I could bore you with details of my first day on the new job, but it was really just setting myself up and doing some light subject matter reading. The fun begins tomorrow when we sit down to discuss what I'll be doing.
But instead, I'm going to share with you this: Derek.
If you don't have Netflix, you are missing one of the true delights of television. It's a show that will make you laugh, cry, and just be that much more aware of how amazing life can be. These are characters and sentiments that seem so far removed from your everyday life, but yet you can still relate to them, and that's the simple brilliance of the show.
Tonight, we watched all of season two, and I cried buckets, laughed heartily, and best of all, I was just glad to see the world through such goodhearted eyes.
Watch and enjoy...
...Wish you were here.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Sunday, June 8, 2014
June 8/14
Today is the last day of my vacation. Tomorrow morning, I'll get up, get ready, and go to work. I'll head off to my oversized government complex, arriving sometime around 9 am, and head to the bank of elevators. I'll enter an elevator, and select the third floor. Not the fourth. That's right, tomorrow, I start a new job.
I have to confess, I'm not feeling all that nervous about the change. I've been ready for a new challenge for a while, and I'm coming into this having earned a good deal of confidence from my old and new colleagues. Over three years ago, when I arrived at the department, I was better known as Etienne's girlfriend than I was for my own work; tomorrow, I'll still be known as Etienne's girlfriend (understandable though...I am moving into the same directorate that he's in), but now I'll also be known for my experience and abilities (and let's be honest...maybe my attitude too).
Today, Etienne and I went down Elgin, sat on a patio, and just hung out, reading magazines and chatting. It occurred to me that it was Sunday, and instead of begrudging the fact that tomorrow was Monday, I was feeling very good about it. I've had two weeks of vacation, and I'm feeling pretty relaxed. The stresses of my old job (many self-imposed) have disappeared, and I've mentally moved on. I'm ready for the new files.
Moving on...
...Wish you were here.
I have to confess, I'm not feeling all that nervous about the change. I've been ready for a new challenge for a while, and I'm coming into this having earned a good deal of confidence from my old and new colleagues. Over three years ago, when I arrived at the department, I was better known as Etienne's girlfriend than I was for my own work; tomorrow, I'll still be known as Etienne's girlfriend (understandable though...I am moving into the same directorate that he's in), but now I'll also be known for my experience and abilities (and let's be honest...maybe my attitude too).
Today, Etienne and I went down Elgin, sat on a patio, and just hung out, reading magazines and chatting. It occurred to me that it was Sunday, and instead of begrudging the fact that tomorrow was Monday, I was feeling very good about it. I've had two weeks of vacation, and I'm feeling pretty relaxed. The stresses of my old job (many self-imposed) have disappeared, and I've mentally moved on. I'm ready for the new files.
Moving on...
...Wish you were here.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
June 7/14
Oh boy, okay. Today, we drove an hour into Quebec to help Etienne's father move into his new house. We didn't know what to expect, other than the stuff shipped for Geneva to arrive, but we certainly didn't expect to find contractors working on renovations and the shipping company unloading and setting up most of the furniture. We'd gone in thinking it would be a day of heavy lifting and labour, but ended up just taking care of a few things like cleaning and some light unpacking/assembly.
It's a nice little country house on a marshy pond that turns out to be protected for wildlife. As far as I can tell so far, his neighbours include a retired professor, a beaver, a pair of nesting ducks, and itinerant deer. Oh, and every damn bug species that inhabits Quebec.
While it's a pleasant experience, I can't say I have any desire for the country living. We live in an area of the country where weekend cottages are a big thing; people here love to camp or cottage their weekends away. When I was in Ottawa in 2009 for my co-op term, I was taken for a camping trip near Mont Tremblant. I tried to make the best of it, cracking jokes and being a (fairly) good sport, but my friend Donovan, theperpetrator gracious host of my camping adventure, swore in the most good-natured way that he would never, ever take me camping again. I think he figured out I wasn't the country-loving type when I wrapped my feet in my only dry pair of socks and plastic bags to keep the water out. Or maybe he figured it out when he dragged me down Mont Tremblant after a rainstorm.
Now, if any family is reading, of course you'll remind me that I had no trouble going out to grandparents' cabin at Salt River, but I would remind you that I was just a child...unaware of how dumb the countryside is. Plus, I only went because my pink chair that Grampa made me was there (and that's the story I'm sticking to).
