Weekends… to Extend or Not to Extend
Friday Night out. It’s been a while since I’ve been out and about on a Friday night. This time with Melissa.
Pick her up and work and off to supper. Meat pie, fried Mars bars, plunked down at a table partially divided from another pair. It’s one of these where there is a wall put in between the two of us at floor to table top levels. And then there’s a frame above that, where a wall could continue. But there the guys are within three feet of us.
Actually, with the frame, it almost appears as if we’re eating next to a mirror. But instead of our reflections, there are the forms of two skinny French guys… It’s as if Melissa and I have taken on new personas… or perhaps we’ve always been skinny French men, and have simply lived with the delusions of Anglo baldness… or, in Melissa’s case, Anglo womanhood.
From supper we transform back into our more accustomed selves and drive over to the 67’s hockey game. This is the first OHL game I’ve been to since moving to Ottawa almost eight years ago… and second one I’ve ever been to.
Two things that stand out to me right away. (1) Ottawa is an odd city in which the Major Junior hockey team is considerably cooler in style and persona than the NHL franchise. And (2) An old, unique hockey stadium within the heart of the city is exponentially better than a massive cookie cutter model in the middle of nowhere.
The stadium is tucked under the old football stands of Frank Claire Stadium. As such, the stands on one end of the building are cut off by the overhang of football history. On this side, there are only about a dozen rows of seats from the ice surface to the top. But on the other side of the ice, our stands climb high above with probably a good fifty rows from the ice to the top.
The lack of symmetry makes for interesting lines. Some corporate boxes tuck into corners of the building and even when the action on the ice stops, there’s something interesting to look at.
And outside of the bowl, where the outer halls are alive with wandering people, the entire outer wall is built of glass. Allowing you to look out into the wintery night.
Down at the end of the outer lobby, a live band plays Neil Young music during the second intermission. The NHL Senators could only dream of such coolness.
After checking out some merchandise… seeing the hockey card stands and passing up the mini donuts due to our continued fullness of the pre-game meal, we return to the game for the third period.
My only complaint about the 67’s games is the cheerleaders. I’m all for cute girls within my field of view. But there’s something simply wrong about teenage girls dressed in tight fitting clothes and wiggling to the music between puck drops. This does no good to anybody at the game. The girls aren’t doing anything to motivate fans to cheer louder. They’re in the way and bordering on exploitation.
And really, the only reason cheerleaders are ever needed in any sporting event is if the sport itself can’t hold the attention. Hockey is a fast paced game… cheerleaders are distractions, nothing more. It’s never a good idea for them to be at a hockey game.
That said, the night at the game is good fun. The 67’s win 7-4. Action is much more end to end than in the stifling defensive systems of the NHL. And the departure is not nearly as painful as the stand still lines of cars of the NHL games.
After hockey, we head to the Blackburn Arms pub and meet up with Larry and Terry. Larry’s birthday is being celebrated with some drinks and the four of us sit in a booth, discussing music and work. Cajun style French fries come out… the pros and cons of malt vinegar are discussed and I drive everyone home shortly after midnight.
And so I sit on a Saturday afternoon. Contemplating taking time off work on Sunday and Monday… adding two days to my weekend and shortening my work week to two as well. With Wild Horses playing in the background and a winter white sky which blends perfectly with the snow covered roofs of the neighbouring houses.
A nice and relaxing Saturday following an enjoyable Friday evening. Who wouldn’t want to extend such weekends?
SATURDAY…
--- Work is pretty quiet most of the day and I’m alone. It seems both my partners are now sick… oh dear.
SUNDAY…
--- Alone again at work. Another slowish day. No ball for me as work and the ball schedule collide. Ah well, good for the hip.
--- Some TV and hockey pool stuff after work. Fairly easy going day.
MONDAY…
--- Work nights alone. Kept pretty busy until late but nothing too out of control.
TUESDAY…
--- Quiet around the house before night shift. Got Mark with me tonight at work… so the loneliness is over.
