I had a change of vacation plans about a month ago, and I am not off to Rome this year.
On Sunday, I am heading to Vancouver with my niece for a few days. It should be fun. As long as the weather is good, and the forest fires are far away.
The following week I am heading to Maine with my sister. It should also be fun. As long as the weather is good, and the hurricanes are far away.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wham bam Ram a dan
Well, kids, here it is Ramadan again!
This is a time for fasting and abstinence, i.e., that is to say, there is to be no moon-June-spooning with Kumar during this holy month. I say to that: Hiss! Thumbs down. I know that the Koran says it is okay to moon-June-spoon after sundown, but that is on the assumption that you will be m-J-s-ing with your lawfully wedded spouse; not with some infidel hussy. So this infidel hussy is out of the picture until late Sept. Boo!
It might not be a bad thing overall because Kumar is a tad of an impatient guy, and just imagining what he must be like when he hasn’t eaten all day…well. All I can say is: Stay home and enjoy the fast, Oscar the Grouch.
It never occurred to me that at some point in my life, I would be affected by Ramadan. But in an effort to make lemonade with this lemon known as more free time, Ramadan shall become synonymous with (guess what?) decluttering!!.
Yes! I have decided that for me this will be the holy month of decluttering. There is a new show on A&E on Monday nights called Hoarders. It’s like they know what I want to watch. The real-life people on this show have hoarding compulsions, and they need professional help. I can’t turn it off. It’s like watching my dark future. Except I can still see all my floors; they are not covered with clothes and garbage. Really. It is unbelievable the level of filth and crap people can live in. Heck, I can even see a few inches of my coffee table. I’m not like them. Yet. And after Ramadan, maybe I’ll see more of my table surfaces? Maybe I’ll see that chair in my bedroom that has been covered with clothes for 6 months? It’s possible.
This is a time for fasting and abstinence, i.e., that is to say, there is to be no moon-June-spooning with Kumar during this holy month. I say to that: Hiss! Thumbs down. I know that the Koran says it is okay to moon-June-spoon after sundown, but that is on the assumption that you will be m-J-s-ing with your lawfully wedded spouse; not with some infidel hussy. So this infidel hussy is out of the picture until late Sept. Boo!
It might not be a bad thing overall because Kumar is a tad of an impatient guy, and just imagining what he must be like when he hasn’t eaten all day…well. All I can say is: Stay home and enjoy the fast, Oscar the Grouch.
It never occurred to me that at some point in my life, I would be affected by Ramadan. But in an effort to make lemonade with this lemon known as more free time, Ramadan shall become synonymous with (guess what?) decluttering!!.
Yes! I have decided that for me this will be the holy month of decluttering. There is a new show on A&E on Monday nights called Hoarders. It’s like they know what I want to watch. The real-life people on this show have hoarding compulsions, and they need professional help. I can’t turn it off. It’s like watching my dark future. Except I can still see all my floors; they are not covered with clothes and garbage. Really. It is unbelievable the level of filth and crap people can live in. Heck, I can even see a few inches of my coffee table. I’m not like them. Yet. And after Ramadan, maybe I’ll see more of my table surfaces? Maybe I’ll see that chair in my bedroom that has been covered with clothes for 6 months? It’s possible.
My fellow citizens
With Ted Kennedy gone, does this make Mayor Quimby the sole surviving member of that generation of the family?
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Shoo, go away
The black cat wants to live with us. She's driving me crazy. Go away, cutie. She needs a name. An annoying neighbour name: Bentley? Norton? What was Bill Daily's name on the old Bob Newhart show? Howard? Ok, she's Howard.
Monday, August 24, 2009
The new "Get out of jail free" card?
Rumour is that Bernie (The Earl Jones of the USA) Madoff has cancer.
Well, it worked for the Lockerbie guy. Might as well give it a whirl, Bern.
Maybe Davey Hilton can say he has cancer too, since it looks like he's going back in the can. Ah, the Hiltons! I remember years and years ago, I worked with a woman who knew them as children and she would always say what nice boys they were. Didn't matter what they were on trial for (public drunkedness, depanneur hold-ups, jailhouse sodomy) they were still such nice boys. The good ole days.
