Tweedle Dee Dictionary, Part 4

The addition of an extra plural to a word, examples (my two faves that are repeated more times than I can count):

How many breakfastses do you want to order?
The meetings lastses until 2:30.

Exhausted

After the crappy events on Saturday and Sunday, I finally got my day off on Monday. All went as planned - had a great time with my old friend, Tamara and her infant son, Sam (15-months). It was a rainy day, but we managed to enjoy a couple of hours downtown and then head back to my place for some catching up and dinner. It was all good.

However, a 15-month child is quite the bundle of energy. By the time we got back to my place said child had had quite enough of being stuck in a stroller or car seat and henceforth proceeded to climb onto every piece of furniture available, make a grab every breakable object within reach and throw a still undetermined number of books off the bookshelf and place them randomly throughout my condo. Between running after said child, making dinner and chatting with friend, by the time they left at 9pm (after nearly an hour of non-stop crying/screaming until blue in the face)- I found myself crashing onto my couch in sheer exhaustion. And after some 7 hours in bed, I am still exhausted and have some trouble functioning today.

This short visit has merely confirmed my decision NEVER to have children.

Work from Intention

Here we are Sunday night and I have computer access. Not a good sign. In fact, I am not at home, or at my parents, or anywhere that would be even mildly more enjoyable than where I am now. I'm at work! For the third time in two days! What the hell is wrong with me? When am I going to learn to say no?

You'll have to bear with me, but this will likely be a long and rambling entry. Skip it if you're at all impatient. I need to work this out.

Why am I here (at work)? A couple of reasons. Yesterday morning I found out the yoga workshop I was planning to attend was cancelled for lack of participants. (I'm trying so hard to get some practice in, but it's kinda feeling like somebody/someone doesn't want me practice - whole other issue, must keep to the point). Shortly after that I was called by a work colleague wondering if I could cover someone's overtime shift that afternoon. Despite my reservations accepting this offer, I (foolishly?) said yes. In all honesty, the work wasn't that bad - there wasn't much and it was simple enough. The problems have to do with ... oh no!

Now what do I do? When I started this blog I promised myself I wouldn't write about work in any way, shape or form. And guess what? Here I am about to spill the beans on a work related situation. Should I just do it? Maybe I should just stop typing and let it fester and grow like a pus filled cyst inside me (because that's what it feels like right now!!)?

OK - here's what I'll do. I went to work. Did the overtime. Left early. But not too happy. Enough.

Continued with my afternoon. Made my way out to a friend's house for one last bbq. Saw a bunch of people I haven't seen in a while. Enjoyed the company and the food. Didn't enjoy the millions of kids screaming and running all over the place. Gave me a headache within 15 minutes of arriving. Ugh. Either I am really not a kid person or I am spending too much time alone.

Then I saw a friend I really was not expecting to see. Some weeks prior I had asked if she would be able to babysit for a mutual friend for a couple of days (FYI - this mutual friend was willing to pay too). She told me that she and her family were probably going to be away during the week in question. I kind of doubted the story at the time, but took her at her word. If she didn't want to babysit, surely she would have just said so. What reason would she have for lying to me? Having known her most of my life I would've thought that she would at least have the courtesy to be honest with me after all these years. I was apparently mistaken. There was no mention of any little trip away last night. She did have the 'cojones' though to ask how this mutual friend was doing and if she finally managed to find a babysitter. Not a 'sorry I couldn't help out', not a 'maybe we could all get together', nothing. I'm so disappointed and frustrated with this (many more similar situations have happened in the last few years) I feel I can no longer call her a friend, just a person I used to know. This feels awful. And then she offered to drive me home. I was reluctant, but thought it might be rude to refuse point blank, so asked that she drop me off at a metro/bus stop. She ended up driving me all the way home. For that I am truly thankful but I almost felt like it was ... I don't know, maybe her way of 'buying' my friendship in a way.

Got home at a reasonable hour and enjoyed Finding Neverland on TMN. Managed to sleep well despite the upsets of the day. I got 7 full hours - count 'em - s e v e n !!!

Sunday morning, waited for the call to bring me back into work (as scheduled). Came to work. Did the work. Left at the time expected. But again, not too happy. However, this time I was asked to come in again that evening. And yet again (what the hell is wrong with me???) I accepted. So here I am. It's after 8pm on a Sunday night and I am at work. On the weekend that I took Monday off so that I could enjoy a three day weekend - I ended up spending a rather large portion of it at work. Can you see what's wrong with me? Would you let me know?

Back to the whole work from intention thing, which I picked up at a yoga workshop last fall and have had varying success incorporating into my life this last year, but I keep trying. So here's what I'm thinking.

I intended to have three days off.
I intended to go to the yoga workshop.
I intended to help out at work by accepting covering the overtime.
I intended to enjoy myself at the bbq.

Everything was there, maybe I just took things a little too personally. Maybe it wasn't me these events were directed at, but others around me and the stuff they are going through. Maybe I got caught in the middle.