WEDNESDAY…
--- Some easing into the day then off to meet Laura and Janice for a drink and bite to eat. Good catching up with Laura. And longest I’ve spoken to Janice is months too.
--- Some TV in the evening.
THURSDAY…
--- Home day. All my writing is now moved to the Mac from the old laptop. And backed up on my external drive. Took a bit of time as I had hundreds of files saved in WordPerfect… and Mac won’t read it. So saved to Word on the old laptop and then shared folders and saved in new spaces… and voila, All done.
FRIDAY…
--- Get Melissa after she’s done work. Go for supper and then some junior hockey. The 67s beat Barrie 7-4 in a fun game. The cool hockey team in Ottawa isn’t the NHL team… it’s the junior one. A unique and classic name… cool old building in the heart of the city… classy uniforms… a live band in the lobby during intermissions. After hockey we meet Larry and Terry for some drinks at the Blackburn Arms. A nice night.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Making It Up As I Go Along #449
I Need
I need a vacation.
Of course there’s never a time that people say they don’t need a vacation. But sometimes, four days away just isn’t enough… and this is one of those times.
I need a humidifier.
Every winter I say I need to get one and every spring I decide it’s not that big a deal. Yesterday I lit my room in electric blue with pain… just by touching my light switch… and it never even turned on.
I need summer.
The older I get, the less winter does for me. Bundling up, brushing cars off, scraper, waiting for the heater, wet mud floors each morning at work. The good of winter is far outweighed by the bad.
I need a smoke.
Four words I’ve never said… and meant.
I need a fireplace.
The plug in variety is nice and all, but just isn’t the same. The crackles, the quite muffled woofing sound of flame, the smell and the real heat. So much more peaceful than the furnace cutting in.
I need hair.
So says the TV commercials. No hair makes you the buffoon in advertising. Alone, unable to get by, always losing no matter how hard you try, losing to that guy with a full head of hair… who wins without even realizing there’s a competition going on.
I need no gray in my hair.
Same said TV commercials pick on the graying in society as well. These people must hide their gray in order to show their true self! Without the hiding, people will only see the gray… and a one way trip on an ice pan won’t be far behind.
I need less TV time.
Life is happier when you don’t have strangers interrupting your day, telling you that you’re inadequate, and that if you pay them money, they’ll make you feel alright.
I need less Sarah Palin.
The scary part isn’t that she’s such a delusional idiot. It’s the knowing that there are millions of people out there that believe her.
I need more inspiration.
Saw a clip of John F Kennedy’s speech yesterday, where he says “ask not what your country can do for you…” And I realized if such words were spoken by a leader today, Fox News and conspiracy bloggers would tear the leader to shreds proclaiming Socialism and hidden agendas.
I need a dog.
Keeps it nice and simple and pure. Rub my tummy! Feed me! So nice to have you home! Who doesn’t love a dog.
I need a motorcycle.
Wait… no I don’t.
I need a steering wheel for my coffee table.
Cause that would make Gran Turismo racing game go from great to perfection.
I need…. I need… hmmm… I need.
FRIDAY…
--- Lunch at work is a farewell luncheon for Annick… off to another job in another building. Too bad for us… good for her. Good Italian food to be had today.
--- Work is busy. Lots of stuff coming in.
SATURDAY…
--- Pretty slow day at work. I’m tired most of the day and it snows… some ten centimetres or so.
SUNDAY…
--- Some lazing… an afternoon nap… off to ball. We win this week but the turf is murder on joints. My hip flexors are screaming by the end.
--- Work is fine, a bit slow. And cold… -24 in the car coming home Monday morning.
MONDAY…
--- Sleep until noon. No afternoon nap. Busy at work too. Pretty much non-stop until 1:30 in the morning.
--- Got the 1987 Canada Cup DVDs in the mail today. Ooooo baby.
TUESDAY…
--- Up fairly early for coming off night shift. Before 11:00.
--- Lots of video games. Back to my baseball and hockey for the first time in a month. Fun stuff.