(Aside to BJB: Never wrote that book "Punch Drunk" did you? Just as well. You would have to publish a new, updated edition every 6 months.)
Well, it worked for the Lockerbie guy. Might as well give it a whirl, Bern.
Maybe Davey Hilton can say he has cancer too, since it looks like he's going back in the can. Ah, the Hiltons! I remember years and years ago, I worked with a woman who knew them as children and she would always say what nice boys they were. Didn't matter what they were on trial for (public drunkedness, depanneur hold-ups, jailhouse sodomy) they were still such nice boys. The good ole days.
(Aside to BJB: Never wrote that book "Punch Drunk" did you? Just as well. You would have to publish a new, updated edition every 6 months.)
In Chip News
I bought some new Doritos Collisions this weekend. They are a combo of guacamole and Habanero.
Habanero is, apparently, Spanish for effing hot.
The guacamole ones were very refreshing and tasty, and necessary, given the lip-smackin’ and burnin’ effect of the Habaneros. A guacamole was needed after each Habanero to cut the burn. Guacamole, habanero, guacamole, habanero...next thing you know the whole bag is gone.
I don’t know if I like these as much as the original Collisions. I will need to try a second bag in order to make an informed decision. Don't want to be too hasty.
Habanero is, apparently, Spanish for effing hot.
The guacamole ones were very refreshing and tasty, and necessary, given the lip-smackin’ and burnin’ effect of the Habaneros. A guacamole was needed after each Habanero to cut the burn. Guacamole, habanero, guacamole, habanero...next thing you know the whole bag is gone.
I don’t know if I like these as much as the original Collisions. I will need to try a second bag in order to make an informed decision. Don't want to be too hasty.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Take that, Groundhog!
Here is proof that the groundhogs and skunks didn't eat everything in my garden this summer.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Only in Canada, u say
Funny story in the Globe & Mail:
A news release sent out Monday outlined Prime Minister Stephen Harper's itinerary as he began a five-day Arctic tour. The release repeatedly spelled the capital of Nunavut as Iqualuit - rather than Iqaluit. The extra "u" makes a big difference. "It means people with unwiped bums," said Sandra Inutiq of the office of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut.
The best thing about this story? The fact that the Inuktitut language has an actual word for "people with unwiped bums". Why doesn't every language have a word for them? Eh?
A news release sent out Monday outlined Prime Minister Stephen Harper's itinerary as he began a five-day Arctic tour. The release repeatedly spelled the capital of Nunavut as Iqualuit - rather than Iqaluit. The extra "u" makes a big difference. "It means people with unwiped bums," said Sandra Inutiq of the office of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut.
The best thing about this story? The fact that the Inuktitut language has an actual word for "people with unwiped bums". Why doesn't every language have a word for them? Eh?
Election Day in A'stan
I'm reading the BBC reports on the voting in Afghanistan. In some provinces, the turnout by women is very good. Hurray for them. They are brave ladies. I know I would not head out to vote if it meant I risked being shot at. But they are out in high numbers. Better women than I.
Lots of underage voters, apparently. Kids as young as 13 with fake voter cards are getting to vote. These people LOVE democracy. Heh heh.
And the indelible ink washes off. So some people wash the purple off their fingers and go back in and vote again. They really LOVE voting. We should learn from this.
It's full of fraud, but the people seem very proud. I'm guessing Karzai will get back in. Not a great outcome, but what can you do. I think Dr. Abdullah-squared would be worse, and the 3rd candidate, who seems the best choice to me, doesn't have a chance. Kinda like the NDP.
Lots of underage voters, apparently. Kids as young as 13 with fake voter cards are getting to vote. These people LOVE democracy. Heh heh.
And the indelible ink washes off. So some people wash the purple off their fingers and go back in and vote again. They really LOVE voting. We should learn from this.
It's full of fraud, but the people seem very proud. I'm guessing Karzai will get back in. Not a great outcome, but what can you do. I think Dr. Abdullah-squared would be worse, and the 3rd candidate, who seems the best choice to me, doesn't have a chance. Kinda like the NDP.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Gripe, gripe
I have to gripe about a fellow worker.
