Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Hooliganting: Zoom zoom
Hooliganting: Zoom zoom: "Sometimes, old habits just die hard. I was pondering things after hearing about my Gran today. This vibrant lady who is stubbornly clinging ..."
Zoom zoom
Sometimes, old habits just die hard. I was pondering things after hearing about my Gran today. This vibrant lady who is stubbornly clinging to youth despite her 89ish years on the planet took a little turn towards having to admit to being elderlyish today. She was found in a bit of state on her stairs and caused the family some anxious moments. It got me to remembering how I passed the time when I last visited her.
I was living overseas and going to University. The university habit is one that I hear she still has. Who knew that schooling was free once you were a senior? I had to write this lengthy dissertation for the completion of my degree and stayed up to the wee hours of the morning to make that happen. However, when you are up that late in the depths of the first morning hours, there is not much you can do for company. I used to turn on the telly (poor Anna) and listen to Formula One cars race around circuits across the globe. Zoom zoom...
Now, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that there were some rather nice looking drivers at the time, plus a talented Canadian driver (OK so he had a good car). This was a great distraction. My year in the UK was punctuated by the races that I watched late at night while writing my dissertation, visits to the pub and visits to family. Laughing to myself, I have to admit that I had a wonderful time.
By the end of the summer, the work was done and the damage was done. Little did I know that I was permanently hooked. My gran encouraged me to travel and so with a friend, I set out to stomp my mark across Europe. I also stomped my way across several F1 circuits, my favorite being Monoco.
So, in order to properly reminisce and ponder the situation as it currently stands, I have bowed to tradition. I have the advantage of PVR and have recorded the Grand Prix of both Barcelona and Monoco. I have my beer (pint if you will) and I am staying up way too late to watch.
Cheers Gran, this moment funnily enough belongs to you.
I was living overseas and going to University. The university habit is one that I hear she still has. Who knew that schooling was free once you were a senior? I had to write this lengthy dissertation for the completion of my degree and stayed up to the wee hours of the morning to make that happen. However, when you are up that late in the depths of the first morning hours, there is not much you can do for company. I used to turn on the telly (poor Anna) and listen to Formula One cars race around circuits across the globe. Zoom zoom...
Now, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that there were some rather nice looking drivers at the time, plus a talented Canadian driver (OK so he had a good car). This was a great distraction. My year in the UK was punctuated by the races that I watched late at night while writing my dissertation, visits to the pub and visits to family. Laughing to myself, I have to admit that I had a wonderful time.
By the end of the summer, the work was done and the damage was done. Little did I know that I was permanently hooked. My gran encouraged me to travel and so with a friend, I set out to stomp my mark across Europe. I also stomped my way across several F1 circuits, my favorite being Monoco.
So, in order to properly reminisce and ponder the situation as it currently stands, I have bowed to tradition. I have the advantage of PVR and have recorded the Grand Prix of both Barcelona and Monoco. I have my beer (pint if you will) and I am staying up way too late to watch.
Cheers Gran, this moment funnily enough belongs to you.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Hooliganting: In the Quiet of Yourself
Hooliganting: In the Quiet of Yourself: "As much as I hate to admit it, there are those times that life treats you to a curve ball. I had one of those moments today. Contrary to my ..."
In the Quiet of Yourself
As much as I hate to admit it, there are those times that life treats you to a curve ball. I had one of those moments today. Contrary to my own opinion that I never get sick, because really, I have no time for being sick in my hectic schedule, I seem to be lacking a voice.
My reasonable mind knows why I have no voice, but I am still irked nonetheless. Our region has been inundated with clouds of thick chewable smoke from forest fires. The trees have chosen to burst forth with pollinating blossoms and the plants are supposedly fragrant in the air. I wouldn't know that because truthfully, all I sort of smell is smoke. My lovely girls have decided to share their cold. The combination effect has been lethal. For years, I have struggled on and off with managing my allergic responses to everyday life, but two days ago, reality set in.
Desperate to feel like I could breathe properly, I snagged my daughters inhaler and took a hit. Then I did it again. I could feel my chest muscles relax and miraculously I could breathe. Dropping my head in chagrin, I had to admit defeat. It would appear that I have some slight asthmatic tendencies. Now I have my own inhaler and am becoming very fond of that little device.