--- Spaghetti. Use some of Ruby’s sauce that was in my freezer. Good eats.
WEDNESDAY…
--- Quiet day. Some more video games… Gran Turismo is pretty wild. And I now own a Mini Cooper… in video game form anyway.
THURSDAY…
--- Sick of self centred meat heads. Fine when they leave me be… annoying when they bring their drama my way.
--- groceries and some TV today.
I need a vacation.
Of course there’s never a time that people say they don’t need a vacation. But sometimes, four days away just isn’t enough… and this is one of those times.
I need a humidifier.
Every winter I say I need to get one and every spring I decide it’s not that big a deal. Yesterday I lit my room in electric blue with pain… just by touching my light switch… and it never even turned on.
I need summer.
The older I get, the less winter does for me. Bundling up, brushing cars off, scraper, waiting for the heater, wet mud floors each morning at work. The good of winter is far outweighed by the bad.
I need a smoke.
Four words I’ve never said… and meant.
I need a fireplace.
The plug in variety is nice and all, but just isn’t the same. The crackles, the quite muffled woofing sound of flame, the smell and the real heat. So much more peaceful than the furnace cutting in.
I need hair.
So says the TV commercials. No hair makes you the buffoon in advertising. Alone, unable to get by, always losing no matter how hard you try, losing to that guy with a full head of hair… who wins without even realizing there’s a competition going on.
I need no gray in my hair.
Same said TV commercials pick on the graying in society as well. These people must hide their gray in order to show their true self! Without the hiding, people will only see the gray… and a one way trip on an ice pan won’t be far behind.
I need less TV time.
Life is happier when you don’t have strangers interrupting your day, telling you that you’re inadequate, and that if you pay them money, they’ll make you feel alright.
I need less Sarah Palin.
The scary part isn’t that she’s such a delusional idiot. It’s the knowing that there are millions of people out there that believe her.
I need more inspiration.
Saw a clip of John F Kennedy’s speech yesterday, where he says “ask not what your country can do for you…” And I realized if such words were spoken by a leader today, Fox News and conspiracy bloggers would tear the leader to shreds proclaiming Socialism and hidden agendas.
I need a dog.
Keeps it nice and simple and pure. Rub my tummy! Feed me! So nice to have you home! Who doesn’t love a dog.
I need a motorcycle.
Wait… no I don’t.
I need a steering wheel for my coffee table.
Cause that would make Gran Turismo racing game go from great to perfection.
I need…. I need… hmmm… I need.
FRIDAY…
--- Lunch at work is a farewell luncheon for Annick… off to another job in another building. Too bad for us… good for her. Good Italian food to be had today.
--- Work is busy. Lots of stuff coming in.
SATURDAY…
--- Pretty slow day at work. I’m tired most of the day and it snows… some ten centimetres or so.
SUNDAY…
--- Some lazing… an afternoon nap… off to ball. We win this week but the turf is murder on joints. My hip flexors are screaming by the end.
--- Work is fine, a bit slow. And cold… -24 in the car coming home Monday morning.
MONDAY…
--- Sleep until noon. No afternoon nap. Busy at work too. Pretty much non-stop until 1:30 in the morning.
--- Got the 1987 Canada Cup DVDs in the mail today. Ooooo baby.
TUESDAY…
--- Up fairly early for coming off night shift. Before 11:00.
--- Lots of video games. Back to my baseball and hockey for the first time in a month. Fun stuff.
--- Spaghetti. Use some of Ruby’s sauce that was in my freezer. Good eats.
WEDNESDAY…
--- Quiet day. Some more video games… Gran Turismo is pretty wild. And I now own a Mini Cooper… in video game form anyway.
THURSDAY…
--- Sick of self centred meat heads. Fine when they leave me be… annoying when they bring their drama my way.
--- groceries and some TV today.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Making It Up As I Go Along #448
Twenty-Five Years of Ball
Bending joints filled with cotton.