Darling, I love you, but give me Park Avenue...
...Wish you were here.
It's a nice little country house on a marshy pond that turns out to be protected for wildlife. As far as I can tell so far, his neighbours include a retired professor, a beaver, a pair of nesting ducks, and itinerant deer. Oh, and every damn bug species that inhabits Quebec.
While it's a pleasant experience, I can't say I have any desire for the country living. We live in an area of the country where weekend cottages are a big thing; people here love to camp or cottage their weekends away. When I was in Ottawa in 2009 for my co-op term, I was taken for a camping trip near Mont Tremblant. I tried to make the best of it, cracking jokes and being a (fairly) good sport, but my friend Donovan, the
Now, if any family is reading, of course you'll remind me that I had no trouble going out to grandparents' cabin at Salt River, but I would remind you that I was just a child...unaware of how dumb the countryside is. Plus, I only went because my pink chair that Grampa made me was there (and that's the story I'm sticking to).
Darling, I love you, but give me Park Avenue...
...Wish you were here.
Friday, June 6, 2014
June 6/14
Another shopping post, so if you don't want to hear about my purchasing prowess, turn away!
This afternoon, I treated myself to a matinee showing of 'A Million Ways to Die in the West' out at Gloucester (Review: Seth MacFarlane writes a movie to get Charlize Theron to kiss him lots), and then to a quick trip to the Jacob Outlet store.
Now, in case you haven't heard, Jacob had announced earlier this year that it was going to be shutting down and liquidating, so I've been dropping by to see how the sales have been progressing. Well, at the outlet, really well. Granted, the issue at the outlets is that it's harder to come by the small/medium sizes, so I have to really pay attention to everything and then when I find something I like, carefully scour the racks to see if my sizes are available. Still, the stock is voluminous enough that you can collected a good-sized pile of items to try.
The deal is that things are already on sale, but there's an additional 60% off of the whole purchase if you are buying three items or more. So, a tank top originally tagged at $19.90 (before tax), marked down to $11 ended up being $3.20 because I bought three items. In all, I got $223.63 (tax included) worth of items (the tank top, a chemise and a dress) for $55.60. If you're curious, that's a total savings of 75%.
Ladies, if you have a Jacob Outlet nearby...go forth and good luck!
The Shopper's high...
...Wish you were here.
This afternoon, I treated myself to a matinee showing of 'A Million Ways to Die in the West' out at Gloucester (Review: Seth MacFarlane writes a movie to get Charlize Theron to kiss him lots), and then to a quick trip to the Jacob Outlet store.
Now, in case you haven't heard, Jacob had announced earlier this year that it was going to be shutting down and liquidating, so I've been dropping by to see how the sales have been progressing. Well, at the outlet, really well. Granted, the issue at the outlets is that it's harder to come by the small/medium sizes, so I have to really pay attention to everything and then when I find something I like, carefully scour the racks to see if my sizes are available. Still, the stock is voluminous enough that you can collected a good-sized pile of items to try.
The deal is that things are already on sale, but there's an additional 60% off of the whole purchase if you are buying three items or more. So, a tank top originally tagged at $19.90 (before tax), marked down to $11 ended up being $3.20 because I bought three items. In all, I got $223.63 (tax included) worth of items (the tank top, a chemise and a dress) for $55.60. If you're curious, that's a total savings of 75%.
Ladies, if you have a Jacob Outlet nearby...go forth and good luck!
The Shopper's high...
...Wish you were here.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
June 5/14
I've had a raging headache all day, so unless you want it, I haven't got anything to share with you today. Sorry, check back in tomorrow :(
Pain relief...
...Wish you were here
Pain relief...
...Wish you were here
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
June 4/14
I may soon be a pseudo-adoptive squirrel gramma.
This morning, Purrball was so agitated, and until I got up and went to the windows in the living room, I had no idea why. Our apartment faces into a secluded inner courtyard, and there's not much out there, so we didn't plan on seeing much wildlife. Well, it turns out that there is a large, black squirrel who decided to drop by. Of course Purrball was agitated! She wanted the squirrel!
