays I got... that’s the evening.

SATURDAY...
— Quiet day. Escape From Alcatraz... first time I ever saw the movie. Never realized how many ideas Shawshank Redemption borrowed from it.
— Some baseball on TV and much on the video game. Fun times in the most realistic baseball game I’ve ever played. I’m playing in AA ball and struggling. Was in the Blue Jays system but they traded me for Ted Lilly. I guess, in video game world, Toronto is making a push for a playoff spot. And I’m off to play for the Cubs AA team instead.