Tightly packed
Stiff
With dreams of fluid lightness.
Bendy freedom
Whispy.
Achy joints filled with looseness.
Protesting the cereal cupboard
Catching ever so slightly
On a rotating hinge
Unhappy in bed
When positioned
Just so.
Clicking joints filled with weakness.
Once happily playing the Fonz
Now needing an extra effort to bend
With a tiny pop pushing it on its way
Cautiously hoping to avoid
Another backwards slam
It surely won’t
Survive.
THURSDAY…
--- Back to work. I’m a bit slow going to start… being the last of the three of us to make it in.
--- Some hockey on TV after work.
FRIDAY…
--- Lunch with Shannon and Annick and work is ok but weather makes the drive home long… 45 minutes getting there.
--- Some TV for stay up late night.
SATURDAY…
--- Some TV, a movie and some shows on the PVR… afternoon nap… some podcasts in bed… and then get ready for night shift at work.
SUNDAY…
--- We lose the first game of Winter Ball… and it’s largely my fault. 4-5 errors in the field cost us more than my hits give. Also, my hip is quite tender after it’s all over. Strained a little something in there.
--- Work is pretty slow and I get some gas before hitting home for a 6:35 AM bedtime.
MONDAY…
--- Wake and up by 11ish. Hip is still a bit tight but not too bad. Some hockey pool stuff and a movie in the late morning/early afternoon. Green Zone is pretty good. I think it likely oversimplifies issues around Iraq and the military, but still solid.
TUESDAY…
--- I think the Montreal Canadiens are becoming retarded. Officially stating that your player is out with an “inner body injury” is probably the stupidest thing said in hockey this year. I think all members of the sports media should be given free reign to make up injuries when teams get this vague. So, with that in mind, Mike Cammalleri is out day to day… with Polio.
WEDNESDAY…
--- Some TV and groceries during the day with laundry in there as well. Nick over to watch the hockey game in the evening.
Bending joints filled with cotton.
Tightly packed
Stiff
With dreams of fluid lightness.
Bendy freedom
Whispy.
Achy joints filled with looseness.
Protesting the cereal cupboard
Catching ever so slightly
On a rotating hinge
Unhappy in bed
When positioned
Just so.
Clicking joints filled with weakness.
Once happily playing the Fonz
Now needing an extra effort to bend
With a tiny pop pushing it on its way
Cautiously hoping to avoid
Another backwards slam
It surely won’t
Survive.
THURSDAY…
--- Back to work. I’m a bit slow going to start… being the last of the three of us to make it in.
--- Some hockey on TV after work.
FRIDAY…
--- Lunch with Shannon and Annick and work is ok but weather makes the drive home long… 45 minutes getting there.
--- Some TV for stay up late night.
SATURDAY…
--- Some TV, a movie and some shows on the PVR… afternoon nap… some podcasts in bed… and then get ready for night shift at work.
SUNDAY…
--- We lose the first game of Winter Ball… and it’s largely my fault. 4-5 errors in the field cost us more than my hits give. Also, my hip is quite tender after it’s all over. Strained a little something in there.
--- Work is pretty slow and I get some gas before hitting home for a 6:35 AM bedtime.
MONDAY…
--- Wake and up by 11ish. Hip is still a bit tight but not too bad. Some hockey pool stuff and a movie in the late morning/early afternoon. Green Zone is pretty good. I think it likely oversimplifies issues around Iraq and the military, but still solid.
TUESDAY…
--- I think the Montreal Canadiens are becoming retarded. Officially stating that your player is out with an “inner body injury” is probably the stupidest thing said in hockey this year. I think all members of the sports media should be given free reign to make up injuries when teams get this vague. So, with that in mind, Mike Cammalleri is out day to day… with Polio.
WEDNESDAY…
--- Some TV and groceries during the day with laundry in there as well. Nick over to watch the hockey game in the evening.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Making It Up As I Go Along #447
There and back again…
No, it’s not a Hobbit’s Tale. It’s my trip to Newfoundland.