Eventually, I scared the squirrel off by opening the door, and I thought nothing of it...until this evening, when I noticed Purrball was agitated again, and I saw that the squirrel was not only back, but had brought a small pile of leaves, and was dozing on the pile. I was thought perhaps because the squirrel wasn't moving that it had died. I tapped on the glass, and it moved its head. Okay, alive, but maybe injured? Etienne and I fretted about the possibility of removing an injured squirrel, but we opened the door, and slowly, the squirrel moved, crawling onto the mesh screen. Then it let off a huge yawn, and I thought, "Oh you cheeky little bugger, you think you're nesting here?"
Off the little critter went once Etienne shooed it. He did a bit of quick googling, and we quickly learned that this squirrel is most likely a pregnant female, as they like to seek quiet, protective areas such as balconies to birth and raise their kits. So, yeah, let's just assume that we're dealing with a pregnant squirrel. But if this is what's actually happening, that means there's likely an imminent birth, followed by what could be four weeks or more of nesting until the kits are strong enough to leave with Mum.
We don't have a balcony, it's really just a small ledge protected by glass in front of the door, so it's indeed quite a snug little spot; but we're not encouraging her to stay, as we'd prefer she didn't birth here. It's not an ideal place, given that the caretaker and his family lives right below, and they have a young son who may scare the mum away from the nest. The squirrel doesn't seem phased by seeing Purrball, so that's not going to be a solution. It's dark now, so we're not going to be able to see if there's a black squirrel out there.
I'm too young to be a pseudo-adoptive squirrel gramma.
Wildlife...
...Wish you were here.
This morning, Purrball was so agitated, and until I got up and went to the windows in the living room, I had no idea why. Our apartment faces into a secluded inner courtyard, and there's not much out there, so we didn't plan on seeing much wildlife. Well, it turns out that there is a large, black squirrel who decided to drop by. Of course Purrball was agitated! She wanted the squirrel!
Eventually, I scared the squirrel off by opening the door, and I thought nothing of it...until this evening, when I noticed Purrball was agitated again, and I saw that the squirrel was not only back, but had brought a small pile of leaves, and was dozing on the pile. I was thought perhaps because the squirrel wasn't moving that it had died. I tapped on the glass, and it moved its head. Okay, alive, but maybe injured? Etienne and I fretted about the possibility of removing an injured squirrel, but we opened the door, and slowly, the squirrel moved, crawling onto the mesh screen. Then it let off a huge yawn, and I thought, "Oh you cheeky little bugger, you think you're nesting here?"
Off the little critter went once Etienne shooed it. He did a bit of quick googling, and we quickly learned that this squirrel is most likely a pregnant female, as they like to seek quiet, protective areas such as balconies to birth and raise their kits. So, yeah, let's just assume that we're dealing with a pregnant squirrel. But if this is what's actually happening, that means there's likely an imminent birth, followed by what could be four weeks or more of nesting until the kits are strong enough to leave with Mum.
We don't have a balcony, it's really just a small ledge protected by glass in front of the door, so it's indeed quite a snug little spot; but we're not encouraging her to stay, as we'd prefer she didn't birth here. It's not an ideal place, given that the caretaker and his family lives right below, and they have a young son who may scare the mum away from the nest. The squirrel doesn't seem phased by seeing Purrball, so that's not going to be a solution. It's dark now, so we're not going to be able to see if there's a black squirrel out there.
I'm too young to be a pseudo-adoptive squirrel gramma.
Wildlife...
...Wish you were here.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
June 3/14
Well, Tim Hudak officially ruined my day, so it's only fair I share it with you.
A little context: Tim Hudak is the inept leader of the Ontario Conservative Party. He's not good at, you know, people. What he lacks in charisma, he makes up for in.......? I dunno. Honestly, I can't seem to find anyone who likes or trusts the guy. Even among the few Conservatives I know.
As the stupid twit was called on to give his final statement in the Ontario Leaders' Debate this evening, (and you haven't seen it for yourself) he honest to fucking gawd uttered the words, "Hope is on the way."
I don't remember anything else he said after that statement. My brain short-circuited, and I was too busy answering Etienne what he incredulously asked me, "What did he just say?"
"He said, 'Hope is on the way.'"
Seriously, from damn near anyone else, that would be cliche, but from him, it was so patronizing and unbelievable. As in, Not to be believed.