We have a policy of doctor-certified sick leave that covers 9 months at full pay and 9 months at half pay. Once all the sick leave is used up it takes a certain number of years of work to build it back up. Or, if you truly cannot work, you have to go on disability, which is paid by our insurance company, not by our employer.
This colleague, who is a whiner hated by almost all, has in the past couple of years used up all her full-pay and half-pay sick days. Nobody knows what is wrong with her, as she refuses to discuss it.
Two weeks ago, we learned that she was back on “extended” sick leave. But this past Monday, she was back at work. The reason? She ran out of doctor-certified sick leave. So what gives? She was too unwell to work until her days ran out? And then suddenly she felt able to work again?
Why is the administration doing nothing? Her boss tried to get rid of her, but you can’t fire someone while they are off sick. And since she is almost never at work, he gave up. Now he is retiring and doesn’t give a damn anymore.
If she doesn’t want to work, and has a doctor willing to certify it, why not go on disability until retirement. I'm sure her doctor will sign off on anything just to get her off his back. Nobody here will mind, and she gets to stay home. Be off with you!
We have a policy of doctor-certified sick leave that covers 9 months at full pay and 9 months at half pay. Once all the sick leave is used up it takes a certain number of years of work to build it back up. Or, if you truly cannot work, you have to go on disability, which is paid by our insurance company, not by our employer.
This colleague, who is a whiner hated by almost all, has in the past couple of years used up all her full-pay and half-pay sick days. Nobody knows what is wrong with her, as she refuses to discuss it.
Two weeks ago, we learned that she was back on “extended” sick leave. But this past Monday, she was back at work. The reason? She ran out of doctor-certified sick leave. So what gives? She was too unwell to work until her days ran out? And then suddenly she felt able to work again?
Why is the administration doing nothing? Her boss tried to get rid of her, but you can’t fire someone while they are off sick. And since she is almost never at work, he gave up. Now he is retiring and doesn’t give a damn anymore.
If she doesn’t want to work, and has a doctor willing to certify it, why not go on disability until retirement. I'm sure her doctor will sign off on anything just to get her off his back. Nobody here will mind, and she gets to stay home. Be off with you!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The birth announcement
I don't get it. Celine is pregnant for the second time, and yet it appears that nobody in the province of Quebec has been given the day off work.
We don't respect our royalty anymore.
May I rant about old ancient creaky fathers a bit? (Sure I may.) Effing' Rene is 67 years old. He's going to croak before he can even teach his kids how to lose millions in a casino. What kind of father is that?
The real question is: is Celine really pregnant? Or is this another secret surrogate like the first time? Hmmmm? Hmmmm? Where's the Journal de Montreal on this story?
We don't respect our royalty anymore.
May I rant about old ancient creaky fathers a bit? (Sure I may.) Effing' Rene is 67 years old. He's going to croak before he can even teach his kids how to lose millions in a casino. What kind of father is that?
The real question is: is Celine really pregnant? Or is this another secret surrogate like the first time? Hmmmm? Hmmmm? Where's the Journal de Montreal on this story?
Monday, August 17, 2009
Lazy day at work?
This is a weird day. Turns out my boss is not in, and I can't start the work she assigned me on Friday, for silly procedural reasons. So here I am.
And it's too hot to take the afternoon off. I don't really want to be home.
Tra la la. Drumming fingers on desk.
I decluttered my office a bit. If I can't declutter at home, at least I can attempt it at work.
Time to start writing my novel... It was a dark and stormy night...
And it's too hot to take the afternoon off. I don't really want to be home.
Tra la la. Drumming fingers on desk.
I decluttered my office a bit. If I can't declutter at home, at least I can attempt it at work.
Time to start writing my novel... It was a dark and stormy night...
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Argh
What should be a joyous occasion (the return of Mad Men) has turned into a major annoyance. Looks like the only way I'll be able to see it is to download the episodes at $2.50 per.
This is soooo unfair. I hate capitalism.
This is soooo unfair. I hate capitalism.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Endless Feline Summer
In Lesson One of "How to relax in the summertime" Le Grand Orange demonstrated his wedging-myself-next-to-the-lawnmower technique.