Few trips home have gone by as quickly as this, one of my longest trips. Eleven days felt like four. I didn’t run around too crazily, trying to get everything in… yet still I did most things I like to do.
Yes there were friends not seen. Bev and Joanne being two examples. But still, time was spent with Dave and Del and Craig and Jim. And multi visits were had with family… seeing Wayne and Sylvia several times, and Wince and family as well.
The trip began as a great Tolken like journey. With no time for sleep, I meet Paula and Eddie and venture to the airport with them in a beer buzz state.
The plane ride home is a smooth thing. Good weather, apart from some strong Halifax winds, and my head is bobbing much of the way. Working the night shift previously, meant I’m flying not having slept at all since 3:15 the previous afternoon.
Yet I perk up off the plane. And only sleep for a few moments on it.
Still, after a fine supper of fish, some cookies for desert and some sofa time with the TV while mom and dad are at church, I’m falling asleep by 8:00 and decide to head to bed at 8:30 Christmas Eve night.
By 3:30 Christmas morning, I’m awake. Totally out of sync, I lay there for two hours… refusing to get up.
It’s a battle for sanity, much as the battle between those Lord of the Rings characters and that precious ring itself. A see saw fight for survival. Rise in the wee hours, never getting back on track sleep wise… or fight… fight to sleep more on this night.
Good wins over evil and I fall back asleep for about two hours… finally up for good at 8:30 AM… a twelve hour time in the bed.
Christmas Day with mom and dad is nice and fairly quiet. We take turns opening gifts and share in the thoughts and experiences. I think of those I know who don’t believe in gifts… who’d rather just give and receive a case of beer and save the $100… and I’m glad I’m where I am on this Christmas morning.
Wince and Wayne and all the significant others join us for supper… and Christmas is a fine one.
Many experiences stand out over the time home.
There is the trip to Cape Spear. In the middle of winter yet with bright blue skies, light winds, and a temperature hovering around 5 degrees. We wander the cliffs without gloves and winter coat, chasing Killdeers (a small bird) and watching distant great waves breaking on the coastline.
Lunch is had after this, and fries, dressing and gravy double nicely with some pea soup.
There are our New Years fireworks. While the main show at the lakefront were postponed, we had a local show from the sunroom. Sitting there, sipping on bubbly wine, and looking across at the show put on by a neighbour. Twenty minutes worth of store bought fireworks… rising into the air as a flare… and turning the black of night into faint shades of red, green, yellow and gold as each flare pops, lingers for a moment, then descends slowly, fading from existence within seconds. It is the greatest home fireworks display of all time.
There is the movie extravaganza. Three great films in five days. The first, True Grit, watched with five of us there. One of the best westerns I’ve seen, and the best one I’ve seen on the big screen.
The second is the King’s Speech. Three of us go to see top notch acting… tension and drama, smiles and admiration… all emotions created without the use of CGI, explosions, or catch phrases. The night of this movie gives us a New Years meal at Wince’s, followed by cards and snow.
Yes, it was a green Christmas, but there was snow for New Years… and the drive home is a little slippery that night.
The last movie is seen two days later, with just dad and me. The snow, in typical Newfoundland fashion, is gone again. Fog and drizzle make short work of it. And we go see the Fighter. Another great movie, with darkness, struggle, and inspiration all rolled into one. And the most realistic fight scenes I’ve seen in any boxing movie.
There was also the trip to Outer Cove. A visit with Jim and the family. And my first time out on the trails with them… venturing out behind their home, through the woods and to the coast. Nothing was seen that day. The fog and drizzle mentioned regarding the Fighter is the same as here. Upon reaching the coast, we look out into a sea of cloud. The ocean can be heard beneath us… but is never seen. And yet such a thing can be as magical as when you can see everything. Jim and I standing atop a cliff, he sweeping a lanky arm as he explains, on a clear day, all in front of us would be the sea… he’s as Moses… proclaiming for me to “Behold”. Rarely can the view of nothing be so inspiring.