Your thoughts, comments, suggestions are always welcome

Pre-Season Hockey

Last night I was fortunate enough to be asked if I wanted to go to the hockey game. Hockey in Montreal is a big deal. So I went. And because I work for some cool people, we had the use of our firm's loge for the game. It's a pretty sweet deal. You go up in a private elevator, with a guy to push the elevator button for you. Everything is carpeted. There's a hostess who orders your food, serves you drinks, snacks and lets you know when the dessert cart is there. The seats are great - without the usual number of people bumping into you, pushing to get by and standing up at the most inopportune moments. I was having a great time, feeling very special and spoiled - that is until the game started and suddenly I realised what was missing.

My brothers. At most hockey games I've been to I've usually had one of three brothers to explain things to me. Last night none of them were with me and none of the guys who were there were able/willing to explain what was happening. There are new rules in the NHL this year and I knew none of them and understood nothing of these rules and why they were instated. The only thing I did understand was that when the puck goes in the net, it's a goal. All this to say that I'm not going to any more games without a brother beside me.

Tweedle Dee Dictionary, Part 3

Eggspecting (expecting). Yes, it is apparently pronounced with two 'g's. Who knew that eggs were so prominently featured in the English language?

Oh the shame & Purple Rain

Well folks, I'm going to have to come clean with you. This weekend I helped out at my uncle's annual garage sale. One of his friends also had a bunch of stuff for sale there, including a box of CDs. I flipped through briefly and came across something I might be interested in buying. Didn't buy it then but decided to think about it. Some time later, my brother Marc decided that he would buy a couple of CDs. In a fit of ... I don't know ... insanity, perhaps - I told him to buy me the one CD I had been looking at earlier (I stupidly came without any cash). I pretended that I wouldn't be upset if it was gone by this time, but when he came back with it, I was thrilled.

Here's the clincher - the CD in question is Prince's Purple Rain soundtrack. I know! It's a terrible movie but I love the music. So there you go - I'm a closet Prince fan. The Shame!

Words of Wisdom

A couple of days ago an acquaintance provided me with some words of wisdom that calmed me down in an instant. There seems to be some controversy over the origin of the poem which provides for some interesting reading. Here's a link to a web site with the history of Desiderata. Desiderata means "things to be desired" in Latin. The poem has blown me away. I keep reading it, have posted it on my bulletin board at work and am contemplating carrying a copy of it in my purse.

The poem goes like this:

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952

After reading the poem in its entirety and the history and controversy surrounding it, this acquaintance of mine also provided an interesting Canadian political/historical anecdote. Here's what he told me:

"When Pierre Elliiot Trudeau's government was defeated (I forget what year), and the press pounced on him that evening and asked what he thought, he said "No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should."

He decided to step down as Liberal Party leader and retire. Before he could, Joe Clark's government fell on a motion of non confidance, and Trudeau was reelected as Prime Minister."

I thought it was pretty cool.

Tweedle Dee Dictionary, Part 2

Pedastool and Pedalstool (i.e. pedestal): This 'word' has been pronounced both ways. Generally the person saying this word is referring to someone who is admired greatly. Too bad it sounds like they are referring to one who craps as a child (peda-stool) or who bikes over crap (pedal stool).

The Beeeeg Brrrrrrrrown Chugg

Picture of Eric cradling the infamous Big Brown Jug is up on flickr. Have a look see.

The Tweedle Dee Dictionary

Have you ever heard someone say a word, over and over and OVER again, and they say it wrong e v e r y single time? Does this drive you mad? Before I do go mad, I've started what I like to call "The Tweedle Dee Dictionary".

Today's first entry will be -
Supposably: real word is supposedly (adv. as is generally supposed)

I cannot count the number of times I have heard this word spoken incorrectly. And believe me, this is just the beginning ...

Oops I did it again ...

This post actually has nothing to do with that trailer trash girl, but rather has everything to do with my buying more shoes this weekend. Before you all pass judgement on me - hear me out. OK, so I bought three pairs of shoes. But I actually need them.

Pair #1: black pumps - because the ones I have at work are finished and I'm going to throw them in the bin. I did tell myself the same thing for the black pumps I bought in England, but they are kind of more summery because they are strappy.

Pair #2: black flats - becauses my two other pairs are finished. I threw out the others last night as soon as I got home. Well, I didn't actually throw them out, but they are in my goodwill bag, so that's good enough.

Pair #3: walking shoes - because my other running shoes are for the summer and have mesh on the sides. Not so good for walking home in the fall when the chances of rain are significantly increased.

Now, I suppose I should rationalize the 4 pairs I bought in England, but I'm not gonna. So there.

Last Long Weekend of the Summer

The last long weekend of the summer is over. Although summer doesn't officially end until the 22 Sept., it already kind of feels like fall is here. Sigh.

As some of you may know from reading Nick's and Sue's blogs, I was in Windsor this weekend visiting them. It was incredible to see the changes in my niece, Darcy, even since July. Now she's walking and can't seem to get enough of that! She also gets cuter by the day! Her little expressions, the sounds and "words" she says are great to hear. It's obvious that she's communicating, even if we don't understand all her stories.

Incredibly, I seem to have taken over 100 pictures of Darcy. Check out the best of those (I didn't post all of them) in the latest set of Darcy pictures on my flickr site.