However, since I was being stubborn earlier in the week, I have over strained my voice and the coughing wasn't helping. So last night I hacked and spluttered until 5:00. This meant I slept until 11:30. I woke up with horror to realize that I was supposed to be teaching Sunday School and wasn't there (Sorry FBC Staff). So, after posting an apology and realizing after trying to talk to myself that I really couldn't have taught anyway, I sucked it up and realized that today was going to be a quiet day. I haven't had one of those in ages.
I sat down to the computer and did some research on my latest work project. Sipping on copious amounts of hot water with lemon, I plugged away. Then, still having not spoken a word to anyone, I made dinner and then went out to the garden. The smoke had finally cleared so I became the boss of the Experimental Dandelion Farm. Ok..so the dandelions are winning but I am choosing to ignore that for the moment. Chaos erupted into the house that evening, and so finally with a bit of a voice back,five children managed to be put into beds and went to sleep. (Not all 5 are mine - don't panic.)
So, knowing full well that I hit my hectic totally insane schedule on Tuesday, it has been interesting to have a day that I have had to detach. I have detached from the phone, and from the coffee dates. After all, it is hard to visit when you can't talk to anyone. I think I was productive and positively detached. This coming from a person that likes to be surrounded by people and misses the connectivity of conversation when I have to be by myself for too long. I have survived, but please, please, please let me be able to talk better tomorrow. One quiet day was enough!
My reasonable mind knows why I have no voice, but I am still irked nonetheless. Our region has been inundated with clouds of thick chewable smoke from forest fires. The trees have chosen to burst forth with pollinating blossoms and the plants are supposedly fragrant in the air. I wouldn't know that because truthfully, all I sort of smell is smoke. My lovely girls have decided to share their cold. The combination effect has been lethal. For years, I have struggled on and off with managing my allergic responses to everyday life, but two days ago, reality set in.
Desperate to feel like I could breathe properly, I snagged my daughters inhaler and took a hit. Then I did it again. I could feel my chest muscles relax and miraculously I could breathe. Dropping my head in chagrin, I had to admit defeat. It would appear that I have some slight asthmatic tendencies. Now I have my own inhaler and am becoming very fond of that little device.
However, since I was being stubborn earlier in the week, I have over strained my voice and the coughing wasn't helping. So last night I hacked and spluttered until 5:00. This meant I slept until 11:30. I woke up with horror to realize that I was supposed to be teaching Sunday School and wasn't there (Sorry FBC Staff). So, after posting an apology and realizing after trying to talk to myself that I really couldn't have taught anyway, I sucked it up and realized that today was going to be a quiet day. I haven't had one of those in ages.
I sat down to the computer and did some research on my latest work project. Sipping on copious amounts of hot water with lemon, I plugged away. Then, still having not spoken a word to anyone, I made dinner and then went out to the garden. The smoke had finally cleared so I became the boss of the Experimental Dandelion Farm. Ok..so the dandelions are winning but I am choosing to ignore that for the moment. Chaos erupted into the house that evening, and so finally with a bit of a voice back,five children managed to be put into beds and went to sleep. (Not all 5 are mine - don't panic.)
So, knowing full well that I hit my hectic totally insane schedule on Tuesday, it has been interesting to have a day that I have had to detach. I have detached from the phone, and from the coffee dates. After all, it is hard to visit when you can't talk to anyone. I think I was productive and positively detached. This coming from a person that likes to be surrounded by people and misses the connectivity of conversation when I have to be by myself for too long. I have survived, but please, please, please let me be able to talk better tomorrow. One quiet day was enough!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Taxi Driver: More than a career
This year, I have perfected my career. No, not he high faluting degree earned career that I dreamed of. This one actually costs me money, rather than pays my bills. It is the point of my school season that I sit down and evaluate the schedules and
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Hooliganting: Taxi Driver: Should I stay or should I go now?
Hooliganting: Taxi Driver: Should I stay or should I go now?: "This year, I have perfected my career. No, not the high faluting degree earned career that I dreamed of. This one actually costs me money..."
Taxi Driver: Should I stay or should I go now?
This year, I have perfected my career. No, not the high faluting degree earned career that I dreamed of. This one actually costs me money, rather than pays my bills. It is the point of my school season that I sit down and evaluate the schedules and driving that I do each year to honor the commitments made by me, and others. Ok - it is mostly me.
Is it worth it? Powered by a paranoia that believes that I have to teach the girls to live actively in moments, to be creative and fluid in their growing minds and bodies, I have registered mine for dance, gymnastics, swimming, music and art. For most of the year, the schedule has been a bit crazy, but manageable. I get by with a little help from my friends.