Congratulations, Mr. Hudak...you've made grown, articulate men and women across the province revert to immature 10 year olds, yelling a collective "Barf-ola" across the Twitterverse.
Skeezy politicians...
...Wish you were here.
A little context: Tim Hudak is the inept leader of the Ontario Conservative Party. He's not good at, you know, people. What he lacks in charisma, he makes up for in.......? I dunno. Honestly, I can't seem to find anyone who likes or trusts the guy. Even among the few Conservatives I know.
As the stupid twit was called on to give his final statement in the Ontario Leaders' Debate this evening, (and you haven't seen it for yourself) he honest to fucking gawd uttered the words, "Hope is on the way."
I don't remember anything else he said after that statement. My brain short-circuited, and I was too busy answering Etienne what he incredulously asked me, "What did he just say?"
"He said, 'Hope is on the way.'"
Seriously, from damn near anyone else, that would be cliche, but from him, it was so patronizing and unbelievable. As in, Not to be believed.
Congratulations, Mr. Hudak...you've made grown, articulate men and women across the province revert to immature 10 year olds, yelling a collective "Barf-ola" across the Twitterverse.
Skeezy politicians...
...Wish you were here.
Monday, June 2, 2014
June 2/14
Sometimes, this blog can wax a little philosophical (READ: pretentious), and sometimes, it can be as fluffy as frou-frou girly pillows. Today, we're going with the latter.
This:
If this doesn't make you smile at the pure silliness of it, you are broken. Broken, I tell you.
Smile...
...Wish you were here.
This:
If this doesn't make you smile at the pure silliness of it, you are broken. Broken, I tell you.
Smile...
...Wish you were here.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
June 1/14
The Poitras-Normandin household was a little under the weather today (Wine Flu), but in the wee small hours of the morning, as we were settling into bed, I had promised Etienne I would go get him a gluten-free apple turnover from his local GF-deli, so I dutifully showered and went to get it. That relatively early shower meant I was ready to go out and enjoy the beautiful weather today. Etienne was less fortunate, opting to stay in and recover.
In the late afternoon, I went up to the rooftop patio with a book, and despite the breeze playing havoc with my hair, I got to enjoy about an hour of sun and shallow introspection. At times I read (about a British diplomat's impressions of Libya in the 70's...yeah, who knows how to relax? This girl, right here!), at other times I just looked at the skyline around our neighbourhood and considered what to do about my Ottawa problem.
As you know if you've been following along, I'm not enjoying my time here. There have been many changes since the last time I blogged, some for the better, but nothing overall that has made me turn the corner on my relationship to this place. If you'll recall, early this year, Etienne and I were competing in a process to move to the next level, and we were both successful. He was fortunate that his current group worked out a solution to keep him on, but I had to make the big change. So on May 23rd, I said goodbye to my job and my colleagues there, I took two weeks vacation, and on June 9th, I should be starting my new job in a new branch (same department) with a team that works on issues I am eager to take on. There is already a lot of optimism about my appointment, and I hope I am up to the challenge of meeting expectations.
So, the change up in my career is a positive development that should distract me for a while, and it couldn't come at a better time, because I've recently be subjected to external reminders that when I'm unhappy, I'm such an asshole. I don't like who I'm becoming here in Ottawa. I'm tired of the cynicism and politicking, and I'm tired of seeing good people compromise their values so consistently that you start to question your own. I have heard of instances of gaslighting people's careers, throwing colleagues under the bus, and while I know this happens everywhere, I'm just mindfucked by the scale of it here. This constant feeling of frustration has made me over into a mean girl. I know myself too well. If you think I'm an asshole now, after only four years, can you imagine how bad it would get after 14 years or 24 years? Yeah. That.
All this from being on the roof, staring at the complexes of buildings in Gatineau. Next time, I need more fluffy reading material.
To big changes...
...Wish you were here.
In the late afternoon, I went up to the rooftop patio with a book, and despite the breeze playing havoc with my hair, I got to enjoy about an hour of sun and shallow introspection. At times I read (about a British diplomat's impressions of Libya in the 70's...yeah, who knows how to relax? This girl, right here!), at other times I just looked at the skyline around our neighbourhood and considered what to do about my Ottawa problem.