We walk the winding path. Coming to sections where rock face falls away into mist. Having shadowy silhouettes of his boys reminding us to be careful of the wood here, or the rock there… “It’s slippery!”
There was pizza with Del and Fish. Hanging out eating as in days gone by. Only when then, we’d finish up the food for a round of poker, now we’re doing it with Del’s boys playing video game hockey downstairs… while the youngest is crankily crying, not happy about his nap time.
And there was lunch with Craig. A venture downtown. A meal at the Ship. Entering the pub with only a bartender in one corner, and a pair playing pool near the entrance. You almost feel as though you’re intruding, but we’re welcomed in, able to sit in privacy, and share pints of local draft as we eat and talk. Such a time is made perfect by a stroll down the road, to Fred’s Records. Neither of us buys anything there on this day… but Fred’s is a wonderful place, even when it’s just for looking.
So much more goes on. A Christmas Carol watched as a family… Alastair Sim as Scrooge brings smiles at just the right times… even for those watching for the 30th time. World Junior Hockey… watched sometimes alone… sometimes with just dad… and sometimes with family gathered around. All in the shadow of the Christmas Tree… with mixed nuts to be cracked open within arms reach.
And then it’s all over. A flight delay allowing me to see Wince and Brenda one last time, as they pop by for a visit to my parents, surprised to see me there. And allowing me a five minute meet with cousin Jeremy… seen for the first time in years… as passing ships… in the night… that is my parents house. He arriving for supper just as I prepare to head to the airport.
And music plays within my ears as I fly over a perfectly clear nighttime vista of Sydney NS before Halifax… and some of the small towns along the outskirts of Montreal before the final landing in Ottawa. A peaceful moment, looking down into the evening of a town… with Tom Waits music in the ear, 30,000 feet up, and travelling along at more than 600 km/h.
There’s always much magic… at Christmas Time.
WEDNESDAY…
--- Brilliant day. Sun and 5 degrees. We head to Cape Spear for a walk about. Over to Bidgoods for lunch. Out to the GeoCentre for a look around at rocks and such. A drive to Middle Cove for a look about there. And then home for supper and hanging about.
THURSDAY…
--- Movie night. Mom and dad and I hit the mall for supper… than meet Sylvia and Wayne for True Grit. Good western.
FRIDAY…
--- New Years eve visit to Del’s in the afternoon. Fish and I go and get pizza with Del.
--- Evening at home with mom and dad and the Crockers. Nice supper, some TV for me while they play cards, and some fireworks in the neighbourhood ring in the new year.
SATURDAY…
--- Another movie. An afternoon show with mom and dad… the King’s Speech is very good… likely will be the cause to shut out True Grit when it comes to Academy Awards.
--- From there to Wince’s for supper with he, Brenda, Christine, Peter and Kelly. Some cards afterwards and too much food.
--- Drive home is a bit slick as around 5 cm of snow fall while we’re at Wince’s.
SUNDAY…
--- Don’t leave the house today. Some TV and computer stuff… lots of hockey. supper with Paula, Sandra, the husbands and kids joining mom, dad and I.
--- After the crew leave, we watch some Mad Men on Netflix. A nice evening.
MONDAY…
--- Out to Jim’s. Go for a hike with he and the boys in the fog, some street hockey, and then hanging for a little.
--- Dad and I do the movies. The Fighter is good… quite good… although compared to True Grit and the King’s Speech, it’s likely third. Still, I may have seen 3 of the 5 best movies of the past year in the past week.
--- Canada vs. USA junior hockey ends the day.
TUESDAY…
--- Travel day. First a great lunch with mom and dad. New local place with great sea food.
--- Flight delays in St. John’s set things back about an hour and a half… more delays on the tarmac in Halifax (just waiting for a couple of people to reach the plane… blah. All in all, I arrive in Ottawa about two hours late.
--- Unpack everything, get some groceries, and off to bed.