Today, he ups the ante, raises the bar, and is just generally bewildering. Because what better place to snooze on one of the hottest afternoons of the year than while squeezed between two garbage cans? And nuzzling a dirty old broom. Full disclosure: the garbage cans are empty so this is not as smelly and moronic as it looks. And his paws appear to be crossed in an aristocratic manner.
Today, he ups the ante, raises the bar, and is just generally bewildering. Because what better place to snooze on one of the hottest afternoons of the year than while squeezed between two garbage cans? And nuzzling a dirty old broom. Full disclosure: the garbage cans are empty so this is not as smelly and moronic as it looks. And his paws appear to be crossed in an aristocratic manner.
Following in the master's footsteps, Mr. D. goes for under-the-old-step-bench, next to the dirty shovel, the weed eater and the rake.
Miss H. proves that she is the brains of this operation by basking in the comfortable shade, with no garbage or tools in sight. I would like to draw a thought bubble over her head. It would say "Boyz is dumb."
Thursday, August 13, 2009
The Weather
Was just looking at the weather station, my fave.
The forecast for the next five days:
30
30
30
30
30
It's like watching a mediocre darts match.
The forecast for the next five days:
30
30
30
30
30
It's like watching a mediocre darts match.
Home again
Yes, I have taken another day off work. I had an excuse: the furnace cleaners were coming today and they didn't leave until 10:30. Well, by that time the work day is shot, right?
I had warned my boss about this possibility, so when I called in, she knew she wouldn't see me today.
Besides, it's hot and sunny and summer is passing quickly. Might as well enjoy it a bit more. It was a mistake not to schedule my summer vacation earlier. September is too late. I am completely out of gas, work-wise. No motivation. I don't give a hoot. I need a longer break, but it's still 2 weeks away.
I had warned my boss about this possibility, so when I called in, she knew she wouldn't see me today.
Besides, it's hot and sunny and summer is passing quickly. Might as well enjoy it a bit more. It was a mistake not to schedule my summer vacation earlier. September is too late. I am completely out of gas, work-wise. No motivation. I don't give a hoot. I need a longer break, but it's still 2 weeks away.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Americans are baffling
I'll fully admit that I don't understand the American love affair with guns. Why does a person need a dozen weapons in their home? I don't know.
But now they seem to be all going nuts because they don't want the government to cover their health care expenses. It is indeed very puzzling.
Why are they so attached to the "right" to be screwed over by private insurance companies? Do they sincerely believe that some pencil-pusher in a big insurance company has only their best interests at heart?
And do they really believe that pinko socialist regimes like Canada actually have panels that decide that old people are not worth treating and must be left to die? Do they really believe this? If so, how? How can they believe this?
And that guy yesterday in New Hampshire, standing on the church lawn, with his loaded gun? It made me think, once again, that Obama won't live to see the end of his first term.
But now they seem to be all going nuts because they don't want the government to cover their health care expenses. It is indeed very puzzling.
Why are they so attached to the "right" to be screwed over by private insurance companies? Do they sincerely believe that some pencil-pusher in a big insurance company has only their best interests at heart?
And do they really believe that pinko socialist regimes like Canada actually have panels that decide that old people are not worth treating and must be left to die? Do they really believe this? If so, how? How can they believe this?
And that guy yesterday in New Hampshire, standing on the church lawn, with his loaded gun? It made me think, once again, that Obama won't live to see the end of his first term.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Back 2 skool
I'm trying to pick a night course for the Fall session. I'm looking at Con U's ContinUing Ed.
I'm leaning towards a written French course 'cause I need to brush up, but maybe one of these new-fangled computer courses should be looked at too. Computers are the future, I hear.
Either one will be helpful should unemployment be on the horizon (and isn't it always in my lil paranoid world?) So, what should it be? French or computers? But not French computers.
I'm leaning towards a written French course 'cause I need to brush up, but maybe one of these new-fangled computer courses should be looked at too. Computers are the future, I hear.
Either one will be helpful should unemployment be on the horizon (and isn't it always in my lil paranoid world?) So, what should it be? French or computers? But not French computers.
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