As you know if you've been following along, I'm not enjoying my time here. There have been many changes since the last time I blogged, some for the better, but nothing overall that has made me turn the corner on my relationship to this place. If you'll recall, early this year, Etienne and I were competing in a process to move to the next level, and we were both successful. He was fortunate that his current group worked out a solution to keep him on, but I had to make the big change. So on May 23rd, I said goodbye to my job and my colleagues there, I took two weeks vacation, and on June 9th, I should be starting my new job in a new branch (same department) with a team that works on issues I am eager to take on. There is already a lot of optimism about my appointment, and I hope I am up to the challenge of meeting expectations.
So, the change up in my career is a positive development that should distract me for a while, and it couldn't come at a better time, because I've recently be subjected to external reminders that when I'm unhappy, I'm such an asshole. I don't like who I'm becoming here in Ottawa. I'm tired of the cynicism and politicking, and I'm tired of seeing good people compromise their values so consistently that you start to question your own. I have heard of instances of gaslighting people's careers, throwing colleagues under the bus, and while I know this happens everywhere, I'm just mindfucked by the scale of it here. This constant feeling of frustration has made me over into a mean girl. I know myself too well. If you think I'm an asshole now, after only four years, can you imagine how bad it would get after 14 years or 24 years? Yeah. That.
All this from being on the roof, staring at the complexes of buildings in Gatineau. Next time, I need more fluffy reading material.
To big changes...
...Wish you were here.
Friday, March 7, 2014
March 7/14
After just an awful day at work that made me question my future, compounded by my withering despair over the so-called report and recommendations on missing and murdered Aboriginal women released today, there is just one way to sum up my life by 5 pm:
Rescue me...
...Wish you were here.
halp, pls. pic.twitter.com/mQN1StxwyG
— Emergency Kittens (@EmrgencyKittens) March 7, 2014
Rescue me...
...Wish you were here.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
March 6/14
This...
Just this...
Thank you, Nick.
I wish I were there...
...Wish you were here.
Just this...
After! Congrats Nick!! #LidstromNight pic.twitter.com/m58Fx2aDke
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 7, 2014
Thank you, Nick.
I wish I were there...
...Wish you were here.
Monday, February 17, 2014
February 17/14
It's Family Day here in Ontario, and in several other provinces around the country; last Monday, it was Family Day in BC. And no matter how you slice it, it's a provincial holiday, not a statutory holiday, so that means we had to go to work today. While everyone was out taking in the last day of Winterlude here in the Nation's Capital, I was having a busy day at the office.
Good Friday is on April 18th this year. That's 108 days after the last statutory holiday, January 1st.
In case you're counting, that's way too frigging long for most people. The daily grind, unending, in the dead of winter? Yeah, that's a winning combination for productivity.
If I seem grumpy lately, think about that.
I need a break...
...Wish you were here.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
February 16/14
When the most active part of your Sunday is waking up at 7:30 in the morning to do five loads of laundry, it's a slow day. By 9 AM, I'd finished two loads of laundry, started another three, fed Purrball, eaten Breakfast number one, and done the dishes. Etienne slept. I did all of that because I didn't want to fight all day for laundry room machines--nine loads of laundry to do, and no patience for doing it. As Brent and Cassie were coming over to watch the Canada-Finland game, it meant that we also had to be up and clean before noon.
Chores suck. I need a housekeeper...
...Wish you were here.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
February 15/14
Today, I've had a hell of a time getting this song out of my head. It's quite good, it's got a great hook, but the thing I enjoy most about it is that the lyrics and title are telling us a story from the perspective of someone who was in Pompeii as Mt. Vesuvius erupted and set in motion events that gave us a stunning landmark of death and destruction. It's not your typical fair for a song, and I do delight when obscure subjects are captured in a good song.
Ear worms that make you smile...
...Wish you were here.
Ear worms that make you smile...
...Wish you were here.
Friday, February 14, 2014
February 14/14
(Hi there, it's me. I actually hand wrote this last night--the 14th--but am typing it out today. Why? Because I was sangria and Florence and the Machine drunk. Looking back, I'm surprised that I was this coherent...)
