Being Swiss is a point of patriotic pride for Etienne. He's so eager to share this part of his life with anyone who is interested and he goes out of his way to find Swiss-made goods and companies here in Canada. So, it should come as no surprise that he bought tickets to a Swiss event at the Ottawa Art Gallery as soon as he could.
Every year, the Gallery throws a party to celebrate the start of Winterlude here in the National Capital Region, and this year, the Gallery partnered with the Swiss Embassy and various other companies and organizations to host "Dada for Switzerland: Winterlude Party." There was Swiss wine in ample quantities, large hunks of raclette, big trays of rösti, Swiss flags and games, salutes to Dadaism (including a fantastic old, old film from Cabernet Voltaire that showed a performance art piece that we look back on as quaint), and of course, we had access to a gallery exhibit room or two. The main room was decked out in the Swiss flags, we were serenaded by a Swiss Montagne Choir, an Alpine Horn player, and a DJ from Vevey. The Swiss Ambassador, a thoroughly-bureaucratic looking fellow, dropped by to meet and greet. It was a refreshing change of scene in this rather stayed, unimaginative city.
In fact, it was a very odd collection of people...random Swiss citizens, the OAG arts supporters, club kids, bureaucrats...whatever their motivations, they were there for a good time courtesy of the Gallery. We totally need to get out and do more of this stuff.
Time to party...
...Wish you were here.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
January 30/14
An apology...
Sorry for the disruption folks, but there have been so many happenings in the last month and a half that I had my hands full. By way of an explanation, I need to be upfront and open up about the state of my mental health.
Quite some years ago now, I was diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Depression. I know I've discussed it in the past, and I'm always open about it. In my opinion, it's not something I have to be ashamed of, and I do my best to be open and honest about it with people, particularly in the workplace--it's true, my energy and output can be affected, but never to the extent that has been the case this year.
This winter has been one of my worst. Despite having good supports and understanding people around me, I've struggled with the depression more than I have in recent years. I felt that it was going to be a tough winter early on, but I didn't expect the frequent and lengthy periods of Arctic-inspired weather in Ottawa which compounded the feeling that I was facing a rough winter.
Earlier this month, I ended up in tears at work, and I recognized that I was close to a meltdown. I've had minor meltdowns at work before, and knowing that I am having a rough winter, I knew I had to act fast. As it was close to the end of the work day, I pulled my manager aside for a private discussion and let her know I was in a bad state, close to an outburst, and we discussed some of the issues involved. From that discussion, it was decided that I would work from home the next day. I knew I had work to do, but I also knew that being in the office in my state could be a bad thing--there are all kinds of stimulati in my workplace, and there is no telling what might trigger the outburst. I'm lucky to have a manager who recognizes and works with me to find solutions, so I spent the next day at home, working on projects that have lacked attention while I tended to more urgent responsibilities. By the time I returned to the office the following day, it was clear that I had successfully averted the meltdown.
Earlier this week, there was a day sponsored by a large national company that focused on dialogue and discussion about mental health. I won't name it specifically because I've got my beefs with that company, but I wholeheartedly support the focus. Many, many people struggle with mental health issues and disorders in silence, feeling that they have nowhere to turn and there's nothing that can be done. In making my decision all those years ago to forgo pharmaceutical therapies for my depression, I knew I would have to be open with people about it. I don't do it to receive special treatment, I do it so that I can work with people in my life to find solutions to issues the my mental health can raise. I have to be part of the solution.
You might not know that someone you care about is struggling quietly, but if you know me, hopefully the signs are a little more recognizable.
Be well...
...Wish you were here.
Sorry for the disruption folks, but there have been so many happenings in the last month and a half that I had my hands full. By way of an explanation, I need to be upfront and open up about the state of my mental health.
Quite some years ago now, I was diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Depression. I know I've discussed it in the past, and I'm always open about it. In my opinion, it's not something I have to be ashamed of, and I do my best to be open and honest about it with people, particularly in the workplace--it's true, my energy and output can be affected, but never to the extent that has been the case this year.
This winter has been one of my worst. Despite having good supports and understanding people around me, I've struggled with the depression more than I have in recent years. I felt that it was going to be a tough winter early on, but I didn't expect the frequent and lengthy periods of Arctic-inspired weather in Ottawa which compounded the feeling that I was facing a rough winter.