Now, the merry month of May has become the the massive month of mayhem. It is a bit distressing to realize that I have the power and ability to assist others but when it comes to cloning myself, it isn't going very well. I have several days when the children's activities are suddenly in active conflict with each other. I have no idea how I am going to coerce plead beg and or persuade people to help me.
I am a taxi driver. It is true. I drive my children and those of others to where they need to be on time and usually with some enjoyment for the conversations and insight that only children can offer into daily life. I listen to their joys. I listen to their complaints. I get in trouble when I am lost or late. Traffic snarls make my snarl seem insignificant. For the most part, I have content passengers. The one extra that I do for my "clients" is the provision of food. Who gets into a taxi absolutely starving? Children do.
On that note, I am not McDonald's friendly nor Dairy Queen, nor Subway or Burger King. I am not a huge fan of fast food, although I like to have food accessible and available quickly. These patrons of my cab that I drive have learned that I do not enjoy the starvation shennanigans. They are learning to eat their lunches and learning that I will not go through the drive through. Sneaks are fun, but some of my clients are no longer permitted sneaks.
This is about being the super mom. I guess I will wait and see how I rank on that scale later. Right now, I am back to my schedules and pop ups and liteny of complaints from the peanut gallery. I have to pack more snacks, and get them up again in the morning. I can only hope that somebody somewhere ...never mind....that thought isn't worth finishing.
Is it worth it? And who is it worth it for? Hmmmm points to ponder.
Taxi Driver: More than a career
This year, I have perfected my career. No, not he high faluting degree earned career that I dreamed of. This one actually costs me money, rather than pays my bills. It is the point of my school season that I sit down and evaluate the schedules and
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Insomnia Bites
Like most of you, my life is lived fairly flat our at this time of year. There are the dance recitals and rehearsals. School lessons and the buses to catch. There are lunches to make and work to get to. Swimming lessons and shopping for the necessities. Add to that a flat tire and fixing it on the way to pick up children...and you have my world.
The irritating factor in all of this is that I am supposed to be asleep at the moment. We are at day 8 of not sleeping for more than a short nap. That would be the royal me myself and I. The rest of the house is asleep, including the cat. You can hear the rumbles and wall thumps from here on the sofa. I did actually consider going to bed for awhile, but since I can't seem to sleep there, I thought I would try the sofa for something different. And I am still awake.
I am so tired and sleepy as long as the lights are on. But if the lights are on, I don't want to go to sleep because it feels odd. Tonight, my pillows are lumpy, the mattress is crooked and I swear I could give the princess in that princess and pea story a run for her money. So, I am out of bed on the sofa that is too hot, in a room that feels too big and a kitchen that is tempting me to have a cuppa tea.
Growl, hiss, spit. I need to go back upstairs I think. And yes, we have tried sleeping pills before. However, I will sleep for a minimum of 8 hours and I have to be awake again in 5 hours. Warm milk is not working nor is the wine. And for the record? They don't mix well either. I would opt for someone knocking me out with a club - but somehow no one is volunteering to do that. I admit that there is a lot on my plate mentally speaking, but I am not worrying about it. I did reckless book a week at a hotel in Hawaii tonight...but that is another story.
So, if anyone is bored and awake...misery loves company - especially in the middle of the night.
The irritating factor in all of this is that I am supposed to be asleep at the moment. We are at day 8 of not sleeping for more than a short nap. That would be the royal me myself and I. The rest of the house is asleep, including the cat. You can hear the rumbles and wall thumps from here on the sofa. I did actually consider going to bed for awhile, but since I can't seem to sleep there, I thought I would try the sofa for something different. And I am still awake.
I am so tired and sleepy as long as the lights are on. But if the lights are on, I don't want to go to sleep because it feels odd. Tonight, my pillows are lumpy, the mattress is crooked and I swear I could give the princess in that princess and pea story a run for her money. So, I am out of bed on the sofa that is too hot, in a room that feels too big and a kitchen that is tempting me to have a cuppa tea.
Growl, hiss, spit. I need to go back upstairs I think. And yes, we have tried sleeping pills before. However, I will sleep for a minimum of 8 hours and I have to be awake again in 5 hours. Warm milk is not working nor is the wine. And for the record? They don't mix well either. I would opt for someone knocking me out with a club - but somehow no one is volunteering to do that. I admit that there is a lot on my plate mentally speaking, but I am not worrying about it. I did reckless book a week at a hotel in Hawaii tonight...but that is another story.
So, if anyone is bored and awake...misery loves company - especially in the middle of the night.
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