When you think about it, we humans are stupid creatures; we create and socialize events like Valentine's Day to feel something in this big group. The love we share everyday with someone special is supposed to be more amplified. Why is that? Because the greeting card industry tells us it's that way? Big Chocolate? The diabolical Flower Cartel? No, but in this age of cynicism, you'd be forgiven for thinking it's that.
What makes Valentine's Day different is that it's a day set aside to remember a unique martyr. There are conflicting stories about the martyr who we would come to know as St. Valentine. The more common interpretation is that a priest disobeyed the Emperor by marrying christians, then a persecuted minority in the Roman Empire. The emperor had hoped that by outlawing rights such as marriage, he could prevent the spread of christianity. By performing marriages, Valentine was recognizing that we are all humans with emotions and connections that we want recognized in the eyes of those around us.
Legend has it that Valentine was arrested, but as the emperor was fond of him, he was indulged. It was only when he tried to convert the emperor that he was sentenced to death.
Forbidden lovers wanting society to acknowledge and the state to sanction their relationship? Sound familiar, anyone?
We live in an epoch in human history where we construct artificial barriers to the artificial institutions we created, specifically the social and state recognition of the pair-bond. Last century and earlier, it was an artificial barrier of race--two humans of different racial profiles were forbidden by law from pair-bonding. In recent years, the fight has shifted to same-sex and queer relationships.
St. Valentine was martyred because he dared to help members of a persecuted minority get married. We should remember that. That man was beaten and beheaded in the name of a state that wanted to suppress a love, a connection, a pair-bond between two people, for no good reason.
That, to me, is the reason to celebrate love today.
Happy Valentine's Day...
...Wish you were here.
When you think about it, we humans are stupid creatures; we create and socialize events like Valentine's Day to feel something in this big group. The love we share everyday with someone special is supposed to be more amplified. Why is that? Because the greeting card industry tells us it's that way? Big Chocolate? The diabolical Flower Cartel? No, but in this age of cynicism, you'd be forgiven for thinking it's that.
What makes Valentine's Day different is that it's a day set aside to remember a unique martyr. There are conflicting stories about the martyr who we would come to know as St. Valentine. The more common interpretation is that a priest disobeyed the Emperor by marrying christians, then a persecuted minority in the Roman Empire. The emperor had hoped that by outlawing rights such as marriage, he could prevent the spread of christianity. By performing marriages, Valentine was recognizing that we are all humans with emotions and connections that we want recognized in the eyes of those around us.
Legend has it that Valentine was arrested, but as the emperor was fond of him, he was indulged. It was only when he tried to convert the emperor that he was sentenced to death.
Forbidden lovers wanting society to acknowledge and the state to sanction their relationship? Sound familiar, anyone?
We live in an epoch in human history where we construct artificial barriers to the artificial institutions we created, specifically the social and state recognition of the pair-bond. Last century and earlier, it was an artificial barrier of race--two humans of different racial profiles were forbidden by law from pair-bonding. In recent years, the fight has shifted to same-sex and queer relationships.
St. Valentine was martyred because he dared to help members of a persecuted minority get married. We should remember that. That man was beaten and beheaded in the name of a state that wanted to suppress a love, a connection, a pair-bond between two people, for no good reason.
That, to me, is the reason to celebrate love today.
Happy Valentine's Day...
...Wish you were here.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
February 13/14
Okay, so Etienne and I do enjoy a good commercial when we see one (the Golden Lions are becoming an annual tradition), but when we see a commercial too often or one that is flawed, we jump on it. Like this one:
In this 33 second spot, we see the boy with the balloons arrive, and the girl in the building being all giddy at the window. We see him take off his hat, and we see a ring box in his hand behind the back.
Etienne and I have speculated on what's going on here. First of all, where'd his hat go? If he's got one hand solidly on the massive cascade of balloons, and he uses the other to remove the hat, but also to hide the ring behind his back, what did he do with that stupid hat??
Second, how did she know to go to the window? Etienne speculated that he called her to go to the window, and she was all "okay!" But I know how that conversation would go, and it would not be slick at all:
Him: "Hey babe, can you do me a favour and walk to your window?"
Her: "Why?"
Him: "Can you just come to the window?"
Her: "Why? What's going on?" *grows suspicious*
Him: "There's just something I want to show you."
Her: "Well then just come up."
Him: *exasperated* "No, I can't. Can you just come to the window?"