Earlier this month, I ended up in tears at work, and I recognized that I was close to a meltdown. I've had minor meltdowns at work before, and knowing that I am having a rough winter, I knew I had to act fast. As it was close to the end of the work day, I pulled my manager aside for a private discussion and let her know I was in a bad state, close to an outburst, and we discussed some of the issues involved. From that discussion, it was decided that I would work from home the next day. I knew I had work to do, but I also knew that being in the office in my state could be a bad thing--there are all kinds of stimulati in my workplace, and there is no telling what might trigger the outburst. I'm lucky to have a manager who recognizes and works with me to find solutions, so I spent the next day at home, working on projects that have lacked attention while I tended to more urgent responsibilities. By the time I returned to the office the following day, it was clear that I had successfully averted the meltdown.
Earlier this week, there was a day sponsored by a large national company that focused on dialogue and discussion about mental health. I won't name it specifically because I've got my beefs with that company, but I wholeheartedly support the focus. Many, many people struggle with mental health issues and disorders in silence, feeling that they have nowhere to turn and there's nothing that can be done. In making my decision all those years ago to forgo pharmaceutical therapies for my depression, I knew I would have to be open with people about it. I don't do it to receive special treatment, I do it so that I can work with people in my life to find solutions to issues the my mental health can raise. I have to be part of the solution.
You might not know that someone you care about is struggling quietly, but if you know me, hopefully the signs are a little more recognizable.
Be well...
...Wish you were here.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
December 15/13
Oh boy! We're already half way through December, and I'm just amazed that we're looking at the end of the year so quickly!
I follow this Twitter account called Emergency Kittens, in case you haven't already guessed from previous blog posts which have featured some of the tweets, and honestly, sometimes it's a welcome respite from the cynicism, apathy or ire I endure sometimes. If I share these photos of cats and kittens doing cute or funny things, it's because there was that moment in the day when things weren't looking particularly good, and then some little tweet gives me a reason to smile or laugh. Often it's the text of the tweet that makes it funnier...
like this one...
...Wish you were here.
I follow this Twitter account called Emergency Kittens, in case you haven't already guessed from previous blog posts which have featured some of the tweets, and honestly, sometimes it's a welcome respite from the cynicism, apathy or ire I endure sometimes. If I share these photos of cats and kittens doing cute or funny things, it's because there was that moment in the day when things weren't looking particularly good, and then some little tweet gives me a reason to smile or laugh. Often it's the text of the tweet that makes it funnier...
like this one...
The toilet paper was talking smack. pic.twitter.com/JGpj013LBD
— Emergency Kittens (@EmrgencyKittens) December 16, 2013
Cats......Wish you were here.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Friday, December 13, 2013
December 13/13
IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE!
MY OFFICIAL 'THE BUGLE' FUCKEULOGY MUG IS HERE!
I'm so happy!
When I figured out that no one would buy it for me this holiday season, I treated myself, but it almost didn't happen. I got all the way through the entering the information on the US merchandise website only to get the message that the mug was not in stock. I was momentarily discouraged until I had the bright idea to order from the UK merchandise website, and sure enough, they had it!
I'm worried about ordering online from other countries because of Amazon.com. Amazon.com are jerks and won't ship to Canada...you have to order from Amazon.ca, which doesn't have the variety, and sometimes you can't even get products in Canada.
But who cares! Because I got my Fuckeulogy mug!
It's the little things...
...Wish you were here.
MY OFFICIAL 'THE BUGLE' FUCKEULOGY MUG IS HERE!
I'm so happy!
When I figured out that no one would buy it for me this holiday season, I treated myself, but it almost didn't happen. I got all the way through the entering the information on the US merchandise website only to get the message that the mug was not in stock. I was momentarily discouraged until I had the bright idea to order from the UK merchandise website, and sure enough, they had it!
I'm worried about ordering online from other countries because of Amazon.com. Amazon.com are jerks and won't ship to Canada...you have to order from Amazon.ca, which doesn't have the variety, and sometimes you can't even get products in Canada.
But who cares! Because I got my Fuckeulogy mug!
It's the little things...
...Wish you were here.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
December 12/13
I have this prickly personality flaw that I am conscious of, but I'm torn about whether I can or should do anything to ameliorate it...I hate being told what to do when it involves something I don't want to do. It's a problem only when I can't see the point of doing (or in some cases, not doing) something; otherwise, I'm generally cooperative.