No, it’s not a Hobbit’s Tale. It’s my trip to Newfoundland.
Few trips home have gone by as quickly as this, one of my longest trips. Eleven days felt like four. I didn’t run around too crazily, trying to get everything in… yet still I did most things I like to do.
Yes there were friends not seen. Bev and Joanne being two examples. But still, time was spent with Dave and Del and Craig and Jim. And multi visits were had with family… seeing Wayne and Sylvia several times, and Wince and family as well.
The trip began as a great Tolken like journey. With no time for sleep, I meet Paula and Eddie and venture to the airport with them in a beer buzz state.
The plane ride home is a smooth thing. Good weather, apart from some strong Halifax winds, and my head is bobbing much of the way. Working the night shift previously, meant I’m flying not having slept at all since 3:15 the previous afternoon.
Yet I perk up off the plane. And only sleep for a few moments on it.
Still, after a fine supper of fish, some cookies for desert and some sofa time with the TV while mom and dad are at church, I’m falling asleep by 8:00 and decide to head to bed at 8:30 Christmas Eve night.
By 3:30 Christmas morning, I’m awake. Totally out of sync, I lay there for two hours… refusing to get up.
It’s a battle for sanity, much as the battle between those Lord of the Rings characters and that precious ring itself. A see saw fight for survival. Rise in the wee hours, never getting back on track sleep wise… or fight… fight to sleep more on this night.
Good wins over evil and I fall back asleep for about two hours… finally up for good at 8:30 AM… a twelve hour time in the bed.
Christmas Day with mom and dad is nice and fairly quiet. We take turns opening gifts and share in the thoughts and experiences. I think of those I know who don’t believe in gifts… who’d rather just give and receive a case of beer and save the $100… and I’m glad I’m where I am on this Christmas morning.
Wince and Wayne and all the significant others join us for supper… and Christmas is a fine one.
Many experiences stand out over the time home.
There is the trip to Cape Spear. In the middle of winter yet with bright blue skies, light winds, and a temperature hovering around 5 degrees. We wander the cliffs without gloves and winter coat, chasing Killdeers (a small bird) and watching distant great waves breaking on the coastline.
Lunch is had after this, and fries, dressing and gravy double nicely with some pea soup.
There are our New Years fireworks. While the main show at the lakefront were postponed, we had a local show from the sunroom. Sitting there, sipping on bubbly wine, and looking across at the show put on by a neighbour. Twenty minutes worth of store bought fireworks… rising into the air as a flare… and turning the black of night into faint shades of red, green, yellow and gold as each flare pops, lingers for a moment, then descends slowly, fading from existence within seconds. It is the greatest home fireworks display of all time.
There is the movie extravaganza. Three great films in five days. The first, True Grit, watched with five of us there. One of the best westerns I’ve seen, and the best one I’ve seen on the big screen.
The second is the King’s Speech. Three of us go to see top notch acting… tension and drama, smiles and admiration… all emotions created without the use of CGI, explosions, or catch phrases. The night of this movie gives us a New Years meal at Wince’s, followed by cards and snow.
Yes, it was a green Christmas, but there was snow for New Years… and the drive home is a little slippery that night.
The last movie is seen two days later, with just dad and me. The snow, in typical Newfoundland fashion, is gone again. Fog and drizzle make short work of it. And we go see the Fighter. Another great movie, with darkness, struggle, and inspiration all rolled into one. And the most realistic fight scenes I’ve seen in any boxing movie.
There was also the trip to Outer Cove. A visit with Jim and the family. And my first time out on the trails with them… venturing out behind their home, through the woods and to the coast. Nothing was seen that day. The fog and drizzle mentioned regarding the Fighter is the same as here. Upon reaching the coast, we look out into a sea of cloud. The ocean can be heard beneath us… but is never seen. And yet such a thing can be as magical as when you can see everything. Jim and I standing atop a cliff, he sweeping a lanky arm as he explains, on a clear day, all in front of us would be the sea… he’s as Moses… proclaiming for me to “Behold”. Rarely can the view of nothing be so inspiring.