Her: "Oh my gawd, is something happening? What is it?"
Him: "You know what? Forget it. Nevermind."
Her: "What? No! Tell me! Please?"
Him: "No."
Her: "C'mon, please? Okay, I'll come to the window."
Him: "Fine."
Why? Because when we girls get strange requests from our longtime boyfriends or girlfriends, we know something's up. So, the phone call beckoning her to the window is clearly out of the running.
We've mocked this commercial every time.
Well, at least one mystery is solved:
The answer is that the dude was probably going to stand out in the cold with those balloons until someone, anyone from her office noticed him standing there and called her over. Mission accomplished, right?
Not entirely. We still don't know what happened to that stupid hat.
Anxiously awaiting this year's Golden Lions...
...Wish you were here.
In this 33 second spot, we see the boy with the balloons arrive, and the girl in the building being all giddy at the window. We see him take off his hat, and we see a ring box in his hand behind the back.
Etienne and I have speculated on what's going on here. First of all, where'd his hat go? If he's got one hand solidly on the massive cascade of balloons, and he uses the other to remove the hat, but also to hide the ring behind his back, what did he do with that stupid hat??
Second, how did she know to go to the window? Etienne speculated that he called her to go to the window, and she was all "okay!" But I know how that conversation would go, and it would not be slick at all:
Him: "Hey babe, can you do me a favour and walk to your window?"
Her: "Why?"
Him: "Can you just come to the window?"
Her: "Why? What's going on?" *grows suspicious*
Him: "There's just something I want to show you."
Her: "Well then just come up."
Him: *exasperated* "No, I can't. Can you just come to the window?"
Her: "Oh my gawd, is something happening? What is it?"
Him: "You know what? Forget it. Nevermind."
Her: "What? No! Tell me! Please?"
Him: "No."
Her: "C'mon, please? Okay, I'll come to the window."
Him: "Fine."
Why? Because when we girls get strange requests from our longtime boyfriends or girlfriends, we know something's up. So, the phone call beckoning her to the window is clearly out of the running.
We've mocked this commercial every time.
Well, at least one mystery is solved:
The answer is that the dude was probably going to stand out in the cold with those balloons until someone, anyone from her office noticed him standing there and called her over. Mission accomplished, right?
Not entirely. We still don't know what happened to that stupid hat.
Anxiously awaiting this year's Golden Lions...
...Wish you were here.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
February 12/14
It was yet another ordinary day in my world. Get up, go to work, work, run errands, go home.
But on the other side of the world, it was an extraordinary day for Canada's Olympic Team.
Earlier this week, during a cross-country sprint, a Russian skier went down in a crash. He tried to get back up to finish the race, but it was clear that one of his skis was broken. Out of nowhere, one of the Canadian coaches ran out onto the course with a ski, helped the skier into it, and sent him off to the finish line. This act of kindness alone made me proud that Canada's team is made up of people who look beyond the competition to demonstrate real olympic spirit of respect and humanity.
Well, you can just imagine how blown away I was when I heard today that Denny Morrison won a silver medal in the Speedskating 1000m event BECAUSE his friend and teammate Gilmore Junio volunteered to give up his qualifying spot to Morrison, who had missed qualifying because he fell during the qualifiers in December.
Gob. Smacked.
And not only did Junio give up his spot to Morrison, but when Morrison raced today, Junio was watching down front, cheering and beaming with pride for his teammate.
Seriously, if the Olympics gave out awards for complete and total awesomeness in the sport of humanity, Canada would have a strong lock on it.
Go Canada!
...Wish you were here.
But on the other side of the world, it was an extraordinary day for Canada's Olympic Team.
Earlier this week, during a cross-country sprint, a Russian skier went down in a crash. He tried to get back up to finish the race, but it was clear that one of his skis was broken. Out of nowhere, one of the Canadian coaches ran out onto the course with a ski, helped the skier into it, and sent him off to the finish line. This act of kindness alone made me proud that Canada's team is made up of people who look beyond the competition to demonstrate real olympic spirit of respect and humanity.
Well, you can just imagine how blown away I was when I heard today that Denny Morrison won a silver medal in the Speedskating 1000m event BECAUSE his friend and teammate Gilmore Junio volunteered to give up his qualifying spot to Morrison, who had missed qualifying because he fell during the qualifiers in December.