For instance, during the holiday season, I find that my response to holiday celebrations entirely depends on my enthusiasm for the activity and/or the likely level of fun the activity will achieve. When I have no interest, or I suspect the activity will be lame, I become a pain in the ass. And I don't respond well tosuggestionsfalse hopes that it will be fun and morale-boosting. I was a cheerleader...and I'm the absolute worst at buying into the rah-rah-sis-boom-bah someone tries to sell me.
In other words, I'm a crank. A Curmudgeon. A Scrooge, if you will.
So I was relieve today to find out that I'm not alone. Yesterday's New York Times featured an Op-Ed which I didn't see until today. It's about how it's actually a morale-killer for some people when they are (okay, I am) forced to take part in activities to "make work fun." Not because people like me don't want work to be fun, persay, but rather because I often find my sense of fun incompatible with others around me...particularly those who sit on social committees and plan "fun" activities.
I'm grumpy because I recently had to sit through an event that tried to make everything fun, but I spent most of the time rolling my eyes at bad attempts at jokes. And I am not looking forward to the holiday party at work because it's a potluck that will happen during work hours. I don't cook or bake, so potlucks are generally a pain in the ass for me. Okay, if I'm honest, I hate potlucks. I'd rather pay for a ticket to an event where there is socializing, some beverages, music, and if need be, a non-required activity for people who like that kind of thing. I remember the private sector parties, where people come together after hours and have dinners, and people make an effort to look festive/nice. Standing in a boardroom with a plate of tapas while wearing my work badge and listening to work chit-chat is not my idea of fun during the holiday season.
When I'm basically forced to have "fun" I'm afraid my eyeballs will roll right out of my head, and I will die of utter sarcasm.
But thanks to the editors at the New York Times, I know I am not alone, particularly during this holiday season.
Solidarity...
...Wish you were here.
For instance, during the holiday season, I find that my response to holiday celebrations entirely depends on my enthusiasm for the activity and/or the likely level of fun the activity will achieve. When I have no interest, or I suspect the activity will be lame, I become a pain in the ass. And I don't respond well to
In other words, I'm a crank. A Curmudgeon. A Scrooge, if you will.
So I was relieve today to find out that I'm not alone. Yesterday's New York Times featured an Op-Ed which I didn't see until today. It's about how it's actually a morale-killer for some people when they are (okay, I am) forced to take part in activities to "make work fun." Not because people like me don't want work to be fun, persay, but rather because I often find my sense of fun incompatible with others around me...particularly those who sit on social committees and plan "fun" activities.
I'm grumpy because I recently had to sit through an event that tried to make everything fun, but I spent most of the time rolling my eyes at bad attempts at jokes. And I am not looking forward to the holiday party at work because it's a potluck that will happen during work hours. I don't cook or bake, so potlucks are generally a pain in the ass for me. Okay, if I'm honest, I hate potlucks. I'd rather pay for a ticket to an event where there is socializing, some beverages, music, and if need be, a non-required activity for people who like that kind of thing. I remember the private sector parties, where people come together after hours and have dinners, and people make an effort to look festive/nice. Standing in a boardroom with a plate of tapas while wearing my work badge and listening to work chit-chat is not my idea of fun during the holiday season.
When I'm basically forced to have "fun" I'm afraid my eyeballs will roll right out of my head, and I will die of utter sarcasm.
But thanks to the editors at the New York Times, I know I am not alone, particularly during this holiday season.
Solidarity...
...Wish you were here.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
December 11/13
Well, that settles it...I will never be a project manager. I have a lot of respect for what they do, as they have to be on top of every thing, both great and small, but after three days of this class, I've figured out that I am not this person.
It took me years to figure out that I love the challenges of policy precisely because it involves research, data collection, and most of all, the puzzling out all variables and considerations of both the problem and the potential options and recommendations. I think the project manager is more about the nuts and bolts, timelines, and deliverables. All important, but not where my talents lie.
Oh well...back to consultation as a possible future career.
Lifelong Learning...
...Wish you were here.
It took me years to figure out that I love the challenges of policy precisely because it involves research, data collection, and most of all, the puzzling out all variables and considerations of both the problem and the potential options and recommendations. I think the project manager is more about the nuts and bolts, timelines, and deliverables. All important, but not where my talents lie.
Oh well...back to consultation as a possible future career.
Lifelong Learning...
...Wish you were here.
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