We walk the winding path. Coming to sections where rock face falls away into mist. Having shadowy silhouettes of his boys reminding us to be careful of the wood here, or the rock there… “It’s slippery!”
There was pizza with Del and Fish. Hanging out eating as in days gone by. Only when then, we’d finish up the food for a round of poker, now we’re doing it with Del’s boys playing video game hockey downstairs… while the youngest is crankily crying, not happy about his nap time.
And there was lunch with Craig. A venture downtown. A meal at the Ship. Entering the pub with only a bartender in one corner, and a pair playing pool near the entrance. You almost feel as though you’re intruding, but we’re welcomed in, able to sit in privacy, and share pints of local draft as we eat and talk. Such a time is made perfect by a stroll down the road, to Fred’s Records. Neither of us buys anything there on this day… but Fred’s is a wonderful place, even when it’s just for looking.
So much more goes on. A Christmas Carol watched as a family… Alastair Sim as Scrooge brings smiles at just the right times… even for those watching for the 30th time. World Junior Hockey… watched sometimes alone… sometimes with just dad… and sometimes with family gathered around. All in the shadow of the Christmas Tree… with mixed nuts to be cracked open within arms reach.
And then it’s all over. A flight delay allowing me to see Wince and Brenda one last time, as they pop by for a visit to my parents, surprised to see me there. And allowing me a five minute meet with cousin Jeremy… seen for the first time in years… as passing ships… in the night… that is my parents house. He arriving for supper just as I prepare to head to the airport.
And music plays within my ears as I fly over a perfectly clear nighttime vista of Sydney NS before Halifax… and some of the small towns along the outskirts of Montreal before the final landing in Ottawa. A peaceful moment, looking down into the evening of a town… with Tom Waits music in the ear, 30,000 feet up, and travelling along at more than 600 km/h.
There’s always much magic… at Christmas Time.
WEDNESDAY…
--- Brilliant day. Sun and 5 degrees. We head to Cape Spear for a walk about. Over to Bidgoods for lunch. Out to the GeoCentre for a look around at rocks and such. A drive to Middle Cove for a look about there. And then home for supper and hanging about.
THURSDAY…
--- Movie night. Mom and dad and I hit the mall for supper… than meet Sylvia and Wayne for True Grit. Good western.
FRIDAY…
--- New Years eve visit to Del’s in the afternoon. Fish and I go and get pizza with Del.
--- Evening at home with mom and dad and the Crockers. Nice supper, some TV for me while they play cards, and some fireworks in the neighbourhood ring in the new year.
SATURDAY…
--- Another movie. An afternoon show with mom and dad… the King’s Speech is very good… likely will be the cause to shut out True Grit when it comes to Academy Awards.
--- From there to Wince’s for supper with he, Brenda, Christine, Peter and Kelly. Some cards afterwards and too much food.
--- Drive home is a bit slick as around 5 cm of snow fall while we’re at Wince’s.
SUNDAY…
--- Don’t leave the house today. Some TV and computer stuff… lots of hockey. supper with Paula, Sandra, the husbands and kids joining mom, dad and I.
--- After the crew leave, we watch some Mad Men on Netflix. A nice evening.
MONDAY…
--- Out to Jim’s. Go for a hike with he and the boys in the fog, some street hockey, and then hanging for a little.
--- Dad and I do the movies. The Fighter is good… quite good… although compared to True Grit and the King’s Speech, it’s likely third. Still, I may have seen 3 of the 5 best movies of the past year in the past week.
--- Canada vs. USA junior hockey ends the day.
TUESDAY…
--- Travel day. First a great lunch with mom and dad. New local place with great sea food.
--- Flight delays in St. John’s set things back about an hour and a half… more delays on the tarmac in Halifax (just waiting for a couple of people to reach the plane… blah. All in all, I arrive in Ottawa about two hours late.
--- Unpack everything, get some groceries, and off to bed.
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