Gob. Smacked.
And not only did Junio give up his spot to Morrison, but when Morrison raced today, Junio was watching down front, cheering and beaming with pride for his teammate.
Seriously, if the Olympics gave out awards for complete and total awesomeness in the sport of humanity, Canada would have a strong lock on it.
Go Canada!
...Wish you were here.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
February 11/14
I'm normally an average adopter of new technologies and programs--I'm not into getting the very latest thing, but I also don't result change at all costs.
However, today, my day was pretty much buggered by technology. While I was away at French class yesterday, my computer was upgraded, and first thing this morning, I returned to work and encountered problems with my email. As my job is fairly dependent on email, it was interfering with my ability to work on urgent tasks. By lunch hour, that issue was sorted, but then my trouble with the internet started, as pages wouldn't load and suddenly favourite links stopped working. Again, interfering with my work.
We're so dependent on technology, and it occurred to me that I wouldn't last a day without some kind of advanced technological assistance, particularly at work. It makes me wonder if I will ever find the will power to step back.
The course of Windows never did run smooth...
...Wish you were here.
However, today, my day was pretty much buggered by technology. While I was away at French class yesterday, my computer was upgraded, and first thing this morning, I returned to work and encountered problems with my email. As my job is fairly dependent on email, it was interfering with my ability to work on urgent tasks. By lunch hour, that issue was sorted, but then my trouble with the internet started, as pages wouldn't load and suddenly favourite links stopped working. Again, interfering with my work.
We're so dependent on technology, and it occurred to me that I wouldn't last a day without some kind of advanced technological assistance, particularly at work. It makes me wonder if I will ever find the will power to step back.
The course of Windows never did run smooth...
...Wish you were here.
Monday, February 10, 2014
February 10/14
It's another "little things" day here in the old Daily WYWH...
It's *such* a tough life when you have to decide between some delicious Mexican food and some delicious Indian food. I mean, both are awesome, it's so hard to decide! Yes, I know, it's a perfect example of what Tweeters like to call a first world problem (#FirstWorldProblems).
We opted for Indian because we live over a decent Indian restaurant here in the Market, so the convenience factor was very high. It was the right choice based solely on the breads.
I *love* naan bread. Plain and simple Tandoori Naan that tastes like pancakes. If you have never had naan or even experienced Indian food, I suggest this as an extremely safe and simple choice. Also, the papadum, if you can get it. It's an extremely thin flatbread that is crispy and disc-shaped. Our place downstairs uses lentil flour, so it's gluten-free and Etienne gets to enjoy its crispy goodness. And I was excited to see that the restaurant has added a gluten-free roti bread to its menu, which Etienne decided to take a chance on. Turns out it was extremely tasty, so yay!
I've always felt guilty for taking a naan bread when Etienne can't, now I get to greedily scarf it down to my heart's content because he has a comparable treat. More yummy yummy pancake bread!
The little things are so important...
...Wish you were here.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
February 9/14
We're living in a sports crazy period at the moment, what with the Winter Olympics, the 6 Nations Rugby cup, the Scott Tournament of Hearts, and of course, the Premier League action, but the most impactful news story in the sports world today is that a potential NFL draftee, Michael Sam, came out as gay today, just weeks before the draft.
While there is some argument that we shouldn't care so much when an athlete comes out, the fact is that the world of professional team sports is unforgiving when it comes to queer players, which is evidenced by the fact that there are so few professional team sport players who are out and active. Several have come out after they retired from professional play, but here is a young man who decided he needed to *start* his professional career with the honest truth.
Best wishes to you, Michael, I genuinely hope you experience the support of a good, strong organization.
Here's hoping the day comes soon that it will be no big deal to be a gay professional sports athlete...
...Wish you were here.
While there is some argument that we shouldn't care so much when an athlete comes out, the fact is that the world of professional team sports is unforgiving when it comes to queer players, which is evidenced by the fact that there are so few professional team sport players who are out and active. Several have come out after they retired from professional play, but here is a young man who decided he needed to *start* his professional career with the honest truth.
Best wishes to you, Michael, I genuinely hope you experience the support of a good, strong organization.
Here's hoping the day comes soon that it will be no big deal to be a gay professional sports athlete...
...Wish